Abstract: A fiber optic connector for making a mechanical splice with an optical fiber secured in an optical fiber handler is disclosed. The fiber optic connector provides the craft with a simple, fast and reliable way for terminating the optical fiber.

Abstract: Growing spin-capable multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) forests in a repeatable fashion will become possible through understanding the critical factors affecting the forest growth. Here we show that the spinning capability depends on the alignment of adjacent MWCNTs in the forest which in turn results from the synergistic combination of a high areal density of MWCNTs and short distance between the MWCNTs. This can be realized by starting with both the proper Fe nanoparticle size and density which strongly depend on the sheet resistance of the catalyst film. Simple measurement of the sheet resistance can allow one to reliably predict the growth of spin-capable forests. The properties of pulled MWCNTs sheets reflect that there is a relationship between their electrical resistance and optical transmittance. Overlaying either 3, 5, or 10 sheets pulled out from a single forest produces much more repeatable characteristics.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing a plurality of data operations as a batch process on a client computing device and then reporting on the results of the batch process. According to some embodiments, the batch process is a backup process, a backup server or backup client is provided that is configured to perform the backup process on the backup client; record a backup operation result for the backup operations performed as part of the backup process; and determine a backup process result based on the one or more backup operation results, wherein if no backup operation result indicates a failure, then the backup process result is determined to be a success, and wherein if a backup operation result indicates a failure, then the backup process result is determined to be a success if the plurality of backup operation results meets a predetermined level of success.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a method for detecting an echo path change (EPC) in a telecommunications network. The method detects whether the effectiveness of echo cancellation of an echo canceller has decreased relatively significantly. Once a relatively significant decrease is detected, the method determines whether the decrease was an EPC or an inadvertent detection of double talk (DT). In particular, the method considers whether echo is effectively cancelled over a hangover period. Further, echo return loss (ERL) estimates are generated over the hangover period and compared to a lowest-possible ERL for the network. If both (1) echo cancellation is ineffective and (2) a sufficient number of ERL estimates are not below the worst-case ERL, then an EPC decision is made. If either (1) echo cancellation is effective or (2) a sufficient number of ERL estimates are below the worst-case ERL, then a DT decision is made.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that facilitates construction project bidding over a computer network. In one aspect, a construction project supervisor system may verify one or more aspects of bidder information before bidding. A bidder may submit payment information, an electronic mail address, and a telephone number to be verified. Verification may include utilizing the payment information to process a payment, and/or sending a verification code to the electronic mail address and/or telephone number. In one embodiment, the issuance of a bid bond associated with the prospective bid may be required to complete the verification process.

Abstract: A cosite interference cancellation system is provided for improved rejection of a signal coupled from a transmission antenna into a local receive antenna in the presence of local multipath. The cosite interference cancellation system and associated method advantageously provide improved signal rejection by continuously controlling (adjusting) a matching time delay to reduce cosite interference.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a medical imaging system includes an imager, a patient pallet, and a heating subsystem. The imager obtains measurement data of a patient. Further, the imager includes at least one electrical component that generates heat. The patient pallet supports the patient to be scanned by the imager. Further, the heating subsystem heats the patient pallet using the heat generated by the at least one electrical component of the imager.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and apparatus for removing motion blur are disclosed. A homography is estimated for each of a plurality of images. Two or more images of the plurality are unaligned. An estimated latent image for the plurality of images selected for recovery of the latent image is deconvolved. A point spread function for the each of the plurality of images is calculated. The homography for the each of the plurality of images, the estimated latent image, and the point spread function for the each of the plurality of images are iteratively updated until the homography for each of the plurality of images stabilizes. The iteratively updating includes updating one of the homography for the each of the plurality of images, the estimated latent image, and the point spread function for the each of the plurality of images while holding the remainder constant.

Abstract: There is provided a road boundary detection/judgment device resistant to environmental change and capable of detecting even a road boundary demarcated by a three-dimensional object in the distance.

Abstract: A gas discharge device having one or more substrates and a multiplicity of gas discharge cells, each cell confined within a hollow plasma-shell filled with an ionizable gas. The device contains inorganic and/or organic luminescent materials that are excited by a gas discharge within each plasma-shell. The luminescent material is located on an exterior and/or interior surface of the plasma-shell and/or incorporated into the plasma-shell. Up-conversion and down-conversion materials may be used.

Abstract: A pump in fluid communication with the outlet of a fluid purification apparatus. A pump may furthermore provide fluid to the inlet of the fluid purification apparatus. An embodiment includes a fluid driven rotating inlet device in fluid communication with the inlet of the fluid purification apparatus and an outlet impeller in fluid communication with the outlet of the fluid purification apparatus.

Abstract: To provide an electrical junction box in which an electrical junction box body includes one casing and the other casing, the other casing is prevented from being lifted from the one casing, and a bracket can be attached to a peripheral wall portion of the other casing stably and strongly. One casing is fitted in the other casing. A peripheral wall portion of the other casing is provided on an outer peripheral surface with engagement lock portions. A bottom wall section of the one casing is exposed from an opening defined by the peripheral wall portion. A fitting projection portion is provided on the bottom wall section near the engagement lock portions. The bracket is mated with the engagement lock portions. The fitting projection portion is mated with a fitting recess provided in the bracket to attach the bracket to the other casing.

