Abstract: A method for securing passwords and personal identification numbers utilizes a mastercode. At least ten characters are selected for the mastercode. The selected characters are randomly associated to a corresponding digit, wherein the association defines the mastercode. A numeric sequence is translated into a corresponding character sequence using the mastercode. The corresponding character sequence is expanded into an ordinary word. An apparatus for implementing the method is also described. For enhanced security the mastercode can be embedded within a mastergrid camouflaging the mastercode.

Abstract: A microparticle light scattering agglutination assay is disclosed. The assay comprises a mixture of particles having strong light scattering properties with particles having weak light scattering properties. The particles having strong light scattering properties carry a binding partner of high reactivity with the analyte. The particles having weak light scattering properties carry a binding partner of low reactivity with the analyte. Reagents useful in the assay are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for selecting a digital channel from a composite digital signal which is made up of a plurality of digital channels. The method is accomplished by assigning two frequency bands of a plurality of frequency bands to each of the plurality of digital channels, wherein the two frequency bands overlap. A filtering process is accomplished by selecting a filter, from a group of filters, the selected filter corresponding to one of the frequency bands. The selected filter is then applied to the composite digital signal.

Abstract: A demultiplexer demultiplexes an incoming WDM signal that contains a given number of channels into a given number of bands, each band containing a subset of the number of channels. An add/drop filter capable of handling the subset of channels in each band is coupled to the demultiplexer when a channel within a band requires further processing. A multiplexer multiplexes the processed bands and the passed through bands and outputs a WDM signal into the optical network.

Abstract: A telephone cord having an automatic dialer incorporated therein. The telephone cord connects a telephone to a wall jack and includes a line powered dialer circuit. When the associated telephone handset goes off-hook for placement of on outgoing call, a predetermined prefix of numbers is automatically dialed prior to a caller entered number using DTMF tones. A confirmation tone may then be issued to the user. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the phone cord and accompanying dialer module include a microprocessor to perform intelligent functions. A caller dialed number is initially trapped and buffered, wherein a modified sequence of numbers is then redialed, if necessary. A prerecorded message or confirmation tone may be issued to the caller while the message is being buffered. In another alternative embodiment, a number recognition program is automatically downloaded from a central office upon power up to assist in automatic dialing of local toll calls.

Abstract: A tracing interface module for use in a patch cord tracing system, wherein the patch cord tracing system traces patch cords in a telecommunications patching system. The tracing interface module attaches to the face of the patch panels in a telecommunications closet. The tracing interface modules provide a means of detecting when patch cords have been removed from, or added to, the connector ports on the patch panels. The tracing interface module has three primary components. The first component is a support plate that attaches to the patch panel. The second component is a printed circuit board that is supported by the support plate. The support plate is manufactured with voids that correspond in position to surface mounted components on the printed circuit board. Consequently, the components on the printed circuit board pass into the support plate, thereby creating a highly space efficient assembly.

Abstract: A low-profile radio frequency (RF) shield for utilization on a printed circuit board (PCB) to envelope and shield a RF radiating termination or connector pin. The shield includes of a planar sheet of a conductive material (typically metal) with a cavity depression formed at an intermediate location within the planar sheet of the conductive material. The cavity depression is sized to envelope the RF radiating termination or connector pin to be shielded without directly contacting the termination or pin.

Abstract: A sensor mountable within a hydraulic cylinder provides a precision signal indicative of the position of the piston utilizing a non-contacting electromechanical transducer. The sensor includes a flexible connector attached between the cylinder piston and a converting element for sensing the displacement of the cylinder piston. The converting element comprises a pick-up spool coupled to the other end of the connector and rotatable about an axis. The spool is under tension from a spring coupled to the spool. A lead screw engages threads on the interior of the spool, and translates along an axis when the spool rotates. A transducer is disposed to sense the position of the lead screw, and provides an output signal proportional to the motion or position of the movable element. The transducer may be an LVDT or other non-contacting transducer.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies against dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase are disclosed. Immunologic assays using the monoclonal antibodies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reverse-engaging patchcord plug has a rearward-facing connector channel, and is used in connection with a wiring block assembly. A cover pivots between two positions. In the first position covering the channel, the hook-shaped channel will not snag on the wiring while being pulled out of troughs. A detent releasably retains the cover in the first position. In the second position uncovering the channel, the plug will engage the connecting block to allow signals to be conducted between them. A latch is attached to the plug. With the cover in the second position, the latch has a hook that engages a strike attached to the wiring block assembly for retaining the plug on the wiring block assembly. The latch is resilient, requiring minimal applied force to secure and release.

