Abstract: A digital optical network (DON) is a new approach to low-cost, more compact optical transmitter modules and optical receiver modules for deployment in optical transport networks (OTNs). One important aspect of a digital optical network is the incorporation in these modules of transmitter photonic integrated circuit (TxPIC) chips and receiver photonic integrated circuit (TxPIC) chips in lieu of discrete modulated sources and detector sources with discrete multiplexers or demultiplexers.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping the motion of a tailgate attached to a truck bed comprising a damper having a truck bed attachment point at one end and a tailgate attachment point at the other end. The truck bed attachment point is secured to said truck bed, while the tailgate attachment point is secured to the tailgate.

Abstract: An inventive method, system and apparatus are provided for syringe handling, and more particularly, for syringe labeling, filling and capping operations. To facilitate syringe handling, an inventive apparatus includes a plurality of syringe bodies interconnected in a predetermined orientation by a belt. Such belt may be of pliable construction and may define a predetermined spacing in between adjacent ones of the syringe bodies, such predetermined spacing corresponding with a distance between holders provided in a handling apparatus. The syringe handling apparatus may provide for the placement of contents-related information on belt segments between adjacent syringe bodies and for separating the belt segments, wherein a flap is left interconnected to each syringe body. The syringe handling apparatus may alternatively or also provide for automated filling of the syringe bodies wherein cap removal, filling and cap replacement operations are completed free from manual handling.

Abstract: A system and method for use in a cable network to acquire electronic programming guide (EPG) content signals from one or more EPG vendors. The system includes a set-top box (STB) for receiving cable signals and EPG signals from a headend controller so that the STB can output the signals to a media output device for display. A conversion table is provided to each STB for use by the STB in determining source IDs associated with a given channel for each EPG vendor, the source IDs for use in acquiring the EPG content signals.

Abstract: A modem to modem communication system supports call waiting services by exchanging hold request and acknowledge signals before relinquishing the line servicing incoming calls. Thereafter, the modem to modem session is reestablished without having to redial. The hold request may be denied or accepted, and may define the duration a modem will hold before hanging up. The holding modem maintains the session by fooling the higher protocol layers, making them believe that the modem is not on hold. Three-way calling services are also used to free up the shared line for outgoing calls while maintaining the session with holding modems. A table may be employed to screen incoming calls through a comparison of the caller ID information with that in the table. The table may be within the modem or the host computer.

Abstract: An improved system and method for providing context information of executable code to an input method is provided. Advanced text input methods may be made aware of the type of text expected to be received as input so that input methods may achieve a higher accuracy in recognition of text input. Generic interfaces provide a framework for supporting application authoring platforms to allow application developers to easily specify context information to the system and have it reliably forwarded to the correct input methods. Additionally, a context tagging tool may associate specific text input fields of an existing application with an input scope without modifying the application itself. The context tagging tool may create a manifest that contains tags associating the specific text input fields with an input scope. Any advanced input methods use by the application may be updated with instructions for accessing the context information stored in the manifest.

Abstract: EMR elements and methods of fabricating the EMR elements are disclosed. The EMR structure includes one or more layers that form an active region, such as a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). The EMR structure has a first side surface, having a plurality of lead protrusions that extend outwardly from the main body of the EMR structure, and an opposing second side surface. The lead protrusions are used to form the current and voltage leads for the EMR element. The active region extends through each lead protrusion and is accessible along a perimeter of each of the lead protrusions. Conductive material is formed along the perimeter of each lead protrusion and contacts the active region of the EMR structure along the perimeter. The lead protrusion and the corresponding conductive material contacting the active region of each lead protrusion form leads for the EMR element, such as current leads and voltage leads.

