Abstract: A system for mounting a tool in a tool holder combining a means for high-precision centering of the tool and a means for positive restraint of the tool from rotation within the tool holder. The tool holder includes a cylindrical aperture having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the shank of a cylindrical tool. The tool is installed into the tool holder by heating the tool holder to a temperature sufficient to increase the pocket diameter sufficiently to accept the tool shank. In a first shrink-fit embodiment, the tool shank is further provided with an angular flat for engagement with a set screw to prevent the tool from being turned in the holder in use. In a second shrink-fit embodiment, a groove extending partially around the tool receives a tangential pin through a passage in the tool holder. The tool is rotated in the holder until the pin binds in the groove, thus preventing any further rotation of the tool in the holder during use.

Abstract: A gypsum or foam facer is formed by the direct in-line or off-line coating of a pre-impregnated, fibrous network matting with a secondary binder system. The pre-impregnated fibrous network is preferably formed of a randomly oriented wet use chop strand fiber material impregnated with a modified urea-formaldehyde binder system. The secondary binder system preferably consists of low glass transition acrylic or styrene-butadiene-rubber resin filled predominantly with fillers combined with a plate like reinforcement or fibrous reinforcement. In an alternative embodiment, a low basis secondary veil is layered onto the fibrous network matting with or without the secondary binder system to improve softness and decorative appearance of the formed gypsum board. In another preferred alternative embodiment, a plurality of high aspect ratio particles may be introduced to the binder prior to introduction of an optional secondary binder resin to also improve the softness and decorative appearance of gypsum board.

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: In one aspect the present invention describes an electronic circuit for transmitting voice packet data over a wireless network with an upstream transmission mode and a downstream transmission mode. The circuit comprises a first phase-lock loop (PLL) for locking a first clock to a time stamp signal, wherein the first clock synchronizes upstream data transmission over the wireless network; and a second PLL for locking a second clock to the time stamp signal, wherein the second clock is used for sampling voice data for downstream voice data transmission over the wireless network.

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: The present invention includes a network telephone having a microphone coupled to provide voice data to a network, a speaker coupled to facilitate listening to voice data from the network, a dialing device coupled to facilitate routing of voice data upon the network, a first port configured to facilitate communication with a first network device, a second port configured to facilitate communication with a second network device and a prioritization circuit coupled to apply prioritization to voice data provided by the microphone.

Abstract: A network gateway is configured to facilitate on line and off line bi-directional communication between a number of near end data and telephony devices with far end data termination devices via a hybrid fiber coaxial network and a cable modem termination system. The described network gateway combines a QAM receiver, a transmitter, a DOCSIS MAC, a CPU, a voice and audio processor, an Ethernet MAC, and a USB controller to provide high performance and robust operation. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A digital image capturing system and method are disclosed. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include a processing engine that performs digital image processing functions like noise reduction, gain control, white balance and others. In one embodiment, the image capturing system may have a first image sensor operable to capture a first view of a scene and a second image sensor operable to capture a second and different view of the scene. A selector may be employed to selectively route either the first view information or the second view information onto the processing engine. In preferred embodiments, the sensors may be CMOS sensors and, as such, relatively inexpensive. By allowing two inexpensive sensors to share image processing electronics, an image capturing system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may be able to offer compelling functional characteristics at a reasonable price.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a network gateway is configured to facilitate on line and off line bi-directional communication between a number of near end data and telephony devices with far end data termination devices via a hybrid fiber coaxial network and a cable modem termination system. The described network gateway combines a QAM receiver, a transmitter, a DOCSIS MAC, a CPU, a voice and audio processor, an Ethernet MAC, and a USB controller to provide high performance and robust operation.

Abstract: A chain module according to the invention comprises at least one link from ferritic-pearlitic stainless steel and at least one chain pin, which chain pin comprises an outwardly facing surface formed from a steel alloy which is substantially non-seizing to the ferritic-pearlitic stainless steel of said link. Preferably, the chain pin comprises a steel alloy with more than 0.6 wt. % of carbon and more than 12 wt. % of chromium.

Abstract: A multi-platform television comprises at least one television signal interface to receive premium television services from at least two different television service providers. The television further comprises a programmable conditional access system to enable conditional access to the premium television services received by the at least one television signal interface from the at least two different service providers.

Abstract: A system and method for requesting additional bandwidth in a communications channel between one or more first satellite terminal devices and a second satellite terminal device, are provided. The method includes identifying an available field in a header to be transmitted from the one or more first devices to the second device and allocating at least a portion of the available field for requesting the additional bandwidth. A size of the available field is reconfigurable. The method also includes forwarding the extend header to the second device.

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: In one aspect of the present invention, a network gateway is configured to facilitate on line and off line bi-directional communication between a number of near end data and telephony devices with far end data termination devices via a hybrid fiber coaxial network and a cable modem termination system. The described network gateway combines a QAM receiver, a transmitter, a DOCSIS MAC, a CPU, a voice and audio processor, an Ethernet MAC, and a USB controller to provide high performance and robust operation.

Abstract: In a DOCSIS based satellite gateway data is transmitted over a single downstream channel, at different throughput rates. Data destined for each subscriber/receiver is assigned a throughput rate depending upon the downstream signal quality of that subscriber/receiver. To accomplish this, the downstream DOCSIS MAC data is parsed to extract DOCSIS packets. The DOCSIS packets are then loaded into packet queues based on an identifier within such packets such as the MAC destination address or SID. Each of the queues represents a bandwidth efficiency or throughput rate that can be currently tolerated by specific subscribers based on the current signal quality being experienced at the subscriber location. A PHY-MAP describing the downstream data structure to be transmitted and inserted into the downstream data. Data is extracted from the packet queues in queue blocks as defined by the PHY-MAP.

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, apparatus and computer program product for generating and processing upstream channel descriptor (UCD) messages in a DOCSIS-based broadband communications system, such as a DOCSIS-based two-way satellite communications system, is provided. A satellite modem termination system (SMTS) generates a UCD message that includes one or more standard parameters pertaining to an upstream channel of the two-way satellite communications system, wherein the one or more standard parameters are defined in accordance with the DOCSIS protocol, and one or more satellite application-specific parameters pertaining to the upstream channel, wherein the one or more satellite application specific parameters are not provided for by the DOCSIS protocol. The UCD message is transmitted to a satellite modem that extracts both the standard and satellite application-specific parameters for use in managing communication over the upstream channel.

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: 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 method and apparatus for reducing residual gases from a foamed polymer material by subjecting the foamed polymer material to a vacuum.