Abstract: An apparatus for fabricating a unique nonwoven fabric which has the appearance of a woven fabric includes a supply station for parallel warp yarns, a support structure for orienting the parallel warp yarns into a cylindrical orientation, a weft yarn applicator for wrapping weft yarns around the cylindrically oriented warp yarns after an adhesive scrim has been overlaid onto the warp yarns, a heating station for activating the adhesive and a cooling station for setting the adhesive, and a cutter for severing the cylindrically formed fabric laminate so that it can be flattened and wrapped onto a take-up roller. The weft yarn applicator including a rotating drum wherein a plurality of spools of weft yarn material are mounted in circumferentially spaced relationship and a tensioner is provided for applying the weft yarn material around the warp yarns in a predetermined tension which may be the same as, greater than, or less than the tension in the warp yarns.

Abstract: A direct division modulator is provided. The direct division modulator includes a symbol mapper converting the input data from a binary bitstream to a desired frequency deviation, such as where the frequency deviation data encodes the information from the bitstream. A converter generates a divide value using the desired frequency deviation information, and a summer adds an average value to the divide value. A converter quantizes the divide value and shapes quantization noise associated with the quantized divide value. A divider modulates a reference signal with the quantized divide value and generates an output signal.

Abstract: A system includes a broadcast overlay network including a ring topology. The ring topology includes a first network ring and a second network ring that is coupled to the first network ring via at least one cross-connect element. The ring topology is adapted to carry broadcast traffic from a network. The system also includes a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) having a line interface and a network interface. The network interface is in communication with the broadcast overlay network via the second network ring. The DSLAM is adapted to receive a request for a particular video channel from a customer premise via the line interface and to deliver the particular video channel from the network interface to the line interface.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for manufacturing a window covering 50 for an architectural opening. The apparatus includes a support structure handling assembly 92, an operating element handling assembly 94, and a vane handling assembly 96. The handling assemblies process the respective materials to an assembly station 100 to attach one portion of a vane 54 to the operating elements 56, and another portion of the vane 54 to the support structure 52, allowing movement of one portion of the vane 54 relative to other portion of the vane.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for fabricating a laminate product having a pair of sheet materials spaced by a plurality of flexible parallel vanes which are secured to the sheet material so that planar movement of the sheet materials in opposite directions cause the vanes to shift between open and closed positions. The vane material is formed from a web of material by dyeing the material, drying the dyed material, applying spaced longitudinally extending lines of adhesive on opposite faces of the material, and cutting the material into a plurality of side-by-side strips with each strip having a bead of adhesive on each face and along opposite side edges. The cut material with adhesive applied thereto is taken up on a transfer roll and moved to a vane/strip handling station where the strips of material are processed and delivered to a laminating station in parallel overlapping relationship with each other.

Abstract: A method comprises creating calibration data using a first control circuitry of an apparatus, replacing the first control circuitry with a second control circuitry in the apparatus, and operating the apparatus with the second control circuitry using the calibration data. As an example, the apparatus may be a disc drive. The second control circuitry may be substantially similar to the first control circuitry such that calibration measurements using the first control circuitry are applicable to the second control circuitry. The first control circuitry may be included in a circuit board that is replaced with a second circuit board including the second control circuitry. In an exemplary embodiment, the second circuit board may include different and/or additional components relative to the first circuit board, such as integrated video inputs and/or video control circuitry.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing direct broadcast satellite (DBS) and digital subscriber line (DSL) video services to multiple display devices are disclosed. Generally the disclosed system receives a plurality of DBS channels and DSL content. The system receives a first user-initiated video selection and generates a first television signal based on the first user-initiated video selection. The first television signal combines video from at least one DBS channel and video from DSL content for simultaneously displaying at least a portion of the video from at least one DBS channel and at least a portion of the video from the DSL content on a display device. The first television signal is then transmitted to a first display device. Additionally, the system receives a second user-initiated video selection, generates a second television signal based on the second user-initiated video selection, and transmits the second television signal to a second display device.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of correcting video data errors. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a plurality of Internet Protocol (IP) video data packets at a generator of a video acquisition system. The method also includes calculating a first error correction code corresponding to a first error profile and generating a first forward error correction (FEC) packet to produce the first error correction code. The method also includes calculating a second error correction code corresponding to a second error profile and generating a second FEC packet to produce the second error correction code.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for method and apparatus for distributing signals. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communications interface (CI) (101 having a controller that manages a transceiver (102) coupled to a residential gateway (RG) (118) and one or more set top boxes (STBs) (116). The controller can be programmed to receive (202) a very high bit rate digital subscriber line (VDSL) signal, transmit (204, 208) the VDSL signal to the RG over a select one of a plurality of coaxial interfaces, and receive (210) an IP signal from the RG for distribution to the one or more STBs. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A compatibilized polyolefin/polyolefin composite material includes a polyolefin/polyolefin composite substrate and a reinforcing mat formed from reinforcing fibers and a thermoplastic polymer powder. The mat may also incorporate an optional emulsion polymer binder. In addition the compatibilized polyolefin/polyolefin composite material may incorporate an additional film layer so that the mat is sandwiched between the substrate and the film layer. A method of producing such materials from a polyolefin/polyolefin composite substrate that is topologically/mechanically bonded to a reinforcing mat formed from reinforcing fibers and thermoplastic polymer powder is also described.

Abstract: A method of assembling a hinge conveyor chain includes providing adjacent conveyor links formed from a ferritic-pearlitic stainless steel, wherein the adjacent links have interdigitating link ends with openings for receiving a pin, and inserting a pin having a radially outwardly facing surface formed from a steel alloy with more than 0.6 wt. % of carbon and more than 12 wt. % of Cr through the openings of the interdigitating link ends to pivotally link the adjacent links.

