Abstract: A tone detector and associated method for use with EVRC-B and GSM vocoders to enable reliable detection of system connect tones over a wireless communication system. The tone detection method examines a number of sequential data frames of the signal received from the vocoder and determines that the tone is present if the spectral energy at frequencies around the tone is much higher than that at neighboring frequencies and if the calculated center frequency of the data frames is at or near the frequency of the tone.

Abstract: The present invention, in one embodiment, includes a reverb device and method for assisting vocalists in hearing their vocal sounds. The reverb device includes a vocal sound receiver, a sound director coupled to the vocal sound receiver and an ear sound deliverer coupled to the sound director. In addition to aiding users in hearing their own voices, the present invention facilitates vocal training, enjoyment and entertainment for users.

Abstract: Hardenable and hardened dental compositions that include radiation-to-heat converters, and articles including such hardenable and hardened compositions, are provided. Upon irradiating, the hardened compositions increase in temperature, which can be useful for reducing the bond strengths of orthodontic appliances adhered to tooth structures with the hardened compositions.

Abstract: Hardenable and hardened dental compositions that include thermally responsive additives, and articles including such hardenable and hardened compositions, are provided. Upon heating, the hardened compositions are useful for reducing the bond strengths of orthodontic appliances adhered to tooth structures with the hardened compositions.

Abstract: Methods for sequencing datagram transmissions are disclosed, including, receiving an unqueued segment to be enqueued in a queue. The queue comprises at least one segment. Determining a priority level and a number of attempted transmissions for the unqueued segment (100). If the unqueued segment is enqueued in front of a segment belonging to a datagram in the queue, and at least one segment belonging to the datagram has been transmitted before all the segments belonging to the datagram have been transmitted, at least one of the following functions is performed: discarding any remaining segments belonging to the datagram in the queue, transmitting any remaining segments belonging to the datagram in the queue, and re-enqueuing segments belonging to the datagram at the same location in the queue as the partially transmitted datagram, but with a different identifier.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a support surface for a human. The support surface has a lower portion and a back portion, with an aperture formed therein. A weight measurement device is coupled with the support surface, such that when a human is supported by the support surface the human's perineum is positioned over the aperture and the human's weight can be measured by the weight measurement device.

Abstract: An aircraft window shade includes protective transparent window panels, a shade driven by an electric motor, an integral control panel, and support for remote operation. The shade uses dual sprocket drive for positive shade positioning, low wear, and low parts count. The moving shade element remains substantially flat, curving slightly during some phases of positioning. The apparatus replaces a conventional interior window panel and a manual shade with slight change in overall mechanism thickness and weight. Control electronics in the shade can accept a command from a cabin attendant's console to override the local setting and move the shade to a required position, such as fully open for takeoff. The shade supports use of two or more independent shades, each of which can be made of dimming (transparent), diffusing (translucent), or light blocking (opaque) material. The shade is compatible with electrochromic transmittance control technology.

Abstract: An integral assembly that may improve control over thermal and mechanical behaviors of assembly structures during various transient operation conditions is disclosed. The integral assembly comprises a continuous ring disposed coaxial with, and orthogonal to a central axis, the continuous ring comprising a plurality of surfaces, the plurality of surfaces having a continuous outer surface and a continuous inner surface; the plurality of surfaces being characterized by a continuous cross section having a first cross sectional dimension longitudinally disposed parallel to the central axis; the plurality of surfaces comprising a bell mouth surface in physical communication with a compressor shroud surface; the compressor shroud surface being in physical communication with a diffuser surface; and the diffuser surface being in physical communication with the bell mouth surface. The integral assembly comprising a compressor shroud is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-layer adhesives and methods that are useful for bonding orthodontic appliances to a tooth structure. The multi-layer adhesives can be precoated on an orthodontic appliance, or alternatively, they can be provided on an adhesive delivery system for transfer to an orthodontic appliance. The multi-layer adhesives and methods preferably provide a useful balance of properties for bonding orthodontic appliances to the tooth structure.

Abstract: A door latch mechanism mounted in a door frame cooperates with a door bolt separating the cockpit compartment on an aircraft from the passenger compartment. The mechanism prevents a hijacker from entering the cockpit compartment and allows the door to open rapidly when a catastrophic decompression event occurs in the airplane.

Abstract: An outbound message (200) identifies a slot type associated with each timeslot in a scheduling period. In one embodiment, the outbound message further identifies at least an address of a first subscriber group assigned to transmit in a first timeslot (206) if the slot type of the first timeslot is of a first type and an address of a second subscriber group assigned to transmit in a second timeslot (208) if the slot type of the second timeslot is of a second type, wherein the first type and the second type could be the same or different. In a second embodiment, the outbound message further identifies at least a group address associated with a plurality of subscriber units assigned to transmit in a first timeslot if the slot type of the first timeslot is of a first type.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a support surface having a seat portion and a back portion, wherein the seat portion and the back portion form a non-planar surface. The seat portion has an aperture opening toward the back portion so that when a human is supported on the support surface the human's anus is positioned over the aperture. A method includes supporting the human on the support surface and accessing the human through the aperture in the support surface.

