Abstract: A perforating gun assembly (60) for creating communication paths for fluid between a formation (64) and a cased wellbore (66) includes a housing (84), a detonator (86) positioned within the housing (84) and a detonating cord (90) operably associated with the detonator (86). The perforating gun assembly (60) also includes one or more substantially axially oriented collections (92, 94, 96, 98) of shaped charges. Each of the shaped charges in the collections (92, 94, 96, 98) is operably associated with the detonating cord (90). In addition, adjacent shaped charges in each collection (92, 94, 96, 98) of shaped charges are oriented to converge toward one another such that upon detonation, the shaped charges in each collection (92, 94, 96, 98) form jets that interact with one another to create perforation cavities in the formation (64).

Abstract: A system and method for interconnecting two network domains operable to transport SS7 traffic of different types. A gateway disposed between a first network domain and a second network domain includes a generic Interworking functionality that is operable to effectuate an MTP2-based relay linkage between a first MTP2 interface and a second MTP2 interface. A first link segment is established between the gateway's first MTP2 interface and an equivalent interface in the first network domain's end node. A second link segment is established between the gateway's second MTP2 interface and a corresponding equivalent interface in the second network domain's end node. Thereafter, the relay linkage coupling the link segments is established for facilitating MTP2 traffic therebetween.

Abstract: A partially preemptive quality of service (“QoS”) scheduling model for application in an optical burst switched (“OBS”) network node is described. In one aspect, the invention comprises a method for dropping only an portion of a data burst under consideration that overlaps with a portion of an already-scheduled data burst. In another aspect, the invention comprises preempting only that portion of an already-scheduled data burst that overlaps with a portion of a data burst under consideration and scheduling the data burst under consideration in its entirety. In one embodiment, the decision whether to drop a portion of the data burst under consideration or preempt a portion of the already-scheduled data burst is based on the relative priorities of the bursts. Similarly, the decision whether to perform a partial or full drop or preempt is based on the amount of overlap between the bursts.

Abstract: A marine radio wireless communication system (10) incorporating a remote wireless handset (26) and a fixed mount marine radio (18) for wireless communication on board a waterborne vessel (12) is disclosed. At least one marine radio remote wireless handset (26) is associated with and wirelessly linked to the fixed mount marine radio (18) for onboard remote acoustic communications between the two. Each fixed mount marine radio (18) and marine radio remote wireless handset (26) incorporates a speaker (80, 106) and a microphone (72, 102).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for scheduling transmission of data bursts in an OBS network are described. One embodiment is a router in an OBS network, the router comprising a grouper module for collecting a group of BHPs arriving during a BHP collecting period and classifying each BHP of the group of BHPs into corresponding baskets depending on the data channel scheduling window of its corresponding data burst; a classifier and channel assignment module for assigning data bursts to appropriate data channels; and a channel scheduler for constructing an interval graph representing data bursts corresponding to BHPs classified in a single one of the baskets having overlapping segments on each data channel as adjacent vertices and scheduling data bursts on each data channel based on a process that finds a maximum number of non-adjacent vertices on the interval graph.

Abstract: A notification system and method for a mobile data communication device is provided. A clientbased software program operates at the mobile communication device to manage and execute, user-selectable notification schemes (“notification module”) in response to data items transmitted to the mobile device from a host system via a communications network. The user configures the notification module to execute certain audible, visual and/or tactile notifications in response to certain types of messages being received at the mobile device.

Abstract: A system (100) for automatically redialing a telephone number includes a first telephone component (104, 106, 108, 132) operable to initiate a call to the telephone number and operable to transmit the telephone number and a second telephone component (104, 106, 108, 132, 302) operable to initiate telephone calls and operable to receive the telephone number transmitted by the first telephone component (104, 106, 108, 132, 302). A memory unit (162, 182, 306, 312), disposed within the second telephone component (104, 106, 108, 132, 302), is operable to store the telephone number transmitted by the first telephone component (104, 106, 108, 132, 302). A redial module, disposed within the second telephone component (104, 106, 108, 132, 302), is operable to retrieve the telephone number from the memory unit (162, 182, 306, 312) and operable to automatically initiate a call to the retrieved telephone number.

Abstract: A detachable wireless transceiver module (306, 308) operable to communicate with a marine radio wireless communication system (10) on board a waterborne vessel (12) is disclosed. The module is designed to be secured and operably connected to a handheld marine radio (250) in order to provide local wireless communications capability thereto. The enhanced handheld marine radio (250) is operable to communicate directly with one or more fixed mount marine radios (18, 38) and/or wireless handsets (26, 46, 50, 52) via local wireless channels.

Abstract: A memory compiler characterization system and method for determining parametric data, wherein memory compilers of a first type are rigorously characterized and memory compilers of a second type are sparsely characterized with respect to a particular parameter. Absolute scale factors are determined based on the ratio of the parametric data points of two congruent memory compilers, one from each type. Interpolated scale factors are obtained based on the absolute scale factors. Parametric data for the remaining compilers of the sparsely characterized compiler set is filled out by applying the interpolated scale factors in conjunction with the data of the congruent memory compilers of the first type.

Abstract: The lock cylinder assembly of the present invention incorporates a number of features designed to defeat attempts to pick or destroy the lock. The lock cylinder assembly employs multiple arrays of pass key pins, making picking of the lock much more difficult. Second, the arrangement of the pass key pins in separate arrays requires that multiple cuts would have to be made into the lock housing mogul or cylinder blank in order to defeat the lock cylinder assembly. Third, the lock cylinder assembly of the present invention may incorporate multiple sets of hardened dowel pins to prevent drilling through the lock housing mogul in the area of the driver pins. Fourth, the lock cylinder assembly of the present invention may incorporate a hardened cylinder shield behind the front face of the cylinder blank to prevent drilling through the cylinder blank.

