Abstract: An apparatus is adapted to form a plurality of apertures in a panel made from a meltable foamed plastic material. The apparatus has a movable panel support device for supporting said panel and a heating array. The heating array has a plurality of heating elements mounted to a support frame. The heating array is disposed opposite to the panel support device. Each of the heating elements is adapted to emit sufficient heat to melt the foamed plastic material when a panel is positioned proximate the heating elements. A driving mechanism is provided for moving the panel support device toward and away from said plurality of heating elements. The panel supporting device moves a panel supported thereon, towards and away from the plurality of heating elements and during them movement melts a plurality of apertures in the panel.

Abstract: A 3D construction module comprising at least one vertically upstanding panel with first and second mesh layers oriented generally transversely and longitudinally. The first and second mesh layers have at least one rod member mounted to said panel and are vertically spaced from each other. The rod members form a first horizontally projected retention cell to restrict translation of a bar held in said retention cell between said first and second mesh layers. A third mesh can also be provided to form a second retention cell between said second and third mesh layers. The first and second retention cells restrict translation movement longitudinally and transversely of a vertical reinforcement member held in said first and second retention cells, and restrict rotation of the vertical reinforcement member about both a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis of the said 3D construction module. Horizontal reinforcement meshes are features of the invention.

Abstract: An interconnect arrangement for an array of N discrete functional modules, including a data bus between the modules formed of N sets of connections where each respective module sends on a respective one of the N sets. Each module is capable of receiving from each of the N sets, and contains an arbitration unit that selects a single set to receive at a given time if more than one of the sets has data for that module at that given time. The N sets are interwoven such that they can be formed by multiple imprints of a single reticle on a given lithographic layer, while maintaining relatively uniform connection lengths.

Abstract: A vehicle frame straightening apparatus includes a substantially upright post adapted to engage a rail mounted transversely to a series of rails fixed to the floor on which the vehicle rests, and adapted to apply pressure between the floor and outward on a deformity in the frame from under the vehicle by a ram engaged therebetween. A holding assembly for holding the vehicle in position engages the vehicle frame from the outside and engages a second rail mounted transversely to the rails fixed to the floor. Preferably the post includes a substantially upright lower portion and an upper portion pivotally attached thereto in order to extend its height, wherein the lower portion does not exceed the ground clearance of the vehicle. Thus, the post may be placed into position against the deformity from beside the vehicle without requiring an increase in the vehicle's ground clearance.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring the behavior, behavior patterns and movements of patients with Alzheimer's, related dementia and a range of other diseases, disorders and injuries including childhood autism, attention deficit disorder (ADD), schizophrenia, severe clinical depression, brain injury, and conditions such as recovery from hip replacement surgery. The monitoring system comprises: a transmitter worn by the patient which emits an identification signal; a detector placed at a hazard or a at a location to be monitored, the detector capable of determining the distance of the patient from the detector and determining the occurrence of an incident when the distance falls below a predetermined threshold; a receiving unit for receiving the information transmitted by the detector; and database means for accumulating information received by the receiving unit.

Abstract: A base station produces a power control bit dependent on SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) determined for each time slot of a signal received from a remote station of a cellular communications system. If the SNR exceeds an upper threshold by an upper threshold margin, the power control bit is a binary 0 and the upper threshold margin is increased; if the SNR is below a lower threshold by a lower threshold margin, the power control bit is a binary 1 and the lower threshold margin is increased; and otherwise the power control bit alternates its binary value for successive time slots and setting the threshold margins are reset. In the remote station, the power control bits are accumulated by a bidirectional counter and the transmitted signal power is only changed up or down in response to the count exceeding a respective threshold.