Abstract: An interface between an RF processing section and a baseband processing section supports general purpose message transmission as well as satellite positioning system signal sample transmission between the RF processing section and the baseband processing section. The interface includes a bi-directional message serial interface and a data serial interface. The complexity of the data serial interface may be minimized by using a single data bit signal line in the data serial interface.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently performing a pattern matching procedure includes an enrollment manager that performs an image conversion procedure for converting an initial reference image into a reference template. The image conversion procedure may include at least one of a binarization procedure and a symmetrical reduction procedure to more efficiently utilize system resources such as processing requirements and memory requirements. A verification manager may then convert an initial test image into a transformed test image for combining with the foregoing reference template to produce a correlation image. The verification manager then analyzes matching characteristics of the correlation image to determine whether the initial test image matches the initial reference image.

Abstract: Bounding cell reorder depth is disclosed. It is determined whether a reorder buffer that is associated with a switch fabric exceeds a depth limit. In the event that the reorder buffer exceeds the depth limit, backpressure with respect to a source associated with the reorder buffer is sent. In such cases source based back pressure information is included in a reserved field in a cell that is being sent into the switch fabric. In the event that the reorder buffer does not exceed the depth limit, the cell is sent to the switch fabric. In such cases the reserved field is present in the cell but is unused.

Abstract: A hybrid, wet electrostatic precipitator has multiple precipitation zones for removing particulate and contaminants from a flue gas stream. A first precipitation zone has at least one discharge electrode and at least one collection plate made of a metal or a fiber glass reinforced plastic. A second precipitation zone has at least one discharge electrode and at least one collecting electrode which is a porous membrane sheet. The precipitation zones are in series with one another.

Abstract: An electric implement lift system for mower cutting units may include an electric motor having a rotatable output shaft with a pivot bracket mounted thereto, a lift link or a pair of lift links, each lift link having a first end connected to the pivot bracket and a second end connected to a lift arm, the output shaft rotatable in a first direction to raise the mower cutting unit and in a second direction to lower the mower cutting unit. The output shaft may be rotatable in the first direction to move the cutting unit to a top/center position and rotatable further in the first direction to move the cutting unit to a raised/transport position.

Abstract: A display is provided for switching between a narrow or private viewing mode and a wide or public viewing mode. The display comprises a display device which is controlled to provide display of a desired image or sequence of images. This is associated with a liquid crystal device having at least one liquid crystal layer whose molecules are switchable between a first state providing a first angular viewing range and a second state providing a second angular viewing range which is within and smaller than the first angular viewing range. With the molecules in the second state, the device at least partially blocks light propagating towards part of the first angular viewing range outside the second angular viewing range. The or each liquid crystal layer is in contact with at least one alignment surface, the or each of which comprises a uniform non-patterned alignment surface.

Abstract: A plug locking assembly comprises at least one plug holder comprising opposing top and bottom arms, said top and bottom arms extending tranversely from a wall and defining open spaces therebetween, said open spaces for receiving and holding plugs. The plug holders are typically positioned adjacently to one another or in tandem and the configuration of the opposing top and bottom arms allows for side installation of plugs. The plug locking assembly may further comprise a cover overlying the plug holders.

Abstract: A system for compensating for in-phase and quadrature (I/Q) imbalances for multiple antenna systems (MAS) with multi-user (MU) transmissions (defined with the acronym MU-MAS), such as distributed-input distributed-output (DIDO) communication systems, comprising multicarrier modulation, such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining ear fluid viscosity. A transducer is operable to transceive a signal to interact with a fluid-containing portion of the ear. The viscosity of the fluid is determined using the transcieved signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating a high time-varying AC voltage using low voltage power semiconductors arranged in series bridge circuits, each powered by an independent DC source. At least one bipolar output pulse width modulation bridge circuit and at least a pair of bipolar output square wave generator bridge circuits have their outputs added together and passed through a low pass filter to form a time-varying, typically sinusoidal, AC output waveform. A first square wave generator has an output with a relative magnitude of 6, a second square wave generator has an output with a relative magnitude of 2 and the pulse width modulator has an output with a relative magnitude of 1. Additional square wave generators of relative magnitude 6 may be added to increase the output voltage.