Abstract: The relative launch power of signals at an add/drop node transponder is controlled to maximize available power. Known values of signal bandwidth and likely noise in the signal path, for example, derived from the system manager, are used to control the launch power into the optical amplifier, in order to optimize the launch power accordingly.

Abstract: A laser projection device suitable for displaying full color images is disclosed. The LPD includes a variety of techniques for modulating laser beams produced by one or more lasers with image data to controllably produce the image using a modified raster scan.

Abstract: An electric conductor for electrodes composed of a carbon fiber felt has low felt density and a great number of pores so that it can retain a cathodic reactant such as molten sulphur. The electric conductor is manufactured by forming a lap by mixing and locking together relatively large amount of a flame-resistance fiber and relatively small amount of an organic fiber, orienting fibers of the layered lap in the direction of a thickness by needle-punching to felt the layered lap and baking the felt thus obtained at 1100 to 2000° C. whereby the flame-resistant fiber is carbonized and then the organic fiber is so incinerated that solid thereof is almost transpired.

Abstract: In a synchronous communications network such as SDH or SONET, traffic signals can be tagged to indicate that a fault condition has already been identified and reported. On examination of the alarm tag at subsequent stages, an alarm is suppressed if the tag indicates that the fault has already been reported.

Abstract: Laser power control arrangements interrupt power to a laser used in electro-optical readers upon detection of operating conditions not conforming to preestablished standards, and adjust power to the laser to enhance reader performance without violating prevalent safety standards.

Abstract: An arrangement for, and a method of, correcting for image distortion in an image projection system include making the scan lines of the projected image all of the same length by adjusting the amplitude of a drive signal used to sweep a laser beam to form each scan line of the image.

Abstract: Material is removed from objects to be marked or machined by applying tools having cutouts arranged in a pattern on the objects, filling the cutouts with abrasive particles, pouring a molten metal over the tools to solidify as a backing, and then ultrasonically vibrating the backing to propel the abrasive particles through the cutouts to transfer the pattern to the objects.

Abstract: Automatic detection or correction of addresses, such as Uniform Resource Locators, that are user-entered may be provided. A code that is associated with an address may be entered when an address is entered. Errors in the address may be detected and corrected based on the code. The code may be determined for an address based on the string of characters comprising that address. Reed-Solomon techniques, checksum determining techniques, or other such techniques may be used to determine a code of an address. A code may be inserted at the end of an address with a number of particular characters placed in between the code and the address to signal that a code is being used. The address, code, and code-distinguishing characters in between the code and the address may be entered by being typed in or scanned in.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit for amplifying an input signal to generate an amplifier output signal incorporates a cascaded series of reflection amplifiers arranged along a signal path and operative to amplify signals propagating in a forward direction along the signal path. The circuit is operative to counteract signal propagation in a reverse direction along the signal path, thereby hindering spontaneous oscillation from arising within the circuit. Incorporation of reflection amplifiers into the circuit enables it to provide high gain, for example 50 dB, while consuming low currents, for example, tens of microamperes. The circuit is especially suitable for use at intermediate frequencies in radio receivers such as mobile telephones.

Abstract: A sales transaction system utilizing electronically stored coupons including a portable handheld optical code reader for scanning symbols on paper coupons associated with product items to be purchased a host computer for receiving data associated with the scanned coupons from of the reader, and for redeeming the electronically stored coupons for each respective corresponding item purchased. Alternatively, also is provided a method of preparing paper coupons to facilitate a sales transaction by providing a customer identifier in a user's computer; inputting into the computer an electronic coupon template for a specific product; providing the customer identifier data into the coupon template; and printing a paper coupon including the customer identifier data for the specific product.

Abstract: An optical interface arrangement includes a tile carrying an optical component which is mounted substantially at right angles to a closely adjacent circuit board which carries an electrical circuit. The circuit board has an electrically conductive track extending to an edge of the board adjacent to an edge of the tile. The edge surface of the tile has a localized recess carrying an electrically conductive material which extends across the thickness of the tile and along a major surface of the tile to connect with the optical component. A short bondwire is provided which links the electrically conductive material in the recess to the adjacent electrically conductive track on the circuit board.

Abstract: A heat transfer structure for the efficient cooling of a heated surface such as the combustor wall of a gas turbine has a high heat transfer coefficient and can therefore operate at a relatively low pressure loss. A cooling jacket is formed around the heated surface by means of an apertured wall parallel to and spaced from the heated surface. Cooling fluid such as air flows into the cooling jacket through the apertures and impinges as air jets on the heated surface. The heat transfer coefficient is greatly increased by flow diversion features associated with the apertures which act as Coanda surfaces to divert the air jets so that they impinge obliquely and turbulently on the heated surface and establish subsequent turbulent sinuous cross-flows of the cooling air on the heated surface.

Abstract: To provide trimmable inductor structure for a multichip module, direct-chip-attach or surface mount assembly in which an inductive element is formed on or near a surface of the assembly, a planar chip of dielectric or ferrite material is mounted over the inductive element, this chip having on its upper surface a trimmable metallization layer, which may for example be patterned in concentric rings or in a spiral.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus such as a computer terminal, video camcorder, portable picture phone or a bar code reader includes a display which is arranged to pivot so as to provide optimum ease of viewing for the user. A reader such as an optical scanner for scanning indicia, for example bar code symbols, comprises a handle portion and, mounted pivotally thereon, a head portion. The angle of the head portion relative to the handle portion can be adjusted by rotating the head portion as desired. The reader can thus be used to read bar code symbols that would otherwise be inaccessible. In an alternative embodiment a reading head is mounted pivotally on a fixed terminal and is movable so as to accommodate the physical requirements of the operator.

Abstract: In a single-chip multistandard video modulator arrangement in which audio signals for transmission with video signals are first modulated onto a subcarrier and then combined with the video signals for modulation onto a VHF or UHF main carrier, the modulated subcarrier signals are passed through a high-pass filter before being combined with the video signals in order to reduce the amplitude of any audio frequency components, and the resulting variations in main carrier amplitude, which tend to produce "sound in vision" effects.

Abstract: Commercial transactions are expedited at a point-of-transaction site by providing a customer with advance notification of the price of selected goods, by providing a workstation with an adjustable, multi-positionable scanner head, by providing a field-portable scanner arrangement worn on the customer's body, and by automatically charging one's credit account with the price of the selected goods.

Abstract: A plurality of pop-out decorations are die-cut from ribbon loops arranged in a bow. As the loops are formed, a part of each decoration is moved outwardly to create a multi-dimensional, multi-colored visual effect.

Abstract: An antenna arrangement is provided in which a slot antenna is attached to the surface of an equipment case made of a dielectric material, there being provided also a ground plane spaced a small distance apart from the case and behind the antenna. The equipment may be a personal computer, e.g. a notebook computer, and the antenna, which may take the form of a copper foil, may be attached to the lid of the computer by an adhesive on its rear surface. The ground plane may, in this case, take the form of an existing display backplane. The invention provides for the realization of a compact antenna arrangement due to the effect of the case dielectric on the effective electrical length of the slot antenna.