Abstract: A stay-on-tab container closure suitable for use on beverage cans and the like, said closure including an center panel with an downwardly displaceable tear panel, which, in one aspect, has a smooth upper surface having no visually perceptible contour features, and which, in another aspect, has low-relief contour features on its upper surface. Closures according to the invention have reduced stresses across the score defining the tear panel, thereby reducing the likelihood of stress-induced fatigue cracking which can lead to score failure when the container closure is joined to a can body and the resulting can is internally pressurized.

Abstract: A unique byte is used to bookend commands and data for the purpose of allowing inband signalling and command communication between the IWF and the BSC portions of a mobile communication system having DS0 maximum data rate transfer capability per data channel. The receipt of two consecutive ones of the unique bytes indicates that the next 2 bytes will be a command. The receipt of 3 consecutive ones of the unique bytes indicates the next byte will be data. This inband signalling and data transfer allows the IWF functionality to be remote from the main switch used by a given BSC. The CDMA system uses the inband signals to pass a plurality of data packets in parallel on DS0 capacity channel links through the MTX in a half-duplex burst whenever a data buffer within the IWF or a connected high data transfer rate mobile station is filled to a given level. This burst process may operate on a time multiplex basis with low speed data transfers using the same DS0 links to communicate with the IWF.

Abstract: A method for ordering subscriber records in a location database stored in at least one of a Visitor Location Register (VLR) or a Home Location Register (HLR) of a wireless communications network by ordering the subscriber records in subsets according to the access rates of the records. Records within the respective subsets are then ordered in a middle-rootage order based on the subscriber ID of each subscriber record. The subscriber records are then inserted into a binary tree in subset order beginning with the subset containing subscriber records having the highest access rate. This method enables subscriber records to be more economically stored and used than is possible using conventional binary trees and, thereby, increases network capacity.

Abstract: A communications system includes a dual mode mobile station and a home base station. Dual mode mobile station is operable selectively in CDMA and analog modes. Home base station includes circuitry for establishing wireless communications with mobile station in the analog mode, and circuitry for establishing communications with a wireline communications system, the base station allowing an exchange of information between mobile station and wireline system in the analog mode.

Abstract: A data processing system and methodology allow subscribers to have web business cards that are accessible by other individuals via communication networks such as the Internet. The data processing system serves as an enhanced paper business card by providing references to available communication devices that may be used to access an individual. The web cards also perform an active feedback operation to provide information about the roles played by and the status of the subscriber's communication devices. Additionally, information about the availability of the communication devices utilized to access the owner of the web card page may also be indicated to another individual.

Abstract: The invention includes a patch environment for a modifying a program executed by a Java Virtual Machine (“JVM”) while the program is being executed. The patch environment has a patch data structure defined on an electronic memory of the computer. The patch data structure has at least one Java patch for modifying a loader environment of the JVM. A plurality of data items contained in a data structure defined on the electronic memory of the computer represents each patch of the patch data structure. A second data item is contained in a second data structure defined on the electronic memory of the computer, the data item representing each applied patch of the patch data structure that modifies the loader environment of the JVM. The method of the present invention applies an ordered set of changes to a Java program while running under the control of a Java Virtual Machine having a loader environment which manages the program's loaded software.

Abstract: A job distribution system implemented by a computer network having a plurality of nodes, each having a cross-mounted local directory. The job distribution system has a job balance object, a node-processing object, and an updatable node distribution table. The job distribution system is on a first node of the plurality of nodes. A node daemon object is on each of the plurality of nodes. The job balance object has access to the local directory of each remaining node. The updatable node distribution table has a plurality of distribution data structures which correspond to each of the remaining nodes, and are updated by the node daemon object with a job status value. With these objects, the job balance object distributes the plurality of jobs by averaging the job status value of each of the remaining nodes to distribute a plurality of the pending job requests.

Abstract: A method for messaging during Inter-VLR location updates wherein a mobile station (MS) sends to a Visitor Location Register (VLR) a Location Update message having a Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI) number embedded therein. The VLR records the TMSI and sends to the MS a Location Update Accept message void of a TMSI number.

Abstract: A wireless communications systems for servicing mobile subscribers which dynamically optimizes the absolute number of channels reserved for use only as guard channels to minimize the blocking of handoff as well as new calls even under widely varying traffic and mobility conditions. This is accomplished by periodically first incorporating values, representative of traffic and mobility data typically collected in cellular systems, obtained over a given period of time, into an equation developed by the present inventors and calculating the number of guard channels needed to obtain assumed values of new and handoff call blocking; second changing the number of guard channels to the calculated value; and then third gathering data for a new period of time before returning to the first step.

Abstract: The design of electrical switches that operate under load (with current flowing) requires replacement of the electrical contact after erosion and wear experienced by arcing and raised temperatures reduce functionality below acceptable limits. A quantity of trace element or compound is implanted at a depth representative of the point at which wear or erosion requires contact replacement. When exposed by wear or erosion, the quantity of the trace element is released into the oil or other medium surrounding the contact, providing an indication of excessive wear.

