Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, an internal combustion engine ignition system includes a voltage divider configured to be coupled to a primary transformer ignition coil connector, the voltage divider configured to reduce a voltage received from the primary transformer ignition coil to a controller voltage, a comparator circuit with an input coupled to an output of the voltage divider, and a controller configured to detect the voltage output of the voltage divider, detect the voltage output of a vehicle electric power supply, detect the voltage output of a comparator, and determine an estimated breakdown voltage of a spark plug based on the detected output voltage of the voltage divider and the detected voltage of the power supply.

Abstract: A power management system for use in a power-consuming system is disclosed. The system comprises one or more power module bays each adapted to have a power module hot-pluggably installed therein, the power module comprising an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) power module and a power supply unit (PSU) power module each adapted to be installed in the one or more power module bays; and a power module interface that connects power signals generated by installed power modules with one or more power buses in the system.

Abstract: A method for reducing commutation-related acoustic noise in a fan system is provided. A constant frequency periodic signal is generated and a fan commutation event is synchronized with a zero level value of the constant frequency periodic signal. A system for controlling a direct current fan is provided. The system comprises a signal generator adapted to produce a periodic signal of a constant frequency and a phase-locked loop. A zero level value of the periodic signal is synchronized with a commutation event of the fan.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the transmission of a plurality of data packets, each packet having a next-hop address, across a data network are provided. The method includes receiving the data packets at the network traffic device, buffering the data packets, identifying a selected data packet, identifying a second data packet with the same next-hop address as the selected data packet, consolidating the selected data packet with the second data packet to form a consolidated packet, and transmitting the consolidated data packet. The system and method of the present invention are particularly applicable to the optimization of voice data traffic.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator that removes zinc whiskers from cooling air provided to cool components in an electronics enclosure. The electrostatic precipitator comprises an ionizer configured to apply a charge to zinc whiskers suspended in the cooling air. The electrostatic precipitator also comprises a collector that collects charged zinc whiskers from the contaminated cooling air to generate uncontaminated cooling air for cooling the components of the electronics enclosure. The electrostatic precipitator is configured to be disposed in the cooling air flow path upstream of the components such that the cooling air travels through the electrostatic precipitator prior to impinging on the components.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for producing comfort noise during conversational pauses in the course of a telephone call over an IP network, the IP network including a transmitting computer for transmitting a voice signal generated by a telephone and a receiving computer for receiving the voice signal. The method comprises detecting a conversational pause at the transmitting computer; stopping the transmission of voice data packets during the pause; and transmitting a message to the receiving computer directing the receiving computer to produce comfort noise. In some embodiments of the invention, the message may take the form of a single packet of data.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging system and method having a media stack component measuring system for identifying media characteristics. The imaging system includes a printer engine. A printer control system is in communication with the printer engine. A media holder is provided for holding a media stack including a plurality of sheets. A media stack component sensing system is provided which provides an output signal having a thickness component representative of sheet thickness of the sheets in the media stack.

Abstract: The present invention involves identifying media type in a media processing device. A system according to one embodiment of the invention includes a thermal energy source and a thermal energy sensor. The thermal energy source and thermal energy sensor are arranged along a media feed path so as to accommodate transfer of thermal energy to the media by the thermal energy source, diffusion of such thermal energy, and subsequent sensing of such diffused thermal energy to determine a heat capacity of the media, such heat capacity being indicative of media type.

Abstract: The present invention involves identifying media type in a media processing device. A system according to one embodiment of the invention includes a thermal energy source and a thermal energy sensor. The thermal energy source and thermal energy sensor are arranged along a media feed path so as to accommodate transfer of thermal energy to the media by the thermal energy source, diffusion of such thermal energy, and subsequent sensing of such diffused thermal energy to determine a heat capacity of the media, such heat capacity being indicative of media type.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging system and method having a media stack component measuring system for identifying media characteristics. The imaging system includes a printer engine. A printer control system is in communication with the printer engine. A media holder is provided for holding a media stack including a plurality of sheets. A media stack component sensing system is provided which provides an output signal having a thickness component representative of sheet thickness of the sheets in the media stack.

