Abstract: A method of calibrating a measurement an inspection system used in the LCD industry is presented. An assembly is created including two substrates coupled by a transducer. Two fixtures also adhere to the substrates and are connected to an interferometer. An inscription is created by marking at least one of the substrates using a reference point on a support table of the measurement and inspection system as a reference. The transducer is then operated to simulate an LCD glass process such as a thermal process or a glass cutting process. Operating the transducer also generates signals that are measured by the interferometer and represent a first distortion measurement. The inscription is then compared to reference mark to determine a second distortion measurement. A comparison of the first distortion measurement and the second distortion measurement are then used to calibrate the measurement and inspection device.

Abstract: This invention relates to an advertisment machine which provides advertisements to a user searching for desired information within a data network. The machine receives, from the user, a search request including a search argument corresponding to the desired information and searches, based upon the received search argument, a first database having data network related information to generate search results. It also correlates the received search argument to a particular advertisement in a second database having advertisement related information. The search results together with the particular advertisement are provided by the machine to the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining real-time call by call feedback from customers is to the perceived quality of network services may be accomplished after communication via network connection between a calling party and at least one called party is completed. Upon completion, the network retains for a predetermined period of time at least a portion of the network connection to one of the parties involved in the communication. During this predetermined period of time the party provides feedback as to his or her perception of the quality of various aspects of the call. The feedback is received within the predetermined period of time, the network compiles the data which can be then used to interpret the network service quality, diagnostic information as to catastrophic failures as well as mild failures, overall service, perceived quality of new services and features, and quality of internetworking.

Abstract: A system and method for extending the time period at which a facsimile response signal can be received before a time-out occurs without altering the underlying transmission protocol. The disclosed system and method determines a response time before which a response signal must be received by a transmitting facsimile station in order to avoid a time-out event. Before the response time arrives, the disclosed system and method generates and transmits a delay signal to the transmitting facsimile station which does not substantively interfere with ongoing communications. Instead, the delay signal causes the transmitting facsimile station to tickle an internal time-out counter which results in an extension of the response signal delay tolerance. Delay signal frames can be transmitted repeatedly to accommodate any desired time-out period.

Abstract: Two methods are disclosed for storing multimedia data that reduces the amount of disk I/O required by the system and cache misses experienced by the system. The first method determines the future access of each data buffer in a cache memory. Once the future of the data buffer is determined, the data buffer with the maximum future is allocated to store new blocks of data. The method approximates an optimal method of data buffer allocation, by calculating the future of a data buffer, relative to clients that will access the data buffers. The second method orders the clients based on the increasing distance of each client from the previous client; clients release the buffers in this order into a LIFO queue; if a buffer is selected to load a new block of data, the buffer at the head of the LIFO queue is selected.

Abstract: A method of reducing undulation in the L vs. I curve of a laser which uses a fiber grating is presented. The spectral width of the fiber grating is made larger than the Fabry-Perot spacing of the laser cavity. As a result, as the laser shifts between harmonics due to laser functioning (e.g., laser drive current, laser aging, temperature change, or mechanical stress), the fiber grating is able to respond linearly because of a large spectral width.

Abstract: A method of estimating the query size of two databases T and R is disclosed. The method uses a threshold value to categorize the databases as dense or sparse. A dense-dense procedure is then applied to the two databases to produce a dense-dense estimate (A.sub.d). A sparse-any procedure that suppresses the dense data items coming from database T is performed which produces a first sparse-any estimate (A.sub.s1). A second sparse-any estimate (A.sub.s2) is then produced by suppressing the dense data items from database R. Ultimately a query size estimate is produced by combining the dense-dense estimate, the first sparse-any estimate and the second sparse-any estimate.

Abstract: Integrated circuits embedded in cards are known in the industry as "Smart Cards". The present invention discloses a novel design for housing an integrated circuit(IC) within a card unit. The integrated circuit is first made thin and placed in the midplane of the card. This lessens the tensile stress in the IC when the Smart Card is subjected to bending. In addition, it is suggested that the IC chip is then placed in a relatively long and wide enclosure. This second measure reduces the stress on the IC by compromising between the competing objectives of making a rigid cavity for IC protection, versus making a more compliant cavity for overall card strength. Lastly, the cavity is made out of a material that typically has a Young's modulus that is higher than the Young's modulus of the card but lower than Young's modulus of the integrated circuit. This once again increases Smart Card reliability by utilizing a harder cavity material to protect the IC.

