Abstract: A portable, self-contained beverage apparatus includes a container assembly having a known storage capacity for storing a consumable liquid, and a dispensing assembly disposed within the container assembly that dispenses variable, non-zero quantities of additives into the consumable liquid. The dispensing assembly includes multiple apertures structured and arranged to retain vessels containing the additives to be dispensed into the consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus also includes a level sensor disposed within the container assembly that determines a consumable liquid level of the consumable liquid stored in the container assembly. In certain embodiments, one or more positive displacement pumping mechanisms are configured to pump additive liquid from additive containers into a beverage chamber.

Abstract: The invention is directed to isolated renal cells, including tubular and erythropoietin (EPO)-producing kidney cell populations, and methods of isolating and culturing the same, as well as methods of treating a subject in need with the cell populations.

Abstract: An audio device with a body configured to be worn on or abutting an outer ear of a user, wherein the body is configured to contact at least one of the outer ear and the portion of the head that abuts the outer ear, at two separate spaced contact locations, and wherein the body is compliant at a body portion that defines one of the contact locations. The device also has an acoustic module carried by the body and configured to locate a sound-emitting opening anteriorly of and proximate the user's ear canal opening when the body is worn on or abutting the ear of the user.

Abstract: A method for selection of a digital subscriber line (DSL) technology for use by a first DSL transceiver in transferring data over a communications line between the first DSL transceiver and a second DSL transceiver. For the selection, an indication of attenuation in the communications line between the DSL transceivers is obtained and a DSL technology for use by the first DSL transceiver is selected from a plurality of DSL technologies supported by the first DSL transceiver. Selection of the DSL technology is determined on the basis of the indication of attenuation. Optionally, selection of the DSL technology may, in addition, be based on other parameters comprising an indication of the power spectral density mask limiting the power output onto the line by the DSL transceiver; an indication of the noise environment of the communications line; an indication of the highest discrete multitone modulation tone transmitted by the first DSL transceiver over the communications line.

Abstract: A method and Dynamic Line Management, DLM, system for controlling Digital Line Subscriber, DSL, connections, comprising applying a first line profile to a DSL connection, the first line profile specifying a first virtual noise template for the DSL connection, wherein the first virtual noise template specifies a first set of frequency dependent virtual noise levels for the DSL connection; configuring a connection parameter (such as the data rate) of the DSL connection based on the first set of frequency dependent virtual noise levels; applying a second line profile to the DSL transceiver unit, the second line profile specifying a second virtual noise template for the DSL connection, wherein the second virtual noise template specifies a second set of frequency dependent virtual noise levels for the DSL connection; and reconfiguring the connection parameter for the DSL connection based on the second set of frequency dependent virtual noise levels.

Abstract: A method and Dynamic Line Management, DLM, system for controlling Digital Line Subscriber, DSL, connections, comprising applying a first line profile to a DSL connection, the first line profile specifying a first virtual noise template for the DSL connection, wherein the first virtual noise template specifies a first set of frequency dependent virtual noise levels for the DSL connection; configuring a connection parameter (such as the data rate) of the DSL connection based on the first set of frequency dependent virtual noise levels; applying a second line profile to the DSL transceiver unit, the second line profile specifying a second virtual noise template for the DSL connection, wherein the second virtual noise template specifies a second set of frequency dependent virtual noise levels for the DSL connection; and reconfiguring the connection parameter for the DSL connection based on the second set of frequency dependent virtual noise levels.

Abstract: A method for selection of a digital subscriber line (DSL) technology for use by a first DSL transceiver in transferring data over a communications line between the first DSL transceiver and a second DSL transceiver. For the selection, an indication of attenuation in the communications line between the DSL transceivers is obtained and a DSL technology for use by the first DSL transceiver is selected from a plurality of DSL technologies supported by the first DSL transceiver. Selection of the DSL technology is determined on the basis of the indication of attenuation. Optionally, selection of the DSL technology may, in addition, be based on other parameters comprising an indication of the power spectral density mask limiting the power output onto the line by the DSL transceiver; an indication of the noise environment of the communications line; an indication of the highest discrete multitone modulation tone transmitted by the first DSL transceiver over the communications line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to communication, in particular to communication involving analogue-like signals that are multiplexed together. There is provided a method of communicating with a plurality of devices, each of which of which provides a signal whose amplitude varies in an analogue fashion, the method including the steps of: temporally interleaving the signals from the devices so as to form a multiplexed signal having a plurality of sequential pulses, which pulses can, in an analogue fashion, each have an amplitude within a continuous range, each pulse originating from a respective device, and each pulse having a plurality of temporal portions; and, forming a synchronisation signal within the multiplexed signal for demultiplexing the multiplexed signal, the synchronisation signal being formed by reducing the amplitude within a temporal portion of at least some of the pulses.

