Abstract: A remote terminal for use at an access network node of a network provides a plurality of telecommunications services, the remote terminal providing selected ones of the telecommunications services to at least one corresponding terminal device. The telecommunications services provided by the network include a plain old telephone service (POTS), a an integrated service digital network service (ISDN), and internet services such as xDSL. In one embodiment, the remote terminal comprises: a digital signal processor coupled for communication with the network, the digital signal processor having a plurality of terminal ports; and a plurality of subscriber line interface circuit (SLIC's), each of the SLIC's providing an interface between a corresponding one of the terminal ports and at least one corresponding terminal device, the digital signal processor being configured to provide selected ones of the telecommunications services to corresponding ones of the terminal devices.

Abstract: A VTOL vehicle including a fuselage with two foldable wings, two tiltable nacelles attached to the wings, a vertical stabilizer, a horizontal stabilizer, and two auxiliary thrusters. Each nacelle contains a system of vanes located at the rear opening thereof, and actuators are provided for extending and retracting the vanes in conjunction with nacelle tilting mechanisms to deflect the airflow over a predetermined range of angles from the horizontal. Each nacelle also contains two rotary engines, each of which directly drives a fan. The fans face each other and operate in counter-rotating directions at the same rotational speed. An alternative embodiment includes two additional nacelles attached to the fuselage instead of having the auxiliary thrusters. A redundant computerized flight control system maintains stability of the vehicle as it transitions from one flight mode to another.

Abstract: A portable ramp and load support assembly including a pair of rigid, elongated, first and second ramp components hinged together at adjoining ends by a simple pivot pin. The apparatus is made of light-weight, injection molded plastic material, and is provided with a resilient, non-slip surface on its upper side. The ground-engaging end and vehicle-engaging end are also specially configured to prevent slippage and dislodgment during use. The assembly also includes a plurality of accessory parts including disconnectable legs for allowing the ramp apparatus to be used as a grooming table, examination table, game-cleaning table, etc., and floats, wheels, pull handles and other accessories that can be attached to extend the utility of the apparatus.

Abstract: A data exchange process is implemented by a computer system coupled for communication with a remote index server via a network. The process provides for transfer of a data block from a source host having an internal source data format, to a destination host having an internal destination data format different from the source data format. The process includes the steps of: determining characteristics of the source data format by comparing the source data format to sets of data format characteristics stored in a memory storage space of the computer system to determine if a predetermined relationship exists between the characteristics of the source data format and a particular one of the sets, and if so, a source driver associated with the particular set is accessed from memory of the computer system, the source driver being capable of extracting a data block from the source host and converting the format of the data block to an intermediate data format.

Abstract: The invention discloses a retractable rudder device attached to the water jet nozzle of a watercraft. In a non-deployed condition, the rudders are latched in position and completely out of the water stream underneath the craft. When deployed, two rudders aligned with the axis of the steering nozzle, are rotated into position via springs and cables. The rudders pivot independently of each other, and will retract if contact with an underwater object is made or the craft is beached. A cable system connected to a control unit lowers the rudders into the deploy position. The cable system is actuated by a hydraulic cylinder using fluid pressure from the jet pump. The deployment rate can be varied by altering the fluid pressure in the hydraulic cylinder, and is a function of boat speed. Deployment of the retractable rudder system is determined by an electronic control system.

Abstract: Graphics card apparatus with improved heat dissipation and including a planar metallic cover plate having an external perimeter configuration that generally corresponds to the plan-form of the printed circuit board used in the graphics card assembly, a plurality of thermal transfer blocks that can be selectively affixed to sources of thermal energy on the graphics card assembly and thermally coupled to the cover plate, and a fan and carriage therefor comprised of a heat sink and flow directing structure. Heat generated by the active board elements is transferred to the thermal blocks, sinked in part to the cover plate and ultimately removed from blocks and plate by air flow drawn into and through thermal baffles or vanes in the cooling structure. The outer surface of the cover plate also provides a broad surface upon which the manufacturer or marketer can display artwork, trademarks or other decorative indicia.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring mass flow rate of fluid materials including a rotationally oscillating probe attached to a support at one of its ends and adapted for extension into a flow stream. The fluid flowing thereabout interacts with the probe to produce an oscillatory Magnus lift force that is distributed along the portion of the probe exposed to the fluid stream and is directed substantially perpendicular to both the direction of fluid flow and to the rotational axis of the probe. The amplitude of the rotational oscillation is related to the fluid's mass flow rate and is determined using motion-responsive sensors. Electronic circuitry and processor means convert electrical signals generated by the sensors to develop an output signal proportional to mass flow rate. The probe assembly can be implemented in various forms including “concentric tuning fork”, “linear rotational tuning fork” and “parallel rotational tuning fork” arrangements.

Abstract: An improved image sensing array including a semiconductive substrate having formed therein an array of discrete substrate areas organized in rows and columns. The array of areas is segmented into a plurality of blocks, each including a sub-array of the areas. At least one of the rows of each block has at least one reader cell formed therein, and the remaining rows of the block have photosensor cells formed in each area thereof. Each column of each block forms a column block including a plurality of photosensor cells, and a node line communicatively coupling each photosensor cell of the column block to an associated reader cell. A row address line is coupled to each photosensor cell in a particular row of the array. A column bit line is coupled to each reader cell in a particular column of the array. A block select line is coupled to each reader cell in a particular row of the array containing reader cells.

