Abstract: A filter settings generation operation includes sampling a communication channel to produce a sampled signal. The sampled signal is spectrally characterized across a frequency band of interest to produce a spectral characterization of the sampled signal. This spectral characterization may not include a signal of interest. The spectral characterization is then modified to produce a modified spectral characterization. Filter settings are then generated based upon the modified spectral characterization. Finally, the communication channel is filtered using the filter settings when the signal of interest is present on the communication channel. In modifying the spectral characterization, pluralities of spectral characteristics of the spectral characterization are independently modified to produce the modified spectral characterization. Modifications to the spectral characterization may be performed in the frequency domain and/or the time domain.

Abstract: Foamed polyurethane articles, such as a sponges, sheets, tapes or ribbons, blocks or other molded, extruded or cast article which foamed polyurethane articles exhibit an antimicrobial benefit and are particularly useful in the formation of cleaning articles. Processes for the manufacture of such cleaning articles based on hydrophilic polyurethane foams exhibit an antimicrobial benefit and their use are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides in an adjustable shower head having a user-operable variable spray pattern. The shower head includes an adjustment mechanism that is hydropowered by water passing through the shower head, upon activation by a user.

Abstract: A filter settings generation operation includes sampling a communication channel to produce a sampled signal. The sampled signal is spectrally characterized across a frequency band of interest to produce a spectral characterization of the sampled signal. This spectral characterization may not include a signal of interest. The spectral characterization is then modified to produce a modified spectral characterization. Filter settings are then generated based upon the modified spectral characterization. Finally, the communication channel is filtered using the filter settings when the signal of interest is present on the communication channel. In modifying the spectral characterization, pluralities of spectral characteristics of the spectral characterization are independently modified to produce the modified spectral characterization. Modifications to the spectral characterization may be performed in the frequency domain and/or the time domain.

Abstract: A filter settings generation operation includes sampling a communication channel to produce a sampled signal. The sampled signal is spectrally characterized across a frequency band of interest to produce a spectral characterization of the sampled signal. This spectral characterization may not include a signal of interest. The spectral characterization is then modified to produce a modified spectral characterization. Filter settings are then generated based upon the modified spectral characterization. Finally, the communication channel is filtered using the filter settings when the signal of interest is present on the communication channel. In modifying the spectral characterization, pluralities of spectral characteristics of the spectral characterization are independently modified to produce the modified spectral characterization. Modifications to the spectral characterization may be performed in the frequency domain and/or the time domain.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water soluble container which contains a composition useful for hard surface cleaning. The composition comprises a cationic surfactant having germicidal properties, a non-ionic surfactant, an alkali salt, an organic acid; and optionally, conventional additives, where the composition is in powder form. The water soluble containers can be made by thermoforming or injection molding.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present method, program, and apparatus for natural language generation enables a language generation system to generate a grammatically correct natural language sentence by retrieving and adapting one or more stored sentences having semantic features similar to semantic features of a system-generated semantic representation. The retrieval of stored sentences is guided at least in part by the ease with which the stored sentences may be adapted to produce a grammatically correct sentence, enabling rapid generation of accurate output.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an acidic hard surface treatment composition which provides a cleaning benefit comprising: an acidic constituent which comprises water soluble organic acid; at least one anionic surfactant constituent; at least one nonionic surfactant constituent; at least one organic solvent constituent; at least one inorganic chloride salt; optionally one or more further constituents and the balance, water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water soluble container which contains a composition useful for hard surface cleaning. The composition comprises a cationic surfactant having germicidal properties, a short chain non-ionic surfactant, optionally, polyethylene glycol; and optionally, conventional additives, where the composition contains less than 25 percent water. The water soluble containers can be made by thermoforming or injection molding.

Abstract: A filter settings generation operation includes sampling a communication channel to produce a sampled signal. The sampled signal is spectrally characterized across a frequency band of interest to produce a spectral characterization of the sampled signal. This spectral characterization may not include a signal of interest. The spectral characterization is then modified to produce a modified spectral characterization. Filter settings are then generated based upon the modified spectral characterization. Finally, the communication channel is filtered using the filter settings when the signal of interest is present on the communication channel. In modifying the spectral characterization, pluralities of spectral characteristics of the spectral characterization are independently modified to produce the modified spectral characterization. Modifications to the spectral characterization may be performed in the frequency domain and/or the time domain.

