Abstract: An alignment tool includes a body and a plurality of securement arms extending from the body, each of the plurality of securement arms adapted to releasably secure the alignment tool relative to a loader. The alignment tool includes a plurality of alignment arms extending from the body, each of the plurality of alignment arms including a first end having an alignment slot and an opposing second end including a handle portion, the plurality of alignment arms movable between a closed configuration defining a minimum distance between the first end of each of the plurality of alignment arms and an open configuration defining a maximum distance between the first end of each of the plurality of alignment arms. The plurality of alignment arms are biased into the closed configuration.

Abstract: An environmental data collection system includes one or more smart sensors, a controller coupled to the one or more smart sensors, the controller including one or more modular decoders having a processor and a memory storing computer readable program code, that when executed by the processor, causes the modular decoder to configure communication and data retrieval between the one or more smart sensors and the controller, perform signal processing on data retrieved from the one or more smart sensors specific to the sensing capabilities of the one or more smart sensors, convert the signal processed data to a fixed bit format, and convey the fixed bit data to the controller.

Abstract: A smart environmental sensing probe includes a communication path, a controller connected to the communication path, and one or more smart sensors, each with at least one common electrical interface for exchanging sensor information with the controller over the communication path using a common communication protocol.

Abstract: An environmental data collection system includes a controller and one or more smart sensors coupled to the controller, each smart sensor comprising a memory, the memory configured to store configuration and calibration data for each data channel output by sensing devices of the smart sensors.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing assertions in response to a goods and/or service item query is provided, the method comprising: as implemented by one or more computing devices configured with specific executable instructions, receiving usage data reflective of user activity on a virtual concierge service, the user activity comprising a plurality of queries for goods and/or service items offered for by the virtual concierge service; for a set of search criteria, determining an assertion based at least in part on the usage data, wherein the assertion is associated with a modified set of search criteria determined based at least in part on a user activity, wherein the user activity is reflective of user action taken in response to a query corresponding to the set of search criteria; receiving, from a user computing device, a query corresponding to the set of search criteria; transmitting the determined assertion to the user computing device; receiving selection of the assertion by the user computing

Abstract: A smart environmental sensing probe includes a communication path, a controller connected to the communication path, and one or more smart sensors, each with at least one common electrical interface for exchanging sensor information with the controller over the communication path using a common communication protocol.

Abstract: Methods and systems for packet preamble sequences are provided. The preamble sequences are produce by multiplying preestablished base sequences by cover sequences. The cover sequences are chosen for high-performance in multi-band OFDM systems with modes that include two-band hopping.

Abstract: Methods and systems for packet preamble sequences are provided. The preamble sequences are produce by multiplying preestablished base sequences by cover sequences. The cover sequences are chosen for high-performance in multi-band OFDM systems with modes that include two-band hopping.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for generating self-inverting turbo code interleavers having high separation and high dispersion characteristics. Methods are provided for deterministically generating self-inverting turbo code interleavers from a specification for an existing non-self-inverting interleaver. Methods are also provided for randomly generating self-inverting turbo code interleavers. The present invention also provides methods and apparatus for encoding digital data and communicating the digital data using self-inverting turbo code interleavers/de-interleavers.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for generating self-inverting turbo code interleavers having high separation and high dispersion characteristics. Methods are provided for deterministically generating self-inverting turbo code interleavers from a specification for an existing non-self-inverting interleaver. Methods are also provided for randomly generating self-inverting turbo code interleavers. The present invention also provides methods and apparatus for encoding digital data and communicating the digital data using self-inverting turbo code interleavers/de-interleavers.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for generating self-inverting turbo code interleavers having high separation and high dispersion characteristics. Methods are provided for deterministically generating self-inverting turbo code interleavers from a specification for an existing non-self-inverting interleaver. Methods are also provided for randomly generating self-inverting turbo code interleavers. The present invention also provides methods and apparatus for encoding digital data and communicating the digital data using self-inverting turbo code interleavers/de-interleavers.

Abstract: An iterative forward error control code (FECC) decoder (28; 28?) is disclosed. The decoder (28; 28?) operates by adjusting probability values for codeword bits at a selected iteration in the decoding sequence. According to one disclosed embodiment, those probability values that are above a certain threshold value prior to one of the last decoding iterations are adjusted to a full reliability value. According to other disclosed embodiments, a linear or non-linear adjustment function is applied. The decoder may be a turbo decoder, a Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) decoder, or a decoder for any FECC code for which iterative decoding is appropriate.

Abstract: A Flexible Resource Manager, or FRM, enables multiple clients to share disparate resources, including database connections, communication ports and tasks for multiple clients. The approach balances performance issues, such as the latency introduced by resource allocation, with the overhead of retaining unused resources, while providing for demand-based allocation, reuse of already allocated resources, and removal of resources under the control of an aging parameter. During registration, each resource object class and its corresponding constructor parameters are stored, and a resource pool is configured to contain a maximum and minimum number of instances. When registration completes, the FRM returns back a unique identifier that the application can use request instances of these resources in the future. Drivers or other dependent resources supporting the managed resource are only loaded when needed, thereby conserving memory and processing overhead.

Abstract: A communication receiver 52 is disclosed, the receiver operable to receive packets 150, each packet comprising at least a header field 152, a plurality of overhead fields 154, and a plurality of data fields 156, with the overhead fields 154 received contiguous in time to each other and the data fields 156 received contiguous in time to each other and after the overhead fields 154.

Abstract: A wireless device is provided that includes host logic (53), at least two antennas (59), and network interface logic (57). The network interface logic (57) is operable to transmit packets comprising symbols containing a plurality of data tones on at least two channels (69). The network interface logic (57) varies the number of data tones among the symbols. A first channel (69a) of packets is transmitted over a first antenna (59a) and a second channel (69b) of packets is transmitted over a second antenna (59b).

Abstract: A method of controlling Legionella bacteria in cooling water systems is described. The method involves the heating of recirculating cooling water to temperatures of 70° C. for sufficient time to kill the bacteria. The method functions best in combination with chemical bactericides.

Abstract: A decentralized project management framework may be implemented to manage process tasks defined by various functional organizations within a company. The determination of which process tasks are required for a particular type of project is managed by these functional organizations. In addition, parameters of a process task, such as examples, links, explanations and supporting documentation, may also be managed by these functional organizations. As such, responsibility for and access to such process tasks may be allocated to individual functional organizations using a plurality of function-specific datastores. Each function-specific datastore stores process tasks and related parameters. A tollgate site server presents a user interface allowing a user to enter input characterizing a project and retrieves process tasks from the various function-specific datastores according to the related parameters.

Abstract: A utility knife for use in combination with the end of an extensible measuring tape. The utility knife includes an attachment having a slot for receiving the end hook of the tape, and a screw which can be turned to secure the end hook within the slot.