Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090279652 | Synchronizing Clocks Across a Communication Link - Apparatus, system and method for synchronizing one or more clocks across a communication link. A slave clock may be synchronized to a master clock by means of a synchronization signal sent from the master to the slave clock side of the link. The synchronization signal may be an expected signal pattern sent at intervals expected by the slave side. The slave clock may correlate received signals with a representation of the expected synchronization signal to produce a correlation sample sequence at a first sample rate which is related as n times the slave clock rate. The synchronization signal receipt time indicated by the correlation sample sequence may be refined by interpolating the correlation sample sequence around a best correlation sample to locate a best interpolation at an interpolation resolution smaller than the sample resolution. The best interpolation may in turn be further refined by estimating between interpolator outputs adjacent to the best interpolation output. The synchronization signal receipt time thus determined is compared to the expected time based upon the slave clock, which is adjusted until the times match. After initialization, all slave clock errors are preferably accumulated to prevent long-term slip between the slave and master clocks. Formerly independent master and slave clocks synchronized across the communication link constitute a noncommon clock which may be compared on each side of the link to secondary independent clocks, and the secondary independent clocks may then be separately synchronized by adjusting one to have the same difference from its local noncommon clock as the secondary clock on the other side of the link has from its local noncommon clock. | 11-12-2009 |
20110122981 | SYNCHRONIZING CLOCKS ACROSS A COMMUNICATION LINK - Apparatus, system and method for synchronizing one or more clocks across a communication link. A slave clock may be synchronized to a master clock by means of a synchronization signal sent from the master to the slave clock side of the link. The synchronization signal may be an expected signal pattern sent at intervals expected by the slave side. The slave clock may correlate received signals with a representation of the expected synchronization signal to produce a correlation sample sequence at a first sample rate which is related as n times the slave clock rate. The synchronization signal receipt time indicated by the correlation sample sequence may be refined by interpolating the correlation sample sequence around a best correlation sample to locate a best interpolation at an interpolation resolution smaller than the sample resolution. The best interpolation may in turn be further refined by estimating between interpolator outputs adjacent to the best interpolation output. The synchronization signal receipt time thus determined is compared to the expected time based upon the slave clock, which is adjusted until the times match. After initialization, all slave clock errors are preferably accumulated to prevent long-term slip between the slave and master clocks. Formerly independent master and slave clocks synchronized across the communication link constitute a noncommon clock which may be compared on each side of the link to secondary independent clocks, and the secondary independent clocks may then be separately synchronized by adjusting one to have the same difference from its local noncommon clock as the secondary clock on the other side of the link has from its local noncommon clock. | 05-26-2011 |
20110271544 | Bottle dryer using passive air collection - A method for drying the interior of bottles that uses an air-gathering scoop insert constructed so as to catch and direct naturally occurring air currents into the interior, thus supplying dry air, and expelling evaporated water vapor. To this end, the shape of the insert exhibits a center of gravity located to tilt the scoop forward to better aid the capture of air currents. A narrow tail resides inside the bottle, serving to hold upright a scoop lying above the bottle's neck to capture and direct natural air currents down and into the interior. Additionally, the tail of the scoop inside the bottle can optionally be curved forward, again aiding in tilting the scoop forward and advantageously directing air flows. Further, optional cutaways can be removed from the tail of the scoop which allow in-flowing air to reach the entire inside perimeter of the bottle. | 11-10-2011 |
20120031286 | Yard waste bundle frame - A means for securing parallel pieces of twine so that yard debris such as branches and trimmings can piled for bundling. The parallel pieces of twine are located such that, once the debris is piled perpendicularly between them, they are positioned for convenient tying around the debris to form a bundle for transporting and disposal. Each piece of cut twine is held in place at two points and is retained by an angled grasping mechanism that serves to pinch the twine, thus holding it secure enough to withstand the disturbances of debris being piled, yet not so constraining that the twine can't be easily removed for wrapping and tying. The roughly square frame can be folded into a substantially one dimensional form for storage. An optional twine cutting blade can be included on the frame for convenient severing of the twine from its packaged source. | 02-09-2012 |