Abstract: A method of managing communication on an unstable error-prone channel is disclosed, having particular applicability to transceiver nodes in a high frequency radio network. The method achieves highly reliable, efficient communication through the exchange of headers within control frames in accordance with a selected suite of protocols. An orderly link establishment is achieved by the exchange of headers indicating specific link establishment states of the nodes. One node having message data to transmit to another sends a herald header, and if the data is to be accepted by the other node, it responds with a herald acknowledgment header. The herald conveys parameters of the proposed transmission to the receiving node, permitting the parameters to be varied by the transmitting node for changing channel conditions. The issuance of a herald acknowledgment depends on message priorities exchanged by the nodes, so that higher priority messages can preempt lower priority ones.

Abstract: An apparatus having a distortion cancelling feedback signal that suppresses undesired signal components. One embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a balanced mixer coupled to a common-mode detector, a filter and having a resulting feedback signal that suppresses the common-mode component of the mixer output signal while allowing the differential component of the mixer output signal to pass on to additional processing.

Abstract: Newton rings on a liquid crystal display (LCD) are avoided by connecting the frame of the LCD to the chassis without deflecting the frame outward toward the chassis. A first connecting mechanism coupled to the frame and to the chassis at least partially secures the frame to the chassis by prohibiting movement of the frame relative to the chassis in a first direction, but allows at least partial movement of the frame relative to the chassis in a second direction non-parallel to the first direction. A second connecting mechanism coupled to the frame and to the chassis at least partially secures the frame to the chassis by prohibiting movement of the frame relative to the chassis in the second direction, but allows at least partial movement of the frame relative to the chassis in the first direction. In combination, the coupling mechanisms prohibit movement of the frame relative to the chassis in both the first and second directions.

Abstract: A quadrifilar antenna has first, second, third and fourth quadrature antenna elements with signals in a respective quadrature phase relationship. The antenna elements are coupled through a quadrature matching network to a transceiver circuit representing a load or a source. The matching network includes first, second and third transmission lines which are arranged in a "Z" configuration. The first transmission line matches impedances between the first and second antenna elements and communicatively couples the second antenna element with a quarter wavelength phase shift of its signals to the first antenna element. The second transmission line matches impedances between the third and fourth antenna elements and communicatively couples the fourth antenna element with a quarter wavelength phase shift of its signals to the third antenna element.

Abstract: An optical component assembly is created with reduced defects in the adhesion and alignment between the optical components. A first rigid optical component is placed into a cavity. A second rigid optical component is placed into the cavity such that it is supported by a first support device which prevents a first end of the second rigid optical component from contacting a corresponding first end of the first rigid optical component. Air is evacuated from a chamber formed between the first and second rigid optical components. The support of the first support device is removed so that the first end of the second rigid optical component comes into contact with the first end of the first rigid optical component with a layer of adhesive material sandwiched therebetween. A force is applied to urge surfaces of the first and second rigid optical components toward one another to improve adhesion between the two.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for a printing cylinder in a printing press is provided. The apparatus includes a tapered bearing housing sleeve 12 adapted for axial insertion into, and retraction out of, a tapered bore 30 formed in a support frame 20 for the printing cylinder. The tapered bearing housing sleeve 12 has an outer circumferential surface 26 which is generally conically shaped forming only part of a cone and an inner core which has a cylindrically shaped bore 34 disposed therein. The tapered bearing housing sleeve 12 has an end with a flanged tip 32 for limiting the axial movement of the tapered housing sleeve within the tapered bore 30. The mounting apparatus further includes a generally annular-shaped bearing 14 which is disposed within the cylindrically shaped bore 34 of the tapered bearing housing sleeve 12. The generally annular-shaped bearing 14 is defined by an inner ring 38 and an outer ring 40 and a plurality of anti-friction elements 42 disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring.

Abstract: A novel normally-white dual-domain twisted nematic liquid crystal display exhibits dramatically improved contrast and gray scale linearity stability over a wide range of viewing angles as compared to conventional dual-domain twisted nematic displays. The display incorporates one or more pixelated compensator layers internal to the liquid crystal cell. A pixelated compensator layer has a pattern wherein the orientation or retardation of the compensator layer varies according to the tilt domain structure of the display's liquid crystal material. Such a pixelated compensator layer allows optimal compensation for each of the differently oriented liquid crystal tilt domains. The pixelated compensator layer(s), and possibly one or more non-pixelated compensator layers, may be deposited on either a display's active matrix substrate or its (passive) color filter substrate, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An enhanced differential amplifier circuit includes an injected inverted signal to the differential amplifier. As the AGC amplifier attenuates, the inverted signal becomes increasingly significant in the total gain ratio, thereby extending its operating range. Both a single current source and dual source implementation are disclosed.

Abstract: An interface (204) for an automatic call distributor (102) which connects incoming telephone calls to selected ones of a plurality of agents provides communications with a host computer (108). An agent (112) communicates to the automatic call distributor (102) through a host terminal (104) connected to the host computer (108). The interface (204) permits the agent (112) to request the assistance of a supervisor (116), to initiate an emergency and to repeat an announcement. The interface (204) receives signals from the host computer (108) via a data link (110). The signals being representative of the desired function requested by the agent (112). The interface (204) conditions the signals for proper receipt by the automatic call distributor (102) such that the automatic call distributor (102) performs the requested function.

