Abstract: A method and apparatus for grinding a surface on a workpiece, such as a spigot on a pipe, while supporting the workpiece on the surface being ground. The grinding apparatus includes workpiece support wheels, two of which are positioned beneath the workpiece and contact the workpiece at the surface being ground. The grinding apparatus also includes a rotator mechanism, such as a motor which drives one of the workpiece support wheels in frictional contact with the workpiece outer surface, for rotating the workpiece. The grinding apparatus further includes a surface grinding mechanism, such as a motor and grinding or cutting wheel positioned generally between the two workpiece support wheels and which contacts the surface being ground. The cutter mechanism is adjustable in a vertical direction and angularly to grind an angled surface.

Abstract: A method for controlling the flow of a first call record campaign to a second call record campaign, by a telephony system. Wherein after determining that a first call record campaign is not being driven to its maximum capacity and there are no more call records to dial, the system assigns a second campaign attribute to agents having a first campaign attribute. In response, the system initiates processing of the second call record campaign by processing a call record from the second call record campaign. The system detects the completion of additional call records from the first call record campaign and initiates processing of a corresponding number of call records from the second call record campaign, thereby seamlessly transitioning from the ending of the first call record campaign to the beginning of the second call record campaign.

Abstract: A system and method of providing an embedded controller network communication protocol, for controlling communications between a central controller and a plurality of active embedded controllers, wherein a first data transmission token (T2) is passed, under control of the central controller, from the central controller to an active embedded controller, back to the central controller, and then sequentially from the central controller to and from each coupled active embedded controller. Any active embedded controller may return data to the central controller only appended to the first token. A second data transmission token (T1) addressed to one active embedded controller is broadcast from the central controller to all of the active embedded controllers, with a data stream to be transmitted from the central controller to the addressed active embedded controller appended to the second data transmission token (T1).

Abstract: A method and system for allocating agents possessing predetermined qualifying attributes to an outbound telephone call campaign is disclosed. The method includes the steps of assigning qualifying attributes to agents of a telephony system and further include the step of generating requests for agents possessing specific qualifying parameters within campaign call scripts. Agents meeting the agent request parameters are allocated to the outbound telephone call campaign for servicing call records within the outbound telephone call campaign.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for adding and integrating outbound calling and overall system control to an existing inbound telephone system. The existing inbound telephone call distribution system is coupled to a number of telephone lines, and connects incoming calls to an available operator having a voice signal processing unit. The present system detects at least one available operator and an absence or a threshold condition of incoming calls to connect to the operator. An automated telephone dialer, coupled to the inbound call distributor, is also provided. The automated telephone dialer is responsive to the detection of at least one available operator and the absence or threshold condition of incoming calls to connect to the operator, for placing an outbound telephone call. The system directs that the voice portion of an answered outbound telephone call be connected to the existing voice signal processing unit of the available operator.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a two-channel SCSI-compatible interconnection system and method, a dielectric material into which SCSI data and control signal carrying wires are embedded frees ground wires in the SCSI cable to carry first and second SCSI channels so that one conventional SCSI cable and cable connector can support two separate SCSI channels without signal ground wires. In another embodiment of a two-channel SCSI compatible interconnection system and method, a high-density, 100 position dual channel SCSI connector having connector positions doubled in number and spaced at halved intervals relative to a conventional SCSI cable connector supports two separate SCSI channels. In this embodiment, a single one hundred (100) wire SCSI cable or two (2) fifty (50) wire SCSI cables may be attached to the high-density dual channel SCSI connector. In all embodiments, the SCSI channel handling capability is effectively doubled over the heretofore known SCSI connectors for a given connector size or footprint.

Abstract: A smart telecommunications supervisor management workstation with monitoring system provides real-time operation statistics and graphical representation of system operation in real time. A standardized graphic user interface and a mouse-driven point and click user friendly interface minimize keyboard entry. A management workstation also generates reports using off-the-shelf spreadsheet packages incorporates data management functions via a highly refined user interface. The management workstation comprises an integrated system for generating alerts based on user-defined criteria for database information. Color-coded or shaded monochrome displays provide ease of viewing. Extensive use of icons allows quick identification and selection of management control functions.

