Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus, the apparatus including, in some embodiments, a first elongate member having a resilient front surface, a first clamp located at a first end of the first elongate member, a second elongate member coupled to and adjustably engaged with said first elongate member, the second elongate member having a resilient front surface, a second clamp located at a first end of the second elongate member, a magnetic material connected to a rear surface of the first elongate member and the second elongate member, and a lock mechanism integrated into at least one of the first and the second elongate members to selectively secure a relative position of the coupled and adjustably engaged first and second elongate members.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to enable the use of class D amplifiers without the need for an output filter, while maintaining both a high efficiency and a high audio fidelity. Using the classic differential Pulse Width Modulation scheme, the high frequency carrier is first suppressed to achieve a ternary modulation, and then re-introduced as a common mode pulse whose width is modulated to provide the necessary output voltage, but whose width never decreases below a well-defined threshold. The frequency of the modulator waveform (ramp or triangle) may itself be modulated on a sample-by-sample basis, so that the EMI spectrum of the output waveforms can be made white at high frequencies. The combination of the modulation scheme and spread spectrum high frequency behavior allows the user to eliminate the external filter. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Filterless class D amplifier using spread spectrum pulse width modulation with feedback to suppress low frequency noise in the amplifier output. The amplifiers may use any of a wide variety of pulse width modulators with a dynamically variable frequency ramp or triangular waveform to whiten the output noise of the amplifier. Typically the ramp or triangular waveform input to the modulators is randomly or pseudo randomly varied over some percentage about a nominal frequency. Various feedback techniques for suppressing the low frequency noise are disclosed. Using this invention, Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) emissions from the circuit can be kept substantially below regulatory requirements without the need for expensive external filtering and/or shielding external to the integrated circuit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to enable the use of class D amplifiers without the need for an output filter, while maintaining both a high efficiency and a high audio fidelity. Using the classic differential Pulse Width Modulation scheme, the high frequency carrier is first suppressed to achieve a ternary modulation, and then re-introduced as a common mode pulse whose width is modulated to provide the necessary output voltage, but whose width never decreases below a well-defined threshold. The frequency of the modulator waveform (ramp or triangle) may itself be modulated on a sample-by-sample basis, so that the EMI spectrum of the output waveforms can be made white at high frequencies. The combination of the modulation scheme and spread spectrum high frequency behavior allows the user to eliminate the external filter. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for real-time communication among two or more individuals separated in space. The method includes the steps of determining that a first individual is likely to be interested in communicating with a second individual via a first communications link; retrieving information via the first communications link about one or more additional individuals from electronic memory means associated with the second individual; and establishing communication with at least one of the additional individuals based on the retrieved information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for entering words into a computer system. Letters contained in a desired word are entered ambiguously by selecting a group of letters rather than a single letter. Whenever it would be more efficient for the user to unambiguously indicate the letter for a particular letter position than to continue entering ambiguous groups of letters, the user is so notified. The extent to which that this is likely to improve efficiency may also be indicated. The sequence of ambiguous and unambiguous letters for different letter positions is used to retrieve from a dictionary those words consistent with the input and displaying them to the user, who then chooses the desired word. The approach is particularly applicable to very small devices that have a very limited number of keys or space on a display for a virtual keyboard.

Abstract: A method for real-time communication among two or more individuals separated in space. The method includes the steps of determining that a first individual is likely to be interested in communicating with a second individual via a first communications link; retrieving information via the first communications link about one or more additional individuals from electronic memory means associated with the second individual; and establishing communication with at least one of the additional individuals based on the retrieved information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the order and delivery of goods in which the goods are transported to one or more storage containers that are maintained in a drive-up storage, retrieval, and dispensing mechanism. Goods are ordered via the Internet, telephone, or other electronic method, retrieved from a warehouse or store, and transported to the storage container by truck or by a regional train system designed for passenger use. The storage container accepts packages, which are placed into a plastic storage box and moved by an elevator assembly to a particular storage bin located in a matrix of bins arranged in columns and rows. When a customer arrives to pick up a package, he or she drives up to the device and communicates with the system via a keypad and display screen to identify the order and present appropriate identification of the person or other means of maintaining security.