Abstract: Following a transmission comprising a plurality of symbols, an error measurement is generated for each symbol, so that one may distinguish between symbols having a relatively low error and symbols having a relatively high error. A bit rate to be used for subsequent transmission is determined as a function of error measurements of those symbols that have relatively low error and as a function also of the proportion of symbols having a relatively high error, such that the bit rate reduces as the proportion increases. Measurement of the error rate and/or the durations of high and low error conditions may also be used to set other transmission parameters such as error-correcting code and interleaver settings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to communication, in particular to communication involving analogue-like signals that are multiplexed together. There is provided a method of communicating with a plurality of devices, each of which of which provides a signal whose amplitude varies in an analogue fashion, the method including the steps of: temporally interleaving the signals from the devices so as to form a multiplexed signal having a plurality of sequential pulses, which pulses can, in an analogue fashion, each have an amplitude within a continuous range, each pulse originating from a respective device, and each pulse having a plurality of temporal portions; and, forming a synchronisation signal within the multiplexed signal for demultiplexing the multiplexed signal, the synchronisation signal being formed by reducing the amplitude within a temporal portion of at least some of the pulses.

Abstract: Following a transmission comprising a plurality of symbols, an error measurement is generated for each symbol, so that one may distinguish between symbols having a relatively low error and symbols having a relatively high error. A bit rate to be used for subsequent transmission is determined as a function of error measurements of those symbols that have relatively low error and as a function also of the proportion of symbols having a relatively high error, such that the bit rate reduces as the proportion increases. Measurement of the error rate and/or the durations of high and low error conditions may also be used to set other transmission parameters such as error-correcting code and interleaver settings.

Abstract: A digital subscriber loop modem arrangement is arranged to respond to a fault condition so as to provide at least a voice lifeline service over DSL service on a digital subscriber line in which data and voice traffic are transported on a plurality of carriers. On detection of a power loss at the subscriber end of the line, the number of carriers is reduced so as to maintaining transmission only of those carriers transporting the voice traffic. This reduces the power demand which can now be met from the remote end of the line. A method of operating a digital subscriber loop modem arrangement under a fault condition so as to provide at least a voice over DSL service on a digital subscriber line in which data and voice traffic are transported on a plurality of carriers, the method comprising the steps of: replacing the data with random data, disabling those data carriers on which the random data is transported, and maintaining transmission of those carriers transporting the voice traffic.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing controlled Quality of Service over Ethernet-like links. Prioritised frames are allocated to transmission queues responsive to their priorities. Each queue has an associated subsidiary Ethernet MAC which transmits frames from its queue subject to a scheduler which selects from the set of MAC's according to a pre-determined algorithm. The multiple logical paths between corresponding pairs of transmitter and receiver subsidiary MAC's are preferably multiplexed over a single physical channel. If congestion occurs at the receiver, then Ethernet PAUSE frames may be sent back to the transmitter, directed to specific subsidiary MAC's—typically those with lower priority—to suspend transmission from the corresponding queue for a time period indicated in the PAUSE frame. In this way back pressure flow control may be applied selectively to so that large amounts of low priority traffic do not cause unnecessary delays to higher priority traffic.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for capacity determination in a telecommunications system, in the presence of Gaussian and non-Gaussian noise. The ratio of Gaussian to non-Gaussian noise is determined utilising a statistical metric. Preferably the metric is Kurtosis or the 3rd Cumulant of the Probability Density of the signal at each frequency. The determination of the ratio of Gaussian to non-Gaussian noise enables a more accurate determination of Noise, which in turn allows greater utilisation of actual available capacity in the system.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and software for providing lifeline service during power failure affecting Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) in a Digital Subscriber Loop (DSL) arranged to carry voice traffic in band rather than on a separate analogue POTS band. The arrangement provides a reduced service, capable of supporting at least one voice call, to operate during such power failure and, where a single call is in progress during power failure, that call may be maintained during the transition from DSL to analogue POTS lifeline service. Where a call is in progress upon power restoration, the lifeline POTS service may be maintained until completion of the call so as not to interrupt a potential lifeline call.