Abstract: In some embodiments, an optical communication system may include an optical source, a modulator, and a photoreceiver. The optical source may be configured to generate a beam comprising a series of light pulses each having a duration of less than 100 picoseconds. The photoreceiver may have a detection window duration of less than 1 nanosecond. When a first pulse travels through a variably refractive medium, photons in the first pulse may be refracted to travel along different ray paths to arrive at the photoreceiver according to a temporal distribution curve. A full width at half maximum (FWHM) value of the temporal distribution curve may be at least three times as large as a coherence time value of the first pulse, and the detection window of the photoreceiver may be at least six times as large as the FWHM value of the temporal distribution curve.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to image data verification. In examples, a discrete cosine transform (DCT) is performed on image data and used to generate a set of DCT coefficients. In some instances, multiple block sizes are used when processing the image data, such that a set of DCT coefficients is generated for each block size. The resulting sets of DCT coefficients for the plurality of block sizes may be processed according to an expected distribution to determine whether the content of the image data is likely to be authentic or likely to be altered, such that an indication may be provided in association with the image data accordingly.

Abstract: A dynamic support system mounted to a chair to permit a user to be supported in one of a plurality of positions is provided. The dynamic support system includes a seat assembly coupled to the chair and having a cushion and a pair of support plate assemblies coupled to the cushion, each support plate assembly having a central interface plate coupled to the chair and disposed between an inner interface plate and an outer interface plate, the central interface plate of each support plate assembly having a pair of pivot slots, the inner and outer interface plates of each support plate assembly coupled to the cushion by a pair of bolts extending through the inner interface plate, the pair of pivot slots in the central interface plate and the outer interface plate of each support plate assembly. The seat assembly can adjust between an anterior position and a posterior position.

Abstract: A mechanism to reduce load of a hydraulic cylinder having a body, a stem movable within the body, and a piston rod connected to the stem. The mechanism includes a mechanism body attached to the body and defining a recess, and a retainer attached to the mechanism adjacent the opening of the recess so that the retainer substantially fills the opening of the recess, and having an aperture that receives an end of the piston rod. The mechanism further includes a cap attached to the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder within the recess, the cap having a diameter greater than the diameter of the aperture in the retainer, and a spring connected to the cap at a first end and to the retainer at a second end so that as the piston rod moves relative to the failsafe mechanism body, to reduce load transfer between the piston rod and the cylinder body.

Abstract: A mechanism to reduce load of a hydraulic cylinder having a body, a stem movable within the body, and a piston rod connected to the stem. The mechanism includes a mechanism body attached to the body and defining a recess, and a retainer attached to the mechanism adjacent the opening of the recess so that the retainer substantially fills the opening of the recess, and having an aperture that receives an end of the piston rod. The mechanism further includes a cap attached to the piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder within the recess, the cap having a diameter greater than the diameter of the aperture in the retainer, and a spring connected to the cap at a first end and to the retainer at a second end so that as the piston rod moves relative to the failsafe mechanism body, to reduce load transfer between the piston rod and the cylinder body.

Abstract: A variable ram packer has an elastomeric body having a central semi-cylindrical recess and wings extending from opposite lateral sides of the recess. Inserts are positioned around the recess, each having an upper plate, a lower plate and a web joining the plates. Inserts at the junction with the wings have barrier plates between and parallel with the upper and lower plates. Upper and lower wing plates are located on upper and lower surfaces of the wings. An adhesive layer on an outer portion of each of the wing plates bonds the wing plates to the elastomer of the body. Each wing plate has an inner portion in abutment with the elastomer and free of the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A variable ram packer has an elastomeric body having a central semi-cylindrical recess and wings extending from opposite lateral sides of the recess. Inserts are positioned around the recess, each having an upper plate, a lower plate and a web joining the plates. Inserts at the junction with the wings have barrier plates between and parallel with the upper and lower plates. Upper and lower wing plates are located on upper and lower surfaces of the wings. An adhesive layer on an outer portion of each of the wing plates bonds the wing plates to the elastomer of the body. Each wing plate has an inner portion in abutment with the elastomer and free of the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A high performance on-chip vertical coaxial cable structure, method of manufacturing and design structure thereof is provided. The coaxial cable structure includes an inner conductor and an insulating material that coaxially surrounds the inner conductor. The structure further includes an outer conductor which surrounds the insulating material. Both the inner and outer conductors comprise a plurality of metal layers formed on different wiring levels and interconnected between the different wiring levels by conductors. The coaxial cable structure is formed upon a surface of a semiconductor substrate and is oriented in substantially perpendicular alignment with the surface.

Abstract: An electronic device for analyzing signal content derived from audible events, the device aiding the hearing impaired by annunciating events of interest including dangerous events. The device detects the presence of an event of interest by comparing characteristics of detected acoustic events with pre-determined reference characteristics, provides non-audible annunciators to indicate the presence of an event of interest, the type of event, and the direction from which the event is detected.

Abstract: T-connections, methodology for designing T-connections, and compact modeling of T-connections. The T-connections include an electrically conductive T-junction comprising a body and first, second and third integral arms projecting from mutually perpendicular sides of the body, each arm of the three integral arms having a same first width abutting the body and a same length extending away from the body; an electrically conductive step-junction comprising a first section having the first width and an integral and abutting second section having a second width, the second width different from the first width, the first section smoothly abutting and integral with the first arm of the T-junction; and wherein top surfaces of the T-junction and the step-junction are coplanar.