Abstract: A modulator (102) modulates a plurality of symbols to create a modulated signal. A transmitter is coupled to the modulator (102). The transmitter transmits the modulated signal if the modulated signal is above a threshold. A minima enlarger (104) is coupled to the modulator (102). The minima enlarger (104) computes an adjustment to the plurality of symbols if the modulated signal is below the threshold. A summer (106) is coupled to the modulator (102) and the minima enlarger (104). The summer (106) adds the adjustment to the plurality of symbols if the modulated signal is below the threshold.

Abstract: An outbound message (200) identifies a slot type associated with each timeslot in a scheduling period. In one embodiment, the outbound message further identifies at least an address of a first subscriber group assigned to transmit in a first timeslot (206) if the slot type of the first timeslot is of a first type and an address of a second subscriber group assigned to transmit in a second timeslot (208) if the slot type of the second timeslot is of a second type, wherein the first type and the second type could be the same or different. In a second embodiment, the outbound message further identifies at least a group address associated with a plurality of subscriber units assigned to transmit in a first timeslot if the slot type of the first timeslot is of a first type.

Abstract: A door latch mechanism mounted in a door frame cooperates with a door bolt separating the cockpit compartment on an aircraft from the passenger compartment. The mechanism prevents a hijacker from entering the cockpit compartment and allows the door to open rapidly when a catastrophic decompression event occurs in the airplane.

Abstract: A modulator (102) modulates a plurality of symbols to create a modulated signal. A transmitter is coupled to the modulator (102). The transmitter transmits the modulated signal if the modulated signal is above a threshold. A minima enlarger (104) is coupled to the modulator (102). The minima enlarger (104) computes an adjustment to the plurality of symbols if the modulated signal is below the threshold. A summer (106) is coupled to the modulator (102) and the minima enlarger (104). The summer (106) adds the adjustment to the plurality of symbols if the modulated signal is below the threshold.

Abstract: An improved process for the causticisation of Bayer liquors in an alumina refinery includes a first step of reacting lime with aluminate ions in a Bayer liquor within a primary reactor operated at low to moderate temperature to form a hydrocalumite species and hydroxyl ions. In a second step, the hydrocalumite species is heated in contact with a Bayer liquor, which either includes or is a different liquor than the Bayer liquor of the first step, under controlled conditions to cause the hydrocalumite species to react with the liquor to form calcium carbonate, aluminate ions and hydroxyl ions. The principal advantages of the improved process include very high lime utilisation efficiencies (in excess of 90%) and a substantially increased C/S ratio (in excess of 0.955), allowing higher plant caustic concentrations and improved productivity. The loss of alumina due to the formation of unwanted calcium aluminate species is also greatly reduced.

Abstract: Methods for sequencing datagram transmissions are disclosed, including, receiving an unqueued segment to be enqueued in a queue. The queue comprises at least one segment. Determining a priority level and a number of attempted transmissions for the unqueued segment (100). If the unqueued segment is enqueued in front of a segment belonging to a datagram in the queue, and at least one segment belonging to the datagram has been transmitted before all the segments belonging to the datagram have been transmitted, at least one of the following functions is performed: discarding any remaining segments belonging to the datagram in the queue, transmitting any remaining segments belonging to the datagram in the queue, and re-enqueuing segments belonging to the datagram at the same location in the queue as the partially transmitted datagram, but with a different identifier.

Abstract: An improved process for the causticisation of Bayer liquors in an alumina refinery, the process including the steps of reacting lime with aluminate ions in a Bayer liquor within a primary reactor under controlled conditions of low to moderate temperature (between 70-80° C.) and agitation, to form substantially only a hydrocalumite species and hydroxyl ions; and a secondary reactor wherein the hydrocalumite species formed is subjected to heating in contact with a Bayer liquor under controlled conditions so as to cause the hydrocalumite species to react with the liquor to form calcium carbonate, aluminate ions and hydroxyl ions, whereby a causticised Bayer liquor is obtained and wherein the efficiency of lime utilization is substantially increased and/or alumina losses are minimized.

Abstract: In a polymerization reaction, an upset is anticipated and inhibited by monitoring at least one reaction condition and comparing it to the desired value or normal range for the condition as projected by a computer model for the variable or variables of the process. In a preferred variation, the process not only continuously adjusts the set point or range for an upset-significant variable such as temperature, but also utilizes the rate of change of such a variable as a harbinger of an upset.