Abstract: A guitar amplifier system is disclosed. Specific implementations for the guitar amplifier system may comprise an audio input for an audio signal, a preamplifier coupled to the audio input, a tone control element coupled to the preamplifier, a power amplifier coupled to the tone control element, and an audio output coupled to the power amplifier. In an implementation, the tone control may be configured to control at least one of sound equalization, compression distortion, chorus or reverb. In an implementation, at least one of the preamplifier and the power amplifier may comprise at least one distortion multiplier circuit. The distortion multiplier circuit may comprise an audio signal multiplier configured to amplify an audio signal and output an amplified audio signal.

Abstract: The connectivity information provided by a variety of inference engines is integrated to provide a set of inferred links within a network. A consolidation is performed among inference engines that operate at a base level of connectivity detail to create a model of the network at this base level. The connectivity information provided by inference engines at each subsequent higher level of connectivity abstraction is then overlaid on the base level connectivity. By separately consolidating the connectivity information at each level of abstraction, the rules for dealing with conflicts can be simplified and/or better focused to resolve the conflict. By assuming that the more detailed lower level information is likely to be more accurate, rules can be developed to modify the connectivity models produced by the higher level techniques to conform to the lower level connectivity details while still maintaining the integrity of the higher level connectivity models.

Abstract: A network analysis system invokes an application specific, or source-destination specific, path discovery process. The application specific path discovery process determines the path(s) used by the application, collects performance data from the nodes along the path, and communicates this performance data to the network analysis system for subsequent performance analysis. The system may also maintain a database of prior network configurations to facilitate the identification of nodes that are off the path that may affect the current performance of the application. The system may also be specifically controlled so as to identify the path between any pair of specified nodes, and to optionally collect performance data associated with the path.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses are provided for transmitting and receiving space-time block coded data in a wireless communications system with co-operative relays. A source node transmits RF signals representing first and second sets of data symbols in respective first and second channels (in time frequency code or any combination) of a wireless communications system, the first and second sets of data symbols being for transmission from separate antennas respectively according to a space-time block code. A relay node receives the RF signals representing the first set of data symbols in the first channel and transmits RF signals representing the first set of data symbols in the second channel. A destination node received the RF signals representing the second set of data symbols from the source node and the RF signals representing the first set of data symbols from the relay node.

Abstract: Potential paths between a source and destination of a network are identified based on trace-route information, then filtered to eliminate paths or links that are not supported by ancillary information associated with the network so as to identify feasible/actual paths between the source and destination. The ancillary information includes, for example, routing tables and ARP tables. If a feasible path cannot be identified based on the ancillary information, supplemental information regarding nodes further along the potential path is assessed to provide a basis for inferring the nodes that may provide a feasible path. The determined feasible paths are displayed for review, and provided to serve as filters for subsequent path-analysis tools.

Abstract: A method and system that takes advantage of processes that are efficient for determining the topology of small to medium size networks to determine individual network topologies for such networks, and then merges these individual topologies into a consolidated topology for the entire network. Each of the processes that determines the topology of the smaller networks provides the determined network topology, as well as a list of factors that may be relevant in the determination of how the given topology might be attached to any other given topology, such as the identification of a node that is not included in the given topology, or other indications of external connections. The merging process is configured to substantially restrict its analysis to these factors, thereby limiting the extent, and therefore the time consumed, by this stitching and merging process.

Abstract: A head rotator assembly (22) for positioning a head (20) of a tape drive (10) relative to a storage tape includes a head supporter (230) and a supporter mover assembly (232). The head supporter (230) is coupled to and supports the head (20). The supporter mover assembly (232) selectively rotates a portion of the head supporter (230) about an axis (241) to move the head (20) in an azimuth direction relative to the storage tape as the storage tape moves over the head (20). The head rotator assembly (22) further includes a controller (16) that controls movement of the supporter mover assembly (232) based at least partially on a positioning signal. The supporter mover assembly (232) can include a first actuator (234A) and a first lever (236A). The first actuator (234A) moves the first lever (236A) to rotate the head supporter (230) so that the head (20) moves in the azimuth direction. The first actuator (234A) can include a piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A method of creating a family tree includes receiving a request from a user to return a file that includes the family tree and using a plurality of primary source records to construct the family tree based on the request. The records indicate multiple alternatives for at least one branch of the family tree. The method also includes sending a file that includes the family tree to the user. The file includes the alternatives.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for managing electronic communications and, specifically, monitoring electronic communications received from numerous communications sources associated with a user, identifying that certain ones of the communications are priority communications and communicating notice of the priority communications to the user. The priority communication may be identified by user defined criteria, such key words, phrases, key topics, key names and the like; timeframe of the communication; user-defined priority rules; business performance indicators/metrics and the like. Communication of the notice may provide for communicating a priority communication alert to the user or communicating the notice to a network-accessible communication monitoring portal.

Abstract: The connectivity information provided by a variety of inference engines is integrated to provide a set of inferred links within a network. A consolidation is performed among inference engines that operate at a base level of connectivity detail to create a model of the network at this base level. The connectivity information provided by inference engines at each subsequent higher level of connectivity abstraction is then overlaid on the base level connectivity. By separately consolidating the connectivity information at each level of abstraction, the rules for dealing with conflicts can be simplified and/or better focused to resolve the conflict. By assuming that the more detailed lower level information is likely to be more accurate, rules can be developed to modify the connectivity models produced by the higher level techniques to conform to the lower level connectivity details while still maintaining the integrity of the higher level connectivity models.

