Abstract: There is provided a method for transmitting non-real time traffic in a connection oriented communications network. The network includes a network core that has a source and a destination with a path between them. The non-real time traffic is received at the source from a number of connections and each of the connections is associated with one of many classes of transmission service. The method includes the first step of aggregating at the source the non-real time traffic received from the connections onto the path. The non-real time traffic is transmitted on the path without regard to the connections with which the non-real time traffic is associated. The method includes the second step of segregating at the destination the non-real time traffic so transmitted on the path within the core according to the corresponding connections with which the non-real time traffic is associated.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a MEMS device having a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate with a first portion closed by a lid to provide a hermetically sealed region and an second portion external to said hermetically sealed region, a method of providing electrical connections to said hermetically sealed region comprising forming at least one continuous deep trench in said semiconductor and extending down to said insulator, said at least one deep trench surrounding and isolating at least one block of semiconductor within said substrate, and said at least one block of semiconductor extending form within said first region to said second region; depositing an insulating layer in said trenches and over the surface of said substrate; depositing a metal ring around said first region; sealing said lid to said metal ring; and attaching a contact to said at least one block of semiconductor in said second region to provide one or more electrical connections through said at least one block of semiconductor to one or more compo

Abstract: A system and method of tracking an error condition detectable in a communication network is provided. The method includes generating first derived communication attributes from collected statistics from the communication network in a first time interval and retaining the first derived communication attributes. The method further includes generating second derived communication attributes from collected statistics from the communication network in a second time interval, comparing values for the first and the second derived communication attributes to generate a comparison result and utilizing the comparison result as a factor in determining a status of the error condition.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for tracking utilization data for an electronic device, the electronic device having a non-volatile data storage component associated therewith for retaining the utilization data. In an embodiment, the method includes the steps of: a) after passage of a utilization interval, reading a first utilization data value for the electronic device stored in the non-volatile data storage component; b) incrementing said read value; and c) storing said incremented value into the non-volatile data storage component. In an embodiment, the electronic device is a circuit card operating in a communication switch, and the utilization data value is a time value indicating cumulative time of operation of the circuit card in the communication switch.

Abstract: A sub-micron structure is fabricated in a transparent dielectric material by focusing femtosecond laser pulses into the dielectric to create a highly tapered modified zone with modified etch properties. The dielectric material is then selectively etched into the modified zone from the direction of the narrow end of the tapered zone so that as the selective etching proceeds longitudinally into the modified zone, the progressively increasing width of the modified zone compensates for lateral etching occurring closer to the narrow end so as to produce steep-walled holes. The unetched portion of the modified zone produced by translating the laser beam close to and parallel to the bottom surface of the dielectric can serve as an optical waveguide to collect light from or deliver light to the etched channel which can contain various biological, optical, or chemical materials for sensing applications.

Abstract: A data server for use in networks where media data are transmitted in packet form comprises at least one card shelf containing at least a bus controller card, a plurality of media processor cards, and a backplane. The backplane has a plurality of media buses, which carry data in packet form among the cards installed on the shelf. Each card has at least one bidirectional port with its own unique identity, and each bidirectional port outputs flow control information as to whether that port can or cannot accept packets of data that are intended to be sent to it, as well as transmit requests to transmit packets of data from that port. Each card outputs flow control information for each bus. A bus arbiter reviews each request to transmit and each flow control message, and grants requests to transmit media data packets only when the intended destination address is free to receive a media data packet over a free bus.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of synchronizing data transmission through optical links between first and second communications components. Each of the first and second communications components include an optical laser for transmitting and receiving laser signals to and from each other through the optical links. In an embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: (a) initializing each of the first and second communications components; (b) enabling the optical lasers and optical sensors; (c) exchanging idle packets between the first and second communications components to establish a datapath across the optical links; (d) exchanging test data packets across the datapath established in step (c) to verify connection of the optical links; and (e) upon verification of connection of said optical links in step (d), enabling data flow between said first and second communications components.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing lubricity of a fuel includes a testing chamber for holding a sample of the fuel to be tested; an inlet for admitting the sample to the testing chamber; and an assembly for sealing the testing chamber to prevent moisture transfer during admission and testing of the fuel. In this way, more consistent results are obtained.

Abstract: A slumber bag for a small child is provided having a quilted fabric front and back panel which are preferably connected to form a bag, and preferably at least two straps at or near an upper opening in the bag. The straps act to hold the bag in place on the child. Preferably, the straps extend from one panel to the other, around the sides of the slumber bag, and preferably, the straps are adjustable and are releasable connected using parachute clips. The slumber bag effectively covers the legs and lower torso of the child, and while easily removable by a care-giver, resists inadvertent removal by the child.

