Abstract: The Conformal Vest Ventilator (CVV) is a vest-like mechanism to cause or aid breathing in humans The Conformal Vest Ventilator consists of a series of expanding and contracting tubes that fit around the torso, similar to clothing, and which change shape in a manner that expands the thoracic cavity to create negative pressure ventilation in the lungs, similar to the natural ventilation created by the diaphragm muscle and the expanding rib cage. The CVV creates a breathing support system that is less intrusive than existing methods, and can improve the lives of people with COPD or paralyzed diaphragm muscles and is useful in other medical conditions, including sleep apnea, critical care, spinal cord injuries, and athletic training or physical therapy when the primary goal is to increase lung capacity.

Abstract: A system and method for testing lines to determine service-affecting conditions on a line, such as telephone wiring. Conditions may be identified from low frequency variations in a frequency spectrum measured on the line. The line may be stimulated with a broad spectrum signal, such as may be generated by a DSL modem operating in the L0 state or may be the result of noise on the line. Analysis of the low frequency variations may yield information about the nature of service-affecting conditions allowing conditions, such as un-terminated or poorly-terminated extensions to be identified. The method may be performed by a test device attached to premises wiring in a telephone network and used to determine whether the premises wiring will support VDSL2 or other high speed data services without modification or may indicate changes at the premises to enable the wiring to support high speed data services.

Abstract: A system and method for testing lines to determine service-affecting conditions on a line, such as telephone wiring. Conditions may be identified from low frequency variations in a frequency spectrum measured on the line. The line may be stimulated with a broad spectrum signal, such as may be generated by a DSL modem operating in the L0 state or may be the result of noise on the line. Analysis of the low frequency variations may yield information about the nature of service-affecting conditions allowing conditions, such as un-terminated or poorly-terminated extensions to be identified. The method may be performed by a test device attached to premises wiring in a telephone network and used to determine whether the premises wiring will support VDSL2 or other high speed data services without modification or may indicate changes at the premises to enable the wiring to support high speed data services.

Abstract: A system for testing a conductor of a structure can include a test device connected to the conductor. The test device is configured to test an electrical characteristic of the conductor and to produce a test result based at least in part on the electrical characteristic. A service provider network may be configured to communicate with the test device to initiate a test and/or to obtain the test result. A customer may use a computing device to obtain information regarding the test result, as well as guidance for troubleshooting and resolving a problem detected with the electrical conductor, such as a fault.

Abstract: A system for testing a conductor of a structure can include a test device connected to the conductor. The test device is configured to test an electrical characteristic of the conductor and to produce a test result based at least in part on the electrical characteristic. A service provider network may be configured to communicate with the test device to initiate a test and/or to obtain the test result. A customer may use a computing device to obtain information regarding the test result, as well as guidance for troubleshooting and resolving a problem detected with the electrical conductor, such as a fault.

Abstract: A system for testing a conductor of a structure can include a test device connected to the conductor. The test device is configured to test an electrical characteristic of the conductor and to produce a test result based at least in part on the electrical characteristic. A service provider network may be configured to communicate with the test device to initiate a test and/or to obtain the test result. A customer may use a computing device to obtain information regarding the test result, as well as guidance for troubleshooting and resolving a problem detected with the electrical conductor, such as a fault.

Abstract: A system for testing a conductor of a structure can include a test device connected to the conductor. The test device is configured to test an electrical characteristic of the conductor and to produce a test result based at least in part on the electrical characteristic. A service provider network may be configured to communicate with the test device to initiate a test and/or to obtain the test result. A customer may use a computing device to obtain information regarding the test result, as well as guidance for troubleshooting and resolving a problem detected with the electrical conductor, such as a fault.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method of testing the capacity of a network to support DSL services, a test device is coupled to a pair of wires (e.g., Tip-Ring) that support DSL services between ATU-C and ATU-R modems. In operation, the test device: samples for a DC line feed or potential on the wires when the ATU-R and ATU-C modems are operatively connected via the wires; samples for AC noise present on the wires when the ATU-R modem is electrically isolated from the ATU-C modem which is operatively coupled to the wires; samples for DSL signals output by the ATU-R modem when the ATU-C modem is electrically isolated from the ATU-R modem; and samples for DSL signals on the wires when the ATU-R modem is operatively coupled to the ATU-C modem via the wires. Based on these samples, the test device determines the capacity of the network to support DSL services.

Abstract: Online fraud is reduced by identifying suspicious activities in real time and providing alerting so that interdiction may be performed. Historical customer behavior is used to identify and flag deviations in activity patterns. An HTTP data stream is parsed, intelligently filtered, and key data is extracted in real time. The key data is periodically extracted from network traffic and used to update corresponding summaries stored in a fraud data mart. The data mart is constantly incrementally updated so that the most current historical information is available to a rules engine for real time comparison with new customer data and patterns occurring on the network. Fraud-related business signatures are applied to this data stream and/or a data mart to identify suspicious online transactions. By understanding the customer session, the customer's intended use of the online application is derived and possible fraudulent activities identified.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for estimating the insertion loss of a telephone line. A complex waveform is applied to each wire of the telephone line being tested. Real and imaginary components of the resultant waveform are measured at a plurality of frequencies. Insertion loss of the line is estimated from a series of single-ended voltage measurements made at a plurality of frequencies. These measurements are captured and used to estimate the insertion loss of the telephone line.

