Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes a first etch procedure that limits the extent of damage to the silicon substrate base of the semiconductor device, and a subsequent etch procedure operative to remove damaged portions of the silicon substrate base of the device remaining after the first etch procedure.

Abstract: A system for the inspection of a well borehole and the formation around the borehole. The system includes a sealed tubing at the lower end of which is mounted a fiberoptic telemetry module which receives various sensor modules for transmissions of sensed information to the surface. The modular telemetry link and sensor include fluid passageways through which fluid pumped from the surface down the sealed tubing may pass to create a region of optically clear and/or acoustically homogenous fluid in the borehole in the vicinity of the modular telemetry link and sensor. The passage of fluid through the passageways in the modular equipment may also serve to cool the circuits thereof.

Abstract: In telecommunications switching system, software is frequently modified, enhanced or replaced altogether by new versions. The implementation or integration of the new or revised software into the operational system must be accomplished in accordance with strict requirements for not disturbing the ongoing activities of the system. Therefore, it is desirable that the system not be halted while the change to the new software is made. Rather, the preferred approach is to be able to replace software modules with new versions on the fly, during system operation. The smooth modification made possible in the disclosed system allows such changes with minimal disturbance to ongoing activities. The disclosed system provides the ability to change software during operation by treating the dynamic operations of a telecommunications system as a set of parallel, independent transactions, with each transaction consisting of a series of connected activities.

Abstract: A remote system reboot facility effects reboots by resetting the central processing unit within a local or host console and by effecting a bus reset. The remote system reboot facility is actuated by signals transmitted over an asynchronous line from a remote console to a computer system manager within the host. The computer system manager, and possibly also a keyboard controller associated with the computer system manager, generates or generate the reset signals. Effectively, cold booting is accomplished by the remote simulating the effect of power cycling on the host and warm booting is accomplished by emulation of "control"--"alt"--"del" keystrokes.

Abstract: A model-based alarm coordination system coordinates primary and secondary alarm notifications in order to ascertain whether they are caused by a single fault, or multiple faults, in a complex electrical system. The alarm coordination function is part of a larger overall Fault Management Support (FMS) system. The FMS system is a framework that, when combined with object-specific fault management parts, offers uniform fault management functions to managed objects (MOs) within the electrical system. Each MO is viewed as a self-contained, functional unit, and is responsible for its own internal fault management. Therefore, there are no global or centralized fault management functions. Object relation models, based on functional dependencies between objects, are used to automatically solve the alarm coordination problem which arises when a large number of faults are reported in response to a single fault which causes out-of-specification performance in many dependent objects.

Abstract: A processing system of the type having a processor which accesses external memory for data and/or instructions which includes an improved external memory access control system for rendering the external memory enable time durations independent from the number of external memory accesses per unit of time for reducing power consumption of the processing system. The control system includes a selectably programmable clock for providing a clock signal of one of at least two speeds for determining the external memory access rate. The control system also includes enable duration control structure coupled to the selectably programmable clock. The enable duration control structure is arranged to enable the external memory for time durations during each memory access which are independent from the external memory access rate. Further, the enable duration control structure includes substructure for changing the duty cycle of external memory enable time duration control signals based upon the selected clock speed.

Abstract: A communications protocol for a cellular network comprised of a plurality of exchanges each of which includes a software package for providing services to a plurality of subscribers. According to this protocol, efficient communication between two exchanges can be implemented through a handshake procedure in which each exchange identifies the capabilities and features of its software package to the other exchange.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for transmitting information on a communications channel, e.g. , a digital control channel between a base station and a mobile station in a cellular system. The method includes the steps of grouping the information into a plurality of information elements, providing at least one change flag to indicate whether the value of at least one of the information elements has changed and transmitting the change flag and the information element over the communications channel.

Abstract: A serial communication port structure for starting and stopping an internal clock. This internal clock is designed, in operation, to generate a clock output signal to be transmitted to a device external to the system in which the serial communication port is incorporated. By ANDing the clock output signal with a data output signal of predetermined length, the serial communication port can effectively control the passage of time as sensed by the external device.

