Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus for managing voice quality by optimizing the amount of attenuation placed in the echo return path based on the conditions observed during each telephone call. At the beginning of a telephone call, a pre-configured initial amount of attenuation is placed in the echo path of a communications connection that includes an echo canceller. After the call has begun, ERL is measured at a point in the communications connection that includes the attenuation. If the measured ERL is higher than necessary for the echo canceller to accurately perform double-talk detection, the attenuation in the echo path is slowly reduced from the initial amount. As the attenuation is reduced, the measured ERL reduces accordingly. When the measured ERL reduces to a minimum value required to perform double-talk detection, the reduction in attenuation is stopped.

Abstract: A Proximity Locator System for individuals includes a credit card size card which is carried in an individual's wallet. The card is provided with a wireless communication device which is used in conjunction with a locating device to locate an individual. This may be utilized to locate individuals lost at sea, in an avalanche, or under the debris of a fallen building. The communication device on the card may be solar powered or activated by a RF signal from the locator device. The card does not require a battery to power the communication device. Therefore it may be carried by and individual and activated at any time. In this manner it is fully operational when someone is attempting to locate the card. The card also contains a smart chip with vital information about the individual which can be accessed by individuals with different authority levels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel piperazine derivatives; to processes for their preparation; to pharmaceutical compositions containing the derivatives; and to the use of the derivatives in therapy to treat diseases for which blocking the Cav2.2 calcium channels is beneficial.

Abstract: A system has been developed which employs a Smart Card which is approximately the size and shape of an ordinary credit card that an individual can carry in their wallet. It contains a Smart Card chip or similar information storage device which contains information by which the person may be identified. It also contains financial information so the user can make purchases and receive credits. Wireless technologies are employed to provide communication between the Smart Card and a card reader. This card can be used in place of chips or coins in casinos and for on-line wagering.

Abstract: A system has been developed which employs a Smart Card which is approximately the size and shape of an ordinary credit card that an individual can carry in their wallet. It contains a Smart Card chip or similar information storage device which contains information by which the person may be identified. It also contains financial information so the user can make purchases and receive credits. Wireless technologies are employed to provide communication between the Smart Card and a card reader. This card can be used in place of chips or coins in casinos and for on-line wagering.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel imidazopyridine derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and their use in the treatment of diseases, particularly pain, which diseases are caused directly or indirectly by an increase or decrease in activity of the cannabinoid receptor.

Abstract: A system has been developed which employs a Smart Card which is approximately the size and shape of an ordinary credit card that an individual can carry in their wallet. It contains a Smart Card chip or similar information storage device which contains information by which the person may be identified. It also contains financial information so the user can make purchases and receive credits. Wireless technologies are employed to provide communication between the Smart Card and a card reader. This card can be used in place of chips or coins in casinos and for on-line wagering.

Abstract: The present invention is a card reader that can read cards wherein the information contained on the cards is in different formats. This eliminates the need for different card readers for each card having a different format for information storage thereon. The card reader also has a biometric identification input and a keypad for input of additional information by a user of the device. The card reader further includes a data module connectable to the card reader.

Abstract: A Proximity Locator System for individuals includes a credit card size card which is carried in an individual's wallet. The card is provided with a wireless communication device which is used in conjunction with a locating device to locate an individual. This may be utilized to locate individuals lost at sea, in an avalanche, or under the debris of a fallen building. The communication device on the card may be solar powered or activated by a RF signal from the locator device. The card does not require a battery to power the communication device. Therefore it may be carried by and individual and activated at any time. In this manner it is fully operational when someone is attempting to locate the card. The card also contains a smart chip with vital information about the individual which can be accessed by individuals with different authority levels.

Abstract: A method for generating labor requirements including the step of providing a plurality of sales models based upon historical data, where each sales model is associated with a store within an enterprise. A sales model is selected and a sales forecast is generated based upon the selection of at least one sales model from the plurality of sales models. Workload standards and labor rates are obtained and a labor forecast for the store is generated based upon the sales forecast, the workload standards and the labor rates. Store level users are able to generate the labor requirements.

