Next generation pervasive wireless ecosystems and mobile information apparatus are herein disclosed and enabling millions of users to migrate to pervasive digital living and enterprise. Wireless communications may include the mobile information apparatus accessing wireless local area network or by direct wireless communication. The mobile information apparatus may include a wireless unit compatible with Bluetooth and/or IEEE802.11. Mobile information apparatus may conduct a local area wireless search within short distances for discovering wireless devices in its vicinity, receive an attribute related to the discovered wireless device, establish secure wireless communication with the discovered wireless device, and transfer or synchronize digital content or applications to/from the discovered wireless device. The discovered wireless device may be other mobile apparatus, wireless televisions, wireless audio devices, wireless speakers, wireless printers, among others, in a digital living room or office. Mobile apparatus may be smart phones, information pads, or laptops with touch sensitive screen interface.

A system for lifting a vehicle via multiple slings comprises a vehicle not engineered with structural facility to withstand lifting forces, including a frame which unmodified will deform in response to vertically imposed lifting forces, frame reinforcing elements affixed to the frame at selected locations which are subject to lifting deformation, at least two lifting members at spaced-apart forward frame locations, at least two lifting members at spaced-apart rearward frame locations, and a plurality of elongate slings extending respectively between each lifting member and a common lifting vertex. Each lifting member has an enlarged lower base portion rigidly affixed to the frame and an upper lifting portion. The frame reinforcing elements resist deformation of the frame in response to vertically imposed lifting forces. The enlarged base portions of the lifting members apply forces over a correspondingly enlarged area of the frame and the reinforcing elements without deforming the frame.

An apparatus for an electronic feedback system designed to work in combination with a television set to enable a viewer to express his or her anger toward televised events by allowing the viewer to vent his or her anger in a physical, satisfying manner, yet do no harm to the television set.

System, including a code scanner, for using multi-function codes, such as multi-function QR codes, MobiTags, ShotCodes, 2-dimensional bar codes, 3-dimensional bar codes, or images to open multiple ports of a telephone device. One of the ports is a text port, enabling the system to obtain the telephone number of a device that reads a code associated with an item and then generate a lead for follow-up by an agent. The lead is sent to the agent via a text or email message. The system may also pass the lead to other agents if the first agent doesn't respond, and it may also send additional information to the telephone device. The system may include a database of item-associated information and the capability of accessing the item-associated information for inclusion in outgoing messages to the agents and/or the telephone device.

A digital phase locked loop (DPLL), a method of operating the same, and a device including the same are provided. The DPLL includes a digitally-controlled oscillator configured to change a frequency and a phase of an output oscillation signal in response to a digital control code; a main divider configured to divide the frequency of the output oscillation signal and generate a first feedback signal based on the divided frequency; and a phase-to-digital converter configured to subdivide the phase of the output oscillation signal and to generate a quantized code by converting a phase difference between a reference signal and the first feedback signal using a phase-subdivided signal resulting from the subdivision. The digital control code is generated based on the quantized code.

Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for compensating for an undesired fractional spur due to a PLL in a communication system. The communication system includes a time-to-digital converter (TDC) that is configured to execute in parallel to the PLL. The TDC is configured to determine a phase difference between a reference frequency and an output oscillation signal provided by the PLL. The phase difference is received by a processor to estimate particular characteristics of the undesired fractional spur, and the estimate of the characteristics is used to construct an estimate of the undesired fractional spur.

A circuit includes a power supply terminal and a clock parsing circuit configured to produce multiple clock signals having a common clock period and different phases. The circuit further includes a plurality of digital circuits coupled to the clock parsing circuit and the power supply terminal. Each digital circuit includes an input to receive data and logic to process the data. Each digital circuit is responsive to a phase associated with a respective clock signal of the multiple clock signals to draw current from the regulated power supply terminal to process the data to produce a data output. Additionally, the circuit includes an output timing management circuit coupled to each of the plurality of digital circuits and configured to control data outputs of each of plurality of digital circuits to prevent timing violations at one or more destination circuits.

