Abstract: A system is delineated comprising a TCAS receiver having one or more filters, one or more amplifiers and one or more A/D converters, the one or more A/D converters for digitizing analog data into digital data for decoding one or more of an ADS-B message and a TIS-B message; and circuitry for receiving the digital data and decoding the one or more of an ADS-B message and a TIS-B message, wherein the circuitry includes two or more paths for the decoding.

Abstract: An exercise platform system and apparatus is disclosed that includes a plurality of angled step surfaces. In one aspect, the exercise platform can include an exercise platform base adapted to interface with a supporting surface and an exercise platform upper surface coupled to the exercise platform base that includes a first step having a first step surface, a second step having a second step surface, and a center landing area located between the first step and the second step, the center landing area being substantially parallel to the exercise platform base, wherein the first step surface and the second step surface are angled toward the center landing area by an angle between 5 and 30 degrees, inclusive. Further, the first step surface and the second step surface can be angled by a second angle between 5 and 30 degrees toward a transverse axis laterally bisecting the exercise platform base.

Abstract: A full-zone optical image addressing apparatus, including an addressing device, an image extraction converter, a comparator, an AND gate and a counter. The addressing device is located at the enclosure of the scanner and includes a plurality of geometric patterns. Each of the geometric patterns includes a plurality of rows of pixels. While receiving an exposure signal, the image extraction converter extracts one row of pixels from the addressing device, such that a series of analog signals is obtained and output to the comparator. The comparator then compares the series of analog signals to an analog critical voltage to output a series of analog comparison signals to the AND gate. The AND gate synchronously processes the series of analog comparison signals and a pixel rate clock to output the pixel data corresponding to the extracted row of pixels to the counter.

Abstract: A machine is provided for making a fluid level sender assembly having a first mounting member with a flange and a fluid level sender including a second mounting member that telescopically connects with the first mounting member. The machine has a base, a holding member to support the first mounting member, a head member having an outer ring configured to rotate the flange, the head member moving between a first and second position to allow placing the first mounting member on the holding member and a second position to allow the outer ring to rotate the flange and a sensor receiving member to engage the fluid level sender. The sensor receiving member may move with respect to the holding member to telescopically position the fluid level sender and the plurality of different longitudinal positions such that a plurality of differently sized fluid level sender assemblies can be constructed.

Abstract: A passive chute assembly includes: a chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the chute having an outlet; and a passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet. The passive dispensing unit has a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing. The staging portion is movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed gravimetrically into a receptacle positioned below the dispensing unit. The staging portion includes an adaptive opening that, when the staging portion moves to the dispensing position, opens adaptively corresponding to a diameter of the receptacle.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting thermal radiation emanating from two different intracranial depths in a patient includes a dual-mode transducer having a working surface for placement against a patient's cranium. The transducer includes a first antenna with an aperture adjacent the working surface that first antenna being tuned to a first frequency and producing a first output signal indicative of thermal radiation received within an antenna pattern extending a selected first distance from the working surface and a second antenna having a second aperture adjacent to the working surface within the first aperture. The second antenna is tuned to a second frequency and produces a second output signal indicative of thermal radiation received within an antenna pattern extending a selected second distance from the working surface, the second distance being shorter than the first distance.

Abstract: A carton for a group of bottles arranged in rows is of substantially tubular structure comprising a bottom panel (18), a first side panel (16), a top panel (14), a second side wall panel (12) and end closure panels for at least partially closing the ends of the carton. The carton has an access means, integrally formed in the carton walls and is defined by a weakened line of severance (3). The access means provides a means for accessing the bottles contained within the carton while providing means for retaining the articles to prevent them from being inadvertently dislodged. The access means being formed so that the carton can be oriented to sit on either its bottom panel or the second side panel while articles are accessed via an opening in the first side wall panel.

Abstract: A method and system for ultrasound treatment utilizing a multi-directional transducer to facilitate treatment, such as therapy and/or imaging or other tissue parameter monitoring, in two or more directions. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a multi-directional transducer comprises at least two transduction elements configured to provide for ultrasound energy, such as radiation, acoustical energy, heat energy, imaging, positional information and/or tissue parameter monitoring signals in two or more directions. The transduction elements can comprise various materials for providing ultrasound energy or radiation, such as piezoelectric materials, with and without matching layers. In addition, the transduction elements can be configured for substantially uniform, focused and/or defocused radiation patterns, as well as for single, multiple-element and/or multiple-element array configurations.

Abstract: A method for transferring power in an aircraft between an energy storage device and a power system. The method includes determining an amount of power required by the power system, determining a predetermined amount of power from a generator, comparing the power required by the power system to the predetermined power of the generator, and transferring power to the energy storage device from the power system or to the power system from the energy storage device based on the comparing.

Abstract: A battery pulsation system including a battery string including a plurality of cells, the battery string defining a positive end and a negative end, a first pulsation device connected to a first cell of the battery string to supply a first pulsation energy thereto, the first cell includes a first positive terminal and a first negative terminal and is generally adjacent to the positive end of the battery string, wherein the first pulsation device applies a greater portion of the first pulsation energy to the first negative terminal than the first positive terminal, and a second pulsation device connected to a second cell of the battery string to supply a second pulsation energy thereto, the second cell includes a second positive terminal and a second negative terminal and is generally adjacent to the negative end of the battery string, wherein the second pulsation device applies a greater portion of the second pulsation energy to the second positive terminal than the second negative terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing disk-shaped objects (such as caps for pharmaceutical vials) of two different sizes comprises: first and second dispensers, the first dispenser containing objects of a first size, and the second dispenser containing objects of a second size, each of the dispensers configured to dispense the objects one at a time through an outlet in a predetermined orientation; a first outlet channel having an inlet disposed adjacent the outlet of the first dispenser; a second outlet channel having an inlet disposed adjacent the outlet of the second dispenser; and a common chute fed by the first and second outlet channels. In this configuration, the apparatus can provide objects of two different sizes to a common location (such as a closure securing station).

