Abstract: A hydraulic distributor for safely and efficiently top charging a bell-less blast furnace. The hydraulic distributor includes a main housing, an inner ring, a trunnion, and an actuator ring, which act together to lift and rotate the distributor chute. Hydraulic tilt cylinders operatively coupled to the inner ring act to lift the distributor chute to change tilt. Rotational Drives operatively coupled to the trunnion act to rotate the distributor chute. The hydraulic distributor provides improved repeatability and precision control of the distributor chute, and hence the placement of burden materials within the blast furnace resulting in improved productivity and operation of the furnace. The hydraulic distributor provides a less complex design and construction resulting in reduced costs for manufacturing and maintenance.

Abstract: A method and computer-readable medium for obtaining information associated with a VoIP communication session includes tapping the computer network passively to obtain signaling and media information in a first format, separating the signaling and media information, determining transport information from at least one of the signaling and media information, transcoding the media information to a second format, and storing the transcoded media information in the second format. The media information includes data, voice, audio, and/or video information.

Abstract: A method and computer-readable medium for obtaining information associated with a VoIP communication session includes tapping the computer network passively to obtain signaling and media information in a first format, separating the signaling and media information, determining transport information from at least one of the signaling and media information, transcoding the media information to a second format, and storing the transcoded media information in the second format. The media information includes data, voice, audio, and/or video information.

Abstract: A method of obtaining information associated with a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication session includes tapping the computer network passively to obtain signaling information and media information in a first format, separating the signaling information from the media information, transcoding the media information to a second format, and storing the transcoded media information in the second format. The media information includes data, voice, audio, and/or video information. A system adapted to obtain information associated with a VoIP communication session on a computer network includes a tapping device to passively tap the computer network to obtain signaling information and media information in a first format, a processing device adapted to transcode the media information from the first format to a second format and separate the signaling information from the media information, and a storage device adapted to store the transcoded media information in the second format.

Abstract: A light performance monitoring device and optionally integrated controller includes a monitor module that directly monitors energy usage of at least one energy load to generate at least one measurement of energy usage; a storage module stores a series of baseline values of energy usage of the energy load, a comparator module compares energy measurements made at predetermined intervals with the baseline values, and a notification module notifies a designated recipient that there is a deviation from the baseline values consistent with a burned out or non-operational light fixture, including but not limited to light bulbs or ballast devices. A control module optionally integrated with the light performance monitoring device can be operatively coupled to the monitor module to control energy usage by the at least one energy load via a data link in a pre-determined manner that is based on the at least one measurement of energy usage.

Abstract: A method of obtaining information associated with a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication session includes tapping the computer network passively to obtain signaling information and media information in a first format, separating the signaling information from the media information, transcoding the media information to a second format, and storing the transcoded media information in the second format. The media information includes data, voice, audio, and/or video information. A system adapted to obtain information associated with a VoIP communication session on a computer network includes a tapping device to passively tap the computer network to obtain signaling information and media information in a first format, a processing device adapted to transcode the media information from the first format to a second format and separate the signaling information from the media information, and a storage device adapted to store the transcoded media information in the second format.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes a battery charged during daylight hours by a conventional solar collector. A panel or reflector is attached to the arm of a conventional post and arm supporting in a depending manner a real estate sign. The reflector may include a partial cylindrical section at each opposed end for supporting an elongated lamp and for reflecting the light from the lamp onto the real estate sign disposed between the opposed ends of the reflector. A photocell interconnects the lamps with the battery to energize the lights and illuminate the real estate sign during periods of darkness.

Abstract: An implement for use in removing weeds, moss or other matter from the joints between parviours (P), comprises an elongate handle carrying a blade (12), the blade extending along an axis at an angle of 25° to 65° to the axis of the handle and being formed with an apex at its forward end. The implement is arranged for its handle to be held by a user when standing, with the handle extending forwardly and downwardly from the use and with the apex of the blade engaged in the joint between paviours: the user then draws the implement towards him.

Abstract: A system and method for using mesh technology to remotely monitor a plurality of vending machines is provided. Each vending machine includes a node that supports the DEX/UCS standard using customized off-the-shelf mesh networking and metering components to reach a gateway node included in a vending machine to provide access to and by a vending machine data center.