Abstract: A method for operating a directory assistance system responsive to Voice over IP device requests including receiving a first directory assistance request from at least one Voice over IP device and identifying the requested information on a database. The requested information is formatted in the database in accordance with a format required by the Voice over IP device and is then a notification message is transmitted to indicating its availability. A second request is received from the Voice over IP device for retrieval of the formatted requested information, which is in turn transmitted to the Voice over IP device via the web server.

Abstract: A communication assistance system for providing access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscribers includes a telephone switch for receiving calls from a plurality of requesters desiring to access the subscriber information. A listing database is configured to store the subscriber information including a field containing wireless phone numbers of a desired portion of the subscribers and a connect field that stores information instructing the system as to whether to mask the subscriber's wireless phone number to the requester, such that during a process that the requester is being connected to a desired subscriber, the connect field is examined to determine whether to disclose the subscriber's wireless phone number to the requester.

Abstract: In providing an information assistance service in a call by a user, the context of the call is ascertained. Context information is derived from information exchanges during the call. Inferences as to types of advertisement pertinent to the user location, event, etc. are drawn based on the context information. Pertinent advertisements, which may be further individualized based on personal preferences, are provided to the user at the conclusion of the call, or otherwise transmitted to the user via voicemail, SMS, email, WAP, paging, facsimile, instant messaging, text messaging, picture phone, video phone, etc.

Abstract: A process for the production of a moulding composed of foamed polytetrafluoroethylene by means of an extruder, includes introducing a foaming agent, which brings about foaming, into the polytetrafluoro-ethylene, where the extruder used includes a commercially available extruder, to which a thermoplastically processable, fusible polytetrafluoroethylene is fed, the polytetrafluoroethylene is fed to the extruder together with a foaming agent which has chemical action and which has a decomposition temperature of at least 320° C., and after its discharge from the extruder, the moulding is drawn off in the direction of production without any further measures relating to the foaming procedure.

Abstract: A coated conductor with simplified layer architecture includes a biaxial textured substrate, a template buffer layer composed of a material having the general formula RE2?xB2+xO7 with RE being at least one lanthanoid metal, B being at least one metal selected from Zr and Hf and ?0.4?x?+0.7, where the superconductor layer is obtainable by hybrid liquid phase epitaxy and can be deposited directly onto the template buffer layer.

Abstract: A duct system includes at least one duct for communicating air or fluid within a building that has a plurality of openings along the top of the duct along the central axis of the duct. An ingress pipe is coupled to the openings along the top of the duct. A plurality of openings are also provided along the bottom of the duct along the central axis of the duct, with a drain pipe coupled to the opening along the bottom of the duct. A user may inject a fluid into the duct ingress pipe and the fluid is drained and collected from the duct using the drain pipe.

Abstract: A fault detection system for subsea pipeline DEH cable includes fiber optic element(s) (7) provided along the cable section concerned and located outside at least some of the cable insulation (2,3,4). The fiber optic element(s) are adapted to be influenced by fault inducing effects or damages to said cable section, so as to bring about an optical signal indicating a fault condition. The main feature of the invention is that said fiber optic element(s) (7) extend(s) inside a tubular, electrically conductive metal element (7a) adapted to melt down in the case of a fault current flowing therethrough as a result of damage to the cable insulation (2,3,4) at a point along said cable section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for connecting together two abutting superconductive cables, each cable being constituted by at least a resistive conductive central support of substantially cylindrical shape, by at least one layer of superconductive material placed around the support, and by an insulating sheath surrounding said layer of superconductive material, the end of each cable being stripped to reveal the central support and said layer of superconductive material, the device being provided with an outer covering of insulating material. According to the invention, the device comprises at least one respective conductive sleeves engaged around the stripped portion of each of the cables, together with a conductive tube containing said sleeves and connected to them.

Abstract: An enhanced services platform has an interface for receiving a communication from a user requesting a desired data. An automated response module parses the communication and retrieves the desired data. The enhanced services platform arranges the desired data into a response message that is sent to the user, where the response message includes an embedded code corresponding to a link allowing the user to re-contact the enhanced services platform. An operator assistance module receives communications from the user initiated via the link to provide further assistance regarding the user's request.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quench controlled high temperature superconductor component wherein at least one depression is provided in a surface of the component resulting in a reduced wall thickness, and, wherein an electrical shunt is applied into the depression.

