Abstract: An approach facilitates synchronization by providing: (i) a method to analyze the two-satellite synchronization problem in time-frequency domain; and (ii) a two-stage estimation method to accomplish timing and frequency synchronization. The embodiment facilitates satellite diversity. The embodiment applies to a system involving two or more geosynchronous satellites.

Abstract: Various approaches are introduced to provide link adaptation to maximize the resource utilization of the satellite network: (i) a method to adapt the transmission rate for packet voice and data traffics; (ii) a method to control the transmit power of packet voice and data channels; and (iii) a method to accomplish the feedback loop in a secured and correct manner.

Abstract: A method of constructing a building or building appurtenance, optionally without structural use of concrete except for floor slabs. The method contemplates excavating a hole to establish a natural base on which the structure is to be constructed, establishing layout locations where upright walls or other supports of the structure are to be erected, establishing a fabricated footer, optionally a fiber-reinforced polymeric footer, along the laid-out locations of the supports, placing pre-fabricated load-bearing fiber-reinforced polymeric building panels or other supports on the fabricated footer, and connecting the pre-fabricated wall panels or other supports to each other according to the structure plan thereby developing load-bearing walls or other supports, and erecting overlying structure on the load-bearing walls or other supports.

Abstract: A node of a fault-tolerant system relies upon a primary communication mechanism, when possible, for primary connection to a central server. The node monitors its primary connection to the server. While the primary connection is active, the node operates in a supervised mode, in that it generally does not perform a certain subset of tasks without having received real-time commands from the server to perform those tasks. However, when the node detects that it is no longer connected to the server, the node transitions into a fail-over mode. The node operates in the fail-over mode until the node detects that primary connection is re-established. While in fail-over mode, the node may execute a stored set of fail-over instructions that were provided by the server. The node may also attempt to establish a backup connection to the server via a second and different type of communication mechanism.

Abstract: An article configuration system comprising a first conveyor (90) for transferring articles (B) from an input and a second conveyor (88), disposed at a non-linear angle relative to the first conveyor, for transferring articles to an output. The article processing system comprises a mechanism (30) for transferring articles from the first conveyor (90) to the second conveyor (88). The mechanism (30) is structured and arranged to facilitate the reorganization of articles conveyed by the first conveyor such that when transferred to the second conveyor the articles are disposed in adjacent metered lanes (124a-124f) and wherein the number of adjacent metered lanes of articles conveyed by the second conveyor (88) is greater than the number of adjacent lanes of articles (100, 102) conveyed by the first conveyor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a wireless device having two or more antennas. The wireless device substantially concurrently determines (a) using a first antenna, whether a first communications service is available for data transfer, and (b) using a second antenna, whether a second communications service is available for data transfer. After determining that at least one communications service is available for data transfer, the wireless device uses both antennas to transfer data using a selected communications service.

Abstract: A tough, water-proof building system provides wall, ceiling, and floor structures, as well as accessories. The walls can be designed to have vertical and horizontal strengths sufficient to be used in place of concrete, as an engineered solution, both above grade and below-grade, including in severe weather conditions. Walls have inner and outer layers, and structurally reinforcing members extending, typically as a layer and/or stud, the full height of the wall, at spaced locations along the length of the wall. The spaces between the structurally reinforcing members are optionally filled with insulating foam. An optional reinforcing stud is attached to, or overlaid by, the inner layer, and extends inwardly into the building from what is otherwise the inner surface of the building panel/wall panel. A building floor can be supported from the load-bearing wall, at locations on the floor support members which are below the top of the load-bearing wall.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a solenoid valve includes a supply port that fluidly communicates with a source of compressed air, a delivery port, a bore that selectively fluidly communicates with the supply and delivery ports, an armature in the bore, a pole piece in the bore, and a coil that is selectively energized with electrical power. The coil is around the armature and pole piece. The armature and pole piece selectively sealingly engage and move as an armature/pole piece single unit as a function of the electrical power in the coil. A position of the armature/pole piece within the bore controls fluid communication between the supply port and the delivery port.

Abstract: A fiber optic apparatus having a fiber optic equipment tray and an extension adapted to receive, organize and manage fiber optic cables routed to the fiber optic equipment tray is disclosed. The fiber optic equipment tray has a front, a rear, a base, and at least one extension rail. The extension movably attaches to the fiber optic equipment tray at the extension rail and, thereby, slidably extends from and retracts toward the rear of the fiber optic equipment tray. The extension comprises a shelf and a cable management tray hingedly attached to the shelf. The shelf moves over the base when the extension extends from and retracts toward the fiber optic equipment tray. The cable management tray is in planer alignment with the fiber optic equipment tray when the extension is retracted, and allowed to pivot downwardly when the extension is extended. At least one furcation plug tray attaches to the cable management tray.

Abstract: A method of controlling a position of a plasma arc torch relative to a workpiece for a bevel cutting operation is provided that includes: calculating a bevel pivot length, which is a function of a torch height; piercing the workpiece with the plasma arc torch; rotating the plasma arc torch about its center of rotation to a desired cutting angle; translating the plasma arc torch along at least one of X, Y, and Z axes to maintain a torch center point; and translating the plasma arc torch along at least one of the X, Y and Z axes to achieve a resultant displacement along a longitudinal axis of the plasma arc torch to maintain a desired torch height.

