Abstract: A method for filling a carrier tape (10) with electronic components (12) and for removing and replacing defective electronic components (13) from the carrier tape, comprising the steps of: at a filling station (1), loading an electronic component in a pocket (11) of the carrier tape (10), moving said carrier tape (10) forward, automatically detecting that said electronic component which is defective, moving said carrier tape backward, and unloading the defective electronic component (13) from the carrier tape (10), at said filling station (1), filling said packet with a new electronic component.

Abstract: A method for processing speech, comprising semantically parsing a received natural language speech input with respect to a plurality of predetermined command grammars in an automated speech processing system; determining if the parsed speech input unambiguously corresponds to a command and is sufficiently complete for reliable processing, then processing the command; if the speech input ambiguously corresponds to a single command or is not sufficiently complete for reliable processing, then prompting a user for further speech input to reduce ambiguity or increase completeness, in dependence on a relationship of previously received speech input and at least one command grammar of the plurality of predetermined command grammars, reparsing the further speech input in conjunction with previously parsed speech input, and iterating as necessary. The system also monitors abort, fail or cancel conditions in the speech input.

Abstract: In an effort to customize or enhance software applications, configuration data is often used. Configuration settings that are editable by users need not to be limited to a simple flat entry that can be taken out of context anymore. The present invention allows for multiple-levels of configuration settings to interact with each other, so that a single configuration for a given context to be calculated dynamically. In the process, the user gains flexibility to specify more adequately a required change or customization while propagating the information with minimal effort and not requiring additional coding. Furthermore, to simplify a speaker's interactions for controlling an automated device, the addition of a superposed layer over graphic user interface may be used. The superposed layer may display coordinates that a speaker may use to navigate the graphic user interface, for example to associate a location with a keyword or a coordinate.

Abstract: A speech processing system which exploits statistical modeling and formal logic to receive and process speech input, which may represent data to be received, such as dictation, or commands to be processed by an operating system, application or process. A command dictionary and dynamic grammars are used in processing speech input to identify, disambiguate and extract commands. The logical processing scheme ensures that putative commands are complete and unambiguous before processing. Context sensitivity may be employed to differentiate data and commands. A multi faceted graphic user interface may be provided for interaction with a user to speech enable interaction with applications and processes that do not necessarily have native support for speech input.

Abstract: A supercontinuum source capable of emitting waves between the infrared range and the ultraviolet range, includes a pulsed laser source (12) capable of generating a laser beam and a non-linear microstructured optical fiber (14) capable of receiving the laser beam, in such a way that the supercontinuum source is capable of generating a beam (F?) over a pulse duration (T?), characterized in that the supercontinuum source includes elements for varying the pulse duration.

Abstract: According to the invention, the intermediate sheath (13) is formed by assembling longitudinal elements (13A) and includes: a first optical material, the refractive index of which differs from the refractive index of the monomode core by at most 10?3; and a second optical material, the refractive index of which is lower than the refractive index of said monomode core and differs therefrom by at least 10?3.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laser oscillator comprising an amplifying optical fibre (MA) inserted in a resonant cavity so as to act as an active medium, and pumping means (DL, CP) causing a population inversion in said amplifying optical fibre, characterized in that said amplifying optical fibre comprises at least two cores (C1, C2) optically coupled to each other in a common cladding (G), and in that the shapes, sizes, refractive indices and the relative arrangement of said cores are chosen so that super-modes are supported, at least one (SMI) of which super-modes has, in an emission spectral band of said laser oscillator, a normal chromatic dispersion.

Abstract: Described are arrangements of at least one column of seats for passengers of a vehicle, the column including a next-front seat unit positioned in front of a next-back seat unit, wherein each seat unit includes a seat having a chair position and a bed position, and a bed extension coupled to the next-front seat unit. The bed extension has a stowed position within the next-front seat unit and a deployed position that is located within a space between the next-front seat unit and the next-back seat unit that is not occupied by the seat in the next-back seat unit when the seat in the next-back seat unit is positioned in the bed position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an individual lighting device (20) for a vehicle seat including: a plurality of light sources (S1, S2, S3) having an adjustable light intensity and each emitting in a favored direction (D1, D2, D3), at least two sources being arranged so that the directions (D1, D2, D3) of those two sources are not parallel.

Abstract: Described are arrangements of seats, which include at least one column having rows of pairs of seats (12A,12B), each seat having a chair position and a bed position. A pair of foot wells (34A,34B) are positioned within an aft side of each row and configured to vertically align with the pair of seats in a next-aft row when the pair of seats are positioned in the bed position. The bed position of a first seat (12A) of the pair of seats is vertically offset from the bed position of a second seat (12B) of the pair of seats so that the first seat has a high bed position and the second seat has a low bed position.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to passenger aircraft seats. The disclosure focuses on a seat unit arrangement (10) for a cabin and seat units that provide different comfort positions. In some embodiments, a side cushion (14) forms part of a bed surface when the seats are converted to a bed position. In some embodiments, a bed extension (30) is deployed from a stowed position to form a part of the bed surface. In some embodiments, a seat backrest (22) does not form part of the bed surface when the seat unit is in the bed position. In some embodiments, a lounge position is provided when the seat backrest rotates toward a side cushion. In such an embodiment, the passenger may be positioned toward the side cushion such that the passenger may comfortably rest their legs on the side cushion without converting the seat to a bed position.

