Abstract: The apparatus for provides power to selected line drivers in a communication system. Each selected line driver has a respective inherent internal voltage drop. Each selected line driver is coupled with a respective communication loop for providing a respective minimum operational voltage to the respective communication loop. The apparatus includes: (a) a control means coupled with the selected line driver devices for controlling supply voltage to the selected line drivers; and (b) a power supply means coupled with the control means and with the selected line driver devices and cooperating with the control means to deliver a respective supply voltage to respective selected line driver devices. The respective supply voltage is at least equal with the respective minimum operational voltage less the respective inherent internal voltage drop for each respective selected line driver device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for moderating interference with impulse radio wireless control of an appliance; the control is effected by a controller remote from the appliance transmitting impulse radio digital control signals to the appliance. The control signals have a transmission power and a data rate. The method comprises the steps of: (a) in no particular order: (1) establishing a maximum acceptable noise value for a parameter relating to interfering signals; (2) establishing a frequency range for measuring the interfering signals; (b) measuring the parameter for the interference signals within the frequency range; and (c) when the parameter exceeds the maximum acceptable noise value, effecting an alteration of transmission of the control signals.

Abstract: A method for distributed managing of restoration paths within a communication network having nodes connected by links; comprising the steps of: (a) establishing a spare link catalog identifying unassigned links connecting each selected node with an adjacent node; (b) sending a probe message from each node to each adjacent node over an unassigned link; (c) evaluating the probe message at each adjacent node according to predetermined criteria; (d) forwarding the probe message to subsequent adjacent nodes, or discarding the probe message, as determined by the evaluating; (e) appending message content to the probe message indicating the path sequence traversed by the probe message proceeding through the network; (f) evaluating the forwarded probe message at each said subsequent node according to the predetermined criteria; (g) repeating steps (d) through (f) for each forwarded probe message until it is discarded or is received by the probe message originating node; (h) the probe message originating node noting ea

Abstract: A system for electronic correction and notification of discrepancies relating to automatic location identification information in a telephone environment comprising an initiating means for an operator to engage the system; a correction entry means for entering corrected information; and a dissemination means for disseminating the corrected information to recipients. The initiating means is connected with the telephone environment at an operator location having access to stored location identification information. The correction entry means is connected with the initiating means and includes an information entry means. The correction entry means responds to an initiation signal from the initiation means to receive correction information from the information entry means. The correction information is applied to update the stored location information at the operator location.

Abstract: A system for handling special number calls in a telecommunication network. The network includes an array of switches, junctions, communication channels, customer-operated communication devices and telecommunication service providing stations connected to facilitate communication among a plurality of stations using a plurality of communication milieux. The system comprises: (a) at least one special number call processing center connected with the network; (b) at least one special number answering station connected with the special number call processing center; and (c) at least one special number action station connected with the special number answering station. The special number action station is configured for selective connection with a plurality of action agencies. Selected of the telecommunication service providing stations are connected with at least one of the at least one special number processing center.

Abstract: A telecommunication system configured for use with a network for handling special number calls is described. The network includes a plurality of switching junctions connected by a plurality of channels, a plurality of service providing stations connected into the network at at least one of the switching junctions and the plurality of channels for effecting various telecommunication milieux. Selected of the service providing stations serve customer-operated communication devices using selected of the telecommunication milieux. The system comprises: (a) an action station configured for selective connection with action agencies; (b) an answering station connected with an action station; (c) a call processing center connected with an answering station and configured for connection with the network; and (d) an on-demand answering station connected in a virtual private network with a call processing center and with an action station.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a plurality of electrical circuits borne upon a plurality of substrates is disclosed. A first substrate of the plurality of substrates has a first aperture having a first diametral displacement and a first inner wall. A portion of the first inner wall is electrically connected with a first circuit borne upon the first substrate. The apparatus comprises a sheet of electrically conductive material arranged to a displacement from an axis in a substantially helical orientation about the axis. The material has a spring characteristic when the helical orientation establishes the displacement at a spring displacement. The spring characteristic urges the conductive material to a greater displacement from the axis than the spring displacement and permits insertion of the apparatus in the first aperture. The spring characteristic and the first diametral dimension cooperate to seat the apparatus in the first aperture to establish electrical connection with the first circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically adjusting operation of a converter device to improve conversion efficiency. The converter device includes an inverter and a synchronous rectifier, and is driven by a plurality of drive signals having a duty cycle. The method comprises the steps of: (a) varying timing of a first drive signal a first amount; (b) observing the duty cycle of the conversion device; (c) further varying the first drive signal appropriately to alter the duty cycle toward an extremum; and (d) continuing to operate the converter device with the duty cycle proximate the extremum. In its most preferred embodiment, the method of the present invention includes the further step of: (e) periodically effecting steps (a)-(c) varying a drive signal other than the first drive signal. The comprises: (a) a drive varying means for varying timing of selected individual drive signals of the plurality of drive signals; and (b) a measuring means connected with the drive varying means for measuring the duty cycle.

Abstract: An improved heat sink apparatus for use with an electronic component comprises a base portion and a securing portion. The base portion and the securing portion are of unitary construction. The securing portion is configured to flex about an axis to effect an engaged relation with the base portion at a locus distal from the axis. The base portion and the securing portion cooperate in the engaged relation to substantially fixedly maintain the electronic component in abutting relation with the base portion.

