Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for selectively displacing at least two holding devices which can be individually displaced along a z-axis by means of a central z-drive and by a selective magnetic coupling to a common lifting element. The exclusively magnetic coupling between the holding devices and the lifting element ensures a largely bounce-free displacement of the coupled holding devices, during the corresponding shock-free displacement of the lifting element. The coupling is especially advantageous during the transport of components as the bounce-free displacement from falling or sliding. The invention also relates to a fitting head for transporting a plurality of components, the holding devices being arranged along a line or on grid points of a two dimensional grid. The holding devices can be individually coupled to the movement of a common lifting element.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the treatment of skin lesions resulting from bacterial, fungal or viral infections or from exposure to irritants are disclosed. The invention relates methods and devices for delivering a controlled dose of thermal energy to the infected or irritated tissue and thereby speed the recovery process.

Abstract: A system for presenting dynamic content to a user of a client device in a non-intrusive manner is implemented in a method including the steps of retrieving dynamic content to be presented to a user, and presenting the dynamic content to the user at a time selected in accordance with a predetermined condition.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a broadband, wireless network comprising residential communications gateway that accepts all incoming communications signals and securely broadcasts those signals throughout a residence. Each communications appliance within the residence is outfitted with a receiver that decodes the broadcast signals and couples the signals to the input terminals of the associated communications appliance. The system is completely “plug-and-play” such that a user can quickly and easily utilize the gateway for many communications appliances.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for demodulating an orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) signal. Specifically, the OFDM demodulator includes a band edge timing recovery circuit for tracking the symbol timing error and a programmable delay circuit for optimally re-sampling the OFDM signal under control of the band edge timing circuit to correct the symbol timing error. Symbol timing is recovered independent of synchronizing and training sequences in the OFDM signal, which results in reduced intercarrier interference when the sub-carriers of the OFDM signal are recovered.

Abstract: A commutating image-reject mixer includes first and second branches, each having first and second stage mixers for converting the frequency of a desired channel to an intermediate frequency (IF) and rejecting the image channel. The local oscillator (LO) ports of all the mixers are commutated between quadrature and in-phase LO signals, and the output of the branches are commutated between each other, by two complementary, 50% duty cycle clock signals. The commutating image-reject mixer exhibits improved immunity to amplitude and phase mismatches that may be present in each branch.

Abstract: A spatial diversity combiner comprises a plurality of feed forward equalizers (FFEs), a decision feedback equalizer (DFE), and a tap control circuit. The plurality of FFEs receive spatially diverse replicas of an RF signal and optimally combine them. The DFE provides feedback for tap weight control and optimal equalization of the transmission channel. Symbol error is generated by a slicer circuit or by a maximum likelihood sequence estimation (MLSE) process.

Abstract: A system for dynamically transcoding data transmitted between computers is implemented in an apparatus for use in transmitting data between a network server and a network client over a communications link. The apparatus includes a parser coupled to a transcode service provider. The parser is configured to selectively invoke the transcode service provider in response to a predetermined selection criterion.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a broadband, wireless network comprising a neighborhood communications gateway that accepts all incoming communications signals and securely broadcasts those signals throughout a neighborhood of residences. Each communications appliance within the neighborhood is outfitted with a receiver that decodes the broadcast signals and couples the signals to the input terminals of the associated communications appliance. The system is completely “plug-and-play” such that a user can quickly and easily utilize the gateway for many communications appliances.

Abstract: A spatial diversity combiner comprises a plurality of feed forward equalizers (FFEs), a decision feedback equalizer (DFE), and a tap control circuit. The plurality of FFEs receive spatially diverse replicas of an RF signal and optimally combine them. The DFE provides feedback for tap weight control and optimal equalization of the transmission channel. Symbol error is generated by a slicer circuit or by a maximum likelihood sequence estimation (MLSE) process.

