Abstract: A device, system and method for heating fluid (air) in a flue to create a draw prior to combusting a fuel in a combustion device. The device, system and method includes a housing that may be integrated about the flue. The housing may include a heat exchanger that itself may include a heating source that may be in thermal communication with the flue and a temperature differentiation driver. The heat exchanger may operate to transfer heat energy from the heating source to a fluid constrained to a path created by the flue. The result is a pressure differential created within the flue to help draw the fluid out of the combustion device. The heat exchanger may be configured such that it may cause heat transfer to the heavier, more dense fluid contained within the ventilation system prior to combusting fuel in a combustion device, thereby causing the fluid to be relatively less dense thus creating a draw.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an apparatus or method that includes among other features, a search engine configured to permit a user to search the profiles of other users, a storage medium configured to store the profile of the users such that the profiles include at least one of text, picture, audio and video, wherein the profile displays tasks that were performed by the user in the past and a team creation module configured to form a team of a group of users such that a skill for performing a task associated with the group of users is generated based on the combined skill of the group of users.

Abstract: An ophthalmic illumination system includes a collimated light beam focused onto an optical fiber for transmission of the light beam to an ophthalmic light probe. A light attenuator includes a pair of arrays positioned serially in a path for the collimated beam. The arrays are movable in parallel in the path about a rotational axis orthogonal to the path and between the arrays. Each array includes a plurality of regularly spaced-apart parallel plates, the parallel plates of one array being non-parallel to the plates of the other array.

Abstract: The present invention relates to spirocyclic amide derivatives of the formula I, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, a process for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use in therapy.

Abstract: An illumination device for use in an ophthalmic surgical apparatus, the illumination device including a fiber optic having a proximal end and a connector coupled to the fiber optic. The connector includes one or more of (1) a datum surface disposed a predetermined distance from the proximal end to position the proximal end at a predetermined location within the surgical apparatus, (2) a shutter actuation surface configured and arranged to open a shutter in the surgical apparatus when the connector is being connected to the surgical apparatus, and (3) a visual indicator position to provides a visual indication that the connector is fully inserted into the surgical apparatus. The illumination device may be in a combination with an ophthalmic surgical apparatus.

Abstract: An illumination device for use in an ophthalmic surgical apparatus, the illumination device including a fiber optic having a proximal end and a connector coupled to the fiber optic. The connector includes one or more of (1) a datum surface disposed a predetermined distance from the proximal end to position the proximal end at a predetermined location within the surgical apparatus, (2) a shutter actuation surface configured and arranged to open a shutter in the surgical apparatus when the connector is being connected to the surgical apparatus, and (3) a visual indicator position to provides a visual indication that the connector is fully inserted into the surgical apparatus. The illumination device may be in a combination with an ophthalmic surgical apparatus.

Abstract: An illumination device for use in an ophthalmic surgical apparatus, the illumination device including a fiber optic having a proximal end and a connector coupled to the fiber optic. The connector includes one or more of (1) a datum surface disposed a predetermined distance from the proximal end to position the proximal end at a predetermined location within the surgical apparatus, (2) a shutter actuation surface configured and arranged to open a shutter in the surgical apparatus when the connector is being connected to the surgical apparatus, and (3) a visual indicator position to provides a visual indication that the connector is fully inserted into the surgical apparatus. The illumination device may be in a combination with an ophthalmic surgical apparatus.

Abstract: An ophthalmic illumination system includes a collimated light beam focused onto an optical fiber for transmission of the light beam to an ophthalmic light probe. A light attenuator includes a pair of arrays positioned serially in a path for the collimated beam. The arrays are movable in parallel in the path about a rotational axis orthogonal to the path and between the arrays. Each array includes a plurality of regularly spaced-apart parallel plates, the parallel plates of one array being non-parallel to the plates of the other array.

Abstract: An ophthalmic illumination filter selection mechanism for use with an ophthalmic illumination system. Three filters are mounted in holders on a first shaft and rotatable into an optical light path determined by the ophthalmic illumination system. Each of three cams mounted on a second shaft is configured to move a holder on the first shaft to position the corresponding filter in the optical light path in a predefined sequence relative to the other filters as the second shaft is rotated in a forward direction. Each cam has a backlash that allows the second shaft to be rotated in a reverse direction for a predetermined radial distance to allow a last remaining filter to be removed from the optical light path. Each cam has a cam profile that ensures one filter remains in the optical light path until the next filter is driven into the optical light path when the second shaft is rotated in the forward direction. This mechanism occupies less space than conventional filter selection mechanisms.

Abstract: A device, system and method for heating fluid (air) in a flue to create a draw prior to combusting a fuel in a combustion device. The device, system and method includes a housing that may be integrated about the flue. The housing may include a heat exchanger that itself may include a heating source that may be in thermal communication with the flue and a temperature differentiation driver. The heat exchanger may operate to transfer heat energy from the heating source to a fluid constrained to a path created by the flue. The result is a pressure differential created within the flue to help draw the fluid out of the combustion device. The heat exchanger may be configured such that it may cause heat transfer to the heavier, more dense fluid contained within the ventilation system prior to combusting fuel in a combustion device, thereby causing the fluid to be relatively less dense thus creating a draw.

