Abstract: A clutch knob that comprises a body portion and a cover portion. The clutch mechanism includes two integrally formed flexible and resilient sweeper arms attached to the base of the body portion; serrations with alternating smooth troughs and crests which are integrally formed on the inner circumference of the cover portion and the cover portion is fitted onto the body portion and so that the cover portion and the body portion are secured loosely with respect to one another. In addition, the body portion has two integrally formed flexible and resilient sweeper arms that are configured in the shape of pointed arches. The sweeper arms are integrally attached to the base and the circular platform. Further, the apex points of the arches are made smooth and made to point diametrically opposite one another. Moreover, the inner circumference of the serrations of cover portion are configured in the form of the alternating smoothened troughs and crest.

Abstract: Adaptive speech coding includes receiving an original speech signal, performing on the original speech signal a current coding operation, and adapting the current coding operation in response to information used in the current coding operation. Adaptive speech decoding includes receiving coded information, performing a current decoding operation on the coded information, and adapting the current decoding operation in response to information used in the current decoding operation.

Abstract: A method of stiffening a flexible pipe using inserts or stiffeners. To account for non-uniformities and toe in of the flexible pipe, the method involves inserting a pipe stiffener into an end of the pipe and expanding the pipe stiffener within the end to a desired diameter. The stiffener is expanded using an expander, and may be sized to any desired diameter. The pipe stiffener may be expanded within the pipe until its outside diameter approximates the inside diameter of the pipe. Alternatively, the pipe stiffener may be expanded within the pipe by an expander until its inside diameter approximates the inside diameter of the pipe before the pipe stiffener is expanded within the pipe. Finally, the stiffener may be expanded within the pipe until the outside diameter of the pipe approximates the outside diameter of other pipes to be joined thereto.

Abstract: An echo canceller pool configuration is provided that allows a user to predetermine and individualize the echo cancellation parameter settings for any echo canceller in the pool, based on prior knowledge of the echo path characteristics of the specific transmission route to be used for an ensuing call. The echo canceller with the individualized parameter settings is then switched into that route for the duration of the call. For example, at call setup, once a trunk route has been identified that will be used to complete the call, a "flag" is retrieved that is associated with that specific route. That "flag" identifies specific echo canceller parameter settings to be used for that route. Those parameter settings are downloaded to the echo canceller device selected from the pool, and that device is then switched into the specific trunk involved. An operator can thereby optimize echo cancellation in the system and significantly improve speech quality overall.

Abstract: A thin wall catheter introducer system for penetrating through intravascular tissue walls and for facilitating the introduction of a catheter through the tissue wall is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a sheath having a thin wall tubular member and a wire braid positioned about the tubular member for reinforcing the tubular member. The wire braid may include at least two intertwined wires wound about the tubular member. In another embodiment, the system includes a dilator for penetrating through an incision in an intravascular wall of a patient. The dilator may include a first tubular member and a reinforcing member which is positionable about the first tubular member to substantially inhibit buckling or kinking of the first tubular member. In yet another embodiment, the system includes a vascular access system for use in dilating and penetrating through an incision in an intravascular tissue wall and for facilitating introduction of a catheter into the incision.

Abstract: A system and method for conforming the service profiles for non-call-related store-and-forward messages to those applicable to calls in an Intelligent Network (IN) telecommunications system comprising several Intelligent Peripherals (IPs) connected to a Service Control Point (SCP) over a network. When an IP handling outgoing calls and messages receives an outgoing message or when an IP handling incoming calls is queried by a subscriber, the IP interrogates the SCP to determine whether any IN services such as restriction control and number translation have been requested, selected or imposed by or on either the sending or the receiving parties. The SCP acknowledges the interrogation and returns the generated results to the IP for further processing, optionally by retrieving and analyzing a service script corresponding to either the originating or the terminating party.

Abstract: A container is disclosed, including an outer shell with an integral handle and two flexible bags within the outer shell. The outer shell has a top, a bottom and sidewalls. The outer shell also defines two openings on opposing walls. Each of the bags within the outer shell defines an aperture sealed to and surrounded by a mouth, which defines a fluid passageway from the interior of the corresponding mouth to the outside of the container. The mouth is sized and shaped such that fluid can be poured through the mouth from a source having an outlet spaced above the mouth. The handle extends outwardly from the top of the outer shell and has sufficient strength to provide essentially all support for the container when the bags are filled with liquid in either of two positions: in the first position, one of the openings is facing upwards; in the second position, each of the openings is facing sideward.

Abstract: An elongated band, suitable for use as a watch strap, belt, head band or luggage strap, is fabricated from a plurality of individual overlapping, and optionally interlocking, segments of leather, or leather-like material that are bonded together to form an upper or outer layer, which is in turn bonded to a conventional backing material, such as a band substrate. The assembled and finished band can be tooled to provide distinctive surface configurations of striking ornamental appearance; alternative configurations of the overlapping segments resemble metal expansion bands for wrist watches.

Abstract: To support communications system repairability, a scalable multi-level data bit stream, capable of supporting variable bandwidth ATM network access, includes an embedded operation channel used by a transport network management system to support connection maintenance, performance monitoring, path tracing, service management and testing functionalities. The transport network management system effectuates a service specific convergence sub-layer functionality to convert between Common Management Information Protocol (CMIP) formatted operation and maintenance managed objects and a message format for the embedded operation channel data. The conversion comprises a Remote Operations Service Element (ROSE) encapsulation, with the encapsulated data incorporated within the embedded operation channel of the multi-level data bit stream. An interface is provided with the ATM network through an ATM adaptation layer to segment the multi-level data bit stream into a plurality of ATM cells.

