Abstract: A system of soil carbon measurement is provided. The system includes a multimodal sensor payload that includes multiple sensors that are each a different sensor type and that are configured to estimate quantities of carbon stored in a soil area. The sensors include multiple stand-off sensor technologies.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for mobile detection of soil compaction and soil characteristic data are provided. Operations include causing a subsurface portion of soil at a compaction detection location to be disrupted using compressed air, generating disruption data corresponding to the disruption of the subsurface portion of the soil at the compaction detection location, generating geographic location data corresponding to the compaction detection location, receiving the geographic location data from the location device and the disruption data from the disruption sensor and associating the geographic location data with the disruption data.

Abstract: A cockpit yoke assembly adapted for mounting on top of a RC transmitter for controlling the operation of a model airplane. The yoke assembly includes a first control arm with a throttle knob. The first control arm is attached to a first ball and socket linkage adapted for attachment a first joystick on the transmitter. A rudder control lever is attached to the first control arm. The yoke assembly includes a second control arm with an elevator knob. The second control arm is attached to a second ball and socket linkage adapted for attachment to a second joystick on the transmitter. An aileron control lever is attached to the second control arm. The first and second ball and socket linkage are used for moving the first and second joysticks fore or aft and left or right during the operation of the model airplane.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to dynamically provide network policies are disclosed. An example method includes determining a context associated with an attempt to access, by a user via a computing device, a network; selecting a network policy based on the determined context; and programming, in response to the attempt to access the network, a dynamically programmable network element to enforce the network policy.

Abstract: A cockpit yoke assembly adapted for mounting on top of a RC transmitter for controlling the operation of a model airplane. The yoke assembly includes a first control arm with a throttle knob. The first control arm is attached to a first ball and socket linkage adapted for attachment a first joystick on the transmitter. A rudder control lever is attached to the first control arm. The yoke assembly includes a second control arm with an elevator knob. The second control arm is attached to a second ball and socket linkage adapted for attachment to a second joystick on the transmitter. An aileron control lever is attached to the second control arm. The first and second ball and socket linkage are used for moving the first and second joysticks fore or aft and left or right during the operation of the model airplane.

Abstract: A system including a consumer electronics product; a wireless activation device coupled to an activation circuit embedded within the product; and the wireless activation device being configured to receive a password-protected instruction sent by wireless communication to the wireless activation device for activating the activation circuit by permanently changing the state of the activation circuit from an off state to an on state.

Abstract: Electric apparatus having distinct electric terminals has an input power terminal of electrically insulating material, including a base of electric insulating material having a first electric terminal base portion and a second electric base portion spaced from that first electric base portion, and a barrier wall of insulating material on that base acting as an isolator between the first and second electric terminals on these base portions, and preferably also as a standoff for a protective cover. A plurality of electric fuse holders in that or other electric apparatus may be mounted in mutually spaced relationship, and a heat sink including a frame around that plurality of mutually spaced electric fuse holders is in heat-transfer relationship with these electric fuse holders, and includes a cross-piece between each adjacent pair of the mutually spaced electric fuse holders.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system has multiple conferencing stations. Each conferencing station has audio output apparatus, audio and video compression modules for receiving video from the video source and audio from the audio capture circuitry and for transmitting compressed audio and video through a network. Each station compresses audio from its audio capture circuitry and, when this audio has amplitude above a threshold, transmits the compressed audio to a server. The server combines compressed audio streams into a single composite stream without decompressing and mixing the audio streams, and broadcasts this potentially multichannel stream to each conferencing station. Each conferencing station also has an audio mixer module for receiving the composite compressed audio stream through the network interface apparatus from the server, for decompressing and mixing channels of interest in the audio streams, and for providing audio to the audio output apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new machine for forming containers of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,939 without the use of glue or nails. The machine utilizes a mandrel movably mounted on a path for oscillation between retracted and extended positions. As the mandrel cycles forward, it first receives two synthetic sidewalls and then a deformable body panel of the container to be formed. Then a set of moveable upper and lower rockers containing unique pressure mechanisms press tabs on the horizontally oriented portion of the wrap into corresponding locking slots on the ends of the sidewalls. When the mandrel is fully extended, pressure is applied to the tabs on the vertically oriented middle section of the wrap using a pair of hinge-mounted pressure plates fitted with unique biased brackets. The resulting container is removed from the machine, which is then ready to begin another cycle.

