Abstract: An improved TCAS indicating system and method for displaying information from the MODE S TRANSPONDER or other subsystem, directly to the TCAS DISPLAY by coding the information and programming the TCAS COMPUTER and the MODE S TRANSPONDER to pass the coded information through to the TCAS DISPLAY.

Abstract: A computer system having servers and coupled to a network supports a distributed directory and a directory monitor service. The monitor service may include a domain analyzer and domain model at each of several servers; and, a network administrator and network model on an enterprise server of the network. A domain analyzer monitors the network to detect messages associated with directory operations initiated or performed by the same or another server in the network. Methods performed by one or more servers predict system and network failures. One such method includes receiving a first message, receiving a second message, and conditionally raising an alert condition. The first message indicates the beginning of a replication of a portion of a directory and indicates a beginning time. The second message indicates completion of the replication of the portion of the directory and indicates an ending time.

Abstract: Arrangements of modular furniture may be set in place and computer equipment may then be cabled together without moving any module of the arrangement. Modules include a base having file storage, a base having computer power controls, and a base supporting a desk. Each module may provide a wiring access opening on each side to define an aligned wiring passage through as many base modules as needed for a particular arrangement. Exposed wiring access openings may be disguised by a sliding plate that completes the trim of the base, covers the opening, and conceals the fact that an opening exists.

Abstract: A computer network having a requesting node and a providing node permits data transfer therebetween when permitted by an authorizing node. Reports generated in response to authorizations and reports generated in response to data transfers are reconciled at a reconciliation node to improve the accuracy of payments collected and paid for use of the data. Such payments include copyright royalties for audio, video, and other works recorded in digital format.

Abstract: A battery charger monitors an open-circuit voltage across the battery and the rate of change of temperature of the battery to determine a time to terminate the process of charging the battery. Charging proceeds in four stages. In the first stage the open-circuit voltage of the battery is monitored until such voltage crosses a threshold value. In the second stage, the rate of change of battery temperature is monitored to determine a reference value, for example, a minimum of the monitored rate. In the third stage, the rate of change of battery temperature is again monitored to identify a time when such rate exceeds the reference value by a predetermined amount. In the fourth stage, power supplied to charge the battery is limited immediately after stage three or a predetermined time after stage three for example by reducing the charging current to a trickle-charge level or by reducing the voltage by about 100 mV.

Abstract: An enclosed transceiver includes an integrated circuit and a battery together laminated between two films. Printed conductors on each film couple operative power to the integrated circuit. Other printed conductors form an antenna coupled to the transceiver for sending and receiving signals. In a preferred embodiment, the integrated circuit has three terminals. The first terminal is connected to a first side of a thin film battery. The second terminal is connected to a first side of a printed loop antenna. The third terminal serves two purposes being connected to the second side of the battery and to the second side of the loop antenna. The enclosing films are treated with silicon nitride for hermeticity. Enclosed transceivers of the present invention are suitable for mass production in web, sheet, and tape formats. Such transceivers are useful as stamps, labels, and tags in object tracking systems including systems for mail delivery, airline baggage tracking, and inventory control.

Abstract: A field emission display ("FED") is disclosed having a gray scale range. Input into the FED, initially, is an analog signal input. The FED, by employing an analog to pulse width converter, subsequently converts the analog input to a pulse width output, the width of which directly correlates to the amplitude of the analog input signal. To achieve this design, the analog to pulse width converter comprises a sampler for sampling the analog signal at a predetermined frequency, thereby creating a plurality of samples corresponding to the input voltage. Further, the converter comprises means for holding each of the samples. The output of the holding means is subsequently coupled with a load responsive to the output of the holding means. In one embodiment of the present invention, this load comprises a voltage controlled resistance. The voltage controlled resistance can comprise a convertor for converting each of the samples to a current source and a load for creating a voltage ramp.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method of manufacturing an enclosed transceiver, such as a radio frequency identification ("RFID") tag. Structurally, in one embodiment, the tag comprises an integrated circuit (IC) chip, and an RF antenna mounted on a thin film substrate powered by a thin film battery. A variety of antenna geometries are compatible with the above tag construction. These include monopole antennas, dipole antennas, dual dipole antennas, a combination of dipole and loop antennas. Further, in another embodiment, the antennas are positioned either within the plane of the thin film battery or superjacent to the thin film battery.

Abstract: A display is arranged in rows and columns with a current source for each column instead of a current source in each display cell. By omitting the current source from the cell, smaller display cell geometries are achieved. In a display where one row is selected at a time, the display of the present invention with smaller circuitry achieves performance identical to the prior art. Application is made to flat panel displays generally including field emission displays, liquid crystal displays, and integrated light emitting diode array displays.

Abstract: A plurality of battery-operated transceivers encapsulated by lamination to form a sheet of independent transceivers is tested in a two piece fixture that forms an enclosure surrounding each in-sheet transceiver. Each enclosure has an antenna for transmitting a command signal to the transceiver at a known power level and for receiving a reply message from the transceiver containing a power level measurement made by the transceiver. Test methods using the fixture of the present invention are also described.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a field emission display ("FED") architecture for isolating display grids, wherein an FED has a plurality of pixels. Each of the pixels comprise at least two field emitter tips for displaying information to the pixel and a pixelator for driving the field emitter tips. Further, an isolated display grid is incorporated for each of the field emitter tips. Each display grids is coupled to a bus having a predetermined voltage by a link. In one embodiment of the present invention, the link can be disintegrated by internal or external means. In a second embodiment, the FED comprises a first and second bus, each of bus having a predetermined voltage, whereby a first isolated display grid is coupled to the first bus by a first link and a second isolated display grids is coupled to the second bus by a second link.

