Abstract: A processor is responsive to a thermistor temperature Tth adjacent a FET functioning as a switch to control power to a load (L) and responsive to drain-to-source voltage (VDS) of the FET. The processor stores the characteristics of the FET and a thermal model of the system hardware and uses a first set of equations to determine the temperature TJ at the junction of the FET in a stable region of operation where TJ?Tth is nearly constant. The processor is further responsive to a step change in successive measurements of VDS indicative of a lag of Tth relative to TJ thereby rendering Tth unusable in the first set of equations and immediately determines an initial FET current IFET. The processor then resolves TJ based upon a second set of equations comprising TJ=Tth+?TSS(1?e?t/?) when ?TSS+Tth?TJ and TJ=Tth+?TSS(e?t/?) when ?TSS+Tth?TJ where ? is a constant and ?TSS is the steady-state temperature difference between the TJ and Tth at the initial FET current IFET determined in accordance with ?TSS=IFET2RDS?J?th.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for supporting an external display on a portable device. A system on a chip (SOC) of the portable device provides a first set of graphics data to a graphics controller. The embedded graphics controller renders the first set of graphics data for output using an LCD screen integrated with the portable device. The SOC renders a second set of graphics data and provides rendered graphics data to an external display interface. The external display interface formats the rendered graphics data for output on an external, remote display.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring current, and particularly bi-directional current, in a field-effect transistor (FET) using drain-to-source voltage measurements. The drain-to-source voltage of the FET is measured and amplified. This signal is then compensated for variations in the temperature of the FET, which affects the impedance of the FET when it is switched on. The output is a signal representative of the direction of the flow of current through the field-effect transistor and the level of the current through the field-effect transistor. Preferably, the measurement only occurs when the FET is switched on.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for processing graphics to be displayed in a portable device. A current mode of operation of the portable device is identified. In a normal mode of operation, image data associated with the portable device is rendered by a graphics system of the portable device and stored in memory external to the graphics system prior to display. When a screen refresh mode of operation is identified, image data rendered by the graphics system is compressed and stored in memory integrated internal to the graphics system. The present disclosure has the advantage of allowing the memory external to the graphics system to be disabled during the screen refresh mode of operation, reducing power consumed by the portable device.

Abstract: A drinking device having a fluid-containing portion is provided. The fluid-containing portion includes a first end having an opening and a second end substantially opposed thereto. The opening in the first end of the fluid-containing portion is typically larger than the opening in the second end of the fluid-containing portion. The device also includes a holding member having a generally C-shaped channel therein. The device includes a flexible tubular member including a first end and a second end. The first end of the tubular member is connected to the opening in a second end of the fluid-containing portion. The second end of the flexible tubular member is in releasable communication with the C-shaped channel of the holding member.

Abstract: A drinking device having a fluid-containing portion is provided. The fluid-containing portion includes a first end having an opening and a second end substantially opposed thereto. The opening in the first end of the fluid-containing portion is typically larger than the opening in the second end of the fluid-containing portion. The device also includes a holding member having a generally C-shaped channel therein. The device includes a flexible tubular member including a first end and a second end. The first end of the tubular member is connected to the opening in a second end of the fluid-containing portion. The second end of the flexible tubular member is in releasable communication with the C-shaped channel of the holding member.

Abstract: A portable device is provided. The portable device includes a first graphics controller to generate a first rendered graphics data to be displayed on an integrated display, the first graphics controller including a first output coupled to the integrated display. The portable device further includes a second graphics controller to generate a second rendered graphics data and a display interface to format the second rendered graphics data for output to a first remote display, where the display interface includes a first input coupled to an output of the second graphics controller.

Abstract: A communication device is coupled to an analog telephone and a packet network. The communication device detects an off-hook condition for the analog telephone and transfers a dial tone to the analog telephone, detects digit tones from the analog telephone that indicate a called number and responsively transfers a first message indicating the called number to the packet network, receives a second message from the packet network indicating that a called party associated with the called number is being alerted and responsively transfers a ring tone to the analog telephone, receives a third message from the packet network indicating that the called party has accepted the communication session and responsively stops the transfer of the ring tone to the analog telephone, exchanges analog voice signals with the analog telephone, exchanges voice packets with the packet network, and interworks between the analog voice signals and the voice packets.

Abstract: A communication device is coupled to a packet network and includes two ports coupled to two analog telephones. The communication device receives a message from the packet network indicating a called number and processes the called number to select one of the ports and to transfer a ring signal through the selected port to ring the analog telephone. The communication device transfers a message to the packet network indicating that a called party is being alerted, detects an off-hook condition for the analog telephone and stops the transfer of the ring signal, transfers a message to the packet network indicating packet routing information for the communication session, exchanges analog voice signals with the analog telephone through the selected port, exchanges voice packets with the packet network using the packet routing information, and interworks between the analog voice signals and the voice packets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for detecting guideway anomalies. In particular, the present invention generates and couples a wave pulse into a guideway. The wave pulse travels down the guideway until it reaches an anomaly. The anomaly causes a return wave pulse. The time difference between the generated wave and the return wave allows calculation of the deference to the anomaly.

