Abstract:
A bridging telephone includes processing circuitry communicatively coupled to a user interface, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) interface, a packet data network interface. The processing circuitry receives a first call setup request from the PSTN via the first interface, selectively prepares a second call setup request based upon the first call setup request, and sends the second call setup request to the Internet via the second interface. The processing circuitry may obtain and use bridging instructions to prepare the second call setup request. The processing circuitry may receive the first call setup request via the PSTN interface or the packet data network interface. The processing circuitry may send the second call setup request via the PSTN interface or the packet data network interface. The bridging computing device may optionally bridge a corresponding call and/or enable another bridging device to bridge the call.
Abstract:
A compact and portable device uniformly illuminates and magnifies the words, images, or other information on a surface, such as the words on a page of a book, while minimizing the amount of light transmitted beyond or away from the illuminated surface. The device employs a light transmitting body formed of a transparent light conductive material and a magnifying lens. The device also employs a housing with a light source and a power source for powering the light source. To receive and deflect light from the light source onto the underlying surface, the light transmitting body is configured to have a wedge shape tapering from a thicker edge to a thinner edge. The wedge-shaped light transmitting body and the magnifying lens may be integrally formed to allow seamless transmission of light between the light transmitting body and the magnifying lens.
Abstract:
Helium gas at ambient pressure is inserted into an expendable mold at a fill tube or other port exiting the bottom of the mold. The helium displaces atmospheric air in the mold cavity, and the displaced air exits the cavity through the fill tube. When the air in the mold cavity and fill tube has been completely displaced by the helium, the fill tube is submerged in molten aluminum, and the aluminum is drawn into the mold cavity through the fill tube to form a casting having significantly reduced oxide inclusions and significantly improved fatigue strength.
Abstract:
A docking adapter that interacts with an entertainment system and a parallel television device. The docking adapter may comprise a housing shaped for removable insertion of the parallel television device. The docking adapter may deliver power to the parallel television device. The docking adapter may comprise a communication pathway that carries media flow disposed on the housing. At least one module may receive a user input identifying a video selection. The communication pathway may carry the user input to the parallel television device. The parallel television device may generate a control signal that causes display of video information corresponding to the video selection on the entertainment system. The docking adapter may alternately or in addition receive the video information for display on a built-in screen of the docking adapter. The docking adapter may also deliver the video for display on a screen of the parallel television device.
Abstract:
A method is disclosed for representing locations in a geographic database in a manner that facilitates navigation and routing. A core map database includes data that represents public roads in a geographic region. Each of a plurality of location map databases includes data that represent facilities, such as businesses, stores, offices, or other places, that are physically located away from the public network and access to which requires travel on paths away from the public road network. Each of the facilities represented in the location map databases is assigned a location reference code that is associated with data from which a path connecting the facility and the public road network can be determined.
Abstract:
An infectious waste treatment system uses a chlorine dioxide based liquid disinfectant generated from combining precursors comprising sodium chlorite, acid, and bleach. The waste is ground into small pieces and soaked in the liquid disinfectant. The chlorine dioxide is generated by combining dilute aqueous precursors with a flow of the liquid disinfectant into a circulation pump. A preferred set of precursors comprises an approximately 25 percent aqueous sodium chlorite solution, an approximately 12 percent to approximately 50 percent citric acid solution, and an approximately 12 percent industrial bleach (sodium hypochlorite) solution such as Clorox® bleach. A continuous gas monitoring system measures the concentration of chlorine dioxide in the liquid disinfectant and commands the chlorine dioxide generator to generate chlorine dioxide when necessary.
Abstract:
A container for a liquid-based food item and a packaged liquid-based food item, such as a soup. A container includes an outer member and an inner dividing member that is positioned inside the outer member to define inner and outer cavities. A liquid, such as water or broth, and one or more seasonings are placed in the inner cavity. Particulates, such as meat and vegetable particulates and, if necessary, water, are placed in the outer cavity. Seasonings are separated from particulates, and the seasoning does not diffuse into the particulates. Thus, the tastes of the individual ingredients are maintained. A sealing member extends across a tops of the inner and outer members to close the package. When the sealing member is removed to open the package, the water or broth with the seasoning, and the particulates and any water can be poured from their respective cavities in a single motion. By reducing or eliminating diffusion of seasonings into particulates, reduced quantities of salt and other seasonings can be added to processed soup products and allows salt and other seasonings to be added just prior to cooking, providing more natural flavor. Separating broth and particulates within a container can also reduce sterilization times.
Abstract:
A device and method for accessing, monitoring, and controlling home appliances in a media exchange network by establishing a communication link between a communication initiation device and at least one home appliance and communicating at least one command from the communication initiation device to the at least one home appliance via the communication link. The at least one home appliance then generates at least one response to the at least one command. The commands may include turning the home appliance(s) on and off, parameter adjustment commands, access commands, monitoring commands, mode change commands, and programming commands. Appliance responses may include powering on, powering off, changing a mode of operation, sending a status to the communication initiation device, adjusting an operational parameter, and changing a programmed operational step.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a wireless headset that anchors voice communications or calls to the wireless headset. This wireless headset includes wireless interface(s), and earpiece, a microphone, processing module, and a user interface. The wireless interface(s) wirelessly couples the wireless headset to a base station via a wireless personal area network (WPAN). The earpiece renders inbound portions of the service calls audible while the microphone is operable to produce the outbound portion of the call. Both the earpiece and microphone are communicatively coupled to the wireless interface(s). The processing module, also coupled to the wireless interface(s), allows the wireless headset to process the WPAN protocol stack and at least a portion of the servicing network protocol stack. This division allows the headset to anchor the call to the wireless headset.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus are provided for an embedded wireless interface that is embedded in, for example, one of an input and output controller device for controlling input and output communications with off-board devices, within a memory controller device and a processor motherboard. The embedded wireless interface may be utilized as a wireless test access point to provide signal stimulations for test purposes or to monitor communications over a specified wired communication link.