Abstract: A switch-modulator for a radio-frequency power amplifier, arranged to modulate the I-signal and the Q-signal of the complex components (I+j·Q) separately in an I-signal part and a Q-signal part in order to create a modulated I-signal pulse sequence and a modulated Q-signal pulse sequence, wherein the modulation comprises a time-shift of the pulse positions within a sample interval.

Abstract: A harness for securely positioning a nasal cannula on the face of a person for orally administering oxygen and other gases is described. A flexible chin strap adapted for placement around the chin of the person may be attached to adjustable, flexible straps effective for draping around the ears of the person, which are in turn attached to a central, cannula attachment portion disposed between the cannula and the face of the person. The gas delivery tubes of the cannula are also disposed behind the ears, essentially following the path of the flexible straps of the harness. Once placed on a person, the harness holds the nasal cannula such that the nasal prongs may disposed facing toward the mouth opening in the vicinity of the lower lip thereof, and may deliver gases to a mouth-breathing individual. Another embodiment of the harness may be utilized to position a nasal cannula for nasal administration of gas.

Abstract: A method and a processing device for managing an interactive speech recognition system is provided. Whether a voice input relates to expected input, at least partially, of any one of a group of menus different from a current menu is determined. If the voice input relates to the expected input, at least partially, of any one of the group of menus different from the current menu, skipping to the one of the group of menus is performed. The group of menus different from the current menu include menus at multiple hierarchical levels.

Abstract: A method performed on a wafer having multiple chips each including a doped semiconductor and substrate involves etching an annulus trench, metalizing an inner and an outer perimeter side wall of the annulus trench, etching a via trench into the wafer, making a length of the via trench electrically conductive, thinning a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for processing inputs of various formats to be used in an auction are described. In some implementations, a conversion application can be used to assist a user in setting a conversion ratio by which a service can be valued (e.g., for converting values between commercial and proprietary currency). In some implementations, a cash value of the service to be rendered can be defined. In these implementations, the conversion application can facilitate the determination of an appropriate conversion ratio by which the cash value can be converted to other currency value (e.g., to other proprietary currency).

Abstract: A technique includes obtaining first measurements acquired by sensors of a towed seismic streamer, which are indicative of an inclination of the streamer. Based at least in part on the measurements, a shape of the streamer while in tow is determined.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and methods for a power conversion device. The method includes rectifying a mains voltage to produce a dc voltage and placing the dc voltage on a bus. The bus is coupled to an output converter and has a switch. The method also includes monitoring the bus voltage using voltage sensing circuitry and determining whether the voltage on the bus exceeds a threshold. If the voltage exceeds a threshold, the switch is turned off.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a device including a controller to detect a plurality of users engaging in a voice conference related to a presentation of a media program, convert speech dialog detected in the voice conference to textual dialog, detect from the textual dialog a behavioral profile of at least one of the plurality of users, and identify at least one of advertisement content and marketable media content based on the behavioral profile of the at least one user. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring video assets provided by a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes an expert test monitoring platform (ETMP) configured to emulate MCDN client systems at a facility of an MCDN service provider. The ETMP may be used to test monitor MCDN performance by acquiring a baseband video signal and performing a test operation including at least one check point condition. The check point condition may be associated with a masked region of the video signal and may also involve a test of an audio channel. A plurality of test operations and/or check point conditions may be defined and executed on the baseband video signal, while the results of the test operation may be logged.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bioactive fluid dose on an ingestible sheet, comprising the steps of advancing the ingestible sheet to a dispense position, and activating a fluid ejector to dispense essentially a drop of a bioactive fluid onto the ingestible sheet.