Abstract: A line condition control (LCC) algorithm is disclosed that is implemented within a switching card that chooses, for information transmission, between working and protection fiber optic channels. The disclosed LCC algorithm ensures that a channel with an oscillating signal failure condition will be utilized instead of a channel with a solid signal failure condition. The LCC algorithm, input with an input line condition (ILC) corresponding to one of the fiber optic channels, outputs a corresponding output line condition (OLC) that is input to a decision algorithm within the switching card. The OLC is set to a signal degrade condition if either a protection oscillation control (POC) mechanism is activated or if a specified number of signal failure condition clearances are detected within a set time period which, in turn, activates the POC mechanism. Otherwise, the OLC is set equal to the ILC.

Abstract: A tuneable E-plane waveguide filter is presented. Tuning is achieved using sliders inserted into the cavities of the insert of the waveguide filter. The sliders are inserted through gaps or notches in the insert, or through notches in the waveguide housing. The positions of the sliders is adjusted to fine-tune the frequency response of the waveguide filter, overcoming limits on narrow relative bandpasses imposed by manufacturing tolerances. When a desired frequency response is achieved, the sliders are fixed in position. Assembly and tuning is less expensive and less complex than tuneable H-plane waveguide filters.

Abstract: Preferably a sensor receives a print image from an authorized person to form a template, and from a candidate to form test data. Power spectral density (PSD) data for the template and candidate are compared, to read out rotation & dilation; these are used to adjust the template or candidate preparatory to a correlation to find translation. After applying the translation, and refinement of the rotation and dilation, normalized spatial correlation values (NSCVs) are used as a measure of quality of the match—and thresholded to make an early rejection or acceptance decision in very clear cases. Where the question is closer, isomorphic adjustment is applied to the entire template or candidate for a fairer comparison in their overlap area. Such comparison proceeds by the same type of PSD analysis—but for multiple subregions in the overlap area. Resulting NSCVs are averaged to obtain a measure of quality of the match, which again is thresholded for a final decision in the closer cases.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for processing digital audio signals that may reduce the signal degradation occurring when the signal is exchanged between two communication terminals equipped with vocoders in a communication network. The solution proposed by this invention is to provide a communication terminal with a vocoder including a decoder section provided with a plurality of decoding units. A switch activates a selected one of the decoding units in dependence of the format of the compressed audio signal data frames received from a remote communication terminal. This system allows the communication terminal to support a number of different speech compression formals. In order to achieve simplicity and low cost, the communication terminal is provided with a single encoding unit. This results in an asymmetric arrangement where the communication terminal has a large number of decoding units than encoding units.

Abstract: An encoder for a wideband CDMA communications system comprises an outer Reed-Solomon code encoder and an inner parallel concatenated convolutional code (PCCC) or turbo code encoder. An iterative PCCC decoder, for decoding the inner code, includes summing functions in forward and feedback paths for producing extrinsic information to enhance soft decoding decisions by first and second decoders in successive decoding iterations. An outer code decoder connected following the PCCC decoder also can provide serial feedback information for enhancing iterative decisions by the PCCC decoder.

Abstract: A basestation transceiver simultaneously addressing multiple air interface standards with cost-effective and efficient allocation of the resources available at the transceiver. The invention significantly reduces the redundancy of the radio frequency equipment used in the transceiver by the use of a common digitizing rate selected to simultaneously accomodate all of the air interface protocols serviced.

Abstract: A data bus is provided having both a synchronous clock and a channel of data control information integrated in a single signal path. For a data bus having a particular bit time, the integrated clock and control signal has a clock high and low time in units equal to one bit time. One edge of the integrated clock and control signal is fixed in phase for bit timing, the alternate edge is phase-modulated. The phase-modulated clock edge carries framing and control data. The fixed-phase bit-timing edge regulates a DLL or PLL to extend the timing. The clock rate is preferably chosen to be equal to the multiplexing cycle rate of multiplexed data carried on the parallel bus.