Abstract: An adjustable cable supporting hinge assembly pivotably couples a support member, such as a tray for holding an electronic component, to a support structure, such as a housing or cabinet for an electronic system. The adjustable cable supporting hinge assembly includes a hollow cylindrical hub member which receives the cables coupling the electronic component to the electronic system. The cables are inserted into a cable-receiving region in the hollow cylindrical hub member during assembly and are protected against damage when the pivotable support member is moved. The adjustable wire supporting hinge assembly further includes an adjustable clamp member which rotatably supports and clamps the hollow cylindrical hub member. The adjustable clamp member is adjustable to provide a variable resistance against rotation for the pivotable support member to accommodate electronic components of different sizes and different weights.

Abstract: A hot-pluggable cabinet cooling fan assembly is mounted to an exterior face of a cabinet in such a way as to enable removal or service of the fan assembly without either disrupting the operation of the cabinet being cooled or opening of cabinet doors. First and second plugs are provided on confronting faces of the fan assembly and the exterior face of the cabinet. Mechanical elements are carried by the confronting faces that prealign the plugs, while other mechanical elements are carried by the plugs that finely align the electrical connection elements of the plugs. A handle is provided that allows single-handed fan assembly mounting and dismounting.

Abstract: A flexible, self-adhesive, lighting system includes a continuous length of flexible, self-adhesive, light emissive material, cuttable into segments of light emissive material, each segment including a plurality of light emitting diodes serving as light emissive devices. The segments are electrically coupled by different shaped couplers, for forming a variety of configurations of light emissive material, and further coupled to a source of power. Each coupler includes at least two electrical conductors for conducting power from one segment of light emissive material to a coupled segment or a source of power. Each of the light emissive devices may be covered by one clear or colored lens. Alternatively, multiple light emissive devices, of the same or different color, may be covered by one lens. Further, steady or intermittent power from a power control unit may be supplied to each light emissive device for providing different lighting sequences and colors.

Abstract: A tactile recognition language display device includes at least one language communication segment. Each language communication segment includes a top portion having a tactilly recognizable language symbol and a side portion having a corresponding visually recognizable language symbol. The language communication segment further includes engaging members for mounting language communication segments to form words or phrases displaying a message, such as in a public place. The language communication segments of the tactile recognition language display device are removably mounted in such a way that the tactilly recognizable portion of the displayed message is easily accessible to touch by visually-impaired individuals while the visually recognizable portion of the displayed message is easily viewed. The language communication segments are removably mountable on a mounting board which may be moved to various locations for conveying the tactilly and visually recognizable message.

Abstract: A timber expander and coupling system both expands at least one dimension of existing timbers and spans two existing timbers. The timber system includes first and second parallel spaced continuous members. Each continuous member includes a first portion extending in a first direction parallel to a timber, and a second portion, extending from the first portion, in a second opposite direction. The first and second continuous members are held in spaced, parallel relationship by either a cross-member, or an expander timber disposed in an expander timber receiver region formed by the second portions of the first and second continuous members. The first portions of the first and second continuous members form a timber coupling region, for coupling to timbers and for expanding the dimension of an existing timber, or for coupling to and spanning the distance between at least two timbers.

Abstract: A data storage system which automatically provides and maintains identical secondary data on a preferably geographically remote secondary data storage device. The system includes a primary host computer located in the first geographic location which is coupled to a primary data storage system also located in the first geographic location. The primary data storage system includes at least one primary data storage device on which primary data is to be stored, and a primary data storage system controller which receives data from the primary host computer and controls the storing of the primary data on the primary data storage device.

Abstract: A protective member for a display device such as an LCD display mounted in a display system provides protection to the display device against ultraviolet light and shock. In one embodiment, the protective member is mounted between the display device and at least one source of light energy which includes both ultraviolet light energy and visible light energy. In another embodiment, the protective member is used to actually fabricate the display device. The protective member blocks generally all of the ultraviolet light energy which has a wavelength of between 200 to 390 nanometers, while transmitting at least 90 percent of the visible light energy having a wavelength greater than approximately 410 nanometers. The protective member has a thermal coefficient of expansion (TCE) of between 45.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C. and 60.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree. C., so as to be useable with present day manufacturing processes for such display devices.