Abstract: An assembly for testing performance of a component includes a rotatable turret having component handling heads each of which can hold a component and a rotatable head assembly that includes a rotatable head having one or more nests. Each nest has an electrical contact and can receive a component that electrically connects to the nest's electrical contact. Each nest can hold a component that remains electrically connected to the electrical contact, as the head rotates. The rotatable head is adjacent to the turret to pass a component directly from a component handling head on the turret to a nest on the head. A processor is in electrical communication with the electrical contact(s) of the nests such that the processor can send command signals to a component held in a nest and receive response signals from the component. The processor determines the performance of the component from the response signals.

Abstract: Described are passenger seats including a lower frame comprising a pair of supports, a seat pan adjustably coupled to the pair of supports via a coupling system, and a rear leg coupled to the lower frame, wherein the rear leg includes an extension component that is configured to adjust a height of the rear leg. The passenger seat may be adjusted into a bed position by compressing the rear leg, adjusting the seat pan into a forward position relative to the lower frame, and reclining the seat back until the seat back is substantially proximate the lower frame.

Abstract: An assembly for testing performance of a component includes a rotatable turret having component handling heads each of which can hold a component and a rotatable head assembly that includes a rotatable head having one or more nests. Each nest has an electrical contact and can receive a component that electrically connects to the nest's electrical contact. Each nest can hold a component that remains electrically connected to the electrical contact, as the head rotates. The rotatable head is adjacent to the turret to pass a component directly from a component handling head on the turret to a nest on the head. A processor is in electrical communication with the electrical contact(s) of the nests such that the processor can send command signals to a component held in a nest and receive response signals from the component. The processor determines the performance of the component from the response signals.

Abstract: A speech processing system which exploits statistical modeling and formal logic to receive and process speech input, which may represent data to be received, such as dictation, or commands to be processed by an operating system, application or process. A command dictionary and dynamic grammars are used in processing speech input to identify, disambiguate and extract commands. The logical processing scheme ensures that putative commands are complete and unambiguous before processing. Context sensitivity may be employed to differentiate data and commands. A multi faceted graphic user interface may be provided for interaction with a user to speech enable interaction with applications and processes that do not necessarily have native support for speech input.

Abstract: Passenger seating arrangements are detailed. At least some arrangements permit each passenger to access an aisle of a vessel without contacting an adjacent passenger. Movable footwells may be utilized to floor-level access when retracted and function as steps when extended as a seat is converted to a bed. This structure authorizes decrease in seat pitch without decrease of bed length, permitting additional seating to be included in a cabin of a vessel without diminishment of passenger comfort.

Abstract: A nest (1) comprising, a fix part (3), and a movable part (5), wherein the fix (part 3) and movable part (5) are configured to cooperate so as to define a (pocket 7) which can receive at least a part of an electrical component (25), wherein the movable part (5) is moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the pocket (7) is open so that at least part of the electrical component can be moved into the pocket (7), and in the second position the pocket (7) is closed so that the at least part of the electrical component (25) positioned in the pocket is secured within the pocket, wherein the nest (1) further comprises a biasing means (9) which is arranged to bias the movable part (5) towards its second position. There is further provided a nest assembly, a component handling assembly, and a table comprising said nest.

Abstract: A patient support for supporting a patient includes an inflatable mattress defining a support surface and a pneumatic system for inflating the inflatable mattress. The pneumatic system includes a pressurized reservoir for holding pressurized air and selectively releases pressurized air from the reservoir to the mattress.

Abstract: A patient support for a patient includes a mattress with at least one air operated component and a cushioning layer forming a patient support surface. The mattress has a recessed portion beneath the patient support surface at the foot end of the mattress with an enclosure housed in the recess. The enclosure houses therein at least one pump for directing air to the air operated component and a controller for operating the pump. The enclosure has a central section and two side sections, with each of the sections having an upper side. The side sections are located on opposed sides of the central section and at opposed sides of the mattress at the foot end. The upper side of the central section is recessed below the upper sides of the side sections wherein the depth of the cushioning layer at the foot end between the side sections is maintained generally constant at least along the central portion of the mattress extending from the head end to the foot end.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a component handling assembly, comprising, an index table which comprises one or more nests each of which is configured to cooperate with a component to hold the component as the index table is indexed, wherein the one or more nests are configured such that a component which cooperates with a nest is supported above the nest so that the one or more nests can cooperate with components of various sizes, and an alignment means operable to move a component into a predefined orientation before a component co-operates with a nest on the index table. There is further provided a corresponding method of handling a component.