Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a control surface includes a first spur gear, a first drive assembly engaged with the first spur gear, a second spur gear, a second drive assembly engaged with the second spur gear, and a gear assembly capable of being coupled with the control surface and engaged with the spur gears. The gear assembly includes a first screw, a first gear engaged with the first spur gear, a thrust nut mounted to the first gear and threadedly engaged with the first screw, a second gear engaged with the second spur gear, a second screw mounted to the second gear and mechanically coupled with the thrust nut and a translation nut threadedly engaged with the second screw and capable of being coupled with the control surface. The second screw and the thrust nut rotate independently and translations of the thrust nut are transmitted to the second screw.

Abstract: A method for estimating insertion loss at a mechanical joining point between adjoining optical fibers includes introducing light energy into an optical fiber, using light collecting means to collect the light energy emanating from the optical fiber proximate the mechanical joining point, measuring a reference optical power prior to joining the optical fibers, measuring a terminated optical power after the optical fibers are joined, and comparing the terminated optical power to the reference optical power. An apparatus for estimating insertion loss includes a source of light for introducing light energy into an optical fiber, at least one optical fiber strand disposed about the mechanical joining point for collecting the light energy emanating from the optical fiber proximate the mechanical joining point, and an optical power meter coupled to the at least one optical fiber strand for measuring the optical power of the light energy emanating from the mechanical joining point.

Abstract: A line retrieval system comprises a retrieval device having a radially magnetized magnet adapted to be magnetically coupled to an object disposed on an opposite side of a structure for drawing the object in a desired direction relative to the structure.

Abstract: A line retrieval system comprises a line retriever adapted to magnetically couple to an object disposed within an enclosure through a wall of the enclosure such that the magnetic couple supports the line retriever adjacent the wall of the enclosure. The line retriever is adapted for movement relative to the enclosure in response to movement of the object within the enclosure toward an opening formed in the enclosure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for finding a relative direction to, a radial speed of, and a distance to a target is described. A laser source illuminates the target and the Doppler shifted return beam is incident upon a window system at an angle and is transmitted therethrough. The magnitude of the transmitted Doppler shifted beam decreases due to Fresnel transmittance. Opposing photomixers then detect this transmitted Doppler shifted beam, thereby creating a pair of detection signals that are mixed with a local oscillator signal. The mixing process creates Doppler frequency signals that are subsequently processed to determine the radial speed of the target. Due to the Doppler frequency component of the signals, objects in the same direction, but moving at different radial speeds, can be discriminated, as the relative direction processing occurs after the Doppler processing.

Abstract: A lower instrument panel assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a compartment surround mounted within a vehicle instrument panel, a compartment mounted within the compartment surround, and an energy absorbing structure mounted between the compartment surround and a member reaction surface within the vehicle, the energy absorbing structure being aligned between the member reaction surface and the compartment surround of the lower instrument panel assembly from within the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a control surface includes a first spur gear; a first drive assembly engaged with the first spur gear; a second spur gear; and a second drive assembly engaged with the second spur gear. The apparatus further includes a gear assembly engaged with the first spur gear and the second spur gear and adapted to be coupled with the control surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for finding a relative direction to, a radial speed of, and a distance to a target is described. A laser source illuminates the target and the Doppler shifted return beam is incident upon a window system at an angle and is transmitted therethrough. The magnitude of the transmitted Doppler shifted beam decreases due to Fresnel transmittance. Opposing photomixers then detect this transmitted Doppler shifted beam, thereby creating a pair of detection signals that are mixed with a local oscillator signal. The mixing process creates Doppler frequency signals that are subsequently processed to determine the radial speed of the target. Due to the Doppler frequency component of the signals, objects in the same direction, but moving at different radial speeds, can be discriminated, as the relative direction processing occurs after the Doppler processing.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention address these needs and others by providing a handheld device, e.g., a free space pointing device, which uses at least one sensor to detect motion of the handheld device. The detected motion can then be mapped into a desired output, e.g., cursor movement.

Abstract: A process for making a plastic part for vehicles includes placing an insert into a mold and then injecting two resins into the mold on either side of the insert. The insert separates the two resins and adheres to the resins as the resins cool. The two resins may be the same color or different colors. The insert may be the same color as one of the other two resins, or the insert may be transparent or translucent.

Abstract: A method for actuating a control surface includes mechanically combining two inputs into a single mechanical output to the control surface. An apparatus for actuating a control surface includes means for mechanically combining two inputs into a single mechanical output to the control surface. An apparatus for actuating a control surface includes a first spur gear, a first drive assembly engaged with the first spur gear, and a second spur gear. The apparatus further includes a second drive assembly engaged with the second spur gear and a gear assembly mechanically capable of being coupled with the control surface and engaged with the spur gears.

