Abstract: A metal post support ground spike is disclosed having a post receiving socket, and a flat plate. The flat plate is welded to four walls of the post receiving socket. The post support may also comprise a blades portion welded to the flat plate. The blades portion, post receiving socket and flat plate may all have reinforcement lines stamped therein and may comprise metals of varying thickness and rigidity. The flat plate may comprise the thickest and most rigid metal, whereas the post receiving socket and/or the blades may be made from a thinner and/or less rigid metal.

Abstract: A rain gutter guard comprises a downward leg for abutting gutter hangers when the guard is urged down into the gutter. A shoulder of the guard accommodates the shoulder of the gutter hangers. A front attachment flap secures the front of the guard to the gutter while the rear is retained by friction fit of an angled segment against the building fascia. An upstanding wall separates the central portion from the attachment flap. The central portion is inclined rearward and the attachment flap inclines to the front.

Abstract: A solar concentrator comprises a curved linear Fresnel lens (16) which has a plurality of prismatic features (10, 12, 14). The prismatic features are arranged into at least two segments, in each segment the prismatic features have a common apex angle, the common apex angle differing between adjacent segments. A method of manufacturing a mold (2) for producing a Fresnel lens optical film (16) is disclosed. The method comprises rotating a mold blank, and forming a plurality of different prismatic features (10, 12, 14) on the mold blank by repeatedly advancing a cutting tool (4) onto and then withdrawing the tool away from the surface of the mold blank.

Abstract: Techniques are described for optimizing processing facilities of a receiver in a wireless communication environment, taking into consideration processing performance set against the computing resources and/or power consumption required to obtain the processing performance. An embodiment of a radio receiver is described that includes a channel equalization means arranged to receive digital samples of an incoming signal and to generate an equalized output, said channel equalization means including means for processing said digital samples in accordance with an equalizer algorithm utilizing a set of equalizer parameters. The receiver can include means for estimating at least one parameter of a channel over which the signal has been received, and means for selecting at least one of said equalizer parameters based on at least one of said estimated channel parameters. Related methods, algorithms, and computer program products are also described.

Abstract: A railing system is disclosed having spacers for spacing apart railing pickets, and a rail which engages the spacers and secures the railing pickets. The spacers are made up of a planar top member, side members extending from longitudinal edges of the top member, and wings extending outwardly from a central position of the side members. The rail comprises a substantially elongated planar member and first and second substantially parallel elongated side-walls perpendicularly connected to the planar member. The side-walls each comprise first and second groove members, which are spaced apart to form grooves running substantially parallel to the elongated planar member. The grooves are adapted to receive the plurality of spacers such that the wings of the spacers abut against the first and second groove members when the spacers are assembled in the railing system.

Abstract: A point focus thin film Fresnel lens (15; 25) has an inner, substantially flat region (8; 22), and an outer region (9; 23), the outer region projecting outwardly from the inner region and at a substantial angle away from the plane of the inner region. In one embodiment the lens is in the form of a truncated cone (15) with a circular inner region as its apex, hi another embodiment the lens is in the form of a dome (25) and the outer region is formed by joining together segments (23) extending radially from a circular central region (22).

Abstract: The invention is a system for collecting, executing, tracking, and updating of customer service orders, or leads. The system remotely retrieves new leads from a third party database and assigns each new lead to a contractor based on criteria that can include the type of service and area where the service is required, and contractor resources and performance. The progress of each lead through completion of service is tracked and the third party database is updated accordingly. A contractor interface allows the contractor to access new leads and lead status. The system alerts a system manager to overdue leads. A system manager interface allows managers to track the status of the leads assigned to the contractors, the performance of the contractors and of the lead management system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nanostructure comprising a plurality of nanoridges wherein the height of each nanoridge is modulated whereby to form one or more peaks (e.g. a series of peaks) along the length of each nanoridge.

Abstract: A ground spike is disclosed having a plurality of blades and a flat plate secured thereto. The blades each have a reinforcement deformation proximal to a longitudinal outer edge. The reinforcement deformation may be a reinforcement line stamped therein, may be a bent outer edge, or the like. Objects may be attached to the flat plate, thereby securing such objects to the ground when the ground spike is used. The ground spike may have a post receiving socket secured to the flat plate. Each component may comprise metals of varying thickness and rigidity or other suitable materials.

Abstract: A solar concentrator comprises a curved linear Fresnel lens (16) which has a plurality of prismatic features (10, 12, 14). The prismatic features are arranged into at least two segments, in each segment the prismatic features have a common apex angle, the common apex angle differing between adjacent segments. A method of manufacturing a mould (2) for producing a Fresnel lens optical film (16) is disclosed. The method comprises rotating a mould blank, and forming a plurality of different prismatic features (10, 12, 14) on the mould blank by repeatedly advancing a cutting tool (4) onto and then withdrawing the tool away from the surface of the mould blank.