Abstract: A power management system for use in a power-consuming system is disclosed. The system comprises one or more power module bays each adapted to have a power module hot-pluggably installed therein, the power module comprising an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) power module and a power supply unit (PSU) power module each adapted to be installed in the one or more power module bays; and a power module interface that connects power signals generated by installed power modules with one or more power buses in the system.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for removing electrically-conductive contaminants entrained in airstream. The airstream is preferably redirected to separate the electrically-conductive contaminants from the airstream. The separated electrically-conductive contaminants may then be oxidized.

Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator that removes zinc whiskers from cooling air provided to cool components in an electronics enclosure. The electrostatic precipitator comprises an ionizer configured to apply a charge to zinc whiskers suspended in the cooling air. The electrostatic precipitator also comprises a collector that collects charged zinc whiskers from the contaminated cooling air to generate uncontaminated cooling air for cooling the components of the electronics enclosure. The electrostatic precipitator is configured to be disposed in the cooling air flow path upstream of the components such that the cooling air travels through the electrostatic precipitator prior to impinging on the components.

Abstract: The present invention involves identifying media type in a media processing device. A system according to one embodiment of the invention includes a thermal energy source and a thermal energy sensor. The thermal energy source and thermal energy sensor are arranged along a media feed path so as to accommodate transfer of thermal energy to the media by the thermal energy source, diffusion of such thermal energy, and subsequent sensing of such diffused thermal energy to determine a heat capacity of the media, such heat capacity being indicative of media type.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging system and method having a media stack component measuring system for identifying media characteristics. The imaging system includes a printer engine. A printer control system is in communication with the printer engine. A media holder is provided for holding a media stack including a plurality of sheets. A media stack component sensing system is provided which provides an output signal having a thickness component representative of sheet thickness of the sheets in the media stack.

Abstract: The present invention provides an imaging system and method having a media stack component measuring system for identifying media characteristics. The imaging system includes a printer engine. A printer control system is in communication with the printer engine. A media holder is provided for holding a media stack including a plurality of sheets. A media stack component sensing system is provided which provides an output signal having a thickness component representative of sheet thickness of the sheets in the media stack.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for producing comfort noise during conversational pauses in the course of a telephone call over an IP network, the IP network including a transmitting computer for transmitting a voice signal generated by a telephone and a receiving computer for receiving the voice signal. The method comprises detecting a conversational pause at the transmitting computer; stopping the transmission of voice data packets during the pause; and transmitting a message to the receiving computer directing the receiving computer to produce comfort noise. In some embodiments of the invention, the message may take the form of a single packet of data.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the transmission of a plurality of data packets, each packet having a next-hop address, across a data network are provided. The method includes receiving the data packets at the network traffic device, buffering the data packets, identifying a selected data packet, identifying a second data packet with the same next-hop address as the selected data packet, consolidating the selected data packet with the second data packet to form a consolidated packet, and transmitting the consolidated data packet. The system and method of the present invention are particularly applicable to the optimization of voice data traffic.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for optimizing the quality of electrophotographic imaging based on the properties of the printing media are presented. In order to determine the properties of the printing media without interrupting the normal image transfer process, the present invention uses rollers as a part of a sensor. When the printing media lies between the rollers, the rollers and the printing media form an RC circuit. A pulse is applied to the RC circuit, the step response of which is periodically sampled. The samples may be obtained logarithmically in time. Based on the resultant response, a controller calculates the resistance and the capacitance of the printing media and adjusts imaging parameters, such as the transfer bias voltage, for optimal image transfer. The entire optimization process occurs between the time the printing media passes through the rollers and the time the imaging transfer is executed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for optimizing the quality of electrophotographic imaging based on the properties of the printing media are presented. In order to determine the properties of the printing media without interrupting the normal image transfer process, the present invention uses rollers as a part of a sensor. When the printing media lies between the rollers, the rollers and the printing media form an RC circuit. A pulse is applied to the RC circuit, the step response of which is periodically sampled. The samples may be obtained logarithmically in time. Based on the resultant response, a controller calculates the resistance and the capacitance of the printing media and adjusts imaging parameters, such as the transfer bias voltage, for optimal image transfer. The entire optimization process occurs between the time the printing media passes through the rollers and the time the imaging transfer is executed.