Abstract: A handheld personal assistant including a voice-recognizer and a natural-language processor is disclosed. The recognizer is configured to transform a verbal expression from a person into a different mode of information (e.g., text). The natural-language processor is configured to process the mode of information to extract, from a database, a piece of information that is personal to the person. In processing, the processor analyzes the expression grammatically and semantically to transform at least a part of the mode of operation into at least one instruction. This piece of information can be a to-do list, information in the person's calendar or information from the person's address book, such as a phone number. The processor can still extract the piece of information when the person declares the expression differently.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water soluble container which containing concentrate composition useful for hard surface disinfecting and cleaning comprising: (a) at least one cationic surfactant having germicidal properties; (b) at least one non-ionic surfactant; (c) at least one organic solvent having a solubility in water of at least 4% wt.; (d) optionally, at least one alkanolamine; (e) optionally, at least one polyethylene glycol; and (f) optionally, up to about 10% wt. of one or more conventional additives selected from coloring agents, fragrances and fragrance solubilizers, viscosity modifying agents, other surfactants, other antimicrobial/germicidal agents, pH adjusting agents and pH buffers including organic and inorganic salts, optical brighteners, opacifying agents, hydrotropes, antifoaming agents, enzymes, anti-spotting agents, anti-oxidants, preservatives, and anti-corrosion agents; wherein said concentrate composition contains no more than 20% wt. water, and desirably contains less.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water soluble container which contains a composition useful for hard surface cleaning. The composition comprises a cationic surfactant having germicidal properties, a short chain non-ionic surfactant, optionally, polyethylene glycol; and optionally, conventional additives, where the composition contains less than 25 percent water. The water soluble containers can be made by thermoforming or injection molding.

Abstract: A filter settings generation operation includes sampling a communication channel to produce a sampled signal. The sampled signal is spectrally characterized across a frequency band of interest to produce a spectral characterization of the sampled signal. This spectral characterization may not include a signal of interest. The spectral characterization is then modified to produce a modified spectral characterization. Filter settings are then generated based upon the modified spectral characterization. Finally, the communication channel is filtered using the filter settings when the signal of interest is present on the communication channel. In modifying the spectral characterization, pluralities of spectral characteristics of the spectral characterization are independently modified to produce the modified spectral characterization. Modifications to the spectral characterization may be performed in the frequency domain and/or the time domain.

Abstract: The invention includes a compositon of matter comprising a heavy oil having dispersed therein surface modified solid wherein said surface modified solids comprise solids having adsorbed thereon air oxidized polar hydrocarbons from said heavy oil and wherein said surface modified solids have a diameter of about 10 microns or less and a method for preparing the same.

Abstract: The invention includes a compositon of matter comprising a heavy oil having dispersed therein surface modified solid wherein said surface modified solids comprise solids having adsorbed thereon air oxidized polar hydrocarbons from said heavy oil and wherein said surface modified solids have a diameter of about 10 microns or less and a method for preparing the same.

Abstract: The invention includes a compositon of matter comprising a heavy oil having dispersed therein surface modified solid wherein said surface modified solids comprise solids having adsorbed thereon air oxidized polar hydrocarbons from said heavy oil and wherein said surface modified solids have a diameter of about 10 microns or less and a method for preparing the same.

Abstract: A filter settings generation operation includes sampling a communication channel to produce a sampled signal. The sampled signal is spectrally characterized across a frequency band of interest to produce a spectral characterization of the sampled signal. This spectral characterization may not include a signal of interest. The spectral characterization is then modified to produce a modified spectral characterization. Filter settings are then generated based upon the modified spectral characterization. Finally, the communication channel is filtered using the filter settings when the signal of interest is present on the communication channel. In modifying the spectral characterization, pluralities of spectral characteristics of the spectral characterization are independently modified to produce the modified spectral characterization. Modifications to the spectral characterization may be performed in the frequency domain and/or the time domain.

Abstract: A handheld personal assistant including a voice-recognizer and a natural-language processor is disclosed. The recognizer is configured to transform a verbal expression from a person into a different mode of information (e.g., text). The natural-language processor is configured to process the mode of information to extract, from a database, a piece of information that is personal to the person. In processing, the processor analyzes the expression grammatically and semantically to transform at least a part of the mode of operation into at least one instruction. This piece of information can be a to-do list, information in the person's calendar or information from the person's address book, such as a phone number. The processor can still extract the piece of information when the person declares the expression differently.