A computer-implemented method for gain calibration is provided. The method includes sorting the calibration data of each pixel location from the offset-corrected X-ray image data into a sequence. The method also includes removing part of the calibration data from one end or both ends of the respective sequence for each pixel location. The method further includes averaging the calibration data remaining within each respective sequence to obtain an average pixel value for each pixel location. The method yet further includes generating a gain map based on the average pixel value for each pixel location.

Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques are described for dynamically adjusting, in a fan-angle direction, attenuation of radiation during an examination of an object such that portions of the object that are not represented in resulting (tilted/targeted) images of the object are exposed to less radiation than portions of the object that are represented in resulting (tilted/targeted) images of the object. As a rotating gantry is rotated, blades of a pre-object collimator are dynamically repositioned to selectively attenuate emitted radiation. A collimator adjustment component may be configured to determine how to reposition the blades based at least in part upon at least one of a desired tilt of the resulting (tilted) image(s), a translational position of the object, and a gantry rotation angle, for example.

A method and system are presented to address quantitative assessment of visual motor response in a subject, where the method comprises the steps of: (1) presenting at least one scene to a subject on a display; (2) modulating the contrast of a predetermined section of the scene; (3) moving the predetermined section relative to the scene with the movement being tracked by the subject via at least one input device; (4) measuring a kinematic parameter of the tracked movement; (5) quantitatively refining the tracked movement; (6) determining the relationship between at least one of the scene and the quantitatively refined tracked movement; (7) adjusting the modulated contrast relative to the quantitatively refined tracked movement; (8) calculating a critical threshold parameter for the subject; and (9) recording a critical threshold parameter onto a tangible computer readable medium.

A method and system are presented to address quantitative assessment of word recognition sensitivity of a subject, where the method comprises the steps of: (1) presenting at least one scene, comprising a plurality of letters and a background, to a subject on a display; (2) moving the plurality of letters relative to the scene; (3) receiving feedback from the subject via at least one; (4) quantitatively refining the received feedback; (5) modulating the saliency of the plurality of letters relative to accuracy of the quantitatively refined feedback; (6) calculating a critical threshold parameter; and (7) recording a critical threshold parameter onto a tangible computer readable medium.

A digital broadcasting receiving system is provided. A receiving module receives an M number of symbols each carrying an N number of subcarriers of a control signal. A converting module performs FFT on respective kth subcarriers of an ith symbol and an (i+1)th symbol to generate an (i, k)th converted value and an (i+1, k)th converted value. A demodulating module performs differential demodulation on the (i, k)th and (i+1, k)th converted values to generate an (i, k)th demodulation value. A combining module soft-combines the (i, 1)th demodulation value through the (i, N)th demodulation value to generate an ith prediction value corresponding to the ith symbol. A determining module identifies a synchronization segment in the control signal according to the 1st prediction value to the (M−1)th prediction value.

Radio frequency (RF) receivers having whitened digital clocks and related methods are disclosed. Disclosed embodiments generate whitened clocks having random variations that are used to operate digital processing blocks so that interference created by the whitened clocks is seen as white noise within the received RF signal spectrum. RF input signals are received by RF front-ends (RFFEs) that output analog signals associated with channels within the RF input signals. These analog signals are converted to digital information and processed by digital receive path circuitry that outputs digital data associated with the channel. The digital receive path circuitry includes a whitened clock generator that generates a whitened clock having random variations and which a digital processing block that operates based upon the whitened clock. Further, the RFFE and the digital receive path circuitry are located within a single integrated circuit.

A transport stream (TS) generating apparatus, a transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus, a digital broadcast system having the above, and a method thereof are provided. The digital broadcast system includes a transport stream (TS) generating apparatus which generates a multi transport stream (TS) by multiplexing a normal stream and a turbo stream having a variable coding rate, a transmitting apparatus which re-constructs the multi TS by processing the turbo stream, and transmits the re-constructed multi TS, and a receiving apparatus which receives the re-constructed multi TS, and decodes the normal stream and the turbo stream respectively, to recover normal data and turbo data. Accordingly, a multi TS, which includes normal stream and a turbo stream of various coding rates, can be transmitted and received efficiently.