Abstract: Improved methods of presenting speech prompts to a user as part of an automated system that employs speech recognition or other voice input are described. The invention improves the user interface by providing in combination with at least one user prompt seeking a voice response, an enhanced user keyword prompt intended to facilitate the user selecting a keyword to speak in response to the user prompt. The enhanced keyword prompts may be the same words as those a user can speak as a reply to the user prompt but presented using a different audio presentation method, e.g., speech rate, audio level, or speaker voice, than used for the user prompt. In some cases, the user keyword prompts are different words from the expected user response keywords, or portions of words, e.g., truncated versions of keywords.

Abstract: Potential paths between a source and destination of a network are identified based on trace-route information, then filtered to eliminate paths or links that are not supported by ancillary information associated with the network so as to identify feasible/actual paths between the source and destination. The ancillary information includes, for example, routing tables and ARP tables. If a feasible path cannot be identified based on the ancillary information, supplemental information regarding nodes further along the potential path is assessed to provide a basis for inferring the nodes that may provide a feasible path. The determined feasible paths are displayed for review, and provided to serve as filters for subsequent path-analysis tools.

Abstract: The device utilizes a thruster cylinder driven by a enlarged knob and terminating in a thruster plate to clamp to a support. Provision is made to attach a device to the clamp through a rotating index wheel which can lock the device by receiving a tang from a trigger lever at a selected increment of rotation. A second embodiment has two index wheels so that the attached device can be displaced in one of four directions to avoid conflict with other devices on the same support. The second axis is normally used to return a displaced device to an upright orientation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for modifying a user interface as a function of the detected emotional state of a system user are described. In one embodiment, stress analysis is performed on received speech to generate an emotional state indicator value, e.g., a stress level indicator value. The stress level indicator value is compared to one or more thresholds. If a first threshold is exceeded the user interface is modified, e.g., the presentation rate of speech is slowed. If a second threshold is not exceeded, another modification to the user interface is made, e.g., the speech presentation rate is accelerated. If the stress level indicator value is between first and second thresholds, user interface operation continues unchanged. The user interface modification techniques of the present invention may be used in combination with known knowledge or expertise based user interface adaptation features.

Abstract: A method of optimizing parametric gain in a nonlinear optical crystal that in response to application of a pump beam generates through a parametric generation process signal and idler beams, wherein the signal beam is non-collinear with the pump beam and the signal beam is subject to absorption due to the nonlinear material, the method involving shaping the pump beam to have an elliptical cross section, wherein the method further involves determining the width w of the pump beam depending on the absorption co-efficient of the optical crystal.

Abstract: The business community hub application provides a business customer the ability to add an event or offer to the community hub that can be accessed by individual customers or business customers. The business community hub application also notifies business customers of offers provided by other businesses or about local community events in which the business customer may be interested. The business customers have the ability to find contacts and network with other local businesses. The business community hub application also uses transaction information available to the bank to display market data and trends that may be of interest to the business customer. In this way, the business community hub works with the online banking application as a tool for local businesses, it allows business customers to interact with individual customers, the community in general, as well as other businesses, in a forum for exchanging products, services, and information.

Abstract: A network is partitioned into a set of independent partitions, and the topology of each partition is determined, then merged to form a topology of the entire network. Preferably, the partitioning is hierarchical, wherein the network is partitioned to form individual VLAN partitions, and each of the VLAN partitions is further partitioned based on the nodes that are simply connected to each port of one or more selected root switches within the VLAN partition. Simple connections to each port are efficiently determined based on an aggregate address forwarding table associated with each node. Ancillary information, such as spanning tree or CDP data, may be used to facilitate efficient partitioning and/or to validate inferences that are made with incomplete information.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for billing for service provided to destination device according to the calling plan of the individual receiving the call. An authenticated identity for a callee answering a call placed to a destination device is received at an intermediary device. The intermediary device then accesses a billing plan for the authenticated identity of the callee and loads the billing plan for specifying charges for the call, such that telephone service billed to the callee is accessible at multiple destination devices.

Abstract: A network is partitioned into a set of independent partitions, and the topology of each partition is determined, then merged to form a topology of the entire network. Preferably, the partitioning is hierarchical, wherein the network is partitioned to form individual VLAN partitions, and each of the VLAN partitions is further partitioned based on the nodes that are simply connected to each port of one or more selected root switches within the VLAN partition. Simple connections to each port are efficiently determined based on an aggregate address forwarding table associated with each node. Ancillary information, such as spanning tree or CDP data, may be used to facilitate efficient partitioning and/or to validate inferences that are made with incomplete information.

Abstract: Implementations are disclosed that provide protocols for connecting an intelligent service module within a storage area network (SAN). The protocols support physical connections between the intelligent service module and a director-level switch of the SAN. In some variations, the intelligent service module may comprise a director service module (DSM), a domain-sharing leaf switch service module (LSSM), or a non-domain-sharing LSSM. The protocols provide for establishing link parameters and negotiating responsibilities between the intelligent service module and the director-level switch. In one configuration, for example, ELP and ELP_ACCEPT frames may be used to establish the link parameters. In another configuration, ESC and ESC_ACCEPT frames may be used to negotiate responsibilities between the intelligent service module and the director-level switch.