Abstract: A high performance on-chip vertical coaxial cable structure, method of manufacturing and design structure thereof is provided. The coaxial cable structure includes an inner conductor and an insulating material that coaxially surrounds the inner conductor. The structure further includes an outer conductor which surrounds the insulating material. Both the inner and outer conductors comprise a plurality of metal layers formed on different wiring levels and interconnected between the different wiring levels by conductors. The coaxial cable structure is formed upon a surface of a semiconductor substrate and is oriented in substantially perpendicular alignment with the surface.

Abstract: T-connections, methodology for designing T-connections, and compact modeling of T-connections. The T-connections include an electrically conductive T-junction comprising a body and first, second and third integral arms projecting from mutually perpendicular sides of the body, each arm of the three integral arms having a same first width abutting the body and a same length extending away from the body; an electrically conductive step-junction comprising a first section having the first width and an integral and abutting second section having a second width, the second width different from the first width, the first section smoothly abutting and integral with the first arm of the T-junction; and wherein top surfaces of the T-junction and the step-junction are coplanar.

Abstract: A wire twisting tool is provided which is adapted to be used in the installation of wire ties that are used to support a building ceiling, or other ceiling components such as piping, HVAC equipment, or the like. The tool has a central passageway through which a hanging section of wire tie can pass, a oval, coil forming recess around the passageway to allow for the formation of a wire tie coil around the hanging section, and grooved slots extending from the passageway to the end or edge of the tool, to pull or push a free end of the wire tie around the hanging section. Using the tool, an operator can rapidly produce a tight, coil of material around the hanging section, with minimal exertion.

Abstract: An electronic device for analyzing signal content derived from audible events, the device for aiding the hearing impaired.

Abstract: A wire twisting tool is provided which is adapted to be used in the installation of wire ties that are used to support a building ceiling, or other ceiling components such as piping, HVAC equipment, or the like. The tool has a central passageway through which a hanging section of wire tie can pass, a oval, coil forming recess around the passageway to allow for the formation of a wire tie coil around the hanging section, and grooved slots extending from the passageway to the end or edge of the tool, to pull or push a free end of the wire tie around the hanging section. Using the tool, an operator can rapidly produce a tight, coil of material around the hanging section, with minimal exertion.

Abstract: An apparatus to facilitate the boring of holes through obstructions when installing pipes.

Abstract: Apparatus and for providing controlled addition of a first aqueous solution having a first concentration of an aqueous chemical species at a first flow rate to a second aqueous solution having a second flow rate to provide a diluted first solution of a desired selected concentration of the chemical species, the apparatus having a second solution sensor to obtain data on the second solution selected from the second flow rate and the temperature of the second solution; a first solution sensor to obtain data on the temperature of the first solution; a pump to effect addition of the first solution to the second solution to provide the diluted first solution; and a CPU (i) to receive the data selected from the second flow rate and temperature data from the second solution sensor; (ii) to receive the temperature sensing data on the first solution from the first solution sensor; (iii) to effect algorithmic treatment of the data from the first and second sensor, to provide pump control data; and (iv) to control t

Abstract: Apparatus and method is described for using a silicon photon-counting avalanche photodiode (APD) to detect at least two-photon absorption (TPA) of an optical signal, the optical signal having a wavelength range extending from 1.2 ?m to an upper wavelength region that increases as the number of photons simultaneously absorbed by the APD increases beyond two. In one embodiment, the TPA count is used by a signal compensation apparatus to reduce dispersion of a received optical pulse communication signal subjected to group velocity dispersion, polarization mode dispersion, or other signal impairment phenomena which effect the TPA count. Another embodiment, the TPA count is used to determine the optical signal-to-noise ratio of a received optical pulse communication signal. Another embodiment uses the TPA count to determine the autocorrelation between a first and second optical pulse signals as a function of the relative delay between the first and second optical pulse signals.

Abstract: Apparatus and for providing controlled addition of a first aqueous solution having a first concentration of an aqueous chemical species at a first flow rate to a second aqueous solution having a second flow rate to provide a diluted first solution of a desired selected concentration of the chemical species, the apparatus having a second solution sensor to obtain data on the second solution selected from the second flow rate and the temperature of the second solution; a first solution sensor to obtain data on the temperature of the first solution; a pump to effect addition of the first solution to the second solution to provide the diluted first solution; and a CPU (i) to receive the data selected from the second flow rate and temperature data from the second solution sensor; (ii) to receive the temperature sensing data on the first solution from the first solution sensor; (iii) to effect algorithmic treatment of the data from the first and second sensor, to provide pump control data; and (iv) to control the p

Abstract: Apparatus and method is described for using a silicon photon-counting avalanche photodiode (APD) to detect at least two-photon absorption (TPA) of an optical signal, the optical signal having a wavelength range extending from 1.2 &mgr;m to an upper wavelength region that increases as the number of photons simultaneously absorbed by the APD increases beyond two. In one embodiment, the TPA count is used by a signal compensation apparatus to reduce dispersion of a received optical pulse communication signal subjected to group velocity dispersion, polarization mode dispersion, or other signal impairment phenomena which effect the TPA count. Another embodiment, the TPA count is used to determine the optical signal-to-noise ratio of a received optical pulse communication signal. Another embodiment uses the TPA count to determine the autocorrelation between a first and second optical pulse signals as a function of the relative delay between the first and second optical pulse signals.