Abstract: Systems and methods relate to an aircraft with a CAS that may be employed to enhance pilot awareness. The CAS may be employed on a formation member aircraft to provide a TA that is distinctive for an intruding formation member aircraft, as opposed to a TA provided as a result of an intruding nonmember aircraft. The CAS may also provide a plurality of status indications for aircraft engaged in airborne refueling, as well as aural indications of the present mode of operation for the CAS.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for monitoring room activity. A tray sensing device detects the presence of a tray in a given location and forwards the information to a tray controller. The tray can be a conventional tray for supporting food articles or can be supported or integral with a food cart. The system also includes monitoring door lock and door tag information. Information from the tray sensing device, door lock/tag controller and is received at a room controller. The room controller of each room can include a wireless network to the tray controller, door lock/tag controller. The room controller can also monitor information of the room such as, for example, temperature information and light intensity information, and receive information regarding room activities, such as, for example, room service ordering, housekeeping minibar and checkout routine. Information from the room controller can be forwarded to a central information system.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes at least one optical fiber, at least one strength member, at least one dry insert, and a cable jacket. The cable jacket has a cavity with a generally rectangular cross-section with the at least one optical fiber and the at least one dry insert disposed therein. The at least one optical fiber has a predetermined level of coupling to the cable jacket that is provided by the at least one dry insert within the cavity of cable jacket. The predetermined level of coupling is about 0.1625 Newtons or more per optical fiber for a thirty meter length of fiber optic cable. Additionally, fiber optic cables of the present invention are also suitable as a portion of a cable assembly.

Abstract: Methods for performing boundary value analysis on a pharmaceutical manufacturing process are described and disclosed herein. The algorithm performing the boundary value analysis is integrated into a pharmaceutical manufacturing process and control of the pharmaceutical manufacturing process is attained. Consequently, the methods provide a means to manufacture pharmaceuticals on an integrated level whereby data and product integrity are achieved and over time costs are minimized.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lighting system supporting multiple independently controlled zones utilizing a plurality of semiconductor switches coupled to a plurality of transformers to produce a non-sinusoidal power output and controlled by a digital controller that receives feedback from each zone in order to auto-sense the proper voltage for a plurality of connected loads.

Abstract: A method of estimating at least a portion of the weight of a vehicle and its load by use of an on-board accelerometer is disclosed.

Abstract: An approach is provided for adapting multicast services originating from a terrestrial network over a satellite network. A request for establishing a multicast session corresponding to a network address of the terrestrial network is received at a hub station. The request specifies participating satellite terminals in the multicast session. The hub station assigns an address unique within the satellite network to map to the network address for the multicast session. The participating satellite terminals are configured with the assigned satellite address. A distribution mechanism is selected to transport dataflow of the multicast session to the participating satellite terminals. The distribution mechanism utilizes one or more spot beams covering the participating satellite terminals, wherein the selected distribution mechanism is switched to another one of the distribution mechanisms based on capacity of the satellite network and reachability of the participating satellite terminals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating and posting media is provided. For example, the invention allows a user to quickly create, signal process, encode, and transfer media files to a server for storage, posting, distribution, and retrieval. Thus, media such as audio, video, display, photo, spreadsheet, Web Clips, and HTML pages can be combined into a media file for uploading to a server and accessed from listings posted at web sites. A user downloads and installs a plug-in on a computer and performs various tasks. For example, the user can create a combined audio and photo media file on the computer and perform digital signal processing and encoding of the media file and upload to a server for storage, posting, distribution, and retrieval. An information management system provides file and file list rankings based upon selection or click through of files and file listings.

Abstract: There is provided a supercharger system for supercharging a vehicle engine includes a first lower intake manifold adapter attached to the vehicle engine. The supercharger system further includes a second lower intake manifold adapter attached to the vehicle engine. The first and second lower intake manifold adapters can be attached to respective first and second cylinder heads of the vehicle engine. The supercharger system further includes a plate situated between the first and the second lower intake manifold adapter, where the plate is adapted to receive a supercharger on a bottom surface of the plate. The supercharger provides compressed air that flows through the first and the second lower intake manifold adapter to the vehicle engine. The supercharger system further includes an upper manifold plenum chamber situated over the plate, where the upper manifold plenum chamber receives the compressed air from the supercharger.