Abstract: A testing and performance analysis methodology applies a series of test vector pairs to the input ports of an echo canceller under test. The test vector signal pair may represent a particular speech activity state transition, e.g., a Brady Model transition. A scoring compression function such as a sigmoid squashing function is used to evaluate quantized performance parameters. The sub-scores may be weighted and averaged to provide an overall performance score.

Abstract: A method, or corresponding apparatus, assumes a call is a Voice Band Data (VBD) call. The method disables a local echo canceller and transmits a tone that disables distal echo canceller(s) along a communications path across which the call is communicated. After disabling the echo cancellers, the echo cancellers are allowed to operate in a typical manner, such as according to ITU standards, after the call is established, including remaining disabled if the call is a Voice Band Data call and being automatically enabled if the call is or becomes a voice call. The method or apparatus is particularly useful in networks having Point of Service (POS) devices that have modems that do not send out a 2100 Hz tone to disable echo cancelling in the communications path. In one embodiment, the method or corresponding apparatus is deployed in a gateway.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a converter device. In a first aspect of the present invention, a converter device includes a board having a first side and a second side. The first side includes a first set of contacts suitable for electrically contacting an integrated circuit having a first configuration. The second side includes a second set of contacts suitable for electrically contacting a circuit board having a second configuration. The second set of contacts is communicatively coupled to the first set of contacts.

Abstract: A control valve is fluidly coupled to chambers containing fluid of different pressures for regulating flow therebetween. The control valve has a valve housing having a chamber fluidly coupled to a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber. A fluid flow regulation member is disposed in the chamber and is configured to regulate fluid flow between the second chamber and the third chamber. A diaphragm is disposed substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the chamber in which longitudinal deflection of diaphragm is representative of the pressure in the first chamber.

Abstract: A voltage comparator with hysteresis that includes a differential amplifier, voltage divider circuits and a current mirror circuit. The input terminals of the two differential amplifier circuit branches are biased at unequal potentials by the voltage divider circuits. One voltage divider output voltage is fixed and the other is variable. The input terminal of the differential amplifier circuit branch biased at the fixed potential receives an AC-coupled input signal voltage. The sum of the input signal voltage and the fixed bias voltage is compared against the variable bias voltage. A current mirror circuit, which is activated during conduction by the differential amplifier circuit branch biased at the variable potential, shunts a portion of the current used by the voltage divider circuit that generates the variable potential. This causes the variable voltage divider output voltage to change, thereby introducing hysteresis into the voltage comparison performed by the differential amplifier.

Abstract: An input signal voltage clamping circuit that provides asymmetrical, or unipolar, voltage clamping for an input signal terminal of a circuit. For a circuit having a positive power supply voltage relative to its ground, or reference, terminal and an input signal having positive and negative signal peaks, the input signal terminal voltage is clamped at positive and zero voltage levels. The input signal terminal voltage is clamped at a positive clamp voltage level which is intermediate to the power supply and ground potentials when the input signal voltage is greater than such positive clamp voltage. The input signal terminal voltage is clamped at a zero volt level when the input signal voltage is negative.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine cylinder head includes a pent roof (15) closing off a top of an engine cylinder (14) and first and second inclined surfaces (15a, 15b) intersecting an apex region (15c) of the pent roof. First and second air intake ports (20, 22) are formed in the pent roof surfaces and about respective first and second spiral axes (S1, S2) having respective radii (R1, R2, etc.) that change in magnitude and elevation as each air intake port approaches respective port entrances (20a, 22a) to the cylinder in a manner to provide air flows with in-cylinder air swirl in the same direction about the longitudinal axis of the cylinder.

Abstract: A process for producing a plastic article having a decorative appearance which comprises multiplane rotational molding polymer and additives, including decorative metalflake in such a manner as will evenly distribute the metalflake.

Abstract: A grinding machine wheel guard hood adjusting apparatus, wherein a wheel guard hood is swingably attached to a wheel guard at one end so that the opposite end of the hood may be swung into close proximity with a grinding wheel circumference. A pivot joint is provided on the wheel guard, having its axis parallel to the hood swing axis, and a housing is affixed to the first pivot joint. A screw is rotatably carried in the housing and a stepping motor is carried on the housing to drive the screw in rotatable directions. A second pivot joint, having its axis parallel to the first pivot joint axis is provided on the swingable hood at a point away from the swing axis, and a nut is affixed to the second pivot joint.