Abstract: A method of designing a building frame by a computer includes the building frame having a number of structural members of which at least some are intersecting structural members. On the computer is stored a predetermined plan of the layout and orientation of the structural members in the frame. This plan includes a design length for each of the structural members. A joint type is selected from a plurality of different joint types for each intersection of the intersecting structural members. The stored predetermined plan is then analysed to derive specifications of actual lengths and jointing details for the structural members to enable the structural members made according to specification to fit together to form the frame. The actual length for each intersecting structural member is variable from the design length depending on the selected joint types.

Abstract: A method, for use with an advanced function printer, for automatically printing a source document in a print copy format having the largest acceptable print page image size on the fewest number of print copy pages.

Abstract: A sensor alarm which provides an alarm notification of a dangerous condition within a monitored space, further provides notice of its current state condition, from among several states, with distinct message comprising a combination of encoded audible and visible mnemonics annunciations.

Abstract: An estate planning method for minimizing transfer tax liability with respect to the transfer of the value of stock options from a holder of stock options to a family member of the holder. The method comprises establishing a Grantor Retained Annuity Trust (GRAT) funded with nonqualified stock options. The method maximizes the transfer of wealth from the grantor of the GRAT to a family member by minimizing the amount of estate and gift taxes paid. By placing the options outside the grantor's estate, the method takes advantage of the appreciation of the options in said GRAT. In one embodiment the method also maximizes the amount transferred to the family member by keeping as many of the options as possible in the GRAT until immediately prior to the termination of the GRAT, when the grantor substitutes an equivalent value of assets into the GRAT for the remaining options, and then exercises the options.

Abstract: A rules-based expert analysis system for networks includes a combination of algorithmic and heuristic rules which are grouped in hierarchies in one or more related categories of network performance criteria. Each rule is interdependent in a prioritized manner with one or more other rules, and although the interdependencies are fixed the rule priorities are adaptable based on the user entered objective of the analysis.

Abstract: A knowledge based system uses a protocol analyzer which acquires real time statistical data on network signal traffic in a monitoring session and reports a session performance history as a real time composite of measured statistics and analysis-derived statistics, together with a real time report of discarded frames.

Abstract: An expert network analysis system includes multiple phases which offer a user the ability, at the user's option, to establish pretest conditions through a prompted interview which focuses the performance conditions to be analyzed and which allows the expert system to rank the analyzed results in importance with respect to their relationship to the user established conditions

Abstract: A rotary damper assembly for controlling the flow of a fluid includes inner and outer hollow cylinders, each having one or more side wall apertures, the inner cylinder being nested within the outer cylinder in a manner to permit relative axial rotation of the cylinders about a common longitudinal axis, the inner cylinder receiving the fluid flow at an axial inlet, and the flow of fluid through the assembly being proportional to the degree of alignment of the cylinder apertures.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for locking and unlocking mobile telecommunications handsets or other devices is disclosed. Each handset is unactivated at the time of purchase. Other than emergency calls, or account activation, no calls can be made using the handset unless it has been unlocked. The handset is capable of receiving a readable subscriber identity module (SIM) having a network (or other) ID and a codeword, and its operation is to be locked and unlocked with respect to the entity corresponding to the ID on the SIM. Furthermore, the handset includes a processor programmed with a unique equipment identification number and a key. All handsets manufactured as part of a particular batch may include the key, which is burned or otherwise written into a memory area of the handset so that it may not be read without its being destroyed. The handset processor is also programmed to produce a handset-specific key as a function of the equipment identification number and the batch-specific key.

Abstract: A geometric sensor includes a Monolithic Lenslet Module (MLM) subaperture array having a plurality of microlenses, each of which have an opaque center formed concentric with the microlens optical axis, at the location of the lens chief ray, to produce an integral geometric reference (IGR) spot pattern of the lens array which is used to correct for sensor errors to an accuracy comparable with that achieved with reference plane wave calibration.

