Abstract: A system for multicasting. The system includes a network comprising nodes and links connecting the nodes. The system includes a mechanism for forming a multicast connection which does not have overlapping branches. A node for an ATM network. The node includes a forming mechanism for forming multicast connections in the network which do not have overlapping branches as parties are added or deleted from the connections. The node includes a port mechanism which connects to the network through which the connections are sent to the network. The forming mechanism is connected to the port mechanism. A method for forming multicast connections. The method includes the steps of forming a first connection between a first node and a second node. Then there is the step of forming a second multicast connection between the first node and a third node by extending the first connection.

Abstract: A containment system for batteries of a data transmission equipment enclosure is disclosed. The system includes a number of identical side plates and integral top flanges for positioning around the batteries along with a front retention bar that has a series of slots for mating with slots formed in the side plates. A top channel frame member is connected to each of the side plates and to the enclosure. The system when installed in an enclosure prevents sideward, frontward and damaging upward movements of the batteries in response to seismic events. The system is careful, however, not to block the region under the batteries so that a heating pad can easily be installed if desired.

Abstract: A wireless communication device coupled to a wave antenna that provides greater increased durability and impedance matching. The wave antenna is a conductor that is bent in alternating sections to form peaks and valleys. The wireless communication device is coupled to the wave antenna to provide wireless communication with other communication devices, such as an interrogation reader. The wireless communication device and wave antenna may be placed on objects, goods, or other articles of manufacture that are subject to forces such that the wave antenna may be stretched or compressed during the manufacture and/or use of such object, good or article of manufacture. The wave antenna, because of its bent structure, is capable of stretching and compressing more easily than other structures, reducing the wireless communication device's susceptibility to damage or breaks that might render the wireless communication device coupled to the wave antenna unable to properly communicate information wirelessly.

Abstract: An electrical terminal and a system of the terminal and a housing is disclosed as an example of the present invention. The electrical terminal and the housing have a number of advantages including being sufficiently stiff to prevent arcing and physical damage to the electrical terminal upon being exposed to surge current/voltage. The terminal includes a contact with a base portion from which two spaced apart arms extend outwardly. First portions of the arms are generally parallel to one another. Second portions of the arms converge toward each other and then flare outwardly along third portions of the arms. At the junction of the second and third portions, there is a contact region formed to receive the lead of a surge protection device. The tenminal is enclosed in an opening in the electrically insulative housing, the opening being bordered by walls closely adjacent to the first portions of the arms. The spacing of the walls from the arms is about 0.001 inches on each side of the terminal.

Abstract: A cable strain relief includes a cable retainer having a slot for receiving a cable. A clip has a projection receivable in the slot to bear against the cable to hold same to the retainer. A fastener is extended through aligned holes in the retainer and the clip projection to secure the clip to the retainer in clamping relationship with the cable.

Abstract: A wireless communication device and method for identifying a container or communication information about a container using a slot in the container as an antenna. The device includes a wireless communication device for transmitting information regarding the container. The container includes an outer wall forming rim and a slot between the rim edge and the outer wall that is circular and continues without boundaries. The wireless communication device is coupled to the slot to provide the slot antenna for communications. An impedance matching network is additionally provided to make the operating frequency of the slot the same as the operating frequency of the wireless communication device. Alternatively, shorting posts may placed in the slot to define boundaries of the slot to match the operating frequency of the slot to the operating frequency of the antenna.

Abstract: A computer system. The system includes a plurality of devices. The system includes a printed circuit board having a radial bus topology which connects to each of the plurality of devices and through which each of the plurality of devices communicate with each other. A computer system including N devices, where N is greater than or equal to 11 and is an integer. The system includes a printed circuit board having a radial bus topology which connects to each of the devices and through which each of the devices communicate with each other. The topology is operable at a frequency of at least 75 MHZ. A method for transferring data. A radial bus topology on a printed circuit board in a computer. The radial bus topology includes equidistant line segments wherein the line segments emanate from a central location.

Abstract: A linear laser diode driver circuit is provided in which a solid state laser diode and its back-facet photodiode are configured into the feedback loop of a high-speed operational amplifier. In this configuration, the light output from the laser diode is directly proportional to the input voltage to the operational amplifier and is independent of the laser diode's temperature characteristics.

Abstract: A load management system for monitoring the output from a power supply and managing the load on said power supply, said load management system comprising a hysteresis circuit for signaling a load element to stop drawing current when an output voltage at said output falls below a first threshold and for signaling said load element to resume drawing current when said output voltage rises above a second threshold, said hysteresis circuit comprising a first state sensing circuit having an input coupled to said output and for signaling whether said output voltage is greater than or less than said first voltage threshold, a second state sensing circuit having an input coupled to said output and for signaling whether said output voltage is greater than or less than a second voltage threshold, and a state transition circuit having a first input coupled to the output of said first state sensing circuit and a second input coupled to the output of said second state sensing circuit, said state transition circuit having a

Abstract: A flexible and economical data transmission pedestal having a cover section and a base section, with the base section comprising two asymmetrical parts, a front and a rear. Removing the cover and the front part allows full access to the connections between service lines and a cable. The three piece pedestal also allows any piece to be easily replaced if damaged or a whole new pedestal may easily be placed around cable and service line connections on a mounting plate, all without interrupting customer service.