Abstract: Satellite communications are carried out using the Data Over Cable Interface Specification (DOCSIS). Satellite modems are notified of upstream channel congestion by inserting a congestion notification message in a medium access protocol (MAP) message for the upstream channel. Specifically, the congestion notification message is inserted in an unused field of the MAP message, such as the explicit congestion notification (ECN) field. The MAP message can also carry other characteristics of the upstream channel, including priority threshold, multicast access burst availability, and available bandwidth.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for winding a sheet of aligned parallel yarns onto a beam is described. The beam winder utilizes a circularly arced yarn spool rack that feeds each yarn to an alignment comb through associated guide tubes. The distance between each spool of yarn and the alignment comb is substantially the same for all spools of yarn, thereby equalizing the force necessary to pull them to the comb. Next, the aligned sheet of material is preshrunk using heated rollers and wound onto a beam. Multiple speed controlled stepper motors are utilized to maintain a constant low level of tension in the sheet during the shrinking process. After shrinkage, the tension level of the yarn sheet is increased as it is wrapped onto the beam. A turntable that supports two or more beams is provided to facilitate the rapid switching of beams once one beam has become full.

Abstract: A recyclable tufted carpet meeting EPA recyclable content standards and having improved dimensional stability that reduces skew, bow, and wrinkles during manufacture and installation is formed by combining prior art primary and secondary backings into a single, fiber-reinforced primary backing layer. Consolidating either a glass fiber fabric layer, a glass veil, or a glass mat with a fiber-reinforced extruded film forms the fiber-reinforced primary backing layer. An additional glass fabric fiber layer can also be introduced to the primary backing to provide additional dimensional stability.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a panel of interconnected tubular vanes and cord ladders for use in a Venetian blind includes a vane-forming system where a strip of vane material is supplied, folded, and pressed into a desired configuration prior to being cut to a predetermined length. The length is determined by the width of the panel to be formed and is effected by a vane-sizing system including a template for positioning a plurality of cord ladder assemblies at predetermined locations for connection to tubular slats formed upstream from the assemblies. The tubular vane material has inert adhesive along a flap on one edge which is heated to activate the adhesive and after having been folded along a generally longitudinal centerline, the flap is folded over the corresponding upper edge of the vane and secured thereto in a sliding compressor.

Abstract: A downstream adaptive modulation system and method. The downstream adaptive modulation system comprises a wireless access termination system and one or more wireless modems. The wireless access termination system includes a plurality of queues and a parser. The parser parses data traffic onto the plurality of queues. Each queue is associated with a different coding and modulation scheme. Each of the one or more wireless modems receives data traffic from the plurality of queues based on the wireless modem's ability to demodulate and decode the signal from each of the plurality of queues. When a wireless modem experiences a change in signal strength, the present invention enables the wireless modem to adapt to data from other queues to compensate for the change in signal strength. Thus, if the signal strength improves over a period of time, the wireless modem may receive data at a higher order modulation and FEC code rate.

Abstract: A retractable cover for architectural openings having collapsible vanes includes a support structure in the form of a sheet of material, monofilaments, tapes, ribbons, cords, or the like, supporting an upper edge of a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontally extending vanes with the lower edges of the vanes in most embodiments of the invention being connected to operating elements adapted to raise the lower edges of each vane toward the upper edges to define openings or gaps between the vanes through which vision and light can pass in an open condition of the covering. Variations of the covering do not require movement of a lower edge of a vane relative to an upper edge but simply movement of some vanes relative to other vanes. The vanes can be made of materials having different flexibilities and where more rigid materials are used, creased fold lines can be established for desired operability.

Abstract: A downstream adaptive modulation system and method. The downstream adaptive modulation system comprises a wireless access termination system and one or more wireless modems. The wireless access termination system includes a plurality of queues and a parser. The parser parses data traffic onto the plurality of queues. Each queue is associated with a different coding and modulation scheme. Each of the one or more wireless modems receives data traffic from the plurality of queues based on the wireless modem's ability to demodulate and decode the signal from each of the plurality of queues. When a wireless modem experiences a change in signal strength, the present invention enables the wireless modem to adapt to data from other queues to compensate for the change in signal strength. Thus, if the signal strength improves over a period of time, the wireless modem may receive data at a higher order modulation and FEC code rate.

Abstract: A direct division modulator is provided. The direct division modulator includes a symbol mapper converting the input data from a binary bitstream to a desired frequency deviation, such as where the frequency deviation data encodes the information from the bitstream. A converter generates a divide value using the desired frequency deviation information, and a summer adds an average value to the divide value. A converter quantizes the divide value and shapes quantization noise associated with the quantized divide value. A divider modulates a reference signal with the quantized divide value and generates an output signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for winding a sheet of aligned parallel yarns onto a beam is described. The beam winder utilizes a circularly arced yarn spool rack that feeds each yarn with air flow to an alignment comb through associated guide tubes. The distance between each spool of yarn and the alignment comb is substantially the same for all spools of yarn, thereby equalizing the force necessary to pull them to the comb. Next, the aligned sheet of material is preshrunk using heated rollers and wound onto a beam. Multiple speed controlled stepper motors are utilized to maintain a constant low level of tension in the sheet during the shrinking process. After shrinkage, the tension level of the yarn sheet is increased as it is wrapped onto the beam. A turntable that supports two or more beams is provided to facilitate the rapid switching of beams once one beam has become full.