Abstract: A system for qualifying subscriber lines in a telephony system for high speed data services. The system includes a measurement unit that makes one ended electrical measurements on the subscriber lines. Measurements on the subscriber lines are used to predict which of the lines can carry signals used in high speed data services. The predictions are used in marketing select data transmission services.

Abstract: A thermoplastic, moldable, millable, extrudable composition of matter involving at least three polymeric components: a fluoroelastomer, an ETFE (ethylene/tetrafluoroethylene alternating copolymer, which may optionally contain one or more comonomers in minor amounts to alter crystallinity and melting temperature) fluoroplastic, and a block fluoropolymer containing at least one fluoroelastomer block and at least one ETFE block. The fluoroelastomer component and optionally the fluoroelastomer portion of the block fluoropolymer are crosslinked in a dynamic vulcanization process. Also disclosed are multilayer articles in which the aforesaid fluoro-TPV is adhered to an ETFE plastic layer.

Abstract: The present invention comprises syntactic organic fiber-reinforced polymer composites that are useful in “plastic wood” applications, including extruded wood replacements similar to those that are sold in commerce today, and also several novel applications, based on organic fibers with better chemical or thermo-oxidative stability than lignocellulosics. These novel materials involve blends of rigid hollow beads, at least one reinforcing fiber, and at least one polymer. This patent application also relates to a particularly desirable method to form these blends, based on use of a counter-rotating, non-intermeshing extruder (such as those produced by NFM Welding Engineers of Massillon, Ohio) to gently disperse the hollow rigid beads into a polymer melt with minimal breakage, followed by combination with organic fibers per se, or a polymer melt that contains organic fibers.

Abstract: It has been found that certain peroxide/coagent crosslinked blends of a peroxide-crosslinkable FKM fluoroelastomer with a similar non-peroxide crosslinkable FKM fluoroelastomer exhibit increased elongation to rupture, improved demoldability, and slightly reduced durometer compared to prior art peroxide-cured FKMs. The degree to which these desirable changes are realized is greatest when the monomer ratios of the peroxide-crosslinkable FKM fluoroelastomer are similar to the monomer ratios of the non-peroxide crosslinkable FKM. The improved demoldability of these compositions is believed to be due to improved hot tear strength and especially increased elongation at molding temperature; these properties are important in the process of removing complex parts from a mold after forming, whether by compression, transfer, or injection molding. Hot tear strength and elongation are especially important in removal of FKM molded parts with “undercuts” in the mold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to managing defunct processes. A parent process that does not collect exit information associated with a child process may leave a defunct child process. A defunct child process is identified. The parent process of the defunct child process is modified. The parent process can be modified by changing an existing thread or instantiating a new thread to collect exit information associated with the child process. Collecting exit information causes the removal of the defunct child process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pre-qualifying lines with respect to estimating the insertion loss of the line is presented. End-to-end insertion loss at high frequencies is estimated from measurements made at low frequencies through the voice switch at the central office of a telephone company. An AC voltage waveform is applied to the telephone line being tested. Real and imaginary components of the resultant waveform are measured. These measurements are captured and used to estimate the insertion loss of the telephone line at frequencies in the range of 40 kHz to 300 kHz.

Abstract: The method assesses the suitability of customer telephone lines (12, 13, 14) for data transmission. The method includes selecting a telephone line having tip and ring wires by means of a computer (30) and switch (15), and electrically connecting the tip and ring wires together at a test access (29) adjacent one end of the selected line to produce a common mode configuration. Single-ended electrical measurements are performed on the wires in the common mode configuration by a measurement unit (27) connected to the test access (29) to determine an electrical property of the wires from the measurements.

Abstract: Hydraulically-driven vibrating massagers. Devices for massage and/or sexual stimulation are vibrated and/or rhythmically deformed. The devices have at least two, and normally three elements as follows: (1) One or more hydraulically driven sacs or tubes within a massage and/or sexual stimulation device which are constructed with walls of intentionally varying modulus; (2) A hydraulic actuator to move hydraulic fluid into and out of the device (1) (3) Optionally, a flexible hose or hoses connected at one end to the sexual stimulation device or devices and at the other end to the hydraulic actuator. The particular devices actuated by the present invention can include various prior art massage and/or sexual stimulation devices, including muscle massagers, dildos, and penis rings (with or without attachment to secondary anal stimulators), sexually stimulating underwear, and two-ended dildos intended to anchor on one end in a vagina and/or anus, for example.

Abstract: A system for qualifying subscriber lines in a telephony system for high speed data services. The system includes a measurement unit that makes one ended electrical measurements on the subscriber lines. Measurements on the subscriber lines are used to predict which of the lines can carry signals used in high speed data services. The predictions are used in marketing select data transmission services.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pre-qualifying lines with respect to estimating the insertion loss of the line is presented. End-to-end insertion loss at high frequencies is estimated from measurements made at low frequencies through the voice switch at the central office of a telephone company. An AC voltage waveform is applied to the telephone line being tested. Real and imaginary components of the resultant waveform are measured. These measurements are captured and used to estimate the insertion loss of the telephone line at frequencies in the range of 40 kHz to 300 kHz.