Abstract: In an approach to financial management, a data representation is formed that defines a number of data elements and relationships between the data elements according to one or more regulatory requirements. Data characterizing availability of particular ones of the data elements for a financial institution are accepted, and actual or potential compliance by the financial institution with at least some of the regulatory requirements is then analyzed. The analysis can include identifying gaps in collection of values associated with the data elements for the regulator requirements, which can relate to calculation requirements and/or to reporting requirements for the regulations. Data representing computations associated with the regulatory requirements can be stored and the computations can then be executed to validate other implementations of the calculation.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying sequences of molecules and sequence modifications from mass spectrometry data. At least one de novo sequence is produced from mass spectrometry data of sequences of molecules,. At least one mass-based alignment is calculated between each de novo sequence and sequences in a sequence database. The molecular masses of molecules in the de novo sequence are compared to molecular masses of molecules in each sequence in the sequence database. Mass differences of modification sites are interpreted between the sequence in the sequence database and the de novo sequence that have been identified by the mass-based alignment as modifications identified in a modification catalog. At least one match score for the mass-based alignment is calculated that provides an indication of matching between the sequence in the sequence database and the de novo sequence. Sequences in the sequence database are identified from mass-based alignments in response to the match scores.

Abstract: A switch switches time division multiplexed (TDM) data and packet data from input ports to output ports. The swich comprises: a plurality of input ports receiving data, wherein each data comprises either TDM data or packet data; a plurality of output ports transmitting switched data; and a shared memory coupling the input ports to the output ports. The shared memory sequentially receives the data from the input ports, and switches a sequentially received data from a respective input port to a respective output port. Switching of packet data by the shared memory has no latency or jitter effect on switching of TDM data by the shared memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for finding a relative direction of received radiation is described. The received radiation is incident upon a window system at an angle and is transmitted therethrough. The magnitude of the transmitted radiation decreases as a continuous function of increasing angle of incidence, known as Fresnel transmittance. Opposing radiation detectors then detect this transmitted radiation, thereby creating a pair of detection signals, By dividing the difference of the detection signals by the sum of the detection signals, a processor generates a beta angle error curve and finds the relative direction of the radiation. Based upon this beta angle error curve, the processor generates an appropriate error correction signal for guiding an object based upon the relative direction of the received radiation. The method and apparatus are readily applicable to guiding munitions using a laser monopulse to designate a target.

Abstract: A line retrieval system comprises a line retriever adapted to magnetically couple to an object disposed within an enclosure through a wall of the enclosure such that the magnetic couple supports the line retriever adjacent the wall of the enclosure. The line retriever is adapted for movement relative to the enclosure in response to movement of the object within the enclosure toward an opening formed in the enclosure.

Abstract: A transcoder converts data between a telephony data format and a packet data format. The transcoder comprises: a digital logic telephony data engine receiving telephony data for the transcoder and transmitting telephony data for the transcoder, the digital logic telephony data engine comprising a frame accumulation buffer; a digital logic packet engine receiving packet data for the transcoder and transmitting packet data for the transcoder; a digital signal processing complex coupled to the digital logic telephony data engine and the digital logic packet engine, the digital signal processing complex comprising an array of digital signal processors; and a host processor coupled to the digital logic telephony data engine and the digital logic packet engine, wherein the digital logic telephony data engine, the digital logic packet engine, and the digital signal processing complex perform media channel processing, wherein the host processor performs control channel processing.

Abstract: A system for detecting, capturing and retrieving a wire, optical cable, string, coaxial cable, or other line or object from within a wall or other type of enclosed structure. The system uses magnetic forces to detect and capture the object through a wall or other type of structure of the enclosure. The system also comprises a retrieval mechanism for drawing the object toward an opening in the enclosure for retrieval from the enclosure.

Abstract: A fastener injector (18) includes a plurality of tubes (86) operable to transfer a plurality of different sizes and types of fasteners (20) in a desired orientation. The injector also includes a receiver (88) operable to receive the fasteners (20) in the desired orientation from the tubes (86). The receiver (88) includes a plurality of receiver fingers (90) operable to receive the fasteners (20) from the tubes (86) and retain the fasteners (20) in the desired orientation. An injector blade (106) is operable to transfer the fasteners (20) in the desired orientation from the receiver (88) to a fastener installation device.

Abstract: Risk-based method for assessing an automotive finance company's equity adequacy wherein sources of creditor protection comprises equity, reserves, net deferred tax liability in the event of an overall loss, future tax liability and lifetime profits. Potential unexpected worst-case losses for each of a plurality of exposures is estimated with 99.9% confidence and compared with the company's creditor protection to demonstrate the company's equity adequacy.