Abstract: A method for controlling a computer is disclosed wherein one or more remote locations disposed on a network are accessed in response to scanning an optical code. A first computer disposed on the network connects to a scanner for scanning the optical code of a product by a user. The scanner is uniquely identified with a scanner distributor by a scanner identification number. A second computer disposed on the network is accessed in response to the user scanning the optical code with the scanner, wherein a lookup operation is performed at the second computer to match the scanner identification number with the scanner distributor to obtain remote routing information of the one or remote locations. The remote routing information is returned from the second computer to the first computer in order to access the one or more remote locations disposed on the network. The one or more remote locations are accessed to return remote information to the first computer for presentation.

Abstract: A multi-channel fiber optic cable connector (12) is provided for aligning the terminal ends (302) of optical fibers (214) of fiber optic cables for transmitting light signals therebetween. Termini (34) are provided which include end portions defined by ferrules (218) that extend around terminal ends (302) of the optical fibers (214). The termini (34) are independently gimbaled, with gimbal points (306) being disposed distally from respective mating planes (304) defined by opposing terminal ends (302) of the termini (34). Alignment sleeves (212) are provided to align the adjacent termini (34) of optical fibers (214) included within respective ones of the fiber optic cables. The alignment sleeves (212) have internal bores (284) that are slightly larger in size than the outside diameters of the peripheries (272) of the termini (34) defined by ferrules (218), providing a clearance fit between the ceramic alignment sleeves (212) and respective ones of the termini (34).

Abstract: A plant (72) is operable to receive control inputs c(t) and provide an output y(t). The plant (72) has associated therewith state variables s(t) that are not variable. A control network (74) is provided that accurately models the plant (72). The output of the control network (74) provides a predicted output which is combined with a desired output to generate an error. This error is back propagated through an inverse control network (76), which is the inverse of the control network (74) to generate a control error signal that is input to a distributed control system (73) to vary the control inputs to the plant (72) in order to change the output y(t) to meet the desired output. The control network (74) is comprised of a first network NET 1 that is operable to store a representation of the dependency of the control variables on the state variables. The predicted result is subtracted from the actual state variable input and stored as a residual in a residual layer (102).