Abstract: A mixing device includes vanes arranged so that the outer edges of the vanes define a frusto-conical surface in order to facilitate improved circulation of the liquid being mixed. In one embodiment, the outer edges of the vanes are tapered outward to form the frusto-conical surface. In an alternative embodiment, the inner and outer edges of the vanes are aligned with each other, and the vanes are tilted relative to a central axis to form the frusto-conical surface. Turbines extend between the vanes and shaft for rotating the mixing device. The turbines are arranged to avoid inhibiting entry of liquids through the top and bottom of the mixing device. Feet extend downward from the bottom edge of the mixing device to facilitate mixing of liquids on the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A fishhook for use in catch and release application or when it is desired to inflict minimal damage to the fish. The hook comprises an eye, shank, bend and point. One or more dogs are located on the bend, the shank, or both. The dogs comprise non-barbed raised surfaces or structures. In one or more various embodiments the dogs comprise toroidal shaped raised surfaces, star shaped raised surfaces, raised surfaces with rough outer edges, raised surfaces having inwardly sloping side surfaces, crescent shaped raised surfaces, raised surfaces comprising nubs or cone shapes, or any combination thereof. One or more dogs may also be located on the shank.

Abstract: A conventional sewer grate has a locking mechanism for preventing removal of the grate from its mounting frame by unauthorized persons. The locking mechanism includes a grate hold-down device, a threaded nut attached to the mounting frame below the hold-down device, and a bolt extending downwardly through the hold-down device into threaded engagement with the nut. The head of the bolt is specially constructed so that a specially-formed wrench is required to unscrew the bolt from the nut.

Abstract: A brake force measurement system comprises at least one sensor configured to generate an output indicative of a force applied by to a first braking member associated with a rotatable wheel of a vehicle by a second braking member. The second braking member may be an actual brake pad or a substitute pad plate or member. In one embodiment, the sensor is a load cell configured to measure force applied by the pad or substitute pad member to a rotor of a brake mechanism associated with each wheel of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the sensor output is input to a processing unit configured to display brake force information in human-readable form, such as by an alpha-numeric display displaying brake force at each wheel in various units of measure or percentage of brake force at one or more wheels.

Abstract: The invention is a method of determining the geometry of a wheel of a vehicle and/or the geometry of the associated support or drive structure. In one embodiment, a gauge includes caster and camber vials or an electro-mechanical sensor for outputting caster and camber angle to a display. In use, the gauge is aligned with or referenced to an indicator, such as a slot or marking. In one embodiment, the indicator has a reference position of zero degrees caster angle. The gauge measures the current position of the indicator compared to its reference position. The gauge includes a connecting element for maintaining it in alignment with the indicator, such as a threaded ring which engages the spindle or a magnetic ring engaging a wheel hub.

Abstract: Modem start-up delay reduced by measuring condition of communications line upon connection termination. Variation between termination and start-up line conditions determines if cold or warm start is required. Warm-start may use original condition descriptors. Condition represented by ambient noise, echo or spectral response of channel.

Abstract: A method and for optimizing bit rate throughput in a digital communication system is provided. The method includes establishing a relationship between signal to noise ratio and plural symbol rates for a particular constellation size. The method also includes determining noise power spectral density (N(f)), wherein N(f) is determined during a silent period of line probing; determining Xk(f), wherein Xk(f) is determined by turning on a remote station transmit signal, after N(f) has been measured and determining residual echo Ek(f), wherein Ek(f) is determined by turning on a central station echo canceller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for noise cancellation in a multi-channel communication system is disclosed. In one embodiment this system is configured to cancel FEXT on a victim channel utilizing the signals received on the other channels. The processing benefits gained by a receiver's other filters, such as for example, the FFE and DFE filters, is utilized when generating a FEXT cancellation signal. As a result, the complexity of the apparatus that generates the FEXT cancellation signal may be made less complex since part of the processing burden is performed by other filter apparatus. In one configuration pre-code FEXT cancellation occurs in that a pre-code FEXT filter generates one or more pre-code FEXT cancellation signals corresponding to each of the other channels. The pre-code FEXT cancellation signals are combined, prior to transmission, with the signals associated with each of the other channels, to thereby pre-cancel FEXT prior to transmission.

