Abstract: An avionics power conversion circuit having a first input adapted to receive an AC input signal, a second input adapted to receive a DC input signal and an output at which converted signals are provided. Power conversion circuitry, coupled to each of the first and second inputs and to the output, provides boost conversion of the AC input signal when the AC input signal is applied to the first input and provides flyback conversion of the DC input signal when the DC input signal is applied to the second input. The power conversion circuitry provides the boost conversion and the flyback conversion using a single transformer coupled between the first and second inputs and the output.

Abstract: An electrochemical mirror includes a transparent first electrode and a second electrode distributed in localized areas. An electrolytic solution is disposed between the first and second electrodes and contains ions of a metal which can electrodeposit on the first and second electrodes. A negative electrical potential applied to the first electrode causes deposited metal to be dissolved from the second electrode into the electrolytic solution and to be electrodeposited from the solution onto the first electrode, thereby affecting the propagation of electromagnetic radiation through the mirror. A surface modification layer applied to the first electrode ensures that the electrodeposit is substantially uniform, resulting in a mirror layer which increases the reflectivity of the mirror.

Abstract: A single-wire telephone distribution system is directed to use in passenger aircraft. It includes a set of twisted pair cables, electronics distribution boxes and repeaters. A single-wire transmission path is defined to enter and leave each distribution box at least once. The path is arranged so that its portions between distribution boxes occur in pairs and each path pair is formed by one of the twisted pair cables. A repeater is inserted into the transmission path prior to each of its exits from the distribution boxes. The repeaters regenerate the data signals to remove noise and jitter. Additionally, the regenerated signals have controlled rising and falling slopes to control signal emissions from the distribution system. A limited number of twisted pair cable sets are typically available in passenger aircraft cabins for passenger services. By using only a single set, the distribution system of the invention facilitates the incorporation of additional services into the aircraft cabin.

Abstract: An FMS with a three dimensional representation of the flight plan is disclosed. The view is adjustable via a joystick or other similar controller and is capable numerous varied views, including both a two dimensional lateral view and a two dimensional elevation view. Software is used to effect the changing views.

Abstract: A multi-contact LCD heater system which include several contacts disposed around the periphery of a resistive film deposited on a substrate in which each contact is dynamically controlled in response to input from various temperature sensors. The control allows for each contact to be connected to a high potential or a low potential source or remain isolated. Spatial, temporal and amplitude modulation of the heat applied to the LCD is achieved.

Abstract: A signal compression system includes a coder and a decoder. The coder includes an extract unit for extracting an input feature vector from an input signal, a coder memory unit for storing a predesigned vector quantization (VQ) table for the coder such that the coder memory unit uses a set of primary indices to address entries within the pre-designed VQ table, a coder mapping unit for mapping indices from a set of secondary indices to the first set of indices, and a search unit for searching for one index out of the set of secondary indices, wherein the index from the set of secondary indices corresponds to an entry in the coder memory unit, and the entry best represents the input feature vector according to some predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A system and technique for controlling LCDs based upon measurement of optical response is disclosed, which includes a light source and a light detector on opposite sides of an independently driven test area of a LCD panel. A determination of the optical response time is made by comparing the varying signals from the LCD drive and the response detector and then changing the operation of the LCD panel or heater based upon the comparison.

Abstract: The inventive method calculates the column coefficients for a liquid crystal display panel. By using this method, the invention shows that the select/nonselect ratio can be maximized by the following ways: (1) Scaling the image to the maximally physically realizable select/nonselect ration via the following equation ##EQU1## (2) Choosing an optimum value for row rms voltage "F", (3) Altering the statistics of an image, to reduce the variance of the different columns and/or increase the average of the columns, (4) Altering an image through fastest ascent or minimal error methods and (5) Designing the image to be predominantly at high rms voltage states. The select/nonselect ratio determines the available voltage range to achieve gray scale or variation in intensity. By maximizing the select/nonselect ratio, the present invention is able to obtain a wider range of intensity variation, i.e. larger contrast ratio.

Abstract: An electrochemical device includes a transparent first electrode and a second electrode distributed in localized areas. An electrolytic solution, disposed between and in electrical contact with the first and second electrodes, contains ions of a metal which can electrodeposit on the first and second electrodes. Atoms of this metal are deposited on the first or the second electrode. A negative electrical potential applied to the first electrode causes deposited metal to be dissolved from the second electrode into the electrolytic solution and to be electrodeposited from the solution onto the first electrode, thereby affecting the propagation of electromagnetic radiation through the device. Conversely, a positive electrical potential applied to the first electrode causes deposited metal to be dissolved from the first electrode and electrodeposited from the solution onto the second electrode, thereby increasing the transmissivity of the device.

Abstract: A system for coupling circuit card assemblies or modules that comprise a given device, that accommodates manufacturing and design differences in connector configurations. A common back-plane having one or more signal buses is joined to the circuit card assemblies or modules by means of unique interface backplanes configured to engage the common backplane connectors and the connectors on the circuit card assemblies. The system is specifically described in conjunction with electrical and optical bus interfaces.

Abstract: A CMOS imaging system provides low noise read out and amplification for an array of passive pixels, each of which comprises a photodetector, an access MOSFET, and a second MOSFET that functions as a signal overflow shunt and a means for electrically injecting a test signal. The read out circuit for each column of pixels includes a high gain, wide bandwidth, CMOS differential amplifier, a reset switch and selectable feedback capacitors, selectable load capacitors, correlated double sampling and sample-and-hold circuits, an optional pipelining circuit, and an offset cancellation circuit connected to an output bus to suppress the input offset nonuniformity of the amplifier. For full process compatibility with standard silicided submicron CMOS and to maximize yield and minimize die cost, each photodiode may comprise the lightly doped source of its access MOSFET. Circuit complexity is restricted to the column buffers, which exploit signal processing capability inherent in CMOS.

