Abstract: A connector assembly for electrically coupling an external circuit to a printed circuit board comprises a printed circuit board secured to a housing. The housing has a threaded bore in one end wall and a connector having a threaded end is secured to the end wall via the bore. An electrode extending axially from the threaded end is positioned proximate an electroconductive circuit portion of the printed circuit board and solder electrically connects the electrode to the circuit portion. Fingers are circumferentially spaced about the connector proximate a second end thereof and are resiliently compressed within a cavity formed in a coupling when the connector is inserted into the coupling. An external circuit electrode axially extending within the cavity and electrically connected to the external circuit mates with a female conductor formed in the second end of the connector to complete the electrical connection between the printed circuit board and the external circuit.

Abstract: Constant envelope angle modulation apparatus comprises a frequency synthesizer for outputting a stepped output waveform having a selectable precise output frequency. The output of the synthesizer provides an input to a mixer for O-QPSK modulating a received information signal. The O-QPSK modulated signal is then hard-limited, for example, via a series of hard limiting amplifier and filter circuits and a divider circuit. Preferably, a data stream for modulation may be filtered via a filter having an approximately 70-100% roll-off characteristic, such as a root raised cosine filter. A hard-limited, constant envelope angle modulated signal results that is easily frequency converted to, for example, microwave frequencies for landline or satellite applications via a simple multiplier circuit. The multiplier circuit preferably comprises a series of stage-filtered multipliers and band pass filters to achieve the desired output microwave frequency.

Abstract: A radio frequency choke for use in a cable television transmission and distribution circuit is disclosed. The radio frequency choke comprises a core of zinc-ferrite material as provided by MMG/NEOSID, Ltd., part number 31P0250012, and a wire coil wound around the core. The coil includes a first lead, a first clockwise winding of N1 turns around the core, the first lead being connected to an input of the first winding, a second counterclockwise winding of N2 turns around the core, a third counterclockwise winding of N3 turns around the core, and a second lead connected to an output of the fourth winding. In a preferred embodiment, there are six turns in the first clockwise winding, five turns in the second clockwise winding, and five turns in the third counterclockwise winding. Moreover, in the preferred embodiment, resonance damping resistors of approximately 2 K.OMEGA. are connected between the windings of the radio frequency choke.

Abstract: A cable data network architecture includes a master head-end, at least one distribution hub connected to the master head end via a first communication link, and one more more user modems connected to the distribution hub(s) via a second communication link. The master head end includes an inter-hub communications switch, a network controller, a network element manager, and one or more external communication links. The distribution hub includes at least one radio frequency modulators for modulating and transmitting data, at least one demodulator for receiving and demodulating return data, a link access control computer for controlling transmission and reception of data by the distribution hub, a hub element manager for detecting faulty communications to and from the distribution hub, and a local switch for switching data between the modulators, the demodulators, the link access computer and the hub element manager within the distribution hub.

Abstract: A test system for evaluating the operating state of a headend of a broadband communications network for communicating telephony signals between a telephony system and subscribers of communications services. Modulators at the headend transmit telephony signals in the forward band of the broadband communications network. The forward telephony channels are demodulated and demultiplexed by a plurality of subscriber terminals into individual telephony signals directed to an addressed subscriber. Signals returning from subscribers are digitized into standard telephony signals onto the reverse band of the broadband communications network, and demodulated by demodulators of the headend into a standard telephony signal that is interfaced to the telephony network. The test system evaluates the operating state of a selected demodulator of the headend by modulating a carrier with a predetermined data pattern to generate a upstream test signal.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a condition, such as the presence of electrical power, at a remote location and for generating a telephone call on to a telephone line that delivers to a central control unit notification of a change in the monitored condition in the form of a set of unique identifying signals. According to the method, the condition is monitored at the remote location and is sensed for changes in the condition from a first state to a second state. Responsive to a change in the condition to the second state, the telephone line is tested and a line availability signal generated. Responsive to indicia of line availability, the line is selectively seized.

