Abstract: One provides (101) a plurality of one-way degassing valves (202) that are to be installed on corresponding containers and places (102) a viscous liquid (such as silicon oil) (205) in each of the plurality of one-way degassing valves to provide a corresponding plurality of installable one-way degassing valves (208). These teachings then provide for automatically and non-destructively determining (103), prior to installation of these valves on the corresponding containers, whether the viscous liquid has been properly placed. By one approach, this can comprise using a captured image (210) of at least a portion of each such one-way degassing valve to make this determination.

Abstract: At least certain embodiments of the present disclosure include a font file having graphic image files. In one embodiment, the font includes a set of glyphs and the font file includes a set of predetermined information of each glyph and graphic image data of each glyph. The graphic image data contains a graphic image of the corresponding glyph, which may be a multi-color glyph.

Abstract: An electric power generation system that includes a platform positioned above a water surface, an anchoring system to secure the platform to a floor below a body of water, at least one turbine extending below the platform to harvest underwater ocean currents and at least one electrical generator positioned upon the platform for outputting electrical energy. The turbine includes a rotatable shaft and a plurality of rotatable blades connected to the rotatable shaft. A first rotational axis of the rotatable shaft is vertically oriented and wherein a second rotational axis of the plurality of rotatable blades is horizontally aligned with an underwater current stream. The electrical generator is mechanically connected to the shaft of the turbine to convert a rotational torque of the shaft to electrical energy.

Abstract: One provides (101) a plurality of one-way degassing valves (202) that are to be installed on corresponding containers and places (102) a viscous liquid (such as silicon oil) (205) in each of the plurality of one-way degassing valves to provide a corresponding plurality of installable one-way degassing valves (208). These teachings then provide for automatically and non-destructively determining (103), prior to installation of these valves on the corresponding containers, whether the viscous liquid has been properly placed. By one approach, this can comprise using a captured image (210) of at least a portion of each such one-way degassing valve to make this determination.

Abstract: This invention is especially intended for playing Ring Tones (referred to hereinbelow as “RT's”) on a called computer terminal, and/or Ring Back Tones (referred to hereinbelow as “RBT's”) on the calling computer terminal, in voice communications selected from users of different computer terminals, mainly personal computers (referred to hereinbelow as “PC's”) by means of a network which is at least partially a data network capable of supporting voice, such as the Internet. RT's and/or RBT's are played by means of a continuous download of said tones (referred to hereinbelow as “streaming”) given that neither RT nor RBT are present at any time on any of the PC's, but rather are downloaded from a remote server where RT's and/or RBT's are located. In general, the user of the called PC will be the one determining what RT and/or RBT will be played in terms of the different optional factors such as which calling PC is involved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing synchronization of a time clock maintained by a computer system based on the network connection modes of the computer system. The technique allows the time clock of the computer system to be synchronized at the earliest opportunity that will not result in a disruption or inconvenience to the user. When synchronization of the time clock is required, and the computer system does not already have an active network connection, the computer system queries a configuration database to determine its default network connection mode. If the default connection mode is potentially user disruptive (e.g., use of a dial out modem is required), synchronization of the time clock is not performed until an active network connection has been established. If the default connection mode is not likely to be user-disruptive (e.g., doesn't require a modem connection), then a network connection is immediately established to synchronize the time clock.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing need based synchronization of a time clock maintained by a computer system. A number of computer systems are connected to a network, such as the Internet. Each computer system synchronizes its time clock by accessing a time server via the network. The time server may service a large number of client computer systems for purposes of providing accurate time of day readings and may therefore be subject to substantial loading. Accordingly, in each client system, the time clock is synchronized at least twice, and an amount of drift in the time clock is determined based on the two or more synchronizations. The synchronization interval for future synchronizations of the clock or the specific time of the next synchronization is then determined based upon the amount of drift, such that the time clock of each client computer system is synchronized only when necessary, and such that the loading on the time server is reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing need based synchronization of a time clock maintained by a computer system. A number of computer systems are connected to a network, such as the Internet. Each computer system synchronizes its time clock by accessing a time server via the network. The time server may service a large number of client computer systems for purposes of providing accurate time of day readings and may therefore be subject to substantial loading. Accordingly, in each client system, the time clock is synchronized at least twice, and an amount of drift in the time clock is determined based on the two or more synchronizations. The synchronization interval for future synchronizations of the clock or the specific time of the next synchronization is then determined based upon the amount of drift, such that the time clock of each client computer system is synchronized only when necessary, and such that the loading on the time server is reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing need based synchronization of a time clock maintained by a computer system. A number of computer systems are connected to a network, such as the Internet. Each computer system synchronizes its time clock by accessing a time server via the network. The time server may service a large number of client computer systems for purposes of providing accurate time of day readings and may therefore be subject to substantial loading. Accordingly, in each client system, the time clock is synchronized at least twice, and an amount of drift in the time clock is determined based on the two or more synchronizations. The synchronization interval for future synchronizations of the clock or the specific time of the next synchronization is then determined based upon the amount of drift, such that the time clock of each client computer system is synchronized only when necessary, and such that the loading on the time server is reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing need based synchronization of a time clock maintained by a computer system. A number of computer systems are connected to a network, such as the Internet. Each computer system synchronizes its time clock by accessing a time server via the network. The time server may service a large number of client computer systems for purposes of providing accurate time of day readings and may therefore be subject to substantial loading. Accordingly, in each client system, the time clock is synchronized at least twice, and an amount of drift in the time clock is determined based on the two or more synchronizations. The synchronization interval for future synchronizations of the clock or the specific time of the next synchronization is then determined based upon the amount of drift, such that the time clock of each client computer system is synchronized only when necessary, and such that the loading on the time server is reduced.

Abstract: A telecommunications system that performs page-connect paging is disclosed. The telecommunications system of this invention includes a paging system (28) that is designed to receive calls from page-connect paging system subscribers. Once such a call is received, the system (28) parks the call on hold while sending a page to the subscriber. The subscriber can then call the paging terminal (28) to automatically be connected with the calling party. The system further includes a cordless telephone-2 system (26) wherein each of the system subscribers is further provided with a portable handset (26) from which he can access the publicly switched telephone network. Subscribers with the handset, upon receiving a page-connect page, can automatically dial the paging terminal (28) to be connected to their calling parties.