Abstract: An Optical Network Terminal (ONT) simulator is provided. The ONT simulator includes one or more partially functional ONTs coupled to an Optical Line Termination (OLT) and an ONT/Optical network termination Management and Control Interface (ONT/OMCI) simulation utility. The ONTs receive test network traffic from the OLT and forward any OMCI traffic contained in the network traffic to the ONT/OMCI simulation utility. The ONT/OMCI simulation utility in turn simulates the operation of field-deployable ONT using the OMCI traffic.

Abstract: Heavy users of a Multi-Dwelling Unit Optical Network Terminal (MDU ONT) continuing to use services, such as telephone, data and video, when the MDU ONT is operating from backup power unfairly use the power available from the battery backup power supply. In other words, a heavy user uses more than his share of the power available at the battery backup power supply. Example embodiments of the present invention eliminate such unfairness by associating with each user a separate battery backup power supply dedicated to support that user's services. Therefore, the heavy user will drain his battery more quickly than a light or moderate user. In situations when power from a user's battery backup power supply is not available and an emergency or priority service is requested, the MDU ONT may allocate power from other user batteries, or its own central battery, to support the service.

Abstract: The present invention relates to spirocyclic amide derivatives of the formula I, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, a process for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use in therapy.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method of televising a card game. Each playing card in the card game has a value. The method includes providing the back surface of each playing card with a marking that is substantially invisible to the naked eye. The marking indicates the value of the playing card. An infrared detector is used to access the marking to identify the value of a playing card involved in the card game. Visual information indicative of the identified value of the playing card is generated and included in a broadcast of the card game.

Abstract: An apparatus or corresponding method of managing Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines in a Passive Optical Network (PON) to prevent an alarm system from generating an alarm during a software upgrade or maintenance of an Optical Network Terminal (ONT), Optical Line Terminal (OLT), or PON while maintaining the effectiveness of the alarm system. The ONT may store data related to a POTS line in nonvolatile memory. The ONT may activate the POTS line based on the data from the nonvolatile memory in an event of interruption in communications with an OLT prior to reestablishing communications with the OLT. The interruption in communications may be caused by an ONT reboot to complete an installation of a software upgrade. The ONT may energize the POTS line with a voltage in response to activating the POTS line to prevent the alarm system from generating the alarm.

Abstract: A method to initiate a remote diagnostic mode in a network terminal includes determining whether a received signal corresponds to a command to initiate a remote diagnostic mode, and setting the network terminal in a remote diagnostic mode in accordance with the result of the determining. An authentication procedure may be performed prior to setting the network terminal in the remote diagnostic mode, for increased security.

Abstract: Various service providers have different architectures to deliver Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) to their subscribers. Some service providers equipment is based on layer 2 IPTV protocol, and other equipment is based on layer 3 IPTV protocol. Within a Passive Optical Network (PON) environment, there may be multiple service providers that employ different delivery techniques to Optical Network Terminals (ONTs). Example embodiments of the invention accommodate these different delivery mechanisms by supporting layer 2 and layer 3 delivery by dynamically configuring traffic filters as a function of a layer and content of an upstream traffic request.

Abstract: A method and system allowing a network operator to change services on a large group of Optical Network Terminals (ONTs) at one time through the use of profiles. At least one profile is configured, and at least one of the profiles is associated with at least one Optical Network Terminal (ONT) having a number of ports. A configuration for the ONTs is generated based on the profiles and, upon a request by an ONT, the configuration is forwarded to the requesting ONT. The method and system may include a graphical user interface (GUI) for entering information used in configuring the profiles, and may assign the profiles to multiple ONTs. Further, the GUI may automatically gather and provide statistics relating to the ONTs to the network operator. Additionally, in a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) network, the method and system may communicate with the ONTs without using a SIP protocol stack.

Abstract: There is demand in the marketplace for smaller optical network devices, such as Optical Network Terminals (ONTs). As a result of decreasing the ONT's size, the size of the backup power source, such as the batteries that power the ONT during periods of back-up power usage, may also have to be reduced. To extend energy usage of the backup power source, methods and corresponding apparatus for providing backup power for a network device are provided. An example method includes entering a first state of backup power in an event of a loss of primary power to an ONT, monitoring a state of a backup power activation signal enabled to be activated in the event of the loss of primary power to the ONT, and causing the ONT to enter a second state of backup power in response to the backup power activation signal being in an active state.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus for automatically enabling and disabling an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) to communicate upstream with a network device, such as an Optical Line Terminal (OLT), is provided. The ONT includes at least one timing mechanism to time a duration of the ONT's being in an enabled or disabled state of upstream communications. After a timing mechanism times a desired duration, the ONT automatically changes between states of upstream communications (e.g., from enabled state to disabled state). The ONT may alternate between the enabled and disabled states of upstream communications until communications are established with the OLT. This method and corresponding apparatus prevent prolonged installation time because a technician can install the ONT without consideration of the ONT's state of upstream communications.