Abstract: The invention includes a novel profile for a container bottom and method of manufacturing the improved bottom. The improvement involves the creation of an additional angled portion in the inner leg area of a container bottom during the formation of the bottom profile during the bodymaking step. Known container bottom profiles have a single portion in the inner leg area after the bodymaking process. The inventive profile includes the following discrete portions starting at the nose of the container bottom and working inwards towards the central axis: a nose, a substantially linear lower leg portion projecting upwards from the nose, a separate angled portion between the lower leg portion and the dome inclined generally at an angle more towards the longitudinal central axis of the container than the angle of the lower leg portion, and a dome.

Abstract: In a telecommunications system, a subscriber station invokes a sponsored-call application service program when the subscriber station originates a call. Based upon certain criteria, service logic determines whether the call is sponsored or not. If sponsored, additional service logic utilizes the location of the call origination (i.e., location of the subscriber station) and/or other attributes of the subscriber station to select an announcement from a plurality of announcements for transmission to the subscriber station. After the announcement is transmitted (i.e., played), the subscriber station is connected to the call's desired destination. If not sponsored, the call is handled as a normal call.

Abstract: There is disclosed a liquid application system for the printing, copying, imaging, converting, and related industries, and more particularly a liquid applicator means for applying moisture and coatings to cut sheets using a system of rolls and controlling surfaces, speeds, pressures, and directions of rotation of same relative to successive sheets passing through the system. In the use of the method and apparatus herein described, the liquid applied to the sheet is supplied from a reservoir or other liquid supply source to the nip between a smooth, resilient surfaced metering roll and a smoothly finished hydrophilic transfer roll. An abundant supply of liquid is supplied at the nip between the rolls which is metered by pressure contact between the resilient surfaced metering roll and the transfer roll to an exactly controlled film which adheres to the surface of the transfer roll, which rotates into contact with a cut sheet to apply the liquid thereto.

Abstract: A garment designed to be worn about the torso of a wearer, wherein the garment is made from a fabric cut according to a pattern having a plurality of edges which are joined together to form at least one seam on a first side of the garment, a seamless second side of the garment, two arm openings through which the wearer's arms may extend, and a neck opening through which the wearer's neck may extend.

Abstract: A configuration of base stations and sectors within cells of a CDMA wireless communication network provide greater call handling capacity. By optimally configuring sectors of a cell controlled by multiple base stations, fewer channel elements are required to implement the desired service and a resultant system has improved signal demodulation, lower power requirements, improved performance, and lower cost for a service provider. The base stations are configured to support "N" sectored cells to ensure that each cell has a maximum amount of capacity for all mobile users therein. This method involves configuring the sectors serviced by a same base station adjacent to one another. By configuring the sectors associated with base stations in this manner, there are fewer instances of soft handoff and more instances of softer handoff. Furthermore, configuring the sectors to be adjacent to one another ensures optimal power collection by each of the sectors during the communication process.

Abstract: A system for normalizing a Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency ("DTMF") tone is provided for use in a digital wireless telecommunications system. The normalization system has an electronic memory with normalization parameter variable that stores a redefinable value. A programmable DTMF tone generator circuit is coupled to the electronic memory. The tone generator circuit has an input terminal for receiving a DTMF message packet. A program, executable on the DTMF tone generator, normalizes the DTMF message packet by substituting the redefinable value of the parameter variable in the DTMF message packet such that a normalized DTMF tone is transmitted through an output terminal of the DTMF tone generator circuit.

Abstract: A test generation method and apparatus for generating an executable testcase from a high-level functional description that is generated from functional description data relating to a target system. Provided is a computer system with a knowledge base stored on an electronic memory storage device. The knowledge base has a set of functional description data that relates to the target system on which a software function is to be tested. Through a user interface, a high-level testcase request is made for a certain function of the target system. A testcase generation program accepts as an input argument the output file and generates an executable testcase based on the set of functional description data maintained in the knowledge base.

Abstract: A financial transaction system that does not require the need for cash, checks or credit cards to carry out financial transactions. In return for prepayment of specified sum, a bar coded wristband is issued to a customer. On issuance of the wristband, a data base record is created that is cross-referenced with the bar code number, as well as an account number, an issue date and a present balance of the account. When the user wishes to purchase goods or services, the bar code of the wristband is scanned, and the amount of the transaction is than placed into the system. The corresponding account is debited. The wristband is constructed so as to be waterproof, and includes an adhesive strip with small tear strips for fastening around the user's wrist. An attempted removal of the wristband is effective to substantially destroy it and render it unusable to other persons.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for and a method of providing late call forwarding when a dual mode GSM/IS41 type mobile station has roamed from its home GSM network to a North American IS41 type cellular network. The GSM network functionally supports the GSM Optimal Routing technical specification whereby the address of the gateway GSM MSC is supplied to the interconnected IWU. When the IWU receives a redirect request from the terminating IS41 MSC (MTSO) upon failure to connect to the roaring MS, the IWU tells the GSM originating gateway MSC to resume call handling. The originating gateway MSC then completes the late call forwarding process using the call forwarding number as a forwarding address.