Abstract: A technique for coordinating the registration of a terminal (UE) in circuit-switched (CS) and packet-switched (PS) domains of a multi-operator core network (MOCN) with multiple core networks (CN) is described. According to a method approach, a notification message indicating the necessity of coordinated CS and PS registrations for a terminal (UE) is received from a first core network (CN). In a next step, and based on a global permanent identity (IMSI) associated with the terminal (UE), a second core network (CN) responsible for CS and PS registrations is determined. A registration message for coordinated CS and PS registrations is then sent to the second core network (CN) that has been determined based on the global permanent identity (IMSI).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for transmitting data on a data channel from a source to a destination. The data channel has a plurality of wavelength channels and a throughput. The system and method include a storage application for multicasting data on each of the plurality of wavelength channels, a storage protocol extension device using buffer credits to adjust the throughput during the multicasting, and an application optimization device for managing data channel latency to achieve asymmetric mirroring behavior at the same time as the multicasting.

Abstract: Methods and devices for a radio access network (RAN) to select a wireless communication device (WCD) for handoff to a given sector are presented. In particular, the RAN may receive resource requests from a first WCD and a second WCD, both WCDs contending for a resource of the given sector. Based on the each WCD's active sets of sectors, the RAN may grant the resource to one of these WCDs. Preferably, the RAN grants the resource to the WCD that is more likely to benefit from use of the resource.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for forming curved structures comprises a plurality of pivotally connected sections, each section having a track portion, and a strap member adapted for slidably engaging the track portion of the sections such that the sections are movable to form a radius of curvature. The sections of the apparatus of the current invention are initially pivotal in relation to one another. Following position in a desired configuration, one embodiment of the current invention provides a tab or protrusion carried by one section which is compressed against the base portion of an adjacent section to preclude further pivotal movement. In another embodiment, the pivotal connection between adjacent sections is further compressed, crimped or swaged to preclude further pivotal movement.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method (400) for use in a first node (110) in a wireless access communication system (100). According to the method, the first node controls (405) traffic to and from users, UEs (120), within a certain area in the system, a cell, and the first node is equipped (410) with a plurality of transmit antennas (111,113). The first node can employ (415) a variety of multi antenna transmit modes for down link transmissions, i.e. transmissions to the UEs, and the first node can carry (420) out a so called Random Access (RA) procedure with UEs which do not have a dedicated up link resource, i.e. a resource to the eNodeB. According to the method, one and the same down link multi antenna transmit mode is used by the first node during the RA procedure.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for generating an adaptive chroma key includes taking into consideration foreground object information during the creation of a composite scene. The luminance and chrominance of an area of interest between a foreground key and a background scene are considered and accounted for during the created of the composite scene.

Abstract: Methods of fracturing a well can include the steps of: (A) obtaining a fracturing job design having at least one treatment interval; (B) running a tubular string into the treatment interval; (C) before or after the step of running, forming one or more tubular string openings in the tubular string, wherein after the step of running, the one or more tubular string openings are positioned in the treatment interval; (D) except for the axial passageway of the tubular string, blocking at least 86% of the nominal cross-sectional area of the treatment interval that is between one of the ends of the treatment interval and the axially closest of the one or more tubular string openings, and, except for the axial passageway of the tubular string, leaving unblocked at least 4% of the nominal cross-sectional area of the treatment interval; and (E) pumping a fracturing fluid through the one or more tubular string openings at a rate and pressure sufficient to initiate at least one fracture in the subterranean formation surro

Abstract: An advertising architecture is provided that allows advertisements to be tailored for different wireless device types and minimizes transmitted information while maintaining the functionality of Banner Ads.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for processing signals, particularly signals encoding two-dimensional images, such as photographs, video frames, graphics, and other visually displayed information. Rather than attempting 3D-boosting by attempting a global contrast enhancement, method and system embodiments of the present invention generate a soft-segmented image that is separately contrast enhanced, segment-by-segment, to produce an enhanced soft-segmented image. A details image is then computed, and is combined with the enhanced soft-segmented image to produce an intermediate image, the brightness of which is adjusted to produce a 3D-boosted output image. Local contrast enhancement provides for proportional enhancement of homogenous regions, resulting in 3D-boosting without introduction of anomalies, artifacts, and distortion.