Abstract: A faucet includes a logical control, a spout, a hub, a handle, and a touch control operably coupled to at least one of the spout, the hub, and the handle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. The output is preferably a cyclical CV MIG output, and each cycle is divided into segments. An output parameter is sampled a plurality of times within one or more of the segments. The CV output is controlled within the at least one segment in response to the sampling. The parameter is output power, a resistance of the load, an output current, an output voltage, or functions thereof in various embodiments. The control loop is preferably a PI or PID loop. The loop may be applied only within a window. The set point may be taught or fixed. The system can be used to weld with a controlled arc length.

Abstract: A controller for a welding system adapted to determine a value of a weld secondary parameter across a weld secondary component based on a sensed parameter is provided. The controller may also be adapted to compare the determined value to a reference value range and to alert a user to a presence and location of a weld secondary error when the determined value is outside the referenced value range.

Abstract: A device displays a text entry area with an insertion point and detects activation of a first physical key in a physical keyboard. In response to a determination that the activation of the first physical key lasts more than a first predefined time period, the device displays a character selection area; while displaying the character selection area, the device detects activation of a second physical key in the physical keyboard; in response to a determination that the activated second physical key is an arrow key, the device moves a current character focus in accordance with a direction of the arrow key; and, in response to a determination that the activated second physical key is the first physical key, the device enters in the text entry area a single instance of a character that has the current character focus, and ceases to display the character selection area.

Abstract: A faucet assembly including a handle that rotates about a rotational axis extending perpendicular to an angled interface for adjusting a water parameter.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for providing a collaborative status message in an instant messaging system. Instant Messaging (“IM”) users that belong to a group are identified. A collaborative status message (e.g., “In Meeting with User 2 and User 3”) is generated that specifies the IM users of the group (e.g., User 2 and User 3) that are participating in an event (e.g., meeting) with an IM user upon the event occurring. The collaborative status message is broadcasted to other IM users. In this manner, more detailed information can be provided to other IM users regarding the status of the IM user in question.

Abstract: In general, optical communication systems and methods may generate higher-level nmQAM from nQAM signals using one or more delay line interferometers (DLIs) arranged in various configurations. The nQAM signals may be generated by a lower-level modulator, such as a BPSK modulator, QPSK modulator or lower-level QAM modulator, with binary driving signals. Different parameters of the DLIs, such as free spectral range (FSR), phase shift, and amplitude imbalance, may be selected to accomplish the desired higher-level nmQAM depending upon the nQAM signal.

Abstract: In a welding system, a preheating process is carried out prior to initiation of a welding arc, such as upon depression of a trigger or switch on a welding torch. The preheating process involves generation and application of desired currents and voltages to a welding electrode from a power supply. Preheating is continued until the welding electrode reaches a desired temperature or resistance, which may be determined by reference to an increasing voltage, a decreasing current, a peaked and declining voltage, resistance and/or power measurements, and so forth. Following preheating, a desired welding process may begin with initiation of the welding arc.

Abstract: A method includes receiving data corresponding to a voltage level over time and a current level over time. The method also includes determining a first ratio corresponding to a voltage ramp percent or a voltage falling edge percent with respect to a peak in the voltage level and determining a second ratio corresponding to a current ramp ratio or a current falling edge ratio with respect to a peak in the current level. The method further includes determining, based on a comparison between the first ratio and the second ratio, whether to increment, decrement, or maintain an inductance compensation estimation value corresponding to an estimated inductance present in one or more secondary components associated with the welding operation.

Abstract: A packet processing system comprises first processing circuitry for performing a first function, and first memory circuitry coupled to the first processing circuitry for storing received packets, wherein at least a portion of the packets stored by the first memory circuitry are usable by the first processing circuitry in accordance with the first function. The packet processing system further comprises at least second processing circuitry for performing a second function, and at least second memory circuitry coupled to the second processing circuitry for storing at least a portion of the same packets stored in the first memory circuitry, wherein at least a portion of the packets stored in the second memory circuitry are usable by the second processing circuitry in accordance with the second function. In an illustrative embodiment, the first processing circuitry and the second processing circuitry operate in a packet switching device such as a router.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for providing a collaborative status message in an instant messaging system. Instant Messaging (“IM”) users that belong to a group are identified. A collaborative status message (e.g., “In Meeting with User 2 and User 3”) is generated that specifies the IM users of the group (e.g., User 2 and User 3) that are participating in an event (e.g., meeting) with an IM user upon the event occurring. The collaborative status message is broadcasted to other IM users. In this manner, more detailed information can be provided to other IM users regarding the status of the IM user in question.

