Abstract: Catching gear to be worn by a catcher receiving a ball from a pitcher is disclosed. The gear comprises a leg guard adapted to be worn on one leg of the catcher, and a light-emitting device on the leg guard. The light-emitting device is positioned for generating light to be directed toward the catcher's fingers to increase the visibility of hand signals given by the catcher.

Abstract: Historical data from keywords in a pay-per-click internet advertising campaign are used to predict performance of other keywords with the goal of optimizing a keyword portfolio to maximize returns from the advertising campaign. A computing system receives the keyword portfolio for the advertising campaign, and classifies the keywords based on whether or not sufficient historical data exist to generate acceptable predictions about the performance of the keywords in the advertising campaign. Historical data are then used to make performance predictions for keywords having sufficient data. For keywords without sufficient historical data, generic prediction functions are created based on a generic change rate obtained from keywords with sufficient historical data. These generic prediction functions are then used to predict keyword performance in the advertising campaign. Predictions for keywords with and without sufficient historical data are then used to optimize the advertising campaign.

Abstract: An extractor cleaning machine including a base or foot movable along a surface to be cleaned and a handle pivotally coupled to the foot for movement between an upright position and a reclined position. The handle includes a tank tray having an inlet and a drain. A channel communicates with the drain and extends away from the tank tray. A distributor communicates with the inlet and is operable to distribute cleaning fluid to the surface. A supply tank is removably coupled to the handle and has an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet when the supply tank is coupled to the handle. The supply tank is at least partially supported by the tank tray and the tank tray is configured to collect fluid spilt from the supply tank and to divert the fluid away from the tank tray by way of the channel.

Abstract: A method, computer readable medium, and apparatus for securing a processing system includes implementing a virtual machine manager (VMM) using a hardware assisted handler in secure processing apparatus. One or more critical events are monitored with the VMM in the secure processing apparatus. One or more behaviors in response to the one or more monitored critical events are controlled with VMM.

Abstract: Catching gear to be worn by a catcher receiving a ball from a pitcher is disclosed. The gear comprises a leg guard adapted to be worn on one leg of the catcher, and a light-emitting device on the leg guard. The light-emitting device is positioned for generating light to be directed toward the catcher's fingers to increase the visibility of hand signals given by the catcher.

Abstract: A circuit architecture, or topology, that provides a level shifter substantially independent of the duty cycle of an input signal includes an H-bridge arrangement of field effect transistors, a pair of capacitively coupled input terminals connected to the gates of the high-side transistors and circuitry to set the bias voltage at the gates of the high-side transistors, wherein the bias voltage generation circuitry receives at least information indicative of both the H-bridge power supply voltage and the modulation of the input signal. Various embodiments include a switchable element coupled in series with a voltage divider portion in the bias voltage generation circuitry. The ratio of on to off time of the switchable element determines the average current through the voltage divider and thus the bias voltage. To prevent excessive short-circuit current flow through the high-side transistors, the switchable elements are turned off responsive to detection of a short-circuit condition.

Abstract: A modification to a cable modem termination system (CMTS) can include instructing the CMTS to ignore or skip steps of its timing algorithm so that upstream cable modem signals are controlled only by the upstream protocol of the optical network system. According to another exemplary aspect, a time stamp can be added to the upstream cable modem signals so that the CTMS timing scheme can be used. This time stamp can be used in the data service hub to adjust for the delays that occur while the upstream cable modem signals are sent across the optical network. Another adjustment of the CMTS timing scheme can include using less than a total number of miniature time slots for upstream cable modem transmissions. According to another exemplary aspect, a cable modem termination system can be positioned within a laser transceiver node or a subscriber optical interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus compensate for process variations in the fabrication of semiconductor devices. A semiconductor device includes a control circuit that measures a performance parameter of the device, and in response thereto selectively biases one or more well regions of the device to compensate for process variations. For some embodiments, if measurement of the performance parameter indicates that the device does not fall within a specified range of operating parameters, the control circuit biases selected well regions to sufficiently alter the operating characteristics of transistors formed therein so that the device falls within the specified range of operating parameters.

Abstract: A differential feedback amplifier is provided with a feedback network wherein that feedback network is adjustable so as to improve the PSRR of the amplifier. In another aspect of the present invention, a differential feedback amplifier is provided with a feedback network wherein that feedback network is adjustable so as to improve the CMRR of the amplifier. In a further aspect of the present invention, a Class D amplifier is provided with a passive differential feedback, summing with an input current at a differential virtual ground produced by an amplifier which is a sub-section of the Class D amplifier.