Abstract: An exhaust control device for use with a circuit interrupter includes a casing having a first expansion chamber and a second expansion chamber that are operationally disposed upstream of a heat sink and a damper, with the second expansion chamber being in fluid communication with the first expansion chamber and being in register with an inlet of the casing. The first expansion chamber extends between the inlet and the heat sink. The heat sink is a porous member that is annular in cross-section and includes a central cavity formed therein, the second expansion chamber being disposed in the central cavity. The first and second expansion chambers are configured to separate a blast of gases from the circuit interrupter into first and second pressure waves that sequentially travel through the heat sink and the damper, which reduces the peak intensity of the blast, extends its duration, and reduces its ionization level.

Abstract: An exhaust control device for use with a circuit interrupter includes a casing having a first expansion chamber and a second expansion chamber that are operationally disposed upstream of a heat sink and a damper, with the second expansion chamber being in fluid communication with the first expansion chamber and being in register with an inlet of the casing. The first expansion chamber extends between the inlet and the heat sink. The heat sink is a porous member that is annular in cross-section and includes a central cavity formed therein, the second expansion chamber being disposed in the central cavity. The first and second expansion chambers are configured to separate a blast of gases from the circuit interrupter into first and second pressure waves that sequentially travel through the heat sink and the damper, which reduces the peak intensity of the blast, extends its duration, and reduces its ionization level.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for entering words with a menu and thumbwheel. A menu and thumbwheel is an effective user interface for certain specialized miniature information appliances, including personal digital assistants, two-way pagers, and handheld wireless Web access devices. However, entering text can be rather tedious. In the present invention, the average entry speed is increased by using menus in which each item contains more than one letter. The user enters the first few letters of a word ambiguously, with the system retrieving from a dictionary those words consistent with the letters and displaying them as part of the menu. When the user sees the desired word, that word is selected. The system can also learn which words a particular user is likely to enter, further speeding up entry.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pallet having a cradle which centers cylindrical articles or materials wound in rolls on the pallet and which allows the rolls to be transported while in a rollingly oriented manner, such that the cradle cooperates with retaining bands extending from a cylindrical core of the article or rolls to notches in runners which are attached to and extend the entire length of the pallet, thereby, securing the rolls in place during transport and storage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assisting voice-dialing using a model of an individual's calling behavior to improve recognition of an input name corresponding a desired telephone number. When the individual picks up a telephone, activity is initiated in a neural network model of the individual's calling behavior that predicts the likelihood that different numbers will be called, given such predictors as the day of the week and the time of day. The model is constructed by training the neural network with data from the user's history of making and receiving telephone calls. The auditory output from an automatic speech recognition system and the output from the user model are integrated together so as to select the number that is most likely to be the number desired by the speaker. The system can also provide automatic directory assistance, by speaking the number aloud rather than dialing it. In one version, the system is a personal directory for an individual maintained on that individual's personal computer.

Abstract: Subscribers to a personal telephone number service can receive calls placed to telephone numbers associated with an individual rather than a physical location or telephone line. A subscriber predefines a set of telephone numbers for telephones at locations frequented by the subscriber. When a call to a subscriber's personal telephone number is received, a model of the subscriber's behavior predicts the likelihood of the subscriber being at different locations, and the call is forwarded to a telephone at the most likely location, given the current day of the week and time of the day. The model is trained using data obtained by cases in which a caller calling the personal telephone number is successful in locating the subscriber.

Abstract: A system for alerting some individuals in a large open space such as a store or restaurant to an incoming telephone call, but that avoids disturbing other individuals by loud ringing. Individuals carry miniature alerting units that are clipped to their clothing and that can also serve as identification badges. An incoming telephone call is received by a telephone ringer control which transmits a signal by a wireless medium to an alerting unit, which emits a low-level auditory (or vibratory or visual) signal to alert the user, and also transmits an acknowledgment signal by the same wireless medium back to the telephone ringer control. If such an acknowledgment signal is not received within a short time period at the telephone ringer control, a loud auditory ringing signal is broadcast.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for control of a handheld miniature personal digital assistant, based on a user interface with a menu and thumbwheel. The device consists of a microprocessor, memory, display, thumbwheel, and button. The display presents a sequence of menu items, with one such item designated as tentatively selected by displaying it in reverse video. Rotating the thumbwheel results in moving the designation of an item in the menu, while pressing the button selects an item. The thumbwheel itself can serve as the button if it is pressed rather than rotated. The use of complex menus that display items in two dimensions allows the use of sophisticated applications, including those that require the entry of alphanumeric data, such as a telephone and address directory and datebook. The approach makes such applications feasible in a credit-card-sized package; without the necessity of a keyboard, allowing most of the surface area of the package to be devoted to a display.