Generating a digital-media-enhanced electronic record of a locate and/or marking operation performed by a locate technician. The locate and/or marking operation comprises locating and/or identifying, using at least one physical locate mark, a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities. A location of the at least one underground facility and/or the at least one physical locate mark is electronically rendered on a display device so as to generate an electronic visual representation of the locate and/or marking operation. At least one digital media file representation of a corresponding digital media file relating to at least one aspect of the locate and/or marking operation or an environment of the dig area is also electronically rendered on the display device, so as to generate a digital-media-annotated representation of the locate and/or marking operation. Information relating to the digital-media-annotated representation of the locate and/or marking operation is electronically transmitted and/or stored so as to generate the digital-media-enhanced electronic record of the locate and/or marking operation.

A transmission line is provided in which a first portion of the transmission line is configured to be connected to a source, and a second portion of the transmission line is configured to be connected to a load. A capacitive element is coupled to the transmission line and is configured to compensate for an impedance difference between the load and at least one of the source or the transmission line, at a frequency within a frequency bandwidth of the load. A difference between an internal capacitance of the first portion of the transmission line and the second portion of the transmission line substantially matches the capacitance of the capacitive element.

A method for electrically charging a high-voltage battery of a subject vehicle includes resolving a geographic location of the subject vehicle at a remote charging site, electrically charging the high-voltage battery through a connection of the subject vehicle to an electric power outlet at the remote charging site, monitoring cumulative electric power flow to the high-voltage battery of the subject vehicle, communicating the cumulative electric power flow to a central server, and reconciling billing for the cumulative electric power flow between an owner of the subject vehicle and an owner of the remote charging site.

An electrical generator includes a stator having fractional-slot concentrated windings and a rotor having field windings. A drive is provided having a circuit to control current flow to the field windings and a controller to input an initial DC field current demand to the circuit to cause the circuit to output an initial DC field current representative of a DC field current demand that would cause an electrical generator having sinusoidal stator windings to output a desired AC power. The controller receives feedback on the magnetic field generated by the initial DC field current, isolates an ideal fundamental component of the magnetic field based on the feedback and to generate a modified DC field current demand, and inputs the modified DC field current demand to the circuit, thereby causing the circuit to output an instantaneous non-sinusoidal current to the field windings to generate a sinusoidal rotating air gap magnetic field.

Systems and methods for monitoring excitation of a generator based on a faulty status of a generator breaker are provided. According to one embodiment, a system may include a controller and a processor communicatively coupled to the controller. The processor may be configured to receive, from a contact associated with a generator breaker, a reported status of the generator breaker, receive operational data associated with one or more parameters of a generator associated with the generator breaker, and correlate the reported status of the generator breaker and the operational data. Based on the correlation, the processor may establish an actual status of the generator breaker, and, based on the actual status, selectively modify a mode of excitation of the generator.

The rotary electrical machine is capable of functioning as a generator and outputs a continuous output voltage (Ub+) that is adjustable by an excitation current. The digital regulator (2) of the machine comprises an excitation current control means (7) and a control loop (6) that includes a device (10) for measurement, by sampling, of the output voltage (Ub+), the measurement device generating a signal sampled at a predetermined first sampling frequency (F1 e). The machine has a bandwidth that is limited by a predetermined first cutoff frequency (F1 c). The measurement device includes an apparatus for oversampling such that the first sampling frequency (F1 e) is greater than twice the first cutoff frequency (F1 c), and the control loop also includes an apparatus (12) for decimating the sampled signal.

A contacting-type conductivity sensor includes an electrically-insulative plastic body and a plurality of electrodes. The plurality of conductive electrodes is disposed in the plastic body. Each electrode is constructed of plastic and fused with the electrically-insulative plastic body. A method of manufacturing the conductivity sensor is provided along with a single-use bioreactor employing the sensor.