Abstract: A circuit architecture, or topology, that provides a level shifter which is substantially independent of the duty cycle of an input signal includes an H-bridge arrangement of field effect transistors, a pair of capacitively coupled inputs terminals connected to the gates of the high-side (i.e., connected to the positive power supply) transistors and a pair of voltage dividers to set the bias voltage at the gates of the high-side transistors, wherein one side of each voltage divider is coupled to the power supply node and the other side of each voltage divider is cross-coupled to the output node of the opposite side of the H- bridge.

Abstract: A laser diode is employed to output light. A laser driver is employed to drive the laser diode. A laser driver control unit is employed to control the driving, such that carrier concentration of the laser is substantially forced to a desired concentration as photon level of the laser initially arrives at a desired level. In one embodiment, the laser driver outputs a drive pulse to drive the laser diode, with the drive pulse having a complex waveform. In one embodiment, the complex waveform includes different transition time periods, and transient rates to raise the drive pulse from an initial level to a peak level. In another embodiment, the complex waveform includes different transition time periods and transient rates to raise the drive pulse from an initial level to a transition peak level and then drop the drive pulse back to an intermediate low level and then finally transition to a final peak level.

Abstract: A computing method and system is presented that modifies a standard operating system utilizing two or more processing units to execute continuous processing tasks; such as processing or generating continuous audio, video or other types of data. One of the processors is tasked with running the operating system while each processing unit is dedicated towards running a single continuous processing task. Communication is provided between both processors enabling the continuous processing task to utilize the operating system without being affected by any operating system scheduling requirements.

Abstract: An optical fiber network can include an outdoor laser transceiver node that can be positioned in close proximity to the subscribers of an optical fiber network. The outdoor laser transceiver node does not require active cooling and heating devices that control the temperature surrounding the laser transceiver node. The laser transceiver node can adjust a subscriber's bandwidth on a subscription basis or on an as-needed basis. The laser transceiver node can also offer data bandwidth to the subscriber in preassigned increments. Additionally, the laser transceiver node lends itself to efficient upgrading that can be performed entirely on the network side. The laser transceiver node can also provide high speed symmetrical data transmission. Further, the laser transceiver node can utilize off-the-shelf hardware to generate optical signals such as Fabry-Perot (F-P) laser transmitters, distributed feed back lasers (DFB), or vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs).

Abstract: A return path system includes inserting RF packets between regular upstream data packets, where the data packets are generated by communication devices such as a computer or internet telephone. The RF packets can be derived from analog RF signals that are produced by legacy video service terminals. In this way, the present invention can provide an RF return path for legacy terminals that shares a return path for regular data packets in an optical network architecture. The invention operates independently of a legacy upstream transmission timing scheme so that the legacy upstream transmission timing scheme can remain effective in preventing data collisions. In other embodiments, the present invention allows for less complex hardware for subscribers that are not taking data services. Further, an optical signal present line in combination with a driver may be employed in order to reduce the amount of hardware in a laser transceiver node.

Abstract: A return path system includes inserting RF packets between regular upstream data packets, where the data packets are generated by communication devices such as a computer or internet telephone. The RF packets can be derived from analog RF signals that are produced by legacy video service terminals. In this way, the present invention can provide an RF return path for legacy terminals that shares a return path for regular data packets in an optical network architecture.

Abstract: A circuit architecture, or topology, that provides a level shifter which is substantially independent of the duty cycle of an input signal includes an H-bridge arrangement of field effect transistors, a pair of capacitively coupled inputs terminals connected to the gates of the high-side (i.e., connected to the positive power supply) transistors and a pair of voltage dividers to set the bias voltage at the gates of the high-side transistors, wherein one side of each voltage divider is coupled to the power supply node and the other side of each voltage divider is cross-coupled to the output node of the opposite side of the H- bridge.

Abstract: A circuit architecture, or topology, that provides a level shifter which is substantially independent of the duty cycle of an input signal includes an H-bridge arrangement of field effect transistors, a pair of capacitively coupled inputs terminals connected to the gates of the high-side (i.e., connected to the positive power supply) transistors and a pair of voltage dividers to set the bias voltage at the gates of the high-side transistors, wherein one side of each voltage divider is coupled to the power supply node and the other side of each voltage divider is cross-coupled to the output node of the opposite side of the H-bridge.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a system monitor embedded in a programmable logic device are described. The system monitor includes a dynamic reconfiguration port interface for configuring or reconfiguring the system monitor during operation thereof. The system monitor includes an analog-to-digital converter which is reconfigurable responsive to input via a dynamic reconfiguration port.