Abstract: An environmental monitor device with a database comprises a data bus, a multitude of sensors, at least one processing unit, input/output device(s); communications interface(s), and memory. Communications interface(s) communicate with at least one environmental sensor device comprising with a multitude of sensors. The multitude of sensors may include particle counter(s), pressure sensor(s) and/or the like. The memory is configured to hold data and machine executable instructions. The machine executable instructions are configured to cause at least one processing unit to: collect sensor data from at least one environmental sensor device; store at least some of the sensor data in at least one database; and generate a report of sensor data that exceeds at least one threshold.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a power head, a collection drum, and a filter. The filter of the present invention is of rectangular cross section about the vertical axis, but is curved away from the power head under the blower along at least one horizontal axis.

Abstract: Described is a vacuum cleaner, such as a wet/dry vacuum cleaner, having an improved vacuum hose storage assembly and dust pan assembly for use with a vacuum cleaner having a debris collection drum. The integrated pickup port in the dust pan can be formed by the shape of the product its used on or become a separate piece such as used in this design.

Abstract: Described is a load-bearing support apparatus and system including an upper and lower support element adapted to rotate about one or more axes. The support elements can each further include support couplings. The apparatus can further include first and second support elements that can be adapted to bear the weight of a load along vertical and horizontal axes, respectively. The apparatus can include a mounting support element that can include upper and lower load connectors that can further be coupled to the load. The upper and lower load connectors can each be coupled to the upper and lower support couplings, respectively, in a ball-and-socket joint configuration. Because the ball-and-socket joints can create an articulating motion based on an operator's movement, the support apparatus can increase an operator's range of motion resulting in greater comfort and less fatigue while supporting the load.

Abstract: Described herein are improved wet/dry vacuum appliance assemblies and associated systems which facilitate the ease of removal of the filter assembly from within the appliance itself. The vacuum appliance assemblies described include a drum, a lid assembly adapted to removably mount on or to hinge on the drum, and a filter assembly housed within the lid assembly, wherein the lid assembly comprises a removable component such that if the removable component is removed, the filter assembly is accessible.

Abstract: A personal computer's (PC) microprocessor is used to provide both the physical layer (PHY) and media access control (MAC) processing functions required to implement a wireless local area network (WLAN) adapter. This technique uses the polling mechanism associated with the power save (PS) functionality of WLAN protocol to relieve networking stress on the host processing system. It does this while maintaining networking integrity and packet delivery. The WLAN protocol polling mechanism is used to briefly inhibit the transfer of packets from the WLAN access point (AP) during peak periods of network traffic and/or host processor loading. Because the modulation, demodulation, and MAC functions, typically implemented in dedicated hardware on existing adapters are implemented in software running on the host PC microprocessor, other host system processes and applications can interfere with these time critical functions.

Abstract: A method of generating a glow discharge plasma involves providing a pair of electrodes spaced apart by an electrode gap, and having a dielectric disposed in the electrode gap between the electrodes; placing the electrodes within an environment, wherein the electrode gap can be provided with a gas or gas mixture containing carbon at a specified pressure; and applying a rapid rise time voltage pulse across the electrodes to cause an extreme overvoltage condition, wherein the rapid rise time is less than a plasma generation time so that the extreme overvoltage condition occurs prior to current flow across the electrode gap. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A personal computer's (PC) microprocessor is used to provide both the physical layer (PHY) and media access control (MAC) processing functions required to implement a wireless local area network (WLAN) adapter. This technique uses the polling mechanism associated with the power save (PS) functionality of WLAN protocol to relieve networking stress on the host processing system. It does this while maintaining networking integrity and packet delivery. The WLAN protocol polling mechanism is used to briefly inhibit the transfer of packets from the WLAN access point (AP) during peak periods of network traffic and/or host processor loading. Because the modulation, demodulation, and MAC functions, typically implemented in dedicated hardware on existing adapters are implemented in software running on the host PC microprocessor, other host system processes and applications can interfere with these time critical functions.

Abstract: A personal computer's (PC) microprocessor is used to provide both the physical layer (PHY) and media access control (MAC) processing functions required to implement a wireless local area network (WLAN) adapter. This technique uses the polling mechanism associated with the power save (PS) functionality of WLAN protocol to relieve networking stress on the host processing system. It does this while maintaining networking integrity and packet delivery. The WLAN protocol polling mechanism is used to briefly inhibit the transfer of packets from the WLAN access point (AP) during peak periods of network traffic and/or host processor loading. Because the modulation, demodulation, and MAC functions, typically implemented in dedicated hardware on existing adapters are implemented in software running on the host PC microprocessor, other host system processes and applications can interfere with these time critical functions.

