Abstract: A cleaning device with an elongated housing having a grip at one end and a cleaning head at another end, a dirt collection device and a vacuum source. The cleaning head has a rotary agitator, a first inlet opening having a first cross-sectional area, and a second inlet opening having a second cross-sectional area. The second cross-sectional area may be substantially less than the first cross-sectional area. The second inlet opening may be above the first inlet opening. There also may be a fluid supply tank and an associated pump, and the pump and agitator may be driven by the same motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for power control of an electric motor, in particular a motor for driving the suction fan of a vacuum cleaner connected to an AC mains power supply. The power control is effected by varying the phase angle of the electric alternating quantity supplied to the motor by the use of semiconductor switches. AC power supplied to the motor is switched by using different delay times for the switching in each half-period of a full AC period to suppress odd harmonics, particularly the third harmonic of the mains power line frequency. Half-periods of a full period are mirrored in the next consecutive full period in order to suppress even harmonics, particularly the second harmonic of the mains power line frequency. A set of delay times t1 and t2 are defined and selected to be used in further avoiding critical delay time areas for harmonics and minimize the generation of vibrations.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a handle with a handle air passage, a base attached to a first end of the handle by an articulating joint and having a base inlet positioned to face a surface to be cleaned, a base air passage extending from the base inlet and past the articulated joint by a flexible hose and to the handle air passage, a dirt collection assembly associated with the handle and in fluid communication with the handle air passage, a fan associated with the handle and in fluid communication with the handle air passage, and a motor associated with the handle and adapted to drive the fan to thereby generate an airflow through the base inlet, flexible hose, handle air passage, and dirt collection assembly. The flexible hose has a generally rectangular cross-section along a substantial portion thereof.

Abstract: A method of modeling speech distinctions within computer-animated talking heads that utilize the manipulation of speech production articulators for selected speech segments. Graphical representations of voice characteristics and speech production characteristics are generated in response to said speech segment. By way of example, breath images are generated such as particle-cloud images, and particle-stream images to represent the voiced characteristics such as the presence of stops and fricatives, respectively. The coloring on exterior portions of the talking head is displayed in response to selected voice characteristics such as nasality. The external physiology of the talking head is modulated, such as by changing the width and movement of the nose, the position of the eyebrows, and movement of the throat in response to the voiced speech characteristics such as pitch, nasality, and voicebox vibration, respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for power control of an electric motor, in particular a motor for driving the suction fan of a vacuum cleaner connected to an AC mains power supply. The power control is effected by varying the phase angle of the electric alternating quantity supplied to the motor by the use of semiconductor switches. AC power supplied to the motor is switched by using different delay times for the switching in each half-period of a full AC period to suppress odd harmonics, particularly the third harmonic of the mains power line frequency. Half-periods of a full period are mirrored in the next consecutive full period in order to suppress even harmonics, particularly the second harmonic of the mains power line frequency. A set of delay times t1 and t2 are defined and selected to be used in further avoiding critical delay time areas for harmonics and minimize the generation of vibrations.

Abstract: A method of modeling speech distinctions within computer-animated talking heads that utilize the manipulation of speech production articulators for selected speech segments. Graphical representations of voice characteristics and speech production characteristics are generated in response to said speech segment. By way of example, breath images are generated such as particle-cloud images, and particle-stream images to represent the voiced characteristics such as the presence of stops and fricatives, respectively. The coloring on exterior portions of the talking head is displayed in response to selected voice characteristics such as nasality. The external physiology of the talking head is modulated, such as by changing the width and movement of the nose, the position of the eyebrows, and movement of the throat in response to the voiced speech characteristics such as pitch, nasality, and voicebox vibration, respectively.