Abstract: Electric fault current limiter has superconducting elements inside a cryogenic vessel and bushings for connecting an external circuit. The electric fault current limiter (1) includes a cryogenic vessel (2) and superconducting assemblies (5) including high temperature type superconducting elements (HTSC) immersed in a liquid coolant (6) such as liquefied nitrogen. Bushings (25, 28) with conductors (17, 18) are associated with a main body (3) of the vessel (2) such that the conductors (17, 18) extend horizontally from a surrounding space into an ullage space (8) situated between a level (7) of the liquid coolant (6) inside the vessel (2) and a cover (4). The arrangement of the bushings (25, 28) according to the invention allows for removing the cover (4) without dismantling electrical connections between the current limiter (1) and a circuit to be protected as is necessary with prior art limiters.

Abstract: A device for making a profiled insulation having an extrusion die with an extrusion tip and a polymer chamber surrounding the extrusion tip. The polymer chamber has at least one air chamber therein. The air chamber is held in place and coupled to the outside of the extrusion die by a vertical fin extending outwards from the extrusion tip. When molten polymer flows through the polymer chamber around the air chamber, an opening is introduced into the polymer such that the profiled insulation is formed as the polymer exits the extrusion die, having a longitudinal cavity therein corresponding to the location of the opening formed by the at least one air chamber.

Abstract: A separator of solids for separating first and second solids, the diameter and density of the first solids being larger than the diameter and density of the second solids. A first substantially vertical internal baffle (2) forms a passage in the low portion of the separator and forms two compartments (1A, 1B) on the passage of the fluidized solids. The fluidization of each compartment is independently controlled by two fluidization gas inlets (3A, 3B) in order to obtain the desired velocity field for separating the first and second solids in the first compartment (1A) and discharging the second solids through a vent (8), as well as for transferring the first solids into the second compartment (1B).

Abstract: To personalize a voice information delivery service, e.g., directory assistance, a voice email service, stock quotation service and other information assistance services, a user is afforded an option to customize automated voices/speeches to deliver information to him/her. The automated voices/speeches may be customized for different services and functions, and/or in terms of urgency, context, etc. of the information to be voice-delivered. In an illustrative embodiment, the user's voice preferences for voice information deliveries are recorded in a user profile, which are represented by sets of speech characterizing parameters, respectively, based on which a text-to-speech (TTS) engine reads given text information to the user in the corresponding preferred voices/speeches.

Abstract: An enhanced directory assistance system includes a telephone switch for receiving calls from at least one caller desiring to receive directions. A direction module is configured to receive a desired destination information provided by the caller and the location of the caller. The direction module is further configured to provide directions to the caller based on the destination and the caller location information, where the system maintains a preferred destination listing configured to store a preferred destination information relating to a destination request frequently requested by the caller, such that when the system recognizes the caller, the desired destination is populated directly from the preferred destination information.

Abstract: A method for arranging a superconductor cable including the step of laying the superconductive cable core into a cryostat with an overlength in comparison to the axial length of said cryostat. After laying the superconductive cable core, it is cooled to its operating temperature thereby shortening the superconductive cable core relative to the cryostat. After cooling the superconductive cable core, the shortened superconductive cable core is mechanically fixed at its two ends to the ends of the cryostat. After fixing the shortened superconductive cable core, terminations are mounted on the ends of the cable core, such that if the superconductive cable core heats up, the core deforms into a wave or helix inside the cryostat, with the length change that acts on components of the superconductor cable being negligible.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic pupillometer comprising a light source suitable for generating a corneal reflection on at least one of the eyes of an individual facing first and second windows, a collimator lens serving at least to position the light source to correspond to far vision of the individual, a detection receiver for automatically locating said reflection, and a calculator for calculating the pupillary distance of said individual. According to the invention, the pupillometer also comprises a third window where the eye of an observer responsible for the measurement is designed to be placed in the vicinity of the focus of said lens so as to view and verify measurement conditions.

Abstract: A baffle system in a clarifier tank having a tank bottom, a periphery, a substantially vertical peripheral wall bounding the interior of the tank and an effluent channel includes a plurality of baffles mounted on the clarifier tank. Each baffle has a baffle surface with a lower end and an upper end. The upper end is coupled to a wall of the clarifier tank and the lower end is disposed at a substantially 60° angle away from the side wall of the clarifier tank such that the baffle surface slopes downwardly and away from the side wall.

Abstract: A baffle system for use in a clarifier tank, having a tank bottom and a periphery and a substantially vertical peripheral wall bounding the interior of the tank, has a plurality of baffles mounted on the peripheral wall of the clarifier tank, each baffle has an upper baffle surface with a lower end and an upper end. The upper end of the upper baffle portion is coupled to the side wall of the clarifier tank wall. The lower end of the upper baffle portion is disposed at a substantially 60° angle away from the side wall of the clarifier tank such that the upper baffle surface slopes downwardly and away from the side wall.