Abstract: A first cipher stream generated from a private key negotiated as a result of a public key exchange is partitioned to form a sequence of secondary keys. The secondary keys are then indexed. In one instance, each plaintext data packet is encrypted with a second cipher streams generated from a different one of the secondary keys. In another instance, a second cipher stream generated from a single secondary key is used to encrypt a plurality of plaintext data packets. A new second cipher stream generated from another one of the secondary keys is then used for encryption following each instance of the loss of a ciphertext data packet. The index is communicated with the ciphertext to identify which secondary key is to be used in generating the second cipher stream needed for decryption. With knowledge of the secondary key to be used, re-synchronization (along with new private key negotiation) at each instance of a ciphertext data packet loss is obviated.

Abstract: A highly stable single chip crystal controlled oscillator with automatic gain control. An amplitude detector monitors the output of a crystal controlled oscillator amplifier and produces a feedback signal proportional to the output signal of the amplifier to ensure oscillation is induced at startup and that the amplitude of oscillation is limited to a preselected value during operation to conserve power consumption by the amplifier. The capacitor tank circuit connected to the input of the amplifier includes a voltage variable capacitor the voltage across which is initially established at manufacture to tune the oscillation frequency to a preselected value. The voltage across the voltage variable capacitor is also adjusted to compensate for temperature variations in the circuit.

Abstract: A guitar neck is formed with a protruding trapezoidal heel which extends into a pocket formed at the neck end of the body. The tendency of the strings to bend the neck is counteracted by a truss rod assembly which is positioned in a contoured channel formed in the neck beneath the fingerboard. The assembly has a threaded stainless steel rod which extends through an aluminum U-channel, with one end extending beyond the U-channel beneath and adjacent the first fret of the fingerboard, where it is fixed to the U-channel, and the other end extending out of the U-channel adjacent the neck-body joint, where an adjustable hex nut is threaded on the rod which bears on a washer. Two cylindrical spacers are fixed to the rod within the U-channel at positions upward of the neck joint which serve to hold the rod in the center of the U-channel between the U-channel legs, and also spaced outwardly from the base of the U-channel to thereby cause the rod to bow away from the base into the contoured channel in the neck.

Abstract: An electronic combination lock includes a combination lock having a dial with no markings thereon. Rotation of the dial drives a generator which produces electrical pulses. The voltage pulses serves as a power source for the electronics of the lock. The lock also includes a security feature to disable the lock if the combination dial is stopped between dial rotations for a period of time which indicates dialing by an automatic dialer.

Abstract: A frequency plan revision proposal is evaluated to determine whether it is compatible with the current cell configuration by insuring that sufficient frequencies having appropriate operating modes are available for assignment to meet the traffic and control channel requirements and availability of the included cell transceivers. A record is kept of previously approved proposals resulting in a revision to the frequency plan assignment. A determination is then made as to whether the current proposal if implemented would have an adverse effect on the network in view of the previously approved proposals maintained by the record.

Abstract: The invention is a corrosion ring gauge for evaluating the limit of allowable corrosion on the mated surfaces defining the gasket seating area of a bolted pipe flange, and a method for performing the evaluation. The invention includes a ring having an interior edge corresponding to the allowable radial corrosion advancement on a mated surface when the ring is centered on the mated surface. Attached to the ring are at least two centering pins, each of which is aligned with the position of a bolt bore on the flange when the ring is centered on a mated surface. The method of the invention involves centering the corrosion ring gauge on a mated surface and marking the location of the interior edge of the ring on the mated surface. After removing the corrosion ring gauge from the mated surface, a straight edge is positioned on the mated surface so that it intersects the marked location.

Abstract: A self-propelled grain combine head is transported on a wheel supported trailer having an elongated lower support bar on which is mounted a pair of slidable head support units each having a bracket supporting a repositionable support member. Each support member has peripherally spaced different support surfaces for receiving frame members of different combine heads, and each bracket and corresponding head support member have a plurality of sets of alignable holes for receiving a pair of removable cross pins. A pair of hold down units are also slidably mounted on the lower support bar, and each unit carries a manually actuated ratchet winch having a flexible hold down strap. Each strap is connected to a combine head by a hook which may also receive a claw-type hook and a cross pin.

Abstract: Utilizing a three pass processing procedure, a frequency plan revision proposal is defined, verified, implemented and confirmed by a network operator. In a first pass (evaluation), interference and bit error rate measurements are evaluated and used to create one or more proposals. These proposals are evaluated to confirm compatibility with the current cell configuration, coordination with previous proposals, and assignment of frequencies. In a second pass (pre-update verification), more measurements are evaluated to confirm the first pass proposals. A single proposal for each selected cell is then chosen for implementation in a network update. In a third pass (post-update verification), the measurements are again evaluated to verify, following the update, that the implementation of the proposal had a positive effect on the network.

Abstract: A low-calorie compounded cocoa composition comprising cocoa powder, erythritol, and a sweetener of high sweetness (e.g., Stevia and Aspartame). It is lower in calories than conventional compounded cocoa composition containing sucrose as a sweetener and is pleasant to the taste.

Abstract: An adjustable telescoping utility pole apparatus formed from a number of inter-received tubular members and frictional insert mechanisms. Each frictional insert mechanism has one end engaged with the inner diameter of the inner tubular member and a second end sidably engaged with the inner diameter of the outer tubular member.

Abstract: A method, and associated apparatus, for the selective transmission of packet data to a mobile terminal operable in a radio communication system. When packet data is to be terminated at the mobile terminal, an SMS (short message service) message is first transmitted to the mobile terminal. A determination is made at the mobile terminal whether to permit transmission of packet data thereto. The packet data is transmitted to the mobile terminal if permission is granted by the mobile terminal.