Abstract: A feed forward power amplifier has a main amplifier and an error compensation path that compares the input and output of the main amplifier and subsequently adjusts the output signal from the main amplifier. Currently, such a design requires the implementation of a delay apparatus to delay the output of the main amplifier in order to compensate for the delay within the error compensation path. This delay apparatus implemented within a high-power area costs the power amplifier in terms of money, size, and/or efficiency. With the implementation of a phase compensation filter within the error compensation path, the delay apparatus can be removed. The phase compensation filter has a frequency versus phase characteristic with a positive slope for a limited bandwidth and a constant frequency versus gain characteristic. This allows, for the limited bandwidth, the characteristic of the error compensation path to be similar to that of the undelayed output of the main amplifier.

Abstract: A demodulator, within a receiver attached to a single antenna, that cancels co-channel interference within a time division multiple access (TDMA) communication system is disclosed. The demodulator takes as input a series of received signals comprising an information signal and a co-channel interference signal, both using the &pgr;/4-differential quadrature phase shift keying (DQPSK) modulation protocol. During a training period, in which the information signals corresponds to a known SYNC word, the demodulator estimates the fading coefficients corresponding to the information and interference signals. After the completion of the training period, the demodulator uses these estimates to generate accurate estimations for future information and interference signals corresponding to future data received signals.

Abstract: A portable cellular telephone comprising a main body for housing at least a microcontroller, a display screen, an audio receiver and a microphone. An extendible section that houses a number of function keys such as the standard telephone keys, slides out of the main body to expose the display screen in its entirety. The extendible section also includes LED's to back light the keys when desirable. The electrical connections between the extendible section and the main body are achieved through wiper contacts in the main body that slide over conductive strips on the under surface of the extendible section. The keys in the extendible section are each connected to resistors of different values, these resistor/key combinations are all connected in parallel to two conductive strips. A resistor bridge is formed by connecting a resistor in the main body to the resistor key combinations.

Abstract: The invention provides a shelter comprising a wall member, a support ring to hold the wall member in its expanded conformation and, optionally, a ground support member to support the shelter on the ground. The wall member is adapted to have a flattened collapsable conformation or an expanded conformation. In use, the wall member is in the expanded conformation in which the wall member circumferentially encloses an interior space and defines an open bottom. The interior space accommodates the plant to be protected. The expanded shape of the wall member may be conical, with an opening at the top. The support ring retains the wall member in its expanded conformation by abutting an exterior surface of the wall member. The support ring has a decomposable portion adapted to deteriorate over time.

Abstract: A novel therapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, in particular in cystic fibrosis patients, is described. Macrophages provide the first line of defence in protecting the lung against bacterial infections. Nonetheless, Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections continue to be problematic in cystic fibrosis patients and are the leading cause of death in these patients. Previously, little was known regarding the factors which regulate the capacity of macrophages to mediate phagocytosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The inventors have now shown that phagocytosis of nonopsonized Pseudomonas aeruginosa by macrophages is dependent upon the presence of glucose. They have also shown that the action of glucose is on the macrophage rather than the bacteria. Glucose therapy can therefore be used to prevent or combat Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.

Abstract: There is described a method and system for fabricating, transporting and placing building units at a site. A production line is located at the site for fabrication of the building units, each unit is transported from the assembly line to a preselected foundation, and the unit is placed on the foundation. Each unit is fabricated on a flatbed and slid onto a flatbed truck. Each unit is constructed on a base member to which a lifting device is attachable to transpose the unit from the truck to the foundation.

Abstract: Known protective helmets used for motorcycle riding, flying and snowmobiling employ transparent visors that have heating elements to reduce and attempt to eliminate the build-up of ice, condensation and fog. A double-lensed face shield is provided with a pair of electrodes formed on an inner face lens, in the air pocket formed between the inner face lens and the outer weather lens. Substantially across one entire surface of the inner face lens is formed an electroconductive film. An upper electrode extends from a first end along an upper margin of the inner face lens on the film to a second end. On the opposite lower margin extends on the film a lower electrode from a first end to a second end. An insulated contact passes from one side of the inner lens to the other and connects the first end of the lower electrode with a conductor which extends on the opposite side of the inner lens towards the first end of the upper electrode.