Abstract: A system for pressing lignocellulosic and/or cellulosic materials to produce composite products such as medium density fiberboard subjects a mat of material to alternating or vibratory forces applied to a face surface of the mat. The frequency of the alternating forces may be between 0.2 Hz and 2 Hz. This vibratory pressing action causes heat to be transferred more quickly to the core of the mat from the surface, and reduces the pressing time required for thermosetting resins within the mat to cure. The system comprises a press for accepting the mat; a sensor for sensing a parameter indicative of heat in the core of the mat; and a control system for controlling the application of vibratory and non-vibratory forces to the mat.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for facilitating high-speed data communication. In one embodiment a receiver is configured to include error correction coding in an interleaved environment to increase data transmission rates. In one embodiment the signal mapping scheme includes constellation shaping to reduce transmit power levels. In one embodiment 8-state Ungerboeck trellis coding is implemented with 4-dimensional PAM10 signal mapping.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for reducing the error rate in a received signal by determining and establishing an optimal slice point for a decision device, or optimal operational parameters. In one embodiment, a processor monitors a received signal to determine signal characteristics, such as a peak signal level or phase value. A table look-up operation may occur in a data table or other processing may occur and, based on the signal characteristics, an optimal slice point may be determined. In one embodiment the look-up operation may also reveal one or more optimal operational parameters that, if adopted, will further reduce the error rate. A receiving station may communicate these optimal operational parameters to a transmitting station to modify operation of the transmitting station. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for self-testing a communication system and channel to determine optimal slice points and operational parameters.

Abstract: A light guide is configured to direct light from a light source. The light guide has an outer guide member and an inner guide member located in the outer guide member. A light passage is defined through the light guide between the inner and outer guide members. When a first end of the light guide is positioned adjacent a light source, light is permitted to pass from the light source through only the light passage in the light guide. The configuration of the light guide reduces passage of light off-angle to the length of the light passage through the guide, such that light is directed substantially parallel to the light passage. The light guide is thus effective in eliminating light dispersion and associated light banding and in focusing light upon a particular object or area.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a piston dividing a cylinder into first and second variable volume chambers on either side thereof. One chamber admits and compresses air which is delivered to another chamber for combustion. The other chamber admits combustion gasses, causing the piston to translate in the cylinder. In one embodiment, combustion of fuel occurs in a combustion chamber separate from the first and second variable volume chambers. In one embodiment, the translation of the piston effects movement of a connecting rod connected to an output shaft. In another embodiment, the piston is mounted on an output shaft and translation of the piston causes the piston to rotate, thus effecting rotation of the output shaft.

Abstract: A variety of methods of playing games using dice or other indicia and apparatus for implementing the games are disclosed. In one embodiment, the game involves the step of accepting a wager, displaying indicia such as images of the sides of dice and determining if identical indicia are connected. Winning combinations of indicia comprise two or more indicia located in adjoining or connecting relationship within the matrix. In one embodiment, a player's bet determines how many indicia are displayed in the matrix. In one embodiment a bonus or separate game comprises using the existing displayed indicia or displaying a new set of indicia and determining the maximum number of identical indicia. If the maximum number exceeds a predetermined number, the outcome is a winning outcome.

Abstract: A multi-player game includes both individual and bonus game aspects. Players play individual games for a score. In one embodiment, game scores comprise an aggregate of scores from individual rounds of play in which indicia are displayed, held and replaced in an attempt to obtain the maximum number of matching indicia. If a player achieves a sufficiently high score, the player is permitted to play the game in a bonus round for a bonus score. A pool of players is determined from the bonus scores of players who play during a predetermined interval of time. A jackpot is awarded to one or more of the players of the pool based upon their bonus scores, such as the players with the highest bonus scores. In one embodiment, players use portable devices such as cellular phones to play the game and the jackpot is funded from charges associated with air time.