Abstract: A tactile recognition language overlay system includes a piece of pliable material for covering a pressure sensitive or push button operated device, such as a keyboard or control panel. The piece of pliable material includes depressible portions which move below the piece of pliable material to contact detection regions disposed on the pressure sensitive device, such as keys on a keyboard. Each depressible portion has an engaging region which is adapted to engage a tactile recognition language block having at least a tactilly recognizable character, such as a Braille character. The tactile recognition language blocks may also include visual indicia. The depressible portions and engaging regions are spaced and oriented in a predetermined pattern corresponding to detection regions on the pressure sensitive device.

Abstract: A cache management system and method monitors and controls the contents of cache memory coupled to at least one host and at least one data storage device. A cache indexer maintains a current index of data elements which are stored in cache memory. A sequential data access indicator, responsive to the cache index and to a user selectable sequential data access threshold, determines that a sequential data access is in progress for a given process and provides an indication of the same. The system and method allocate a micro-cache memory to any process performing a sequential data access. In response to the indication of a sequential data access in progress and to a user selectable maximum number of data elements to be prefetched, a data retrieval requestor requests retrieval of up to the selected maximum number of data elements from a data storage device. A user selectable number of sequential data elements determines when previously used micro-cache memory locations will be overwritten.

Abstract: A method for allocating resources, such as agents, to multiple tasks such as call campaigns in a telephony system includes establishing at least first and second tasks, each task including a pacing ratio, a task attribute, and at least one group of processes to be executed. The first and second task attributes are assigned to at least one resource which is provided for servicing the first and second group of processes. After the tasks are initiated, the resource having the first and second task attributes is allocated to servicing at least one process from each of the first and second groups of processes. The method also includes computing the balanced condition of each task and if the task is out of balance, reallocating system resources to each task for which the resource maintains a task servicing attribute.

Abstract: A cache management system and method monitors and controls the contents of cache memory. Cache memory is organized into at least a first section for storing data waiting to be written to a longer term data storage device, and a second section for storing data elements which have been written to the longer term data storage device. A time indication provider provides a time indication signal to a cache indexer, for maintaining a cache index representing data elements which are stored in cache as well as an indication that a data element must be written to a longer term data storage device. A cache manager is responsible for placing data elements into and removing data elements from the cache memory. The cache manager determimes the amount of time that the data element has been stored in cache as well as the average period of time that elapses between a data element being inserted in cache and being removed from cache.

Abstract: An extension tube system for a dust particulate dispenser and a method of using the extension tube system are disclosed. The system includes a flexible duster extension tube having a central body portion with a first diameter, a first coupling end with a larger diameter, and a second dispensing end with a smaller diameter. Additionally, the second dispensing end includes a dust particulate collection region which serves to prevent dust particulates from spilling out of the duster extension tube when such action is not desired. The first coupling end is inserted over an outlet region of a dust particulate dispenser. Additional extension tubes can be connected to the second dispensing end of an extension tube to extend the reach to an area where dust particulates must be applied. A flexible duster extension tube cleaner having a cleaning element is used to clean remaining dust particulates from within the extension tubes.

Abstract: An anchoring device for anchoring a threaded member in a substrate material includes a plastic anchoring sheath for receiving the screw. The plastic anchoring sheath includes annular anchoring ribs formed around a body portion of the anchoring sheath and at least three longitudinal ribs extending along at least a portion of the body portion of the anchoring sheath preferably parallel to a longitudinal axis of the anchoring sheath. The longitudinal ribs extend outwardly from the anchoring sheath and lie in different planes which intersect at the longitudinal axis of the anchoring sheath. The anchoring sheath preferably includes top and bottom regions which have no annular or longitudinal ribs. The plastic anchoring sheath may be coated with a resilient, elastomeric coating.