Abstract: Multi-layer light filters provide optimized gain control, contrast, and ambient light rejection through the addition of optical layers to a basic refraction light filter. These additional layers allow adjustment of the gain, contrast, and ambient light rejection of light filters in a substantially independent manner, and can be combined to simultaneously optimize these optical properties.

Abstract: A process for automatically generating declaration statements from the external definitions (I, II) of a source file (12). The process identifies the data-type identifiers of an external declaration (I, II, IV, V), converts user-selected data-type identifiers into data-type keywords, and stores them in a first memory location (38, 50). Object declarators of the external declaration are also identified and stored in a second memory location (49, 50). External declarations that are external definitions are identified and a declaration statement for each external definition is written to an EXTERN or STATIC include file using the stored data-type identifiers and object declarators. External declarations that are typedef declarations are identified and an entry is generated in a symbol table for converting user-selected data-type identifiers to data-type keywords.

Abstract: A link controller for use in a node of a network includes a digital controller (102) that employs a knowledge-based control program (103). The device and method provide flexible master node designation, automatic installation, configuration and reconfiguration, and recognition and correction of network communication problems resulting from interference and other adverse conditions. The knowledge-based control program (103) employs an inference engine and a set of rules to dynamically optimize network configuration. Multipath is managed by locking on to reflected signals when a direct signal is unavailable. Operation is transparent to network users.

Abstract: A semaphore method establishes exclusive access transactions between source and destination nodes in a multiple bus computer system, independent of the bus locking architectures of the component buses. An atomic transaction is selected for each bus protocol to mediate exclusive access transactions involving the corresponding bus, and bridges coupling different pairs of buses monitor these buses for the selected atomic transactions. A source node on one bus (the source bus) initiates an exclusive access transaction to a destination node by launching the selected atomic transaction appropriate for the source bus to the destination node. When the path between the source and the destination nodes requires transit of more than one bus, each bridge that couples a pair of buses in the path detects an incoming atomic transaction on one of these buses and launches an outgoing atomic transactions appropriate for the other bus to the destination node.

Abstract: A system for controlling and monitoring the recording of telephone calls in institutions such as jails and correctional facilities. Calls are recorded automatically in response to the occurrence of specific triggering events, as pre-defined under software control by a system administrator. Triggering events may include, for example, use of a specific line, attempts to use particular features (such as three-way calling), attempts to dial particular telephone numbers, or use by a particular person. Recorded calls are digitized and stored in standard MS-DOS files on either a local computer system or a remote computer across a network. Stored digitized recordings may be selected for playback under software control by a system administrator. The system of the present invention allows control of recordings from within a conventional telephone system. The integrated nature of the system provides cost savings and improved flexibility.

Abstract: A link controller for use in a node of a network includes a digital controller (102) that employs a knowledge-based control program (103). The device and method provide flexible master node designation, automatic installation, configuration and reconfiguration, and recognition and correction of network communication problems resulting from interference and other adverse conditions. The knowledge-based control program (103) employs an inference engine and a set of rules to dynamically optimize network configuration. Multipath is managed by locking on to reflected signals when a direct signal is unavailable. Operation is transparent to network users.

Abstract: Audio signal connection and conditioning circuitry employs a resistive drop across the ground input for the signal source to generate a common mode voltage on both input lines. A differential amplifier subtracts the generated common mode voltage on the ground line from the common mode voltage on the source input line, leaving only the source voltage as an output. The differential amplifier output is generated with respect to a positive, stable voltage reference instead of a floating ground.

Abstract: A dimensionally stable, UV hardenable polymeric composition is provided in which a conductive filler material is combined with a solventless resin formulation comprising a low viscosity epoxide compound, a photo initiator, and a thermal cure initiator. The properties of the polymeric composition may be adjusted through the addition of reactive diluents, poly alcohol flexiblizers, and acrylate based polymers, photo initiators, and thermal cure initiators. Conductive traces produced by extruding the polymeric composition through a syringe are subjected to a preliminary UV hardening step followed by deposition of an insulator layer and additional conductive traces, until all layers of conductive traces have been deposited. The structure is then subjected to heat until the conductive traces are fully cured. The formulation and the process described produce traces with bulk conductivity at least two times higher than any comparable conductive polymer, without using solvents.

Abstract: A commissary system for receiving and processing commissary orders using a premise-based telephone system of an institution such as a jail or correctional facility without accessing a PSTN. User-provided identifier information and item selection information is entered into the commissary system through selected telephones of the premise-based telephone system. User status and inventory information stored in a memory device coupled to a processor are compared with the user provided identifier and item selection information by the processor, according to selected authorization criteria. These criteria may include sufficiency of the user's account balance, item availability, and scope of the user's commissary privileges. The processor generates transaction records for user identified items that meet the authorization criteria, automatically adjusts inventory and user status information, and stores the records in a file where they may be downloaded for record keeping purposes.

Abstract: A class AB complementary output stage provides maximum output voltage swings and high load currents with minimum power dissipation. The output stage includes a first bias circuit that generates a pair of voltage nodes with a resistor controlled bias current. A second bias circuit comprises four current sources the outputs of which are coupled pair-wise across a resistor to form a pair of high impedance nodes at the resistor terminals. The voltage nodes of the first bias circuit establish bias currents in a differential input stage and in a pair of current sources of the second bias circuit. The outputs of the differential input stage drive the inputs of second pair of current sources in the second bias circuit, which provide drive current to the high impedance nodes. The output circuit comprises a pair of complementary common source transistors, the gates (bases) of which are driven by the high impedance nodes of the second bias circuit.