Abstract: A dynamically-chainable network proxy is implemented in a method for chaining a network proxy to a destination device, wherein the network proxy is coupled to a source device and a plurality of destination devices, including the step of receiving a request from the source device at the network proxy. The network proxy then selects one of the plurality of destination devices to serve the request, with the selection made according to a predetermined selection criterion. The network proxy reformats the request to designate the selected destination device, and then forwards the reformatted request to the selected destination device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a broadband, wireless network comprising residential communications gateway that accepts all incoming communications signals and securely broadcasts those signals throughout a residence. Each communications appliance within the residence is outfitted with a receiver that decodes the broadcast signals and couples the signals to the input terminals of the associated communications appliance. The system is completely “plug-and-play” such that a user can quickly and easily utilize the gateway for many communications appliances.

Abstract: An apparatus for laying deep water sub sea pipelines either by means of reeled pipe or conventional pipelay (“stock on”) is disclosed. The vessel is equipped with a dynamic positioning system that is integrated into the pipelay control system. Both methods of pipe lay utilize a rigid stinger capable of supporting the pipe from near 0 degrees through a departure angle of 90 degrees, simulating a J-lay orientation. The Reel System consists of a storage reel, reel drive system, straightener aligner system, two tensioner systems, three exit rollers, stinger and dynamic positioning system. The conventional pipelay system consists of the above without the storage reel and reel drive system. All pipelay equipment has the capability of leveling winding, thus maintaining a specific pipe profile while the pipe is either being spooled on the quay side or laid on the seabed. The storage reel is modular where it can be removed by either skidding or divided into piece lifts.

Abstract: A system for determining whether an entity that issued a message is pre-configured to receive a response according to an enhanced communications protocol is implemented in a method which includes the steps of receiving a message and parsing the message to selectively classify the entity as an enhanced entity if the message conforms to the enhanced communications protocol.

Abstract: A method for collecting statistics from a network device configured to service requests from one or more other devices coupled thereto includes the steps of maintaining a log file containing one or more entries associated with each request serviced by the network device; identifying a page-level request serviced by the network device; and generating statistics associated with the servicing of the page-level request by the network device from the log file entries associated with the page-level request.

Abstract: A system for collecting and displaying performance improvement information for a computer is implemented in a method for providing performance improvement information to a client device. The method includes the steps of receiving a request from the client device for network content, retrieving the requested network content, and transmitting the network content to the client computer with information relating to a performance improvement associated with the retrieval and/or transmission of the network content.

Abstract: A system for dynamically controlling a network device is implemented in a network device including a parser and a service provider. The parser includes instructions for selectively invoking the service provider in response to a command parsed from an external input received by the network device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assessing the quality of a seed lot utilizes image analysis equipment to generate an indication of seed quality. In one method, the quality of the seed lot may be determined by generating an image of a plurality of seedlings grown from a plurality of seeds selected from the seed lot, determining the leaf surface area of each of the seedlings from the image, determining the total leaf surface area of the seedlings from the image, determining a surface area threshold relating to the leaf surface areas of a plurality of the seedlings, determining the proportion of the seedlings which have a leaf surface area that exceeds the surface area threshold, and generating an indication of seed quality based upon that proportion.

Abstract: A method for determining effective link speed for communications from a first device to a second device coupled by a communications link includes the steps of transmitting a packet from the first device to the second device; receiving a responsive packet at the first device; and determining an effective link speed for communications between the first device and the second device using a period of time between the transmission and receipt.

Abstract: A system for enhancing data access over a communications link is disclosed. In accordance with a particular embodiment, a system for retrieving an object over a computer network includes a network client with a browser for rendering an object to a user and a user interface enabling the user to establish an encoding preference. A remote scaling server is coupled between the network client and the computer network, and includes a remote proxy and an encode service provider. The remote scaling server is configured to request a user-specified encoding preference from the network client, retrieve an object from the computer network using the remote proxy, encode the object using the encode service provider in accordance with the requested user-specified encoding preference, and transmit the encoded object to the network client using the remote proxy. The disclosed system thus enables users to dynamically influence the trade-off between quality of content and download speed.