Abstract: A cordless direct sequence spread spectrum telephone using a direct conversion radio architecture wherein the code sequence used for spreading and despreading is an even code sequence to prevent addition of low frequency noise in the down-conversion process, the preferred even code being a 12-chip code and, more particularly, being an even 12-chip code that is generated by adding one bit to an inverted, shifted, and/or reversed 11-chip Barker sequence.

Abstract: A method of smoothing Kalman Filter position states forming a "groundtrack" in a receiver used in a satellite based positioning system (e.g. GPS). In such systems, data pairs including an incoming value and a "raw" reliability estimate (e.g. a standard deviation) are normally fed directly to the Kalman Filter. The Kalman Filter computes the resultant and an overall uncertainty estimate by applying a "weight" to each successive incoming value based on its reliability. The Kalman Filter also estimates incoming values based on past values.The method involves the unique steps of replacing the raw reliability with a "modified" reliability if the incoming value is too far from the estimate in view of an adjustable limit envelope defined by the current uncertainty estimate and reliability value. If the difference between what we get and what we expect is small, then the reliability value is passed without modification.

Abstract: A system for decimating a source signal with a source sample rate by a non-integer factor to a sink signal with a sink sample rate is disclosed. The system first determines a decimation factor based on a ratio of the source sample rate to the sink sample rate. The system then decimates the source signal by the decimation factor to an intermediate ("IM") signal with an IM sample rate which is larger than the sink sample rate. The IM signal is then applied to a sample-rate converter to down convert to the sink signal with the sink sample rate, using a decimation factor between only 1 and 2.

Abstract: A communications detector for detecting remote user hang-up or disconnection by a telephone answering machine (TAM). The remote hang-up detector (RHUD) may operate in conjunction with a modem and does not affect transmission and receipt of modem signals and modem performance. An optically isolated voltage detector indicates to the TAM that the remote user has hung up by detecting reversal or interruption of the loop current supplied by the central office, thereby causing the local user or modem to likewise hang up.

Abstract: An audio communications interface 102 provides substantially automatic audio communications between a remote agent telephone 107 and a telephonic switch 104 through a telephonic console 106 connected to the telephonic switch 104. A remote agent dials a specified telephone number on the agent telephone 107 to access the audio communications interface 102. The audio communications interface 102 receives the dialed number from a telephone network 108 connected to the agent telephone 107 and generates a call signal which is transmitted to the telephonic switch 104 through the telephonic console 106. In response to the call signal, the telephonic switch 104 establishes audio communications with the agent telephone 107 through the console 106 and audio communications interface 102. A method for establishing audio communications through the audio communications interface 102 and data communications through an agent terminal 112, a computer network and a host computer 110 with the telephonic switch 104 is provided.

Abstract: A system 100 and method for interconnecting a remote computer 102 and a computer service provider 104 via a telephonic switch 122 is provided. The telephonic switch 122 connects the remote computer 102 to the computer service provider 104 based on information received from the remote computer 102. An adult material circuit 126 in the telephonic switch 122 detects a request from the remote computer 102 to prohibit access to adult material available on the computer service provider 104. The request may be contained in automatic number identification information or dialed number identification service information. The telephonic switch 122 further comprises a caller prompting circuit 132 which prompts the remote computer 102 for instructions regarding whether to deny access to adult material.

Abstract: An RLG OPTICAL NOISE INJECTOR places a random signal on a PZT driving one mirror controlling the optical path length (OPL) of a ring laser gyro (RLG) and the negative of the signal on a PZT driving a second mirror controlling the OPL. The OPL is therefore maintained constant while injecting random noise into the phase of the counterpropagating beams to avoid dynamic lock-in. Static lock-in may also be avoided by superposing an oscillatory signal on the random signal fed to the first PZT and the negative of the oscillatory signal on the random signal fed to the second PZT.

Abstract: A low-power stop mode "snooze" timer is implemented in the processing unit of a communication system, which runs without the use of the usual crystal-controlled oscillator. The "snooze" timer is implemented by a second oscillator with associated timer circuit. The second oscillator runs continually and feeds a timer which is loaded with a suitable value. The timer, when timed out or expired, will reactivate the main processing functions, thus allowing the successful reception of an external signal from a remote transmission source. To compensate for the inaccuracy of the second oscillator due to its dependence upon voltage, process and temperature, the snooze timer's output is calibrated during the wake-up periods against a timing signal derived from the internal crystal-controlled timing source. This calibration compensates for the inherent frequency instability of the second oscillator and allows a timing signal of sufficient accuracy to be maintained over the stop cycle.

Abstract: An automatic call distribution network (10) with an originating automatic call distributor (ACD) (12A) which transfers a received call to a destination ACD (12B) through an external telephonic network (24), a call overflow system (32) with a central processing unit (16A) at the originating ACD (12A) to compile data relating to an overflow call to be transmitted through the external telephonic network (24) to the destination ACT) (12B) of at least one of the types of information of: identification of a selected gate (26B) of the destination ACD (12B) to which the overflow call is to be routed, identification of the originating ACD (12A), a time information relating to a time the overflow call was in a queue at the originating ACD (12A), an ANI number representation of a telephone number of the call received at the originating ACD (12A) and a priority level of the overflow call, the central processing unit (16A) at the originating ACD (12A) sending the compiled data to the destination ACD (12B) to route the cal