Abstract: An active folded cascode includes an amplifier transistor and a source follower transistor configured as a folded cascode with the drain of the amplifier transistor and the source of the follower transistor connected to form a gain node. A feedback transistor has its gate and drain connected to the source and gate of the follower transistor while bias current provided to the drain of the feedback transistor by a current source maintains the gain node at a fixed voltage with respect to a reference voltage. Coupling of the voltage at the gain node to the gate of the source follower transistor by the feedback transistor reduces the effective source impedance of the source follower transistor, providing improved gain and bandwidth properties for the active folded cascode circuit.

Abstract: A method for producing a molecular layer of a selected molecular moiety (44) on a silicon surface (40) is provided in which a silicon surface (10) is etched to form a hydrogenated silicon surface and combined with a free radical-producing compound, where the free radical produced by the free radical-producing compound corresponds to the selected molecular moiety (44). The combined silicon surface and free radical-producing compound is then heated to sufficient temperature to initiate reaction between the free radical-producing compound and the hydrogenated silicon surface.

Abstract: A differential analog memory cell provides output signals governed by precisely adjustable voltage levels having minimal drift. The memory cell comprises a pair of differentially connected floating gate MOSFETs, each MOSFET having its source connected to a common current source and its drain connected to one leg of a current mirror. The floating gate of each MOSFET is connected to one electrode of a tunneling capacitor and one electrode of a coupling capacitor. Voltages applied to the other electrode of the tunneling capacitor inject charges onto the corresponding floating gate, the voltage of which is determined by the size of the coupling capacitor. Output voltages taken from the drains of the floating gate MOSFETs can be precisely adjusted up or down by applying single polarity voltage pulses to one or the other injector nodes.

Abstract: A scheme is presented for offsetting varactor error currents that are coupled to the gain nodes of amplifier circuits through transistors having their collectors connected to these gain nodes. For each vatactor error current generating transistor, a compensating diode circuit is connected so as to replicate the vatactor error current, and the replicated current is coupled to the gain node to offset the vatactor error current of the corresponding transistor. In order to replicate the vatactor error current of a given transistor, each compensating diode circuit comprises a diode for which the capacitance and the voltage dependence thereof substantially track those of the collector-base junction of the corresponding transistor. The voltage driving the vatactor error current in the transistor is coupled to one electrode of the compensating diode, the other electrode of which is connected to the emitter of the transistor having its collector connected to the gain node.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit providing high power efficiency and an improved phase margin includes a transconductance input stage, one output of which is connected to an input of a class AB amplifier gain stage to form a compensation node, and the other output of which drives a current gain means, with the outputs of the current gain means and the class AB amplifier forming a current summing output node that is coupled to the compensation node through a compensation capacitor. The phase margin of the amplifier circuit is optimized by selecting the gain of the current gain means to be approximately equal to one plus the ratio of the capacitance of the load to the capacitance of the compensation capacitor.

Abstract: Thin impermeable, corrosion-resistant, durable, dry lubricant coatings are provided as well as coated products and methods for the production thereof. The coatings comprise solutions of sulfur-containing metallic compounds and fluorocarbon polymers dissolved in mineral oil solvents and are applied to surfaces of substrates such as metallic surfaces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for playing a first sequence of sounds represented by data stored in memory synchronously with a second sequence of sounds represented by data stored in memory, at any point during the playing of the second sequence of sounds. A point in time is selected at which a specific sound in the first sequence of sounds must be played at the same time as the specific sound in the second sequence of sounds for the two sequences to be synchronous. The number of sounds in the second sequence which have been played before the current sound being played is counted and used to determine which sound in the first sequence is synchronous with the current sound in the second sequence. The data representing both sounds is then retrieved and used to generate, i.e. to "play," the identified sound in the first sequence simultaneously with the current sound of the second sequence.

Abstract: A four quadrant multiplier comprises X and Y input stages for coupling signals to a gain core amplifier for multiplication, wherein each of the input stages and the gain core amplifier further comprises a pair of complementary circuits, based on devices having opposite conductivity properties. The complementary X-input stage is a dual differential amplifier which provides balanced, differential outputs when loaded by the gain core differential amplifiers, due to separate cancellation of the npn and pnp base currents within the loaded X-input stage. Outputs from the cross-connected gain core amplifiers provide a pair of complete, ground referenced product signals having opposite phases. The X-input stage is also suitable for driving other complementary, differential stages such as two quadrant multipliers, voltage controlled amplifiers, and high speed analog multiplexing circuits.

Abstract: A system for proactively automating the use of a computer comprises a central processing unit (CPU), an input device, a display device and memory including a set of feature templates, context monitoring unit, input monitoring unit, feature presentation routines and feature implementation routines. The CPU is coupled to the display device and input devices for displaying information and receiving information, respectively. The CPU is also coupled to the input monitoring unit and the context monitoring unit to detect and record user manipulations of the input device and its context. The CPU is also coupled to a section of memory containing feature templates. Each template is a set of input manipulation steps and program contexts. The CPU compares the recorded user manipulations of the input and their corresponding program context with the feature templates stored in memory.

Abstract: A high temperature fuel cell (10) having first and second temperature zones (14, 16) for directly converting carbon fuel (12) to electrical energy comprises a first heat source (22), a second heat source (26), and a housing (18) that includes a non-porous section (15) and a solid electrolyte (30) having first and second electrolyte surfaces (32, 34) to which first and second electrodes (36, 38) are electrically connected. The first heat source (26) establishes first temperature zone (14) in the vicinity of the solid electrolyte (30) for adjusting the conductivity of the solid electrolyte (30) and electrodes (36, 38). The second heat source (26) is positioned in the vicinity of non-porous section (15) of housing (18) a distance from first heat source (22) to establish second temperature zone (16).