Abstract: The invention is a provider agent product and method that operates as a software interface between a telephony card and a session manager in an advanced communications network. The provider agent receives event messages from the telephony card indicating on-hook events, off-hook events, and digit events. The provider agent instructs the telephony card to provide dial tone, ring current, ringback, and busy signals to the telephones. The provider agent also exchanges messages with a session manager in the network. These messages include: invite messages, reply messages, join messages, and terminate messages. In response to the above processing, the provider agent instructs the telephony card to interwork telephony signals on a telephony channel with ATM signals on an ATM virtual channel. The provider agent is comprised of a plurality of software objects that are stored on a software storage medium and that include: a controller object, port objects, and event objects.

Abstract: A multiple use level having an elongated body having two flange-like legs which extend at a right angle from one another from the corner apex. An L-shaped bracket is rotatably attached to one of the legs such that it may be freely rotated to any desired angle, then locked in position. The bracket includes a bull's-eye level on a first face thereof and a center line vial level attached to a rotating dial on a second face. A sighting laser may be detachably mounted on the L-shaped bracket. The level may be attached to a pipe or other member using magnets disposed in the body thereof or with an attachment cord. A flange bracket may be removable attached to one leg allowing pipe flanges to be oriented, alternatively the flange bracket may be integrated into the leg. Methods and processes for positioning construction members are also disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an acoustic property analysis device that does not require the predetermination of the fast and slow axis of the material. The device generally includes at least two acoustic transducer elements that are positioned on a sample in a specific orientation relative to one another. The acoustic transducer elements are independently coupled to waveform generators. The independent waveform generators can generate particular waves in each of the acoustic transducer elements to produce a resulting wave having a known polarization. The resulting wave propagates through the sample and is affected by the particular anisotropic properties of the sample. The components of the resulting wave are generally affected differently by the anisotropic properties in the sample. For example, one of the component waves may propagate faster than another wave through a particular defect in the sample.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for processing graphics to be displayed in a portable device. A current mode of operation of the portable device is identified. In a normal mode of operation, image data associated with the portable device is rendered by a graphics system of the portable device and stored in memory external to the graphics system prior to display. When a screen refresh mode of operation is identified, image data rendered by the graphics system is compressed and stored in memory integrated internal to the graphics system. The present disclosure has the advantage of allowing the memory external to the graphics system to be disabled during the screen refresh mode of operation, reducing power consumed by the portable device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for supporting an external display on a portable device. A system on a chip (SOC) of the portable device provides a first set of graphics data to a graphics controller. The embedded graphics controller renders the first set of graphics data for output using an LCD screen integrated with the portable device. The SOC renders a second set of graphics data and provides rendered graphics data to an external display interface. The external display interface formats the rendered graphics data for output on an external, remote display.

Abstract: A mechanical handling apparatus comprising a support surface for supporting a load, and a plurality of rollers, each roller being rotatably mounted on an axle for moving a load over the support surface, the support surface comprising an aperture for each roller so that either the rollers or the support surface can be moved between a first position in which at least a part of each roller is proud of the support surface and a second position in which each roller is substantially flush with or recessed below the support surface, and at least two rollers being mounted on each axle.

Abstract: A multiple use level having an elongated body having two flange-like legs which extend at a right angle from one another from the corner apex. An L-shaped bracket is rotatably attached to one of the legs such that it may be freely rotated to any desired angle, then locked in position. The bracket includes a bull's-eye level on a first face thereof and a center line vial level attached to a rotating dial on a second face. A sighting laser may be detachably mounted on the L-shaped bracket. The level may be attached to a pipe or other member using magnets disposed in the body thereof or with an attachment cord. A flange bracket may be removable attached to one leg allowing pipe flanges to be oriented, alternatively the flange bracket may be integrated into the leg. Methods and processes for positioning construction members are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to mechanical handling apparatus comprising a support surface for supporting a load, and a plurality of rollers, each roller being rotatably mounted on an axle for moving a load over the support surface, the support surface comprising an aperture for each roller so that either the rollers or the support surface can be moved between a first position in which at least a part of each roller is proud of the support surface and a second position in which each roller is substantially flush with or recessed below the support surface, at least two rollers being mounted on each axle.

Abstract: The invention is a provider agent product and method that operates as a software interface between an telephony hub and a session manager in an advanced communications network. The provider agent receives event messages from the telephony hub indicating on-hook events, off-hook events, and digit events. The provider agent instructs the telephony hub to provide dial tone, ring current, ringback, and busy signals to the telephones. The provider agent also exchanges messages with a session manager in the network. These messages include: invite messages, reply messages, join messages, confirm messages, and terminate messages. In response to the above processing, the provider agent instructs the telephony hub to interwork telephony signals on a telephony channel with ATM signals on an ATM virtual channel. The provider agent is comprised of a plurality of software objects that are stored on a software storage medium and that include: a controller object, port objects, and event objects.

Abstract: A mobile seat arrangement is provided which is configured to collapse for ease of storage and transportation. An x-brace, a rear lock brace and a front racking brace help to hold the mobile seat arrangement in an upright position for use as a stroller, wheelchair, or other seating arrangement. The braces also facilitate the collapse of the mobile seat arrangement in a compact fashion. Placement hooks are also provided to place a seat and back portion into the frame of the mobile seat arrangement. The mobile seat arrangement can also be tilted, with the angle between the seat and back of the seat and back portion remaining constant as the frame is tilted for the user. Arm rests and foot rests are also included.