Abstract: The disclosure concerns monitoring cables, such as stay cables used to support bridges. A cable comprises multiple strands which are electrically connected to each other at one or both ends of the cable and insulated from each other between the ends. A cable monitor selectively activates one or more inductive coils, such that electrical signals are 5 suppressed on a first set of the multiple strands and electrical signals are allowed to pass through a second set of the multiple strands. The monitor then applies an electrical stimulus signal to the cable and senses on the cable a reflection signal of the stimulus signal. Finally, the monitor determines based on the reflection signal a continuity of one or more of the second set of the multiple strands. Since reflections 10 are suppressed on some strands by the coils, the sensed reflections can be attributed to the strands without the suppression.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the integrity of a civil structure, and in particular the assessment of the integrity of one or more joints of a civil structure. Two or more sensors (200a) and (200b) are provided on different substructures (102) and (106) that form the structural joint (112), wherein each sensor (200a) and (200b) generates sensor data associated with the substructure that that sensor is provided on. A measure of similarity is determined between the sensor data. The integrity measure of the structural joint is based on the measure of similarity. The method exploits the finding that when a joint is stressed and healthy (and inturn has good structural integrity), sensed movement of each substructure that forms the joint is substantially similar, such as in frequency or amplitude. Other aspects of the invention include software and a computer implemented method.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward methods and systems for providing advanced features to a telecommunication device. The systems and methods determine a hierarchical relationship of participants of a conference call and when one participant is communicating with another participant, the parties are made aware of their hierarchical relationship relative to each other.

Abstract: A mute feature selection reminder for use in connection with a communication device is provided. The mute feature selection reminder is activated in response to the detection of a voice signal local to the communication device while the mute feature of a communication device is activated. The mute feature selection reminder may comprise an output in the form of a visual indicator and/or an audible indicator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus determine contact by a participant with a sports object by detecting contact of the sports object with the participant via a personal area network of the participant; transmitting in response to the detection player identification information to a central controller; determining that the sports object has left a field of play by the central controller; and alerting in response to the determination a sports official to identify a last participant to contact the sports object via an official system by the central controller.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to protecting network resources from unauthorized data packet streams. In particular, embodiments of the present invention provide for a port hopping arrangement in which a port pair associated with a communication channel is changed intermittently or periodically. In order to prevent the loss of authorized data packets due to network delay and jitter, a period of overlap during which a port and a successive port both accept data packets may be provided. Ports may be selected for use by providing endpoints to a communication with a common algorithm and seed value.