Abstract: A method for detecting soft faults in a transmission line includes the following steps: acquiring a measurement, called time-domain reflectogram, of a signal characteristic of the reflection of a reference signal previously injected into the line, determining the difference between the time-domain reflectogram and a time-domain reflectogram measured previously for the same line or an identical line of similar characteristics, in order to obtain a corrected time-domain reflectogram, applying a plurality of independent transformations to the corrected time-domain reflectogram in order to obtain a plurality of independent transformed reflectograms, converting the transformed reflectograms into a plurality of mutually independent probabilities of occurrence of a fault, applying a data merging method to the probabilities of occurrence of a fault to deduce therefrom a unified value of the probability of occurrence of a fault.

Abstract: A method for detecting soft faults in a transmission line includes the steps of: acquiring a time-domain reflectogram, calculating the integral of the time-domain reflectogram, selecting, in the integral, three samples P1, P2, P3, calculating a first distance equal to the difference in absolute value between the value of the second sample P2 and the value of the first sample P1 or of the third sample P3, calculating a second distance equal to the difference in absolute value between the value of the first sample P1 and of the third sample P3, performing a first comparison of the first distance to the second distance weighted by a weighting coefficient ?, deducing from the result of the first comparison information on the existence of a soft fault.

Abstract: A method for detecting soft faults in a transmission line includes the following steps: acquiring a measurement, called time-domain reflectogram, of a signal characteristic of the reflection of a reference signal previously injected into the line, determining the difference between the time-domain reflectogram and a time-domain reflectogram measured previously for the same line or an identical line of similar characteristics, in order to obtain a corrected time-domain reflectogram, applying a plurality of independent transformations to the corrected time-domain reflectogram in order to obtain a plurality of independent transformed reflectograms, converting the transformed reflectograms into a plurality of mutually independent probabilities of occurrence of a fault, applying a data merging method to the probabilities of occurrence of a fault to deduce therefrom a unified value of the probability of occurrence of a fault.

Abstract: A method for detecting soft faults in a transmission line includes the steps of: acquiring a time-domain reflectogram, calculating the integral of the time-domain reflectogram, selecting, in the integral, three samples P1, P2, P3, calculating a first distance equal to the difference in absolute value between the value of the second sample P2 and the value of the first sample P1 or of the third sample P3, calculating a second distance equal to the difference in absolute value between the value of the first sample P1 and of the third sample P3, performing a first comparison of the first distance to the second distance weighted by a weighting coefficient ?, deducing from the result of the first comparison information on the existence of a soft fault.

Abstract: A wheelchair propulsion and braking system (10) includes at least one clutch engagement disk rotatably couplable to a wheelchair frame (14). The clutch engagement disk (32) includes a gear (38) that is rotatable with the clutch engagement disk (32), and a drive chain (40) disposed around the gear (38). A drive wheel (50) is rotatably attachable to a wheel (22) of the wheelchair (12), and operatively attachable to the drive chain (40). The system also includes at least one lever arm (60) that is rotatably couplable to the wheelchair frame (14). The at least one lever arm (60) includes a handle (62) operatively coupled to an upper end (64) of the lever arm (60). The handle (62) is oriented in an accessible position during use. A pair of calipers (70) is operatively coupled to each lever arm (60), and engageable with the at least one clutch engagement disk (32). An actuator (80) is operatively coupled to the handle (62) to actuate the calipers (70), and to engage the clutch engagement disk (32).

Abstract: A seat cushion for use with a seat, chair, or bench. The cushion is provided with a strategically located recessed region, to provide spinal decompression for the user. The recessed region is located in the central, rear portion of the cushion, along the fore and aft axis of the cushion. The recessed region is further contained entirely within the periphery of the cushion, so that the portion of the cushion between the recessed region and the rear edge of the cushion provides support for the user. The depth of the recessed region is sufficient to allow spinal decompression, but it need not extend entirely through the thickness of the cushion. A number of configurations for the cutout, and applications for the seat cushion, are disclosed. Also disclosed are chair, bench, and seat constructions incorporating the seat cushion and providing its spinal decompression feature.

Abstract: A wheelchair propulsion and braking system (10) includes at least one clutch engagement disk rotatably couplable to a wheelchair frame (14). The clutch engagement disk (32) includes a gear (38) that is rotatable with the clutch engagement disk (32), and a drive chain (40) disposed around the gear (38). A drive wheel (50) is rotatably attachable to a wheel (22) of the wheelchair (12), and operatively attachable to the drive chain (40). The system also includes at least one lever arm (60) that is rotatably couplable to the wheelchair frame (14). The at least one lever arm (60) includes a handle (62) operatively coupled to an upper end (64) of the lever arm (60). The handle (62) is oriented in an accessible position during use. A pair of calipers (70) is operatively coupled to each lever arm (60), and engageable with the at least one clutch engagement disk (32). An actuator (80) is operatively coupled to the handle (62) to actuate the calipers (70), and to engage the clutch engagement disk (32).

Abstract: A method and system, for transmitting data to a mobile node (4) over a unidirectional link (12) in a packet data network, for example an IP network, comprises: sending a message from a protocol address, e.g. IP address, of a bidirectional interface at the mobile node (4) to the home agent (6), the message comprising a protocol address of a unidirectional interface at the mobile node (4), wherein the protocol address of the bidirectional interface is different to the protocol address of the unidirectional interface; the home agent (6) transmitting data to the mobile node (4) using the protocol address of the unidirectional interface as the care-of-address; and delivering the transmitted data via the unidirectional link (12) to the unidirectional interface of the mobile node (4). The protocol address of the unidirectional interface may be contained in the message in the form of an extension appended to a registration.

Abstract: A method of communication of packet data units, especially IPv4 or IPv6 PDUs, over signalling channels (3) and data traffic channels (4) between a terminal (1) and a gateway (2). The signalling channels (3) offer a default level of Quality of Service and availability and the data traffic channels (4) are available on demand and subject to authorisation with a variable level of Quality of Service. Signalling channel profiles corresponding to respective ones of the signalling channels (3) and a plurality of data traffic channel profiles corresponding to respective ones of the data traffic channels (4) are established defining characteristics of packet data units that are suitable for transmission over the corresponding channel.