Abstract: A power factor correcting eletrical converter apparatus receives an alternating electrical input signal from a power source. The apparatus preferably includes an input tracking circuit connected with the power source for tracking the input signal and providing the input signal at an input tracking node. The converter apparatus includes a rectifying circuit connected with the power source for receiving the input signal and generating a rectified input signal, and a filtering circuit connected with the rectifying circuit to filter and smooth the rectified input signal. An input sensing circuit is connected with the input tracking circuit for receiving the input signal and generating an input-indicating signal at an input-sensing node. An output circuit is connected with the filtering circuit for delivering the rectified boost signal to a load. The output circuit senses an electrical parameter associated with the load to produce an output-indicating signal at an output-sensing node.

Abstract: A method for designing a multilayer module for a semiconductor package and for determining connections within a multilayer module having input-output (IO) contacts in a first array defined by first array information. A chip within the module has C4 contacts arranged in a second array defined by second array information. The connections are intermediate pairs of the IO contacts and the C4 contacts among a plurality of layers. The method comprises the steps of storing the first and second array information in storage; identifying connection paths in a layer between the pairs according to a selection algorithm using the first and second array information; identifying crossing paths; swapping either the C4 or IO contacts of selected crossing paths; identifying paths being blocked by another connection path to identify a need for a next layer to complete the blocked connection paths; repeating the method for subsequent layers for a predetermined number of iterations or until all connection paths are defined.

Abstract: An improved storage system for use with computers. The system includes a memory array bifurcated into a first and second array segment and a differential sense amplifier configured for selective operation in a first mode establishing one array segment as a reference load and the other array segment as a dynamic load, and a second mode establishing the other array segment as a reference load and the one array segment as a dynamic load. The amplifier senses changes in a parameter in the dynamic load with respect to the reference load.

Abstract: A method for forming a capacitor on a substrate having a contact below a top layer including the steps of:Spinning on a layer of photoresist material. Exposing the photoresist to light to establish a standing wave pattern to fix prominences of photoresist separated by separation areas. Each prominence extends a prominence height from the top layer to a top. Developing the photoresist to fix an erose face on each prominence, each face extending from the top layer to the top. Depositing a first oxide intermediate prominences to effect accumulation of the first oxide to an oxide height at least equal to the prominence height. Etching the first oxide to expose each top. Dissolving the photoresist to uncover oxide mandrels. Each mandrel extends a mandrel height from the top layer to a mandrel top; each mandrel has an erose mandrel face intermediate the top layer and the mandrel top. Etching the top layer to expose the contact.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip with high level logic functions formed from a pass gate logic family. The logic for each logic book includes at least one pass gate. Each book has complementary outputs and a pseudo latch attached to its outputs. If the book is of one FET type, the pseudo latch is of the opposite type. Books are placed in the logic function such that the output pseudo latches redrive opposite logic levels on alternating stages of series-connected books.

Abstract: An improved file access controller for a data processing system, and a method for the use thereof, and more particularly, an improved front end system for a file access control system, is described. The improvement is particularly useful for security audits and system maintenance of the file access controller.

Abstract: A wire clip is constructed as a one piece flexible elongate plastic molded strip having a central loop-shaped wire retaining portion and an attachment means for fastening its two ends in unison to a workpiece surface. Each end has a slot extending crosswise to the length of the elongate plastic molded strip; the open end of the two slots face in opposite directions. The ends are assembled together with their slots in alignment. The two ends are formed with slanting complementary surfaces which mate together to provide a sliding wedge action as a fastening pin is driven therethrough.

Abstract: A drive belt for a linear motion drive system in which a plurality of drive belts are helically disposed and rotated about a driven element to axially advance the element along its axis. The belts include a pair of resilient legs which operate to equally space the belts about the periphery of the driven element. The resilient legs also are adapted to accommodate changes in diameter of the driven element.

Abstract: A thermoplastic fastener having a slight taper, is friction welded to a thermoplastic workpiece. A system for friction welding the fastener includes a way of automatically stopping rotation of the fastener while contact pressure between the fastener and the workpiece is maintained.

Abstract: An improved metallized film capacitor configured for surface mounting to a substrate, which capacitor has a capacitive structure electrically terminated at a first end by a first electrical termination and electrically terminated at a second end by a second electrical termination and has at least one lateral face intermediate the first and second ends. The improvement comprises extension of each of the first and second electrical terminations from their respective ends onto the at least one lateral face of the capacitor and in that extension providing sufficient thickness to the electrical termination extensions to establish a gap between the at least one lateral face and a substrate when the capacitor is surface mounted to the substrate by the electrical terminations, the gap being sufficient to facilitate cleaning contaminants from between the lateral face of the capacitor and the substrate after the capacitor is mounted to the substrate.

Abstract: A switch actuator assembly comprises an insulating base and an insulating retainer assembled therewith. A switch contact assembly initially includes at least a first contact and a second contact interconnected by an integral narrow strip of sheet metal. The base and retainer are provided with an integral punch and die, and during assembly of the switch contact assembly with the base and the retainer the punch and die sever the connecting strip so that the first and second contacts are thereafter electrically isolated. During such severing the strip is deflected from its initial plane to augment the electrical isolation.