Abstract: Coating a substrate with a reinforced resin matrix comprised of liquid resin and reinforcing material can be accomplished with an apparatus where the liquid resin and the reinforcing material are mixed external to the apparatus prior to impacting the substrate. The liquid resin is directed through a cylinder 12 and then through an orifice 7 in nozzle 1, while the reinforcing material is carried in a gas stream through cavity 13, around cylinder 12, and past the nozzle 1. As the reinforcing material passes the nozzle 1, it is drawn into the liquid resin. Due to the distribution of the reinforcing material around the liquid resin flow, the reinforcing material is substantially homogeneously wetted by the liquid resin prior to impacting the substrate.

Abstract: A PIV system provides a bias velocity component to each flow field speckle pattern recorded on a video array by rastering each corresponding recorded electrical image pattern by a select number of raster lines in the time interval prior to recording a succeeding speckle pattern image, thereby providing a calibrated spatial offset between recorded images.

Abstract: A rotating and translating waterjet nozzle uniformly strips the surface coatings from objects within the nozzle's swath through an array of orifices, each office having a sized hole diameter and a surface location on the nozzle which, collectively with the remaining orifices, provide a uniform stripping energy incident on the object surface.

Abstract: A center flow ball valve assembly includes a pre-loaded spring positioned in line with the valve fluid inlet port for seating the ball in the valve orifice, the spring configured in stepped diameter coil sctions including a smaller diameter ball mounting section for cradling the ball and a larger diameter pedestal section which straddles the inlet port, the spring, with actuation of the ball valve permitting fluid to pass with minimum pressure drop through an unobstructed circumferential path between the different diameter coil sections.

Abstract: A single polarization active IO device includes a crystalline material substrate having an IO circuit array comprising an optical waveguide array disposed on a major surface of the substrate by a two step proton exchange (TSPE) process, and including an electrode array disposed on the major surface in juxtaposed relation with the waveguide array to provide one or more active IO regions thereon.

Abstract: An optical power star coupler includes a LiNbO.sub.3 or LiTaO.sub.3 substrate having a major surface for receiving a circuit array of one or more surface for splitters disposed thereon by a two step proton exchange (TSPE) process, in a geometric pattern to provide an N.times.M star coupler having high polarization extinction, uniform splitting ratio, and low loss.

Abstract: Propeller phase control apparatus for use on multi-engine aircraft having, for each engine, an electronic engine control (EEC) for providing an EEC command speed and phase (S/P) signal to control propeller phase and shaft speed, and a speed and phase control (SPC) for regulating the propeller's blade pitch angle to adjust the shaft speed thereof in dependence on the EEC command S/P signal value, includes: a SYNCHROPHASER Reference Unit (SRU) having a signal processor with signal memory, the memory including stored signals definitive of a speed and phase algorithm, the signal processor calculating a common SRU command S/P signal value for all SPCs in accordance with the algorithm and in dependence on the sensed values of selected flight data indicative of engine performance, and further includes an electronic switch for each SPC, for selecting either the SRU command S/P signal of the engine's EEC command S/P signal for presentation to the SPC.

Abstract: A brake test method measures the brake force per axle of a vehicle by having an operator linearly depress the vehicle brake pedal while the axle's left and right wheels positioned on torque motor driven, constant speed rollers. The roller drive torque magnitude is periodically sampled and the samples are filtered to remove ovality discontinuities, the left and right side filtered samples are then compared to detect the maximum brake force imbalance.

Abstract: Apparatus for synchronizing the spool speed between engines of a multi-engine aircraft having, for each engine, an electronic engine control (EEC) with a speed rating logic portion having an engine speed algorithm for calculating an EEC command speed signal (N sel) and a speed governing loop portion providing for commanding engine fuel flow in dependence on a command speed signal, includes a synchronizer reference unit (SRU) having the same engine speed algorithm used in the EEC, for calculating a independent SRU command speed signal for presentation to all EEC speed governing loops, alternatively with the individual engine EEC command speed signals, in response to operator control.

Abstract: Apparatus (82) for providing write protection for EEPROMs (10) intended as a replacement for installed ROM devices, includes write protection circuitry (54) mounted on one surface (88) of a circuit board (84), the other surface (86) receiving the EEPROM, providing a direct plug-in module for retrofit of installed ROM devices.