Abstract: A post system for a railing, the post system including a railing post, an insert and a post base. The railing post includes an elongated tubular body with first and second ends. The insert may snugly be insertable within the first end of the railing post. The post base may be connectable to the first end of the railing post and may have an inner member and an outer member substantially encasing the inner member. The inner member may be constructed from a first material, while the outer member may be constructed of a second material. The post base may include a base member and a housing member connected to and extending from the base member. The housing member may be adapted to engage the railing post.

Abstract: A metal post support ground spike is disclosed having a post receiving socket, and a flat plate. The flat plate is welded to four walls of the post receiving socket. The post support may also comprise a blades portion welded to the flat plate. The blades portion, post receiving socket and flat plate may all have reinforcement lines stamped therein and may comprise metals of varying thickness and rigidity.

Abstract: A gate bracket is formed of a planar web in which two rectangular portions along two edges of the web are bent to define a first pair of perpendicular flanges, and two other rectangular portions are bent from an inner portion of the web to form a second pair of perpendicular flanges. The flanges of the first pair are spaced from the flanges of the second pair by a distance corresponding to the dimensions of the structural members used to construct the gate. The invention provides a rigid bracket of simpler and lighter construction than prior art brackets.

Abstract: The invention concerns a railing system comprising a plurality of spacers for spacing a plurality of railing pickets apart, and a rail adapted to internally receive the plurality of spacers and to secure the railing pickets. The spacers comprise a planar top member, side members extending from longitudinal edges of the top member, and wings extending outwardly from a central position of the side members. The rail comprises a substantially elongated planar member and first and second substantially parallel elongated side-walls perpendicularly connected to the planar member. The side-walls each comprise first and second groove members, which are spaced apart to form grooves running substantially parallel to the elongated planar member. The grooves are adapted to receive the plurality of spacers such that the wings of the spacers abut against the first and second groove members when the spacers are assembled in the railing system.

Abstract: Techniques are described for optimizing the processing facilities of a receiver in a wireless communication environment, taking into account processing performance set against the computing resources and/or power consumption required to obtain that processing performance. A radio receiver for a wireless communications system can include channel equalization means arranged to receive samples of an incoming signal and to generate an equalized output, said channel equalization means including means for processing said digital samples in accordance with an equalizer algorithm. The receiver includes means for estimating parameters of a channel over which the incoming signal has been transmitted. The receiver can also include means for selecting from a plurality of equalizer algorithms an equalizer algorithm for execution by the processing means based on at least one said estimated channel parameter. Related methods and algorithms are described. Related computer program products are also described.

Abstract: A method of processing digital samples of a signal received at a receiver of a wireless communication system includes monitoring channel conditions and generating a channel indicator including at least one channel parameter by performing at least one of: estimating a channel mobility parameter and comparing it with a threshold; estimating a channel parameter of the energy of the channel outside a predefined temporal window, and comparing it with a threshold; estimating a channel temporal duration parameter and establishing if it meets predetermined criteria; estimating a channel-zero location parameter and establishing if it meets predetermined criteria; estimating a received-signal signal-to-disturbance power ratio, and comparing it to a threshold; estimating an estimated-channel-response signal-to-disturbance power ratio; estimating the degree of non-stationarity of the disturbance at the receiver input; and selecting one of a plurality of processing routines for processing the digital samples based on said

Abstract: Techniques are described for optimizing processing facilities of a receiver in a wireless communication environment, taking into consideration processing performance set against the computing resources and/or power consumption required to obtain the processing performance. An embodiment of a radio receiver is described that includes a channel equalization means arranged to receive digital samples of an incoming signal and to generate an equalized output, said channel equalization means including means for processing said digital samples in accordance with an equalizer algorithm utilizing a set of equalizer parameters. The receiver can include means for estimating at least one parameter of a channel over which the signal has been received, and means for selecting at least one of said equalizer parameters based on at least one of said estimated channel parameters. Related methods, algorithms, and computer program products are also described.

Abstract: A hanger for mounting a gutter to a structure with a fastener. The hanger may include a bracket arm having first and second ends and extend widthwise to the gutter. A raised fastener guide portion may be connected to the first end of the bracket for delivery of the fastener. An outside gutter engagement device connected to the second end of the bracket arm for engaging the outside wall of the gutter and an inside gutter engagement device connected to the fastener guide portion for engaging the inside wall of the gutter and for receiving the fastener to mount the gutter to the structure may also be provided. A support arm may also be provided having first and second ends. The first end may be connected to the raised fastener guide portion and the second end of the support arm may abut the inside wall of the gutter when the hanger is attached to the gutter.