Abstract: A control system for a laundry machine provides a system and method to automatically monitor the results of the drain or pump operation during normal operation of machine cycles, during unattended idle states as well as through specific diagnostic tests. By automatically monitoring the results of the drain or pump operation, the machine controller can warn the owner or servicer of the equipment that a machine requires service attention.

Abstract: Fiber optic distribution cables and methods for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The methods present one or more optical fibers outward of the protective covering for distribution of the same toward the subscriber. Specifically, the methods include presenting a length of distribution optical fiber outward of the protective covering that is longer than the opening at access location. After the opening is made in the protective covering at the access location, the optical fibers for distribution are selected. Then a tool according to the present invention is positioned about the optical fibers selected for distribution and slid within the protective covering of the fiber optic distribution cable until it reaches a cutting location within the fiber optic distribution cable. Consequently, the tool is positioned for cutting the distribution optical fiber at a cutting location within the fiber optic distribution cable at a downstream location.

Abstract: A new pulse shape for CPM is introduced which is obtained by a linear combination of well-known RC and REC pulse shapes. The new pulse shape addresses the tradeoff between the width of the PSD main lobe and the rate of decay of the side lobe to improve the coded performance of multi-carrier systems affected by ACI. Also, a methodology is proposed to design and evaluate the performance of the new pulse shape for multi-carrier, coded systems based on the modulation constrained capacity. Furthermore, a binary convolutional code and the CPM modulator are concatenated using an S-random bit interleaver to lower the error floor. Finally, Laurent representation of the new pulse shape is suggested such that by retaining only the principal pulses at the receiver, complexity of the receiver can be reduced.

Abstract: A new coded continuous phase modulation (CPM) scheme is proposed to enhance physical layer performance of the current DVB-RCS standard for a satellite communication system. The proposed CPM scheme uses a phase pulse design and combination of modulation parameters to shape the power spectrum of CPM signal in order to improve resilience to adjacent channel interference (ACI). Additionally, it improves error rate performance at both high and low frame error rates using low complexity binary convolutional codes and S-random bit interleaving. Phase response using the proposed CPM scheme is a weighted average of the conventional rectangular and raised-cosine responses and provides optimum response to minimize frame error rate for a given data rate.

Abstract: A series of medical instruments can be made with the use of shape memory tube with a transformation temperature that is above or below the ambient temperature. In the first case, the material behaves with the shape memory effect and in the second case the behavior is superelastic. The wall of the tube has been provided with a plurality of slots in specific places, often near or at the distal end of the instrument, and in specific arrangements which allow local variations in diameter, shape, and/or length. These variations can either be caused by the memory effect during temperature change or by superelastic behavior during change of the mechanical influences on the memory metal by the surrounding material.

Abstract: Laser-based methods of stripping different types of fiber optic cables (100) are disclosed. The method includes directing a focused laser beam (202) onto the cable's protective cover (114). The method also includes moving the fiber optic cable relative to the focused laser beam in a direction substantially along a central axis (AC) to form a substantially axially oriented groove (250) in the protective cover, wherein the groove does not reach one or more optical fibers (110) carried by the cable. The method can further include opening the protective cover at the groove to form a split protective cover portion (114S), and removing the split protective cover portion from the fiber optic cable. Methods of stripping a cable by forming two grooves in the protective cover using two focused laser beams are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for dispensing and detecting solid pharmaceutical articles includes: forcing an article through a dispensing channel and past a sensor configured and positioned to detect the article passing through the dispensing channel, wherein the article includes one of the solid pharmaceutical articles; generating a detection signal using the sensor responsive to the article passing through the dispensing channel, wherein the detection signal indicates a time that the article takes to traverse the sensor; and determining whether the article is a complete article or an article fragment responsive to a comparison of the time indicated by the detection signal and an article fragment travel time representing an expected travel time for a complete article to traverse the sensor that is determined independent of physical attributes of the solid pharmaceutical articles.

Abstract: A method for conducting a virtual training session with first and second training objectives having first and second validation paths, respectively. The method steps include configuring a virtual machine manipulated by a student to complete the first training objective, configuring a smart agent to execute on the virtual machine including a validator specified by the first validation path, generating a result by performing a first validation check of the virtual training session by at least the validator of the smart agent to identify an event of the virtual machine, identifying, using the smart agent, completion of the first training objective based on the result, and advancing the virtual training session from the first training objective to the second training objective in response to identifying completion of the first training objective.

Abstract: A strain-relief assembly for a field-installable fiber optic connector is disclosed, wherein the assembly includes a ferrule holder, an intermediate sleeve, and a crimp sleeve. The ferrule holder back section holds a buffered section of a fiber optic cable, while the ferrule holder front end holds a ferrule and a splice assembly. A stub fiber is held within the ferrule and the splice assembly so as to interface with a section of field optical fiber protruding from the buffered section. The intermediate sleeve engages and generally surrounds a portion of the ferrule holder back section and thus surrounds a portion of the buffered layer. An intermediate sleeve handler may be used to handle the intermediate sleeve and attached the intermediate sleeve to the ferrule holder back section. Stress-relief strands from the fiber optic cable are flared around the outer surface of the intermediate sleeve. A crimp sleeve is placed over the intermediate sleeve to hold the ends of the stress-relief strands in place.