A turf cutter device, an infill extractor/collector device, and a turf wind-up device are used to facilitate the cost-effective removal of an infilled synthetic turf and the subsequent installation of a new turf at the same site, with minimal subsurface disruption. An infill extractor/collector device mounted on a motorized vehicle moves a relatively narrow strip of filled artificial turf from the surface, in front of the vehicle, and directs the strip to an infill removal station. The infill removal station inverts the strip and redirects the strip back toward the front of the vehicle, after agitating the strip to extract the infill. After redirecting the strip toward the front of the vehicle, the vehicle drives over the unfilled strip. Meanwhile, the extractor/collector device moves the extracted infill rearwardly to a bag located in a trailer. The turf cutter device is used prior to infill extraction, while the turf wind up device may be used before or after infill extraction, depending on whether infill extraction takes place at the field or at a remote site, respectively.

An amplifier receives an amplitude signal of a polar modulated signal at a base terminal of a transistor and receives a phase modulated carrier signal of the polar modulated signal at the base terminal of the transistor. The amplifier combines the amplitude signal and the phase modulated signal to produce a full complex waveform at a collector terminal of the transistor.

A modulator generates a baseband digital signal from an information-bearing digital signal. The baseband signal has time-varying phase and amplitude defined by a sequence of complex data words, each having an in-phase (I) component and a quadrature (Q) component. A noise-shaping modulator generates a noise-shaped digital signal from the baseband digital signal such that quantization noise in the noise-shaping modulator is attenuated by a spectral null of its noise transfer function. The spectral null is selected by a noise-shaping parameter corresponding to a selected one of a plurality of output frequencies. A signal converter generates an analog signal conveying the information of the information-bearing digital signal on an analog carrier signal having the selected output frequency.

A method for tuning a digital compensation filter within a transmitter includes: obtaining at least one resistance-capacitance (RC) detection result, wherein the digital compensation filter includes an RC compensation module; and tuning the digital compensation filter by inputting the RC detection result into the RC compensation module. For example, the RC detection result may correspond to a detected value representing a product of a resistance value and a capacitance value. In another example, the at least one RC detection result may be obtained by performing RC detection on at least a portion of the transmitter without individually measuring resistance values of resistors therein and capacitance values of capacitors therein. An associated digital compensation filter and an associated calibration circuit are also provided.

A digital pulse width modulation controller includes a pulse width modulation controller, a selection unit having at least one selector, a comparison unit having at least one comparator, and a signal conversion unit having at least one digital-to-analog converter. The digital-to-analog converter generates a reference current and/or voltage. The comparator receives the reference current and/or voltage, and performs a comparison operation to generate a comparison signal based on a feedback signal. The selector selects one selection signal to input into the pulse width modulation controller, which receives other parameters set by a user or the system at the same time so as to control characteristics of the digital pulse width modulation signals, thereby improving the electric properties of a loading circuit.

A frequency modulator includes a digitally-controlled oscillator (DCO) arranged for producing a frequency deviation in response to a modulation tuning word and a phase-locked loop (PLL) tuning word. In addition, another frequency modulator includes a DCO and a DCO interface circuit. The DCO is arranged for producing a frequency deviation in response to an integer tuning word and a fractional tuning word. The DCO interface circuit is arranged for generating the integer tuning word and the fractional tuning word to the DCO, wherein the fractional tuning word is obtained through asynchronous sampling of a fixed-point tuning word.

Embodiments of digital high-speed bi-phase modulator and method for bi-phase modulation are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the digital high-speed bi-phase modulator comprises a high-speed digital divider, a high-speed digital multiplexer, and matched signal paths provided between the divider and the multiplexer. The high-speed digital divider is configured to receive a carrier signal and generate complementary output signals. The high-speed digital multiplexer is configured to switch between the complementary output signals and generate a bi-phase modulated output at a carrier frequency (fc) modulated with a bi-phase code. The bi-phase code may be provided to control inputs of the multiplexer.