Abstract: Between an optical fiber (LF11, LFB12, LFB13) and a surrounding core covering (AH11, AH12, SB13) of an optical transmission element (OE11 to OE13) there is at least one dry and compressible fixating element (FE11 to FE13), which surrounds the optical fiber totally or partially, and which exerts a defined contact pressure against the core covering and against the optical fiber for fixating the optical fiber in the longitudinal direction of the transmission element. The fixating element is further formed and positioned in such a way, that position changes of the optical fiber due to bending or elongation are possible. In this way, unallowable attenuation increases in the optical fiber due to bending or position changes can be avoided.

Abstract: A preconnectorized outdoor cable streamlines the deployment of optical waveguides into the last mile of an optical network. The preconnectorized outdoor cable includes a cable and at least one plug connector. The plug connector is attached to a first end of the cable, thereby connectorizing at least one optical waveguide. The cable has at least one optical waveguide, at least one tensile element, and a cable jacket. Various cable designs such as figure-eight or flat cables may be used with the plug connector. In preferred embodiments, the plug connector includes a crimp assembly having a crimp housing and a crimp band. The crimp housing has two half-shells being held together by the crimp band for securing the at least one tensile element. When fully assembled, the crimp housing fits into a shroud of the preconnectorized cable. The shroud aides in mating the preconnectorized cable with a complimentary receptacle.

Abstract: A fluid coupling assembly comprising a connector body defining a bore extending axially forward from an entrance opening, a tubular male member with an upset, a seal member, and a retainer. The retainer is received within the bore and includes locking members to releaseably retain the tube. The retainer includes a forward extension to support the seal against fluid pressure. The retainer and seal are configured to be applied to the male member before insertion of the male member into the bore of the connector body. Two of the locking members include ramps extending radially outwardly to contact the body portion defining the entrance opening sequentially prior to contact by the locking arms of the other locking members.

Abstract: An approach for transmitting packets over a shared communication channel is disclosed. A satellite terminal (ST) (103, 105, 107, 109) contains a processor that transmits a packet over a transmission slot of the channel using a contention protocol, such as persistent Aloha. The processor reserves an available transmission slot, which is maintained until expiration of a predetermined timeout period.

Abstract: A grounding arrangement for an in-tank fuel system includes a fuel level sensor assembly of a fuel module comprising a conductive card body and a resister card supported on the conductive card body. The resister card includes a conductive trace in conductive contact with the conductive card body. The card body is conductively connected to a conductive fuel module component. The trace is adapted to be connected to the ground plane of a vehicle. Other traces on the resister card are in the electrical circuit of the fuel level sensor assembly. The fuel module further includes a conductive blade having a knife edge and in conductive contact with a conductive fuel module component. The knife edge cuts through the insulation of an insulated conductor to allow the knife edge to be in contact with the conductive element of the conductor.

Abstract: An optical tube assembly having at least one optical waveguide, at least one dry insert, and a tube. The at least one optical waveguide is disposed within the tube and generally surrounds the at least one optical waveguide. In one embodiment, the dry insert has a first layer comprising a felt having at least one type of non-continuous filament. The dry insert may also include a plurality of water-swellable filaments. In another embodiment, a dry insert has a first layer, a second layer, and a plurality of water-swellable filaments. The first and second layers are attached together at least along the longitudinal edges thereof, thereby forming at least one compartment between the first and second layers and the plurality of water-swellable filaments are generally disposed in the at least one compartment. The dry insert also is advantageous in tubeless cable designs.

Abstract: A substantially flat fiber optic drop cable assembly comprises: a fiber optic connector comprising a fiber optic ferrule and a housing; a crimp body coupled to the housing of the fiber optic connector; a fiber optic cable comprising a pair of strength members disposed partially within the fiber optic cable; a first sheath disposed between the fiber optic connector and the fiber optic cable, the first sheath coupled to the crimp body; a second sheath disposed between the fiber optic connector and the fiber optic cable, the second sheath coupled to the fiber optic cable; and a demarcation element joining the first sheath and the second sheath, wherein the demarcation element comprises a substantially tubular element; wherein the pair of strength members are configured to engage the crimp body about the first sheath, the second sheath, and the demarcation element.

Abstract: A two-way satellite communication system for providing a scalable architecture is disclosed. A plurality of transceivers transmit signals over a plurality of return channels, wherein the plurality of return channels are partitioned into a plurality of return channel groups. A hub communicates with the plurality of transceivers via the plurality of return channel groups. The hub is connected to a packet switched network. Each of the plurality of transceivers performs a random weighted selection of a return channel group among the plurality of return channel groups.