Abstract: A planar waveguide integrated optic switch suitable for use in optical cross-connect applications. A narrow trench in the planar waveguide core layer is filled with a liquid crystal material possessing positive birefringence. When held at a temperature a few degrees above the clearing point, the liquids crystal's isotropic refractive index is matched to that of the core layer allowing nearly complete optical transmission through the switch. When held at a temperature a few degrees below the clearing point, the liquid crystal's ordinary refractive index is lower than that of the core layer and both polarizations of the incident optical radiation are totally reflected from the trench. When coupled with planar waveguide beam expanding and refocusing elements, arrays of the switches can be used to form an optical cross-connect capable of fully interconnecting linear arrays of single- or multi-mode optical fibers with very low optical loss.

Abstract: A line system for steering a kite is described, which achieves the five elementary functions for steering a kite (steering to the right, steering to the left, safety function, rearward flight/start-up and depowering) with only three lines.

Abstract: An improved contact probe pin for wafer probing apparatus including an elongated metal conductor having a connector (or proximal) end, a center or medial section coated with an elastic material, and a contact pad engaging tip end. At least a portion of the center section of the probe pin is coated with a poorly conductive, but highly elastic material so as to enhance its flex characteristics. The coating may uniformly cover a portion of the center section of the probe pin or it may take on a predetermined pattern or shape. The coating may also unevenly cover a portion of the center section of the probe pin. The coating is selected such that it augments or enhances the resiliency of the pin and causes it to have a predetermined stress-strain profile with vertical (or Z-axis) displacement, and thus enables it to have predetermined probe pin tip contact force characteristics.

Abstract: A system and process for generating a control program for execution by a programmable logic control unit including the steps of: providing a variable editing user interface allowing a user to define and edit variables including input variables and output variables; providing a program level editing user interface allowing the user to edit a program level; providing a state editing user interface allowing a user to define and edit a plurality of states of the control program; providing a condition editing user interface allowing a user to define and edit at least one condition for each of the states of the control program; and generating the control program as a function of associative relationships of the variables, states, and conditions.

Abstract: A Flare Strut System including a plurality of strut pairs, each forming an assembly for transferring force between wall and a roof continuity element. Each assembly is comprised of two elongated strut elements, or load transfer members, each including a longitudinal rotation and adjustment member at one end thereof, a first end connector assembly for facilitating connection of one end of the strut element to a wall, and a second end connector assembly for facilitating attachment of the other end of the strut element to a continuity element connection assembly, the latter assembly being adapted to combine with a corresponding connection assembly and sandwich the continuity element therebetween. Each strut element is adapted to angularly intersect both the engaged wall and the continuity element at acute angles which are determined by the particular buildings design.

Abstract: A vented bag includes a length of tubular gas-impervious material sealed to closure at at least one end thereof by a plurality of spaced apart seal lines each including a discontinuity proximate one end thereof. The discontinuities in adjacent ones of the seal lines are disposed proximate opposite ends of the lines so that the discontinuities, the lines and the adjoining material form a tortuous channel providing communication between the interior of the bag and the exterior of the bag.

Abstract: A sputtering apparatus and method for high rate deposition of electrically insulating and semiconducting coatings with substantially uniform stoichiometry. At least one set of vertically mounted, dual and triple rotatable cylindrical (or planar) magnetrons with associated vacuum pumps, form semi-isolated sputtering modules. The sputtering modules can be independently controlled for the sequential deposition of layers of similar or different materials. Constant voltage operation of AC power with an optional reactive gas flow feedback loop maintains constant coating stoichiometry during small changes in pumping speed caused by substrate motion. The coating method is extremely stable over long periods (days) of operation, with the film stoichiometry being selectable by the voltage control point.

Abstract: A method for enabling users to exchange group electronic mail by establishing individual profiles and criteria, for determining personalized subsets within a group. Users establish subscriptions to an electronic mailing list by specifying user profile data and acceptance criteria data to screen other users. When a user subscribes, a web server establishes and stores an individualized recipient list including each matching subscriber and their degree of one-way or mutual match with the user. When the user then sends a message to the mailing list, an email server retrieves 100% her matches and then optionally filters her recipient list down to a message distribution list using each recipient's message criteria. The message is then distributed to matching users. Additionally, email archives and information contributions from users are stored in a database. A web server creates an individualized set of web pages for a user from the database, containing contributions only from users in his recipient list.

Abstract: A spinal fusion implant device is provided for insertion into a generally cylindrical bore formed between adjacent vertebrae. The device includes: a shaft having a longitudinal central axis; and a plurality of projections extending radially from the shaft and terminating in a surface, each of the projections being oriented to form a thread like segment for engaging the internal surface of the cylindrical bore to advance the device axially into the bore upon rotation of the device about the longitudinal axis. In an embodiment, each of the projections includes an elongated member terminating in a surface including at least one rib adapted to form a thread like segment for engaging the internal surface of the bore. The elongated member further includes a bulbous head forming the surface at a distal end of the elongated member.

Abstract: A method and circuit for detecting primary switch (12) status in isolated DC/DC converters by observing the falling speed of the voltage level at the sensing point (node Z) is disclosed. It is noted that high impedance oscillation has a relatively slow falling or rising time when compared to a valid signal. By observing the falling or rising time of a given signal during the appropriate time period, a determination can be made to differentiate a valid signal and an oscillating signal. More specifically, two reference voltages (A & B) are provided to compare against node Z voltage to generate a sense pulse. A reference pulse having a predefined duration is compared to the sense pulse. If the duration of the sense pulse is greater than the duration of the reference pulse, a latch is used to generate a low output signal. If the duration of the sense pulse is less than the duration of the reference pulse, a high output signal is generated.