Abstract: A top cover for an electronic equipment cabinets where the top cover is made of upper and lower synthetic resin panels which are welded at their edges to form an air chamber therebetween. The upper panel is domed while the lower panel has a corrugated like structure. Access ports are provided which may be sealed shut. Rain directing berms are also provided to direct rain to the corners of the cover and away from access doors to a sealed electronic equipment chamber in the cabinet. A lateral air and water exhaust duct extending the width of the cover is provided as a path for exhaust air from a heat exchanger which normally moves in one direction but under high wind conditions may move in the opposite direction and for allowing the passage of rain water from one side of the cabinet to the opposite side.

Abstract: A system and method for path protection switching in ring networks is provided in which the path protection switch occurs at the transmitter node that initiated a particular virtual channel of data packets onto the ring network. A failure in one of the data communication-paths of the ring network is detected by the network nodes on either side of the failure. These network nodes then initiate a wrap mechanism that embeds a special feedback wrap indicator flag into packets received at the two nodes, and then wraps (or transmits back) these packets (with the feedback indicator) in the opposite direction towards the transmitter node that initiated the packets onto the ring. Each transmitter node detects whether received packets are associated with virtual channels that it initiated onto the ring and if so detected, then determine whether the feedback indicator flag is set.

Abstract: A packet memory interface. The interface includes an input mechanism which receives related data. The interface includes an output mechanism which transmits the data. The interface includes a mechanism for transferring at least a plurality of bytes of the data in each burst of a plurality of bursts from the input mechanism to the output mechanism without fragmentation loss in each burst. A method for transferring data through a packet memory interface. The method includes the steps of receiving data of the packet at an input mechanism of the interface. Then there is the step of transferring at least a plurality of bytes of data of the packet to an output mechanism in bursts without any fragmentation loss in the bursts.

Abstract: A backup DC vent system for an equipment enclosure is disclosed. The system includes an air intake system which allows air to pass from the ambient environment through a battery compartment of the enclosure, through the floor and into the interior of the enclosure where components to be cooled are mounted. Internal air distribution is accomplished by an air distribution duct system. An air exhaust system is attached to a side of the enclosure and includes a door panel to selectively allow heated air flow from the enclosure interior, a fan mounted to a fan box which is mounted to the enclosure for sucking the air through the enclosure, and a cover to prevent wind driven rain water from impinging upon the fan or the interior of the enclosure.

Abstract: A handle containing a wireless communication device for attachment to a container. The handle includes a body portion having an opening that aligns with and mounts against a handle in the container. The wireless communication device is mounted within the handle and preferably includes an identification chip and antenna for transmitting signals indicative of the container and the location. The wireless communication device may communicate with an interrogation reader for transferring information regarding the container and/or contents of the container. A central control system may be connected to each interrogation reader for controlling the overall movement of the container.

Abstract: A backup DC vent system for an equipment enclosure is disclosed. The system includes an air intake system which allows air to pass from the ambient environment through a battery compartment of the enclosure, through the floor and into the interior of the enclosure where components to be cooled are mounted. Internal air distribution is accomplished by an air distribution duct system. An air exhaust system is attached to a side of the enclosure and includes a door panel to selectively allow heated air flow from the enclosure interior, a fan mounted to a fan box which is mounted to the enclosure for sucking the air through the enclosure, and a cover to prevent wind driven rain water from impinging upon the fan or the interior of the enclosure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which extends the useful life of a lead-acid type battery by applying conductive cooling directly to the bottom surface of the battery to maintain the battery at a constant temperature of about 25° C. regardless of the ambient temperature surrounding the battery.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forwarding packets in a network is described. A routing table is constructed using p-structures. An address for a packet is received. The address is matched with a longest prefix stored in the routing table. A decision value associated with the longest prefix is retrieved. The packet is forwarded in accordance with the decision value.

Abstract: A scheduling apparatus includes a server for providing service to entities. The apparatus includes a mechanism for determining whether an entity that is to receive service at a future time from the server will be in conformance with a predetermined criteria at the future time when the entity is to receive service from the server. The apparatus includes a scheduler mechanism for scheduling when entities are to receive service from the server unless the determining mechanism determines the entity is not in conformance. A method for scheduling entities in an ATM network. The method includes the steps of receiving a session of an entity in a memory of an ATM switch connected to the ATM network. Then there is the step of scheduling the session for service by a server of the ATM switch. Next there is the step of determining with a determining mechanism whether the session will be conforming in terms of compliance to traffic contract of the ATM network in the future.