Abstract: A serial communication system for two IC devices has a separate master chip connected to both of the IC devices, the master chip having a clock generator and circuitry for affecting serial data transmission and control between the master chip and the devices. There is a slave component on each IC device for transforming data between parallel and serial data formats and for sending and receiving a serial data stream. The master chip provides a clock signal to both slave components for gating serial data communication, and manages all communication between the two slave components. In a preferred embodiment all circuitry in the slave components is digital circuitry, and all analog circuitry is implemented on the master chip. Also in a preferred embodiment each slave periodically checks phase between data stream and clock stream received, and inserts a correction code in the data stream sent back to the master chip, so the master chip can regularly correct the phase for clock and data sent to each slave.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new machine for forming containers of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,939 without the use of glue or nails. The machine utilizes a mandrel movably mounted on a path for oscillation between retracted and extended positions. As the mandrel cycles forward, it first receives two synthetic sidewalls and then a deformable body panel of the container to be formed. Then a set of moveable upper and lower rockers containing unique pressure mechanisms press tabs on the horizontally oriented portion of the wrap into corresponding locking slots on the ends of the sidewalls. When the mandrel is fully extended, pressure is applied to the tabs on the vertically oriented middle section of the wrap using a pair of hinge-mounted pressure plates fitted with unique biased brackets. The resulting container is removed from the machine, which is then ready to begin another cycle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new machine for forming strong, durable and recyclable containers of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,939 without the use of glue or nails which are ready to be loaded, closed, stacked and shipped. The machine utilizes a mandrel movably mounted on a path between retracted and extended positions. As the mandrel cycles forward, it first receives two synthetic sidewalls of the container to be formed, which are firmly compressed against the sides of the mandrel as it moves forward. The mandrel next encounters the body panel or wrap of the container to be formed, said wrap including a plurality of tabs along the edges of its two longer sides which correspond to locking slots on the sidewalls. As the mandrel moves forward, it pushes into the middle of the wrap whereupon a set of plows and shoes bend the upper and lower portions of the wrap into a more horizontal orientation, leaving the middle of the wrap in a vertical position.

Abstract: A serial communication system for two IC devices has a separate master chip connected to both of the IC devices, the master chip having a clock generator and circuitry for affecting serial data transmission and control between the master chip and the devices. There is a slave component on each IC device for transforming data between parallel and serial data formats and for sending and receiving a serial data stream. The master chip provides a clock signal to both slave components for gating serial data communication, and manages all communication between the two slave components. In a preferred embodiment all circuitry in the slave components is digital circuitry, and all analog circuitry is implemented on the master chip. Also in a preferred embodiment each slave periodically checks phase between data stream and clock stream received, and inserts a correction code in the data stream sent back to the master chip, so the master chip can regularly correct the phase for clock and data sent to each slave.

Abstract: A multiple use chip socket supporting more than one type of permanent storage chip in a single chip socket is disclosed. The multiple use chip socket provides a plurality of address bit lines which are used to specify an address of a particular location within a memory device installed in the socket. In general, the number of address bit lines directly coupled to the socket correspond to the number of address bit lines required for the smallest memory device to be installed in the socket. Additional address bit lines are coupled to control logic of the present invention. The control logic selectively applies addressing signals to the chip socket depending on the type of memory device inserted in the socket. As part of the initialization process, the processing logic of the present invention first determines if an access to a device installed in the chip socket is required by a circuit board as part of its initialization or boot process.

Abstract: A computer system having two ports for connecting the computer system to a computer network by means of different transmission media types. Electronic switching is implemented to select between these two ports. The electronic switching is controlled by software. Depending upon which of the two ports is being utilized to connect the computer system to the network, power is either switched on or off to a transceiver. The switching can be accomplished by a voltage regulator with an enable signal or by means of a MOSFET. The computer system can detect which of the two ports is being utilized as a connection to the network by sending a data packet through each of the ports and determining the status of the transmissions.

Abstract: A computer system having two ports for connecting the computer system to a computer network by means of different transmission media types. Electronic switching is implemented to select between these two ports. The electronic switching is controlled by software. Depending upon which of the two ports is being utilized to connect the computer system to the network, power is either switched on or off to a transceiver. The switching can be accomplished by a voltage regulator with an enable signal or by means of a MOSFET. The computer system can detect which of the two ports is being utilized as a connection to the network by sending a data packet through each of the ports and determining the status of the transmissions.