Abstract: A method of generating a glow discharge plasma involves providing a pair of electrodes spaced apart by an electrode gap, and having a dielectric disposed in the electrode gap between the electrodes; placing the electrodes within an environment, wherein the electrode gap can be provided with a gas or gas mixture containing carbon at a specified pressure; and applying a rapid rise time voltage pulse across the electrodes to cause an extreme overvoltage condition, wherein the rapid rise time is less than a plasma generation time so that the extreme overvoltage condition occurs prior to current flow across the electrode gap. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: Described herein are improved wet/dry vacuum appliance assemblies and associated systems which facilitate the ease of removal of the filter assembly from within the appliance itself. The vacuum appliance assemblies described include a drum, a lid assembly adapted to removably mount on or to hinge on the drum, and a filter assembly housed within the lid assembly, wherein the lid assembly comprises a removable component such that if the removable component is removed, the filter assembly is accessible.

Abstract: A method and wireless local area network (WLAN) adapter for the reduction of receive packet processing in a communications system receiver. The method includes establishing a set of criteria which identifies a packet as one requiring demodulation. The method further includes detecting a packet preamble to trigger at least one waveform identification function and determining with the at least one waveform identification function of the detected packet meets an established criteria for demodulation. The established criteria may include at least one of data rate, modulation type, signal to noise ratio, or coding rate. If the detected packet meets the established criteria for demodulation, a host processor may be interrupted to begin demodulation.

Abstract: A personal computer's (PC) microprocessor is used to provide both the physical layer (PHY) and media access control (MAC) processing functions required to implement a wireless local area network (WLAN) adapter. This technique uses the microprocessor within the personal computer to pre-compute the time critical PHY waveforms required to respond to received packets. For instance, the acknowledge (ACK) waveform required to respond to a received WLAN packet is pre-computed and stored in the PC memory. Upon receipt of a valid packet, the samples of the ACK waveform are transferred from the PC memory to a digital to analog converter (DAC). The DAC generates the transmit waveform required for the radio modulator. By pre-computing the transmit waveform samples, the required loading on the PC microprocessor is reduced during time critical periods.

Abstract: A humidifier system includes a water reservoir and a water bottle defining a discharge opening therein. A valve assembly has a sealing member that is positionable in closed and opened positions for selectively dispensing water through the discharge opening into the reservoir. The valve assembly further includes a locking feature to lock the sealing member in the opened position, preventing the valve from returning to the closed position until desired.

Abstract: A power distribution system, suitable for use in a building, comprising a junction box, a hub, a junction device, and a cover plate. Wiring from the building is connected to the hub using alternative means such as stab-in connections, set screws, or loop screws, and color coding facilitates proper wiring. Also, the junction device is a modular piece that can be attached to the junction box via interference there between. Furthermore, a cover plate can be attached to the junction device via interference there between, or the cover plate can be integrally attached to the junction device. One embodiment of the hub accommodates circuitry that functions with the junction device while simultaneously accommodates circuitry wholly independent of the junction device. As such, the power distribution system enables wiring to be completed more quickly and accurately, in a wider variety of applications, thereby advantageously reducing associated costs.

Abstract: A full-duplex radio transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver. A duplexer is connected to an output of the transmitter and an input of the receiver. The receiver includes a low noise amplifier having a nonlinear portion capable of generating undesired cross-modulation signals based upon a portion of the transmit signal coupled thereto from the duplexer and a signal from another adjacent transmitter. A bandpass filter is connected to an output of the low noise amplifier, and at least one downconverter stage is connected to an output of the bandpass filter. A reactive termination circuit is connected between the low noise amplifier and the bandpass filter for changing an impedance presented to the output of the low noise amplifier with respect to signals from the colocated transmitter to thereby reduce undesired cross-modulation signals.

Abstract: A multiple band transmitter including first and second transmit amplifier paths, where the first transmit amplifier path conducts a first transmit signal at a first frequency band and the second transmit amplifier path conducts a second transmit signal at a second frequency band. The second transmit amplifier path includes an amplifier that generates the second transmit signal along with a harmonic frequency within a passband of the first transmit amplifier path. The second transmit amplifier path further includes a trap circuit that shunts the harmonic frequency away from the first transmit amplifier path.

Abstract: A personal computer's (PC) microprocessor is used to provide both the physical layer (PHY) and media access control (MAC) processing functions required to implement a wireless local area network (WLAN) adapter. This technique uses the microprocessor within the personal computer to pre-compute the time critical PHY waveforms required to respond to received packets. For instance, the acknowledge (ACK) waveform required to respond to a received WLAN packet is pre-computed and stored in the PC memory. Upon receipt of a valid packet, the samples of the ACK waveform are transferred from the PC memory to a digital to analog converter (DAC). The DAC generates the transmit waveform required for the radio modulator. By pre-computing the transmit waveform samples, the required loading on the PC microprocessor is reduced during time critical periods.