Abstract: A timing circuit for generating clock signals, includes an acquisition digital phase locked loop with a wide capture range for closely following an input signal with its associated disturbances. An output digital phase locked loop having a slow response relative to the acquisition phase locked loop tracks an output of the acquisition phase locked loop to generate an output signal for the timing circuit.

Abstract: This patent concerns a system and method for detecting a mass calling event in a telephone system and to regulate telephone calls to a call destination for which a mass calling event has been detected where a packet transport network and Call Server is integrated into the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). A packet transport network and a central Call Server implement switching functionality traditionally provided by numerous Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) switches within the PSTN. A credit bucket mechanism is used for call regulation in a mass calling event. The packet network may be based on (but is not limited to) ATM, Frame Relay, or IP packet protocols.

Abstract: A method of controlling an echo canceller in a communications channel, is disclosed wherein input signals from the communications channel are first subbanded into a subband. Echo locations are then identified within the subband and are used to control the echo canceller. Typically, the echo canceller will be a fullband echo canceller with an adaptive filter, in which case the echo locations are used to control the filter coefficients.

Abstract: A system and method for adaptively assigning queue service weights to an ATM traffic management controller in order to reduce service weight update calculations. The implementation of a fair weighted queuing scheme on a network is divided into two functions: queue arbitration; and queue weight configuration. Queue arbitration is performed via a virtual time-stamped fair queuing algorithm. The queue weight configuration is performed via a reconfigurable weighted fair queuing controller wherein bandwidth requirements are calculated in response to connection setup and release values.

Abstract: An inverse multiplexer device has an input port for receiving a stream of data packets, a plurality of output ports for connection to outgoing physical links, and transmit buffers for preparing outgoing packets. An expansion port can receive packets from the transmit buffers and transfer them through a corresponding expansion port on another like inverse multiplexer to designated output links on the other inverse multiplexer. A controller outputs the data packets on a group of any of the aid links in accordance with an inverse multiplex protocol. The multiplexers can be thus cascaded to increase the number of output links that can be accommodated.

Abstract: An actuation inhibitor for metered dose inhalers comprises an annular band of semi-rigid plastics material having a substantially circular cross-section, with an upstanding wall encompassing from about 260° to 315°, a gap in the wall of from about 45° to 100°, and a pair of outwardly projecting walls, one at each side of the gap. The inside diameter when at rest in an unstressed manner is slightly smaller than that of a medication canister. The height is from about 40% to 65% of the predetermined diameter, and the length of each of the projecting walls is from about 10% to 50% of the height. The semi-rigid plastics material is sufficiently flexible to permit the pair of projecting walls to be spaced apart one from the other by up to about a further 90°, and the plastic memory permits the spreading apart of the projecting walls without being overcome.

Abstract: A system and method for managing data traffic through a path that includes a transmission link having a transport rate that is subject to change with time. In one embodiment the data traffic is shaped to ATM Forum's available bit rate (ABR) category of service. ABR traffic has an integrated resource management (RM) cell that returns congestion related information to the source over a feedback path. With this congestion information the source end point is able to tailor its traffic send or transmission rate in order to accommodate or take advantage of any change in transport rate encountered by the traffic due to dynamically changing rate over the transmission link.

Abstract: A multimode clock recovery circuit for providing constant bit rate services in a cell relay network has an embedded digital phase locked loop including an input circuit capable of generating a phase signal from at least two types of input signal. The phase signal controlling the output of the phase locked loop generates clock signals for the constant bit rate services.

Abstract: A personal fan has a stable mounting base with a bottom surface adapted to lie against the chest of a wearer and a top surface. The stable mounting base is in the form of a weighted shallow robust body having a length and breadth substantially greater than its thicknes. A tiltable shroudless fan unit is mounted on the top surface. A control for the fan is located on the body. A cord is attachable to the body to permit the body to be suspended around the neck of the wearer such that the bottom surface lies snugly against the wearer's chest and the shroudless fan unit can be oriented to direct airflow onto the user's face and the control is accessible to the user.

Abstract: A virtual counter for dynamically calculating memory addresses at a digital switch that receives data streams of different data rates. The switch has a memory that is divisible into partitions with each partition being divisible into multiple locations. A virtual counter is implemented for each data stream in a rate conversion architecture at the switch to optimize usage of the switch memory. An input virtual counter is used to calculate a data memory address and an output virtual counter is used to calculate a connection memory address.

Abstract: A system for implementing time stamp related features in a real time stamp distribution system is discussed. The distribution system derives a real time stamp (RTS) at a master timekeeping network element and distributes the RTS to associated network elements by way of a number of distribution techniques. Under certain network conditions, the real time stamp may not reach one or more of the network elements at the valid real time. In the present system, the network elements are able to derive a local time based on timing information recorded at the network element. Thus the system can detect an error in the time stamp delivered to a network element and can correct the time stamp utilizing a local time stamp feature.