Abstract: A perforating gun assembly (110) for creating communication paths for fluid between a formation (114) and a cased wellbore (116) includes a housing, a detonator and a detonating cord (136). The perforating gun assembly (110) includes one or more substantially axially oriented collections of shaped charges (122, 124, 126) each of which is operably associated with the detonating cord (136). A perforation (152, 154) is formed in the formation (114) as a result of the interaction of jets (141, 142) formed upon the detonation of at least two shaped charges (122, 126) that create a weakened region (148) in the formation (114) followed by the detonation of at least one shaped charge (124) that forms a jet (150) that penetrated through the weakened region (148).

Abstract: An optical switch controller (“OSC”) and method for use in a Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (“GMPLS”) network is described. A Used Pool (“UP”), an Available Pool (“AP”), and a Flagged Pool (“FP”) are maintained at the OSC. The FP includes wavelengths that have been suggested but not yet reserved by a lightpath. The UP includes wavelengths that are currently being used by LSPs. The AP includes wavelengths not included in the UP or the FP. Each wavelength included in the FP includes a time stamp. At each node along the path during lightpath establishment, for each wavelength of the Label Set, if the wavelength is an element of the node's UP, the wavelength is extracted from the Label Set. If the wavelength is an element of the node's FP, a determination is made whether the local clock time minus the time stamp for the wavelength is less than a first threshold.

Abstract: A system (100) for tracking incoming telephone calls includes a first caller identification decoder (166) that decodes caller identification data for a first incoming telephone call including a time stamp having a value reflecting a first time. The system (100) also includes a database (170) for storing the value of the time stamp, a second caller identification decoder (164) that decodes caller identification data relating to a second incoming telephone call initiated at a second time and a frequency counter (156) having a first value at the first time and a second value at the second time. A central processing unit (152) is operable to retrieve the value of the time stamp, identify the first and second values of the frequency counter and thereby determine the second time. A database (170) stores a record reflecting the second time for the second incoming telephone call.

Abstract: A marine vessel (102) is operable to emit an audible signal based upon the velocity status of the marine vessel (102). The marine vessel (102) includes a first processor component (340) operable to determine the velocity of the vehicle based upon signal inputs (140, 142, 144). The marine vessel (102) further includes a database (310) containing a set of at least two audible signals. A second processor component (300) is operable to select an audible signal from the set of at least two audible signals based on the velocity of the marine vessel (102). A loudspeaker (110) emits the selected audible signal from the marine vessel (102).

Abstract: A solution for providing bandwidth grooming functionality in an access network element in order to reduce the amount of data storage required by a switching module disposed therein. Each communication link coupled to the switching module is identified by an address identifier. An allocation storage unit is operable to store the addresses of a select subset of the links in response to a control unit. A multiplexer is provided for selecting the links based on the stored addresses for transmitting data to a data storage unit coupled to the switching module, thereby obviating the need for a much larger data storage unit.

Abstract: A clock synchronization scheme for use with an access network element having scalable architecture. A point-to-point, high-speed communication link provided between two adjacent banks of the access network element logically interconnects a plurality of banks in a linear stack, thereby creating a stackplane hierarchy for local traffic. A primary bank includes a central master timing and frame alignment control block operable based on a master reference clock. A secondary bank immediately coupled to the primary bank is operable to synchronize its local clock based on a delay preset signal provided by the primary bank. Each remaining secondary bank is operable to synchronize its local clock based on the delay preset signal provided by a local master timing control block disposed in the secondary bank immediately above it.

Abstract: A system and method for effectuating a self-timed clock (STC) loop for memory access operations wherein an Embedded Test and Repair (ETR) processor engine is utilized for optimizing an access margin value. Upon compiling a semiconductor memory instance based on its configuration data, a default access margin value is passed to a wrapper interface associated with the memory instance. In one implementation, an adjusted access margin value is determined by an optimization algorithm operable to be executed on the ETR processor engine, which adjusted access margin value is used for generating the STC signal with a particular time setting that is optimized for a memory instance of a given size.

Abstract: A marine vessel (102) is operable to set the operating mode of its marine radio (108) based upon the location of the marine vessel (102). The marine vessel (102) includes a first processor component (340) operable to determine the location of the marine vessel (102) based upon signal inputs (140, 142, 144). The marine radio (108) incorporates a database (310) containing a set of at least two operating modes and a second processor component (300) operable to select an operating mode from the set of at least two operating modes based on the location of the marine vessel (102).

Abstract: An embedded test and repair (ETR) scheme and interface for generating a self-test-and-repair (STAR) memory device using an integrated design environment. User interface and supporting program code is operable to provide a dialog box for defining a memory group that includes one or more memory instances, each having corresponding fuse element requirements based on its configuration data. BIST elements and a processor compiler for providing ETR functionality are also specified via suitable portions of the integrated GUI. A fuse equation is employed for computing the number of fuses for each memory instance, which equation is derived based on the memory configuration. Fuse information for each memory instance is automatically passed to a fuse compiler that generates a fuse box having an appropriate number of fuses that can accommodate the fuse requirements of the memory instances of the group.

Abstract: A source-biasing mechanism for leakage reduction in SRAM. In standby mode, wordlines are deselected and a source-biasing potential is provided to SRAM cells. In read mode, a selected wordline deactivates the source-biasing potential provided to the selected row of SRAM cells, whereas the remaining SRAM cells on the selected bitline column continue to be source-biased.