Abstract: A traction valve is provided for use in combination with a relay valve. The traction valve includes a body configured for connection to a housing of the relay valve and defining inlet, outlet and traction supply ports. A first fluid control valve used for traction control is supported on the body and includes a valve member that alternately permits and prevents fluid communication between the traction supply and outlet ports in the body. The body and the first fluid control valve are configured to receive any of a plurality of interchangeable second fluid control valves between the inlet port in the body and the first fluid control valve. Each of the plurality of interchangeable second fluid control valves is configured to perform a different function such that the traction valve assumes different configurations upon assembly of the various second fluid control valves with the body and the first fluid control valve.

Abstract: A method of controlling the position of a tilt/tilt style plasma arc torch relative to a workpiece for a bevel cutting operation is provided that includes: calculating a bevel pivot length, wherein the bevel pivot length is a function of a torch height; piercing the workpiece with the plasma arc torch; adjusting a position of the plasma arc torch by at least one linear offset value based on the bevel pivot length; rotating the plasma arc torch about its center of rotation to the desired cutting angle and maintaining a torch center point; and translating the plasma arc along its longitudinal axis to maintain a desired arc voltage between the plasma arc torch and the workpiece.

Abstract: A tire marking apparatus and tire marking method capable of placing multiple, differently colored marks on a tire sidewall. The apparatus includes a frame assembly that movably mounts a stamping bar assembly carrying a plurality of stamping bar elements, each stamping element selectively movable into a marking position and a plurality of tape cassettes, each of which may carry tape of a different color. Each tape cassette is selectively movable into a tire marking position. An actuator advances a portion of an aligned tape cassette towards a tire marking region on the sidewall and moves an aligned stamping element into printing contact with the tire sidewall. This movement transfers material from the tape to the tire sidewall in a pattern that corresponds to indicia defined by the stamping element. The frame assembly includes an intermediate frame that is shiftable between at least two positions.

Abstract: A device for providing vestibular and somatosensory stimulation through bone conduction of sound waves to skeletal bones is provided in the form of a pad that is applied to or wrapped around the individual in treatment, which is comfortable in use and may contain particulate filler material capable of providing bone conduction stimulation adjacent to the location of a bone conduction transducer and expand the sound conduction site over a larger area.

Abstract: A leak in a membrane on top of a horizontal roof deck is located by applying conductive wires on the membrane underneath the aggregate in a grid pattern. A measuring and switching circuit generates voltage having a positive attached to the roof deck and a negative attached to the wires. The circuit has a relay for each wire which can be switched between a current sensor system and the negative potential. The sensor system is arranged to sense at each of the wires in turn the current flowing from the roof deck through any leak in the membrane to the wire. A micro-processor operates the relays in turn to connect all the other wires to the negative as a shield while each wire is sensed. From the output of the grid the changes in current in the x and y directions are analyzed to locate the leak in the membrane.

Abstract: A method of replicating data on a source to a destination comprising the steps of: extracting data from a source via a user interface in a source format; converting the extracted data from the source's format into a destination format; and uploading the converted data to said destination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a secure, dynamic and customizable system and method for authenticating a mobile device in a wireless network, in accordance with the security policies associated with the wireless network. The system and method involve a trusted authentication and device management application stored on the SIM card of the mobile device in a memory space that is protected and only accessible by the network operator. Moreover, authentication is based, at least in part, on information that relates to the environment of the mobile device, the information being available to the authentication application through the operating system of the mobile device.

Abstract: A shrapnel containment system is provided which is adapted to be installed at an interior of a building wall to contain shrapnel from a blast, the system including a panel made of a layer of elastomeric material and fastener elements to fasten the layer to a wall of a structure, with the panel optionally including a fabric reinforcing layer. A method for producing the panel is also provided.

Abstract: A down-hole assembly used to locate an existing window in a main cased well bore and guide equipment through the window and into a lateral well bore after removal of a whip stock. The down-hole assembly includes a running tool with a convex section detachably connected to a concave section of a guide member. The running tool includes a window locator that locates the window. The window locator may contain a selectively reciprocating shear rod operatively associated with a stop/shear block to enable the window locator to locate a plurality of lateral well windows in a main well bore. The guide member includes an inclined or wedge shaped portion for guiding tools or equipment through the window and into the lateral well bore so that remedial work can be carried out.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solder bump structure. In one aspect, the solder bump structure is utilized in a semiconductor device, such as an integrated circuit. The semiconductor device comprises active devices located over a semiconductor substrate, interconnect layers comprising copper formed over the active devices, and an outermost metallization layer positioned over the interconnect layers. The outermost metallization layer comprises aluminum and includes at least one bond pad and at least one interconnect runner each electrically connected to an interconnect layer. An under bump metallization layer (UBM) is located over the bond pad, and a solder bump is located over the UBM.