The present invention relates to a digital modulation method and a corresponding modulator. The modulator comprises a transcoder (110) followed by a FIFO register (120) and a 2-PSK modulator (130). The transcoder codes a binary word of fixed size into a code word of variable size using a transcoding table. The transcoding table codes at least one first binary word, leading to a first number of phase transitions at the output of the modulator, into a second word of size greater than that of the first word, leading to, at the output of the modulator, a second number of phase transitions less than the first number of phase transitions.

The present invention provides a digitally controlled, current starved, pulse width modulator (PWM). In the PWM of the present invention, the amount of current from the voltage source to the ring oscillator is controlled by the proposed header circuit. By changing the header current, the pulse width of the switching signal generated at the output of the ring oscillator is dynamically controlled, where the duty cycle can vary between 50% and 90%. A duty cycle to voltage converter is used to ensure the accuracy of the system under process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) variations. The proposed pulse width modulator is appropriate for dynamic voltage scaling systems due to the small on-chip area and high accuracy under process, voltage, and temperature variations.

A memristor-based emulator including a memristor circuit for use in digital modulation that includes a first current feedback operational amplifier (CFOA) having multiple terminals in communication with a capacitor Cd and in further communication with a resistor Ri. A second CFOA having multiple terminals is in communication with the first CFOA and is adapted to be in further communication with a voltage vM to provide an input current iM for integration by a capacitor Ci. A nonlinear resistor is in communication with the second CFOA. A third CFOA having multiple terminals is in communication with the nonlinear resistor and is in further communication with the first CFOA and a resistor Rd. The third CFOA and the resistor Rd act as an inverting amplifier associated with the nonlinear resistor to increase a current gain to increase a difference between ON and OFF values of a resistance of a realized memristor.

Circuit breakers include an arc chamber and an arc chute comprising a plurality of arc plates in the arc chamber. The circuit breakers also include a line conductor assembly with at least one arc runner attached to a line conductor in the arc chamber. The arc runner can extend below but adjacent to a bottom arc plate to thereby guide a respective arc into the arc chute.

A method for sanitary beverage can packaging incorporates a plastic sanitation sheet between the tops of the beverage cans and a plastic can retainer. The sanitation sheet covers the tops of the cans, protecting them from dust and overhead spills. Some embodiments use a watertight or airtight seal of the sanitation sheet around the can rim. Some embodiments include visible indicators of seal breakage or direct contamination, using moisture or oxygen detection. Some indicators create a hole in the sanitation sheet. Other indicators provide visible warning text or symbols. The sheet and indicators provide both actual contaminant protection and visible indication of contamination. Embodiments include the plastic sanitation sheet, integration with beverage cans, and a method for use in providing assured sanitary cans to consumers.

A bound system including a plurality of pages and a cover and/or divider including a bound outer edge and a plurality of free outer edges. The cover and/or divider may be bound to the plurality of pages along the bound edge. The cover and/or divider may include one or more discreet tabs extending generally outwardly relative to one of the edges. Each tab may be integrally formed from a single piece of material with the rest of the cover and/or divider. Each tab further may have an opening formed therethrough and is configured to receive at least part of a binding device therethrough to thereby couple the cover and/or divider to the binding device.

Graphite and/or carbon surfaces are coated with a titanium nitride coating by exposing the substrate to electric arc thermal spray process wherein titanium wire as the source of titanium and nitrogen is used as the propelling (atomizing) gas.

An analog-to-digital converter can use a variable sampling rate. By using a variable sampling rate analog-to-digital converter and an anti-aliasing filter lower sampling rates, and accordingly, generally lower power consumption may be achieved. For example, a lower sampling rate can be used when it is determined that no undesirable signals are present and a higher sampling period can be used when an undesirable signal is present. Determining the presence of an undesired signal can be based on signal-to-noise ratio, over-sampling, bit error rate, using a detector, etc. An undesirable signal can be any signal that is close in frequency to a signal of interest or a signal farther away in frequency that has a relatively high amplitude. Sampling rate can be varied in a binary fashion, stepwise, continuously, etc.