Abstract: A feature interaction manager (FIM) is interposed between a telecommunications switching platform within a network and the feature logic providing call features to subscribers using the platform. Control is interposed within the interface between the detection of events within the switching system and the implementation of the telecommunications services by the feature logic in order to manage the interaction of various ones of a plurality of features provided to a subscriber. The system evaluates events within the network in order to isolate each feature from the other features and associates them only through the feature interaction manager.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for recovering carboxylic acids having from one to ten carbon atoms, and particularly formic acid, acetic acid and mixtures of formic and acetic acids, from aqueous solutions, in which the aqueous solution is contacted with solvent consisting essentially of mixed trialkylphosphine oxides in counter-current liquid-liquid extraction flow in a contacting step to thereby transfer the acids from the aqueous solution to the solvent, thus producing a raffinate relatively low in acid content and a rich solvent. The rich solvent is preferably dehydrated to separate water therefrom and yield a dehydrated rich solvent. The dehydrated rich solvent then has the acids stripped from it and the resulting lean solvent is then returned to the liquid-liquid extraction step, while the separated acids are split into their constituent components in a distillation operation.

Abstract: Benzene and other aromatics are separated from a stream of mixed hydrocarbons containing both aromatics and non-aromatics by extractive distillation with a solvent system containing dimethyl sulfoxide and optionally a co-solvent, preferably water, followed by distillation stripping of the aromatics from the enriched solvent system, and recycle of the lean solvent system to the extractive distillation step.

Abstract: A low voltage busbar lighting apparatus which can be easily and cheaply mounted on a building structure and which is suitable for a wide variety of interior lighting applications. The lighting apparatus includes a busbar, a lamp stand or base which is mounted on the busbar and a current supply which is also mounted on the busbar. The busbar includes an adhesive film base and at least one longitudinal steel strip. The lamp base and the current supply are similarly constructed and each includes a base plate and at least one permanent magnet secured to the under side of the base plate.

Abstract: Direct fabrication of three-dimensional metal parts by irradiating a thin layer of a mixture of metal powder and temperature equalization and unification vehicle to melt the metal powder and form a solid metal film. The vehicle also protects the molten metal from oxidation. The metal powder can contain an elemental metal or several metals, the vehicle can be an organic resin or an amalgam, and the irradiation can be selectively applied by a YAG laser.

Abstract: A signal light comprising an elongate translucent tubular member formed of a light plastic material having a light source disposed therein for emitting illumination therefrom and providing guidance and orientation to aircraft and the like. A battery and a light bulb comprising a light source are housed entirely within the tubular member. A flush mounted switch is recessed entirely within a predetermined end of the tubular member to control an electrical connection between the battery and the light source. The signal light has a smooth continuous outer surface to provide structural rigidity and enable its use for visual signalling during both daytime and nighttime.

Abstract: Improved catalyst assemblies for vapor/liquid contact towers. Bundles of catalyst media used to promote chemical reactions are disposed substantially in the vapor phase of the tower, such as beneath trays therein for improving mass transfer efficiency. Unlike previous assemblies, wherein distillation in conjunction with chemical reaction occurs in the liquid phase or in a mixed phase, the present invention substantially confines the reaction step to the vapor phase. In this manner, the reaction is less obstructive to fluid flow within the tower, promoting better mixing and diffusion of the feed components in the vapor phase. In addition, less turbulence is created and the handling of vapors generated from an exothermic reaction is facilitated.

Abstract: The disclosed system includes a declarative language construct for use in programming telecommunications switching systems, comprised of certain natural language elements such as subjects, predicates and objects. The disclosed system also includes an efficient method for constructing prototype telecommunications system software that provides the capability to handle the real-time and parallel nature of operations in telecommunications systems. In yet another aspect, the disclosed system provides a layered software architecture for use in connection with telecommunications switching systems that enhances overall system functionality.

Abstract: Individual subscriber appearances having a common directory number are identified with the existing software modules of a stored program controlled telecommunication switching system by redefining the format of the subscriber pointer data word used therein. An addition field comprising a call appearance member number is added to the subscriber pointer data to produce a subscriber call identifier data word.

Abstract: A feature control system includes structure for initiating a change from one state to another state in response to a precipitating event, structure for generating a signal to identify a list of tasks to perform the transition, structure for retrieving the list of tasks from a previously formatted array and structure for processing the tasks to arrive at the second state. The present invention also provides a method for creating state table instructions which method includes the steps of formatting a program code to correspond to single entry two dimensional arrays, converting the program code to discrete integer pointers, interconnecting the tables to perform the tasks in a linear fashion and processing the tasks to arrive at a new state.