Abstract: A switch sentry device (22) having a digital telephony switch (SCX, 16), a device (24) for processing information, a device (24, 34) for simulating a call from the processing device (24) to the switch (SCX, 16), a device (SCX, 16) responsive to the call simulating device (24, 34) for simulating a primary ringing line (36) from the switch (SCX, 16) to the processing device (24), a device (SCX, 16) responsive to the call simulating device (24, 34) for simulation an alternate ringing line (38) from the switch (SCX, 16) to the processing device (24), and a device (24) for determining an inoperative condition of the switch (SCX, 16).

Abstract: A start-up and compression technique for transmitting data. A process is provided which utilizes the calculated difference between individual pixel values of subsequent video frames to the current displayed data in order to update. Additionally, techniques are provided for restarting on-going transmissions and for system initialization based on a variations or suspension of the described interframe compression technique.

Abstract: A radio receiver in which the received signal is spread and subsequently despread in order to identify unwanted signals. One embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a frequency-hopping spreading synthesizer that operates in synchronization with a despreader synthesizer such that unwanted signals are effectively suppressed based upon different spreading characteristics of the desired and undesired signals. Use of a logic device, in one case a digital signal processor, in combination with a state-level monitor allows for the reconfiguring of the receiver such that a state containing a large interferer can be removed from further signal processing.

Abstract: A telecommunication system (10) with a distributed processor architecture having a central control processor (14) and a plurality of subprocessor controlled peripheral circuits (13) through which the central control processor (14) receives information and affects the central control of the telecommunication system (10), a selective remote interface assembly (11) which determines the operating state of the telecommunication system (10) and is connected with a single connection modem (30) and in which the selective remote interface assembly (11) selectively obtains a relatively full featured user through the single connection modem (30) when it is determined that the telecommunication system (10) is in an on-line state and to obtain a relatively limited user interface through the single connection modem (30) when it is determined that the telecommunication system (10) is in an off-line state.

Abstract: An improved normally white super-twist nematic (OMI) liquid crystal display exhibits a dramatically improved horizontal viewing angle as compared to conventional OMI displays. The display's liquid crystal cell has a twist angle greater than about 180.degree. and less than about 270.degree., preferably between 220.degree. and 250.degree., and a phase retardation of between 500 nanometers (nm) and 850 nm. The improved display includes a novel compensator which incorporates, as one of its compensation elements, a positively birefringent oblique compensator layer (referred to as an O-plate compensator layer). Additionally, a positively birefringent A-plate compensator layer and one or more negatively birefringent C-plate compensator layers may be used in the display.

Abstract: An electro-magnetic device for use in applications requiring low-profile components. The device includes a magnetic substrate with a scheme of through-holes in association with a first and second winding, plated or wired, integral to the substrate and wound orthogonal to each other. The first winding comprises the AC inductor/transformer permeability. The second winding in association with an applied DC bias current causes the permeability to vary over a wide controlled operating range.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for cancelling distortion in a direct conversion receiver, such distortion created by the mixing of the desired signal with the output signal of an local oscillator. Subsequent to filtering the mixer output signal, the even mode distortion component is extracted, phase shifted, amplified and recombined with the mixed signal in such manner as to suppress even order distortion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing spatial nulling in antenna electronics that provides an integrated solution of signal attenuation and bi-phase modulation. One implementation is comprised of load resistors and field-effect-transistors in a gallium arsenide component configured in such fashion as to provide attenuation and bi-phase capability in response to coupled control signals.

Abstract: A system for customizing the ramp voltage pulses used to drive an active matrix liquid crystal display. The customized ramp voltage compensates for brightness problems associated with any number of parameters. The V (ramp) also can allow for customized dimming of portions of the display. The standard V (ramp) is replaced with a variable wave form correlated to the timing of the driving of the LCD. The wave form can compensate for changes in brightness caused by off axis viewing angle or can compensate for brightness changes caused by temperature. Also, the system is directed to spatially modulating brightness of pixels for an active matrix LCD to correct color or brightness problems. A driving voltage wave form, which is varied as a function of location on LCD and grey scale is generated to cause selected sets of pixels to be adjusted from an instructed grey scale.

Abstract: The SELF FILLING AND EMPTYING DATA PIPE LINE disclosed herein fills a pipeline register automatically when it is empty, without requiring a double request from the receiver. When the pipeline register is full, it is maintained in a full condition for as long as the sender has valid data. When the sender no longer has valid data, the pipeline empties itself of all remaining valid data to the receiver.

Abstract: The one-bit sigma-delta modulator with improved signal stability disclosed herein includes, in order, a first anti-aliasing filter (20), a chopper (22), a second anti-aliasing filter (30), and a one-bit modulator (32). The chopper (22) and one-bit modulator (32) are driven by a clock generator (38). The chopper (22) is introduced to provide a carrier upon which the signal may ride, thereby eliminating dc stability problems. The first anti-aliasing filter (20) eliminates aliasing from the chopper (22), and the second anti-aliasing filter (30) eliminates aliasing from the one-bit modulator (32). The second anti-aliasing filter (30) may be eliminated if the frequency of the chopper (22) is an exact integer submultiple of the sampling frequency of the one-bit modulator (32). This invention may drive a decimation filter (36), also driven by the clock generator (38), to provide a low cost analog-to-digital converter.