Abstract: A method for aligning and soldering a first device (11) to a substrate (16) comprises the steps of providing a plurality of solder elements (17) between the first device and the substrate, aligning the first device, and then reflowing and cooling the solder elements to bond the first device to the substrate. The improvement comprises, first, reflowing only a first group of solder elements and then cooling the elements of the first group, thereby to tack the first device to the substrate. Thereafter, we reflow only a second group of the plurality of solder elements and cool the second group, thereby to provide a more secure bond between the device and the substrate without interfering with the alignment of the first device. This method reduces the amount of energy needed for each fellow step, thereby reducing stresses and maintaining better alignment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method of removing epitaxial substrates from host substrates. A sacrificial release layer of ternary material is placed on the substrate. A layer of InP is then placed on the ternary material. Afterward a layer of wax is applied to the InP layer to apply compressive force and an etchant material is used to remove the sacrificial release layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of displaying the Poisson's ratio image of a material part. In the present invention longitudinal data is produced using a longitudinal wave transducer and shear wave data is produced using a shear wave transducer. The respective data is then used to calculate the Poisson's ratio for the entire material part. The Poisson's ratio approximations are then used to displayed the image.

Abstract: A method for aligning and soldering a first device (11) to a substrate (16) comprises the steps of providing a plurality of solder elements (17) between the first device and the substrate, aligning the first device, and then reflowing and cooling the solder elements to bond the first device to the substrate. The improvement comprises, first, reflowing only a first group of solder elements and then cooling the elements of the first group, thereby to tack the first device to the substrate. Thereafter, we reflow only a second group of the plurality of solder elements and cool the second group, thereby to provide a more secure bond between the device and the substrate without interfering with the alignment of the first device. This method reduces the amount of energy needed for each reflow step, thereby reducing stresses and maintaining better alignment.

Abstract: A method of locating an object which has a straight edge is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the invention orients the object's edge so that it is at an oblique angle to the axis of the coordinate system of the sampling plane of the input device scanning the object. A subset of the pixels associated with the object's edge are identified and used to estimate the location of the object or edge.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is directed to a method and apparatus for an arcjet starter. The invention discloses a method of moving an arc from the subsonic region of the thruster to the supersonic region by introducing a pressurized propellant into the casuty of the anode.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for spinning off a channel so as to provide a viewer with a choice of viewing a first program (e.g., the TV program), a second program (e.g., a news brief), or both are disclosed. More specifically, a method for providing such a choice entails initially having a system for transmitting programs wherein a first program is being transmitted on a first channel to a set of subscriber stations. Next, a temporary channel is defined. The transmission of the first program is continued on the temporary channel. The transmission of the first program is discontinued on the first channel. A second program is transmitted on the first channel. Advantageously, the invention provides viewers with a programming choice not otherwise available.

Abstract: A video observation method and apparatus, the apparatus having a frame storage mechanism, a dividing mechanism, a plurality of fuzzy comparators and a trigger signal mechanism. The frame storage mechanism stores at least one non-current video frame of a viewing field. The dividing mechanism divides a current video frame of the viewing field and the at least one non-current video frame into a plurality of corresponding trigger sections. The plurality of fuzzy comparators each compare and detect a fuzzy logic difference between one trigger section of the current video frame and the corresponding trigger sections of the at least one non-current video frame, the number of fuzzy comparators being selected so that every trigger section of the current video frame is compared. The trigger signal mechanism provides a trigger signal when a fuzzy logic difference is detected between any of the corresponding current and non-current trigger sections.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for manufacturing a free standing solid metal part. In the present invention metal droplets are produced from a free surface pool of molten metal is when an acoustic wave impacts an acoustic lens that is contiguous with the free standing pool of molten metal. The metal droplets are then charged and deflected toward a target. The build up of the metal droplets combine to form the free standing solid metal part.