Abstract: A system having a plurality of patch cords, wherein each of the patch cord is terminated with patch cord connectors. Each of the patch cord connectors, in turn, contains a unique identifier that can be used to distinguish one patch cord from among the many patch cords in a telecommunication patch system. Within the telecommunications closet is at least one rack structure. A plurality of connector ports are disposed on the rack structure. Each of said connector ports is adapted to receive a patch cord connector. Each of the connector ports has a sensor that reads the unique identifier of any of the patch cord connectors as a patch cord connector is either inserted into, or removed from, a connector port. As the identifier on each patch cord connector is read, the overall system can automatically keep track of which specific patch cords are being added and removed from the system.

Abstract: A fiber administration system and method of operation that enables an owner of the fiber administration system to pay for only the external optical fiber cables used by that fiber administration system. The fiber administration system has at least one fiber distribution shelf on which are located a plurality of optical connection ports. Each of the optical connection ports terminate the end of a different external optical fiber. Each of the optical connection ports contains a sensor for detecting when that optical connection port is engaged by an optical coupling within the fiber administration system. A monitoring module is provided that is coupled to the sensor of each of the optical connection ports. The monitor module determines from each sensor whether or not an optical coupling has engaged each optical connection port and records when each of the optical connection ports is first engaged. The data record recorded by the monitor module can be accessed from a remote location for billing purposes.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically handling sample cups closed with a screwable cap is disclosed. The apparatus for automatically opening, closing and transporting sample cups comprises a transportable gripper (11) which includes a rotatable gripper tool (21) adapted to enter and engage with a recess (35, 36) of said cap (34) to form a connection which can be locked by rotating the gripper tool (21) in a first sense with respect to said sample cup (31) and which can be unlocked by rotating the gripper tool (21) with respect to said sample cup (31) in a second sense opposite to the first.

Abstract: The present invention describes a site specific conjugation method for glycoproteins wherein a stable dihydrazone bond is formed between the glycoproteins and the glycoproteins retain full activity. Also described is a novel glycoprotein-glycoprotein conjugate of the formula wherein X and Y are glycoproteins modified such that the vicinal hydroxyl groups of the carbohydrate moieties in the glycoproteins have been oxidized to aldehydes which are then reacted with a hydrazide functional group to form a hydrazone bond which is represented in Formula I by “—C═NNH—”.

Abstract: An apparatus and a technique for adapting a plurality of tap weights in an adaptive filter where tap weights are adapted utilizing every other sample of a sequence of samples. The apparatus comprises a sampler circuit for sampling an input signal producing a sequence of samples; a tap weight processor for generating the plurality of tap weights coupled to the sampler circuit; wherein the plurality of tap weights are adapted utilizing every other sample of the sequence of samples.

Abstract: A system and method for providing automatic path selection in a fiber-optic transmission network. The system provides efficient utilization of available bandwidth with respect to T1, T3 and STS-3c service requests. A time slot is selected from the available time slots in a maximally utilized and efficient manner in response to a type of service request. The time slot is then assigned to the service request to provide a transmission pathway. In response to a T1 service request, the system finds the most occupied time slot which has an available assignable time slot. If a new unoccupied time slot is required or the request is for a T3 or a STS-3c service, the system selects an unoccupied time slot in accordance with a prioritized order of contiguous unoccupied time slots.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for providing a multiple language capability in a computer-based target application such as a personal computer-based (PC-based) attendant console for a communications switching system. The multiple language capability of the present invention includes the ability to dynamically change language selections for the text-based information that is visually presented to a user of the target application, which includes commands, labels, status and error messages, help screens, and the like. Users can either select a pre-programmed standard language, customize any of the standard languages to create a modified version of the standard language, or create a new language. In one embodiment, a multiple language capable PC-based attendant console includes a programmable computer with a custom language development function, a privileged operations function for administrators, and an attendant operations function.

Abstract: A network interface circuit employs an extended feedback circuit topology for impedance matching across a high voltage boundary between a line side portion and low voltage portion of a network. The network interface circuit includes an operational amplifier-based circuit which is responsive to a signal applied from user equipment on the low voltage portion. Specifically, the present invention includes a transmit path having a first, second, and third amplifier circuit and an impedance element, and a receive path that includes a transfer function implemented as a second order low pass filter for correcting amplifier gain and phase effects in the complex feedback loop of the circuit. The output impedance is remotely set by multiplying the impedance element by a scale factor to match the network impedance. The feedback loop is extended across the high voltage boundary using high voltage interfaces such as linear optical coupling devices (LOCs).

Abstract: This invention involves a thermal cycler capable of performing amplification of nucleic acids. This thermal cycler provides for the fully automatic positioning of its movable lid, which can be placed in two positions. The lid is also suitable for heating a plurality of reaction vessels and for shielding them from light from the environment. In addition, the thermal cycler also includes a thermal block having a plurality of chambers each of which receives the lower part of a reaction vessel. Finally, the thermal cycler has a lid carrier for moving the lid from the first position to the second position and vice versa.