Abstract: A matrix display maintains synchronization with an input NTSC composite video signal by combining the functions of a phase locked loop, a column selector, and a row selector. The matrix includes display cells arranged in rows and columns, each display cell enabled for display on receipt of a column pointer signal and a row pointer signal. The column selector includes a shift circuit that shifts a walking-one pattern to assert in turn one column pointer signal at a time for each column in the matrix. An overflow signal from the shift circuit is used for three functions: (1) to reinstate the walking pattern in the column selector, (2) to lock the phase locked loop on the horizontal synchronization pulse of the NTSC signal, (3) to clock the row selector. The row selector includes a shift circuit and walking-one pattern to assert in turn one row pointer signal for each row of the matrix.

Abstract: In order to optimally control the charging of a rechargeable battery of one or more cells to ensure that full and rapid charge is achieved without damaging the battery, a maximum safe value (or sequence of values during the charging process) for one or more charging parameters is determined during a test charge, and subsequent charges of the battery are performed without exceeding the predetermined maximum value(s) for the charging parameter(s). Among the charging parameters contemplated for use are: the charging voltage potential placed across the battery terminals, the charging current supplied to the battery, the temperature of the battery cell and internal pressure of the battery cell as well as rates of changes of the parameters.

Abstract: One or more interrogating commander stations and an unknown plurality of responding responder stations coordinate use of a common communication medium. Each commander station and each responder station is equipped to broadcast messages and to check for error in received messages. When more than one station attempts to broadcast simultaneously, an erroneous message is received and communication is interrupted. To establish uninterrupted communication, a commander station broadcasts a command causing each responder station of a potentially large first number of responder stations to each select a random number from a known range and retain it as its arbitration number. After receipt of such a command, each addressed responder station transmits a response message containing its arbitration number. Zero, one, or several responses may occur simultaneously.

Abstract: A serial to parallel conversion circuit uses a dynamic shift register in a phase locked loop for an index to access a parallel holding register. The composite input signal includes serial data to be sampled and a synchronizing signal at an integer factor of the sampling serial data rate. The phase locked loop generates a control signal for sampling the serial data at a multiple of the synchronizing frequency by incorporating a delay between a variable frequency oscillator output and a phase comparator input. The delay element in one embodiment includes a shift register with a walking-one pattern that overflows to the phase comparator. The walking-one pattern is used to identify which position of the holding register should store the next sample of the input signal. The shift register is self-initialized by a logic combination of all shift register outputs. Power dissipation by the serial to parallel conversion circuit is minimal because only one 7-transistor shift register cell draws current at a time.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method of manufacturing a enclosed transceiver, such as a radio frequency identification ("RFID") tag. Structurally, in one embodiment, the tag comprises an integrated circuit (IC) chip, and an RF antenna mounted on a thin film substrate powered by a thin film battery. A variety of antenna geometries are compatible with the above tag construction. These include monopole antennas, dipole antennas, dual dipole antennas, a combination of dipole and loop antennas. Further, in another embodiment, the antennas are positioned either within the plane of the thin film battery or superjacent to the thin film battery.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a field emission display ("FED") architecture for isolating display grids, wherein an FED has a plurality of pixels. Each of the pixels comprise at least two field emitter tips for displaying information to the pixel and a pixelator for driving the field emitter tips. Further, an isolated display grid is incorporated for each of the field emitter tips. Each display grids is coupled to a bus having a predetermined voltage by a link. In one embodiment of the present invention, the link can be disintegrated by internal or external means. In a second embodiment, the FED comprises a first and second bus, each of bus having a predetermined voltage, whereby a first isolated display grid is coupled to the first bus by a first link and a second isolated display grids is coupled to the second bus by a second link.

Abstract: A product for forming a stable resilient surface layer which comprises a particulate aggregate having particles of a plurality of sizes and including fiber strands and a selected amount of water-absorbent, water-activated adhesive particles having a swell volume when absorbing water in a range of 25% to 45%. When subjected to sufficient water the water-absorbent particles swell and bind the aggregate and fiber strands forming a high shear strength, flexible resilient layer.

Abstract: A display is arranged in rows and columns with a current source for each column instead of a current source in each display cell. By omitting the current source from the cell, smaller display cell geometries are achieved. In a display where one row is selected at a time, the display of the present invention with smaller circuitry achieves performance identical to the prior art. Application is made to flat panel displays generally including field emission displays, liquid crystal displays, and integrated light emitting diode array displays.

Abstract: A method of conditioning soil and an organic soil conditioner particularly useful in treating athletic fields derived by drying and grinding plants from the Plantago family. The soil conditioner is applied to the surface of tilled soil and thereafter worked into the soil, deep-watered, allowed to dry and packed. Time-released fertilizer may be included in the soil conditioner if desired.