Abstract: A storage system comprises a plurality of vdisks, with each vdisk containing a plurality of storage segments, and each segment providing a specific class of service (CoS). Each vdisk stores files with data and meta data distributed among its storage segments. A storage system comprises a memory having multiple classes of service. The system comprises an interface for storing a file as blocks of data associated with a class of service in the memory. The interface chooses the class of service for a block on a block by block basis. A file system for storing a file comprises a plurality of vdisks, with each vdisk having a plurality of inodes. Each inode of each vdisk stores data on one or more segments, with each segment having a different class of service. The system comprises a controller which stores data of a file in an inode of a vdisk, in one or more segments of that vdisk. A file system for storing a file comprises a plurality of vdisks, and each vdisk having a plurality of inodes.

Abstract: An IP gateway device establishes distinct TCP sessions within a single FCIP tunnel, each TCP session being designated for a different priority of service (e.g., high, medium, low), plus a control stream. Each TCP session has its own TCP stack and its own settings for VLAN Tagging (IEEE 802.1Q), quality of service (IEEE 802.1P) and Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP). By distributing data streams assigned to different priorities of service into different TCP sessions within the FCIP tunnel, an IP gateway device can preserve the distinctions between the data stream priorities while the data traffic is within the IP network.

Abstract: An upper chord bearing joist comprising a top chord member and a bottom chord member, each having a flange portion and a web receiving portion including two web receiving tabs, each made from a unitary piece of metal; a generally planar steel web, a portion of the web being attached to the top chord member and to the bottom chord member, wherein a top portion of the web is between the two web receiving tabs of the top chord member and a bottom portion of the web is between the two web receiving tabs of the bottom chord member; and a first and second pair of support members, each support member including a shoe portion, a web attaching portion, and an angled portion, the web attaching portion being attached to the web receiving tabs and the angled portion being in contact with the web. The joist may be cambered, have reinforcement stiffeners, and have a rotatable joint at either end. The joists may be used in composite with concrete or with wood.

Abstract: System and method for automatically optimizing the stimulus parameters and/or the configuration of electrodes to provide neural stimulation to a patient, the system includes an electrode array having a support member configured to be implanted into the patient and a plurality of therapy electrodes carried by the support member. The system can also have a pulse system operatively coupled to the therapy electrodes to deliver a stimulus to the therapy electrodes, and a sensing device configured to be attached to a sensing location of the patient. The sensing device generates response signals in response to the stimulus. The system can also include a controller that generates command signals that define the stimulus delivered by the pulse system, evaluates the response signals from the sensing device, and determines a desired configuration for the therapy electrodes and/or a desired stimulus to be delivered to the therapy electrodes.

Abstract: A method for use in an imaging system having an image source and a plurality of microtile units for generating respective portions of the image is provided, each microtile unit including a self-contained screen and a rear projector for projecting the image on the screen, the method for at least one of self-aligning, colour matching and brightness matching the image portions across successive adjacent microtile units. The screen is over-scanned so that a portion of an edge of each image spills over onto a side wall of the microtile unit adjacent a further one of microtile units. Light from the image is permitted to spill through the side wall into the further microtile unit. The light is detected within the further microtile unit. The image is adjusted in response to detection of the light within the further microtile unit so as to at least one of align, color match and brightness match the image between the plurality of microtile units.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods related to controlling multiple strings of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are disclosed. An apparatus may include internal current limiter circuits that are each coupled in series with an associated string of LEDs and are configured to at least partially regulate the current through the associated string of LEDs. The apparatus may also be configured to control external current limiter circuits that are each coupled in series with a corresponding internal current limiter circuit and the string of LEDs associated with the corresponding internal current limiter circuit.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a hybrid vehicle drive system for a vehicle including a first prime mover, a first prime mover driven transmission, a rechargeable power source, and a PTO. The hybrid vehicle drive system further includes a hydraulic pump in direct or indirect mechanical communication with the PTO. The hybrid vehicle drive system further includes an electric motor in direct or indirect mechanical communication with the hydraulic pump. The electric motor can receive power from the prime mover driven transmission through the PTO. The hydraulic pump can receive power from the electric motor when the electric motor rotates, the electric motor using power from the rechargeable energy source, or from the prime mover driven transmission through the PTO.

Abstract: A wind energy installation including a wind rotor, a doubly-fed asynchronous generator driven by the wind rotor, a converter, and a controller configured to determine an operating torque for an operating rotation-speed, the operating torque not exceeding a maximum torque. The installation also includes a frequency-adaptive torque limiter having a classifier—for an overfrequency or underfrequency, a torque shifter configured to reduce the maximum torque in the event of frequency discrepancies, and an inhibitor configured to block the torque shift at an underfrequency. The installation further includes a frequency-dependent rotation-speed limiter configured to interact with the classifier such that a lower limit rotation-speed is increased only at an overfrequency and an upper limit rotation-speed is reduced only at an underfrequency.