Abstract: A method of and apparatus for detecting drift between two clocks is presented. The apparatus comprises a hardware implementation of a clock drift evaluator. The evaluator monitors received packets associated with a data stream, and extracts a time stamp generated by a source clock from each packet. A difference d between the extracted time stamp and the local time is compared against a d_ref value to determine whether the packet was received early or late. On a prescribed schedule, the degree of late and early receipt of packets is compared against a tolerance level to determine whether a relative drift exists between the pacing of the source clock and the pacing of the local clock. The detection of drift between the two clocks provides support for service level guarantees in provisioning data streaming services in packet-switched environments.

Abstract: A network management apparatus is described which includes a port for connecting to a network for receiving management data from network devices on the network. The network management apparatus includes a processor for processing the received management data and for determining substantially a complete topology of the network and providing image data representative of the network topology. The apparatus further includes a display for receiving the image data and displaying a graphical representation of the network. The processor is adapted to process the received management data to obtain object data for each network object (i.e. device or link) on the network. The object data is provided to the display, for display in graphical form by means of an object tip or tool tip, when the user points to a predetermined part of the graphical representation of the corresponding network object on the display.

Abstract: A compression sense ignition system includes a sensing capacitor having a conductive sensing element disposed in proximity to the secondary winding leads of a first and a second ignition coil for developing a compression sense ignition signal. Epoxy potting material encapsulates the leads and the sensing element to reduce variation of the effective capacitance of the sensing capacitor. The compression sense ignition signal is processed to generate a cylinder identification signal which is used to determine absolute engine position. A fault mode detection and correction scheme is implemented wherein a controller responsive to the cylinder identification signal can determine correct absolute engine position notwithstanding the occurrence of one or more engine or ignition system faults which may impair the cylinder identification signal.

Abstract: In a computer network, a process of discovery of the network, including discovery of network phones, and means for retrieving an icon relating to the phones and displaying a network map including network phones in the network map.

Abstract: A network monitor for distinguishing between broken and inaccessible network elements. The network monitor includes one or more computer readable storage mediums, and computer readable program code stored in the one or more computer readable storage mediums. The computer readable program code includes code for discovering the topology of a plurality of network elements, code for periodically polling a plurality of network interfaces associated with the plurality of network elements, code for computing or validating a criticalRoute attribute for each of the plurality of network interfaces, and code for analyzing a status of network interfaces identified by the criticalRoute attribute of an interface in question (IIQ) which is not responding to a poll or ping.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use in assembling a steering wheel cover, an air bag device and a retainer plate into a single unit. The air bag device includes an inflatable cushion portion and a base plate portion. The steering wheel cover includes a central portion and a plurality of side portions which extend out from the central portion to define with the central portion a pocket for receiving the air bag device. At least one of the side portions has a tab for lockingly engaging the retainer plate.

Abstract: An imperforate sheet of gasket material from which gaskets, for preventing leakage of fluid between opposed surfaces, can be made. The sheet, which may be produced by various methods, comprises a matrix of an elastically-compressible material and discrete volumes of substantially-rigid material so distributed therein that upon compressing the sheet between opposed surfaces, initially the matrix material solely resists compression and only thereafter do the discrete volumes also resist compression. The distribution is also such that the mean rate of compression over any area of the sheet is substantially the same as the mean rate of compression over another area of the sheet when the areas are similarly compressed. The discrete volumes form compression stops to resist undesirable over-compression of the sheet. Such a sheet has application in the automotive industry, gaskets made therefrom being particularly suitable for fluid-sealing in vehicle engines.