A device and method to facilitate wearing of jewelry items which have hoop and clasp closures, comprising: a base or clamp for stabilizing the device on a surface; a wire guide member protruding from the base and affixed securely thereto, the wire guide having hook at its opposite end for engaging a distal hoop or link on an unclasped jewelry item, thereby permitting a person to: a. engage one end of a jewelry object with a device, b. open a complementary jewelry clasp with one or both free hands, c. position a wrist or neck within the bight of the jewelry item, d. close the clasp upon the hoop link, and e. slidably remove the clasped jewelry item from the device.

A machine for distributing blowing wool from a bag of compressed blowing wool is provided. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing wool. A shredding chamber is positioned downstream from the chute and configured to shred and pick apart the blowing wool. The shredding chamber includes a plurality of shredders configured for rotation. Each shredder includes a plurality of paddle assemblies mounted to a shredder shaft. Each paddle assembly has a plurality of paddles. The paddles have a hardness within the range of 60 A to 70 A Durometer to better grip the blowing wool for shredding and prevent jamming of the blowing wool within the shredder.

Systems for treating biomass for the production of ethanol are disclosed. The systems are configured to treat a liquid component separated from biomass to yield sugars available to be fermented into a fermentation product. The systems comprise a filter configured to remove particulate matter to provide a filtered component and an apparatus configured to remove inhibitors from the filtered liquid component provide a treated liquid component comprising sugars available for fermentation. Methods for treating for treating biomass useful in the production of a fermentation product are also disclosed. The methods include the steps of filtering a liquid component to remove particulate matter thereby yielding a filtered liquid component, and treating the filtered liquid component to remove inhibitors thereby yielding a treated liquid component comprising sugars available to be fermented into a fermentation product.

A semi-automated system suitable for use in a hospital setting for filling patient-specific liquid prescriptions to be administered by oral syringes on a just-in-time basis. The system enables hospital pharmacists to simplify and streamline their task, increasing the number of prescriptions that can be filled in a day, improving patient safety and care by minimizing medication errors and the consequences that ensue.

A pressure-stable cylinder/piston unit which blocks water vapor and oxygen and is designed for a needle-free injector, with a chamber arranged in a cylinder, which blocks water vapor and oxygen, and designed for long-term and sterile storage of an injection solution, an end wall with at least one nozzle bore or one outlet element, a pressure-stable outer cylinder, and a pressure-stable piston arranged movably in the chamber and blocking water vapor and oxygen. Methods for bubble-free, automatic or manual filling of the cylinder/piston unit, also at atmospheric pressure are also disclosed.

Circuits and processes for detecting a peak value of an input signal are disclosed. In one example, a peak detector circuit may sample a line sense signal, determine the peak value of the line sense signal during a search window, and output a peak detection signal representative of the determined peak value. In a first mode, the peak detector circuit may cause the peak detection signal to be representative of the determined peak value from an immediately preceding search window. In a second mode, the peak detector circuit may cause the peak detection signal to follow the sampled line sense signal. The peak detector circuit may operate in the second mode in response to the sample of the line sense signal being greater than a peak value of the line sense signal from an immediately preceding search window by more than a threshold amount.

Aqueous binder compositions with reduced rates of salt precipitation are described. The compositions may include a carbohydrate and a sequestrant for sequestering one or more multivalent ions (e.g., Ca2+, Mg2+, Ba2+, Al3+, Fe2+, Fe3+, etc.). The sequestrant reduces a precipitation rate for the multivalent ions from the aqueous binder composition. Methods of reducing salt precipitation from a binder composition are also described. The methods may include the steps of providing an aqueous binder solution having one or more carbohydrates. They may also include adding a sequestrant for one or more multivalent ions to the aqueous binder solution. The sequestrant reduces a precipitation rate for the multivalent ions from the binder composition.