Abstract: Labels (12) are disposed on a carrier strip (10), which is routed from a feed reel (22), over a guide (24), idlers (26 & 28), through a printer (30), over a peeler plate (32), and to a pick-up reel (34). The labels are cleaned of dust prior to printing by effectively rolling an adherent surface (36) over the printing surface (14) of each label as it moves past the guide.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing multimedia signals to a subscriber from a headend unit using a tap. The multimedia signals are transmitted on a network media as a composite RF and AC signal. A tap is upgraded by with a circuit that separates the AC from the RF signal in the composite signal. The separated AC signal is split in the upgraded tap. The RF signals are split in a circuit on the faceplate of the tap. The AC signal is fed to a power distribution unit which generates an AC output signal that is surge protected, RF filtered and current limited. The split RF signal and AC output signals are fed to connectors on the faceplate. By providing a tap where the AC and RF signal are separated in the same unit, the system can be upgraded with a power distribution unit when AC signals are required to supply power to subscriber equipment.

Abstract: A system for controlling a device such as a television and for controlling access to broadcast information such as video, audio, and/or text information is disclosed. The system includes a first receiver for receiving utterances of a speaker, a second receiver for receiving vocabulary data defining a vocabulary of utterances, and a processor for executing a speech recognition algorithm using the received vocabulary data to recognize the utterances of the speaker and for controlling the device and the access to the broadcast information in accordance with the recognized utterances of the speaker.

Abstract: A battery packaging system (10) packages a battery cell or cells (26) in a housing member (12). A clip (14) is used to retain the battery cells in the housing member, and has cantilevered clip fingers (32) which engage openings (22) formed on the rim (20) of the housing member. The clip compressionally or resiliently engages the battery cells, so that they are tightly held in the housing, by retaining fingers (40) formed in the retaining surface (28) of the clip. A cap (16) may be attached to the clip, and provides a peripheral skirt (54) which covers the openings so that the clip is not removable.

Abstract: The present invention solves the gain, noise figure, and distortion problems of prior art thermal compensation circuits by incorporating a temperature-compensating circuit in the feedback loop of a transistor amplifier arrangement. Using this method, the insertion loss is reduced as the gain of the amplifier varies proportionately to the temperature. This method has a negligible effect on the noise figure and distortion, and the incremental cost is much lower than the conventional circuits. Furthermore, the present invention can be used in both single-ended or push-pull dual amplifier configurations.

Abstract: An electrochemical capacitor cell (140) is provided with first and second electrodes (146) (148), and a solid polymer electrolyte (154) is disposed therebetween. The electrodes may either be of the same or different materials and may be fabricated from ruthenium, iridium, cobalt, tungsten, vanadium, iron, molybdenum, hafnium, nickel, silver, zinc, and combinations thereof. The solid polymer electrolyte is in intimate contact with both electrodes, and is made from a polymeric support structure having dispersed therein an electrolyte active species. Also a method of fabricating a biopolar electrochemical charge storage device by assembling at least the first and second bipolar subassemblies together with the second layer of electrode active material for the first bipolar subassembly in direct contact with the first layer of electrode active material for the second bipolar subassembly without a current collector disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing information, such as power consumption, to a subscriber over an electronic network in response to commands provided by the subscriber. The apparatus includes a remote unit which detects and stores the power consumption information, a subscriber device, i.e., a telephone, for generating request commands and a control device which tracks the information. The subscriber using the subscriber device, feeds the request commands via the network to the control device. The control device responds to the commands by directing the remote unit to feed its stored power consumption information onto the network to the control device. The control device then processes the information and indicates the result back to the subscriber.

Abstract: An electrode material for use in an lithium intercalation electrochemical cell. The electrode material is an Li.sub.2 NiO.sub.2 material which may be used either alone, or in combination with conventional lithiated transition metal oxide materials. The electrode material provides a reservoir or excess pool of lithium ions adapted to overcome the irreversible capacity loss typically experienced in current lithium ion batteries.