Abstract: A method and system for pulse welding provides an output pulse waveform. The waveform has at least a frequency from a range of available frequencies not limited to harmonic frequencies. The waveform provides power suitable for welding, and has a plurality of background portions alternating with a plurality of peak portions. A transition down occurs from the peak portion to the background portion with a first acceleration and a transition up occurs from the background portion to the peak portion with a second acceleration. At least one of the first and second accelerations are non-zero over at least most of the transition. The waveform is preferably created by switching an inverter. Both accelerations may be non-zero, and each transition may have two accelerations, one negative closer to the peak, and one positive closer to the background. The accelerations may be constant with opposite polarity. Preferably the process is current controlled during the transitions. The process frequency may be fixed or varying.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding uses a power circuit and a controller connected to the power circuit. The controller included a welding program having a limited term. The program may be part of a system, or a stand alone program. The controller has a data port and the welding program and/or an authorization is received by the controller on the data port in one embodiment. The welding program includes a limited time module, a limited time in use module, a limited arc start module, a controlled short circuit program, and/or a pulse program in various embodiments. A second welding program, without a limited term module, may be provided.

Abstract: A pulsed welding regime includes a peak phase in which energy is added to an electrode and a weld puddle, and a molten ball begins to detach from the electrode, followed by a dabbing phase in which current is significantly reduced to place the ball in the weld puddle with addition of little or no energy. The resulting short circuit clears and the system proceeds to a background phase. The current in the dabbing phase is lower than the current during the background phase. The process may be specifically adapted for particular welding wires, and may be particularly well suited for use with cored wires. The dabbing phase allows for lower energy to be transferred to the sheath of such wires, and resets the arc length after each pulse cycle.

Abstract: Disambiguating multiple readings in language conversion is disclosed, including: receiving an input data to be converted into a set of characters comprising a symbolic representation of the input data in a target symbolic system; and using a language model that distinguishes between a first reading and a second reading of a character of the target symbolic system to determine a probability that the heteronymous character should be used to represent a corresponding portion of the input data.

Abstract: A method and system for pulse welding provides an output pulse waveform. The waveform has at least a frequency from a range of available frequencies not limited to harmonic frequencies. The waveform provides power suitable for welding, and has a plurality of background portions alternating with a plurality of peak portions. A transition down occurs from the peak portion to the background portion with a first acceleration and a transition up occurs from the background portion to the peak portion with a second acceleration. At least one of the first and second accelerations are non-zero over at least most of the transition. The waveform is preferably created by switching an inverter. Both accelerations may be non-zero, and each transition may have two accelerations, one negative closer to the peak, and one positive closer to the background. The accelerations may be constant with opposite polarity. Preferably the process is current controlled during the transitions. The process frequency may be fixed or varying.

Abstract: A wall plate configured to at least partially cover and/or connect to a standardized electrical box and/or components stored therein. In one implementation, the wall plate may include a substantially planar body having a front and a back. In particular, the body may be configured to at least partially cover an electrical box and/or component. In addition, the wall plate may include at least one pin extending from the back of the body in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the body. The at least one pin may be positioned on the body to correspond with the location of a connector on a standardized electrical box or component.

Abstract: A data structure for weld programs associates configuration data for a welding system with a plurality of weld programs and weld sequence data. The data structure allows the welding system to be configured for a particular part, operator, or stage in a welding process, and to be easily reconfigured when the part, operator, or stage changes, providing improved efficiency and flexibility in operation.

Abstract: A method includes receiving data corresponding to a weld waveform that is generated during a welding operation and determining, based on the received data corresponding to the weld waveform, an overshoot voltage for the welding operation that exceeds an expected voltage level. The method further includes receiving data corresponding to a measured stud voltage and calculating, based on the overshoot voltage and the measured stud voltage, a stud voltage for the welding operation. The method also includes controlling at least one parameter of the welding operation based on the stud voltage for the welding operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding is disclosed. The output is preferably a cyclical CV MIG output, and each cycle is divided into segments. An output parameter is sampled a plurality of times within one or more of the segments. The CV output is controlled within the at least one segment in response to the sampling. The parameter is output power, a resistance of the load, an output current, an output voltage, or functions thereof in various embodiments. The control loop is preferably a PI or PID loop. The loop may be applied only within a window. The set point may be taught or fixed. The system can be used to weld with a controlled arc length.