A system and method for interactively producing a 3D representation of a vector graphic is disclosed. A vector graphic representing a 2D graphic having a number of endpoints joined by vector segments is automatically or interactively converted into a triangulated mesh in a form readable by a 3D printer. The conversion from vector graphic to a triangulated mesh is accomplished by generating an n-sided polygon in the vicinity of each endpoint of the vector graphic. Each of the vertices of the polygon are then be joined by a line to a corresponding vertex on the next adjacent polygon. Each vertex is also joined to an adjacent vertex on the next adjacent polygon. The process is continued until all polygons are joined, resulting in a triangulated mesh, which is then converted into a format readable by a 3D printer and sent to a 3D printer to produce the 3D representation.

A unitary assembly facilitates constructing concrete foundation pads made of poured concrete, the foundation pads being useful to support a structure or building. The apparatus comprises a unitary assembly of existing planar forms connected by taper-shaped corners using wedge connectors to define an upwardly-tapered cavity shaped to hold poured concrete until the concrete cures. The assembly is sufficiently rigid and the planar forms are held at an angle sufficient for the unitary assembly to self-release from the cured concrete without disassembly when lifted/moved vertically off of the cured concrete.

A communication system for communicating with at least one loudspeaker is described where the loudspeaker is connected to audio equipment over standard two-wire speaker wire operable to carry an audio signal. The communication system includes a master node in electrical communication with a signal path carrying the audio signal between the audio equipment and the loudspeaker, the master node also including an interface with the audio equipment, a data encoder operable to encode data signals, a data transceiver operable to place the data signals onto the audio signal at frequencies above audio frequencies. The communication system also includes at least one slave node in electrical communication with the audio signal and each loudspeaker, the slave node including a data transceiver operable to receive data signals from the master node, a data decoder, and an interface able to communicate with the loudspeaker.

The “Microcosm Terrestrial and Aquatic Landscape Habitat” is a Main Basin Pond 4 surrounded on three sides by artificial rock, “Miniature Mountains” 3 a, 3 b, 3 c or Natural Looking Imitation Rocks. The fourth, front side has no “Miniature Mountains” or Natural Looking Imitation Rocks to enclose the Main Basin Pond. Instead, here I adhere on a Pane of Glass 2 a to the imitation rock surface using Silicon Sealant 2 b or other sealants 2 c: A pond-aquarium hybrid! The “Miniature Mountains” are higher than the water level in the Main Basin Pond. On the top or sides of the “Miniature Mountains” is an Upper Pool 5. Water in the Main Basin Pond is circulated up to the Upper Pool using a Submersible; Electric, Aquatic, Pump 8. From the Upper Pool, the Water then flows down a Water Course to the Waterfalls and back to the Main Basin Pond to oxygenate the water.

A method for compacting coal in a manner suitable for coke oven chambers is described. The coal is initially compressed by means of a suitable compressing device into one or more coal cakes, and the obtained coal cakes are divided into compacted products by a cutting device. The compacted products are stacked on top of the each other such that they can be loaded into a coke oven chamber for coking. The compacted products enable the coke oven chambers to be loaded in a precise and a coal loss-free manner. The coal compacted products are easy to store.

A method for producing individual compacts made of coke and suitable for coke oven chambers by dividing a coal cake in a non-mechanical manner, wherein the coal cake is produced by a compression method according to the prior art and the coal cake is divided by non-mechanical, energy-supplying media, and the non-mechanical media supplying shearing energy are, for example, a laser beam, a high-pressure water jet, an abrasive-solid jet, an ultrasonic beam, a compressed-air jet, or a gas jet. By using the method, coal compacts can be produced from coal cakes without forming dust, without wearing out cutting tools, and with high precision.

A digital sheet-fed printing method includes providing one cycle of printing to print on a series of sheets of paper whose number is equal to the least common multiple of respective numbers of allocated positions; producing a reference signal on the basis of which an image in each color is printed on the sheet of paper; detecting with an image detection sensor means a mutual out of register between images in different colors printed on each sheet of paper in the series, furnishing the printing control means with a detection signal for each sheet of paper from the image detection sensor, and correcting the timing at which each image is printed on each sheet of paper in one cycle of printing so that timings to print the images in different colors on each sheet of paper coincide with one another; and printing images in the different colors.