Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrokinetic (EK) pump capable of creating high pressures electroosmotically, and capable of retaining high pressures. Both pressure creation and retention are accomplished without the need for moving parts. The EK pump uses a polymerizable fluid that creates the pressure-retaining seal within the EK pump when polymerization is initiated, typically by exposure to UV radiation. Weaklink devices are advantageously constructed including such a pressure-retaining EK pump since, among other advantages, the response of the weaklink device relies on predictable and reliable chemical polymerization reactions.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is the construction of mixtures of Bayesian networks. Another aspect of the invention is the use of such mixtures of Bayesian networks to perform inferencing. A mixture of Bayesian networks (MBN) consists of plural hypothesis-specific Bayesian networks (HSBNs) having possibly hidden and observed variables. A common external hidden variable is associated with the MBN, but is not included in any of the HSBNs. The number of HSBNs in the MBN corresponds to the number of states of the common external hidden variable, and each HSBN is based upon the hypothesis that the common external hidden variable is in a corresponding one of those states. In one mode of the invention, the MBN having the highest MBN score is selected for use in performing inferencing.

Abstract: A self-similar log-periodic antenna is described comprising a plurality of substantially triangular conductive elements, 4, symmetrically disposed in either planar or curved configurations about a central conductive boom to form an antenna arm. Two or more antenna arms are assembled into an antenna by symmetrically locating such antenna arms substantially in the shape of a pyramid (for planar arms) or in a conical shape (for curved arms). Some embodiments include a conductive fin, 5, to reduce cross-polarization coupling between antenna arms. Some embodiments include a grounded conductive shield on the interior of the antenna providing electromagnetic shielding for the interior region of the antenna while preserving the self-similar geometry of the antenna and shield combination.

Abstract: Apparatus, and accompanying methods for use therein, for a telephony gateway intended for use, e.g., paired use, at opposite ends of a data network connection, in conjunction with at each end, e.g., a private branch exchange (PBX) for automatically routing telephone calls, e.g., voice, data and facsimile, between two peer PBXs over either a public switched telephone network (PSTN) or a data network, based on, among other aspects, cost considerations for handling each such call and called directory numbers, monitoring quality of service (QoS) then provided through the data network and switching (“auto-switching”) such calls back and forth between the PSTN and the data network, as needed, in response to dynamic changes in the QoS such that the call is carried over a connection then providing a sufficient QoS.

Abstract: PLL error margin is improved by a half clock of the internal PLL clock by resolving the ambiguity between the two samples nominally centered about the pulse center point. This is achieved by intelligently choosing between the two samples nearest the pulse center by exploiting information from the phase error. Specifically, the choice is made depending upon the sign of the phase error. The result is that the margin of error of the PLL is improved by a half clock period, since on the average the choice between each one of the two samples represents half of the total one-clock resolution limit of the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communication by means of an electronic call assistant which is able to operate in at least either a background mode or in a foreground mode wherein: the electronic call assistant is arranged to arrange waiting tasks in a priority list in accordance with a priority sequence; and the foreground mode comprises at least a guiding mode which is entered by the electronic call assistant as soon as a user has switched the electronic call assistant from its background to its foreground mode and in which the electronic call assistant controls carrying out the waiting tasks in accordance with the priority sequence of the waiting tasks in the priority list.

Abstract: Based on an output from a CCD, a luminance signal Y1 is extracted from an MTX circuit, and R gain and B gain of white balance information are extracted from a white balance control circuit. A luminance color gain conversion circuit generates a control signal for controlling the color gains of a high-luminance part based on the luminance signal Y1, R gain and B gain and supplies the generated control to a color suppression circuit. The color gains are varied as a color temperature of the high luminance part increasingly deviates from a color temperature associated with ordinary white light. Accordingly, an excellent color suppression characteristic for the high-luminance part is obtained relative to change in color temperature.

Abstract: In a high speed digital communication receiver, an n-stage oscillator of frequency f has a plurality of n stages with n variable analog delays connected to respective ones of the n stages, outputs of the n variable analog delays providing n successive cycles of a clock signal of frequency n×f. A delay control circuit varies the delay interposed by each of the variable delays through a range of 1/(n×f). The delay control circuit can vary the delay in m equal steps, whereby the oscillator exhibits n×m virtual oscillator stages, so that the oscillator provides a phase resolution of 1/(m×n×f).

Abstract: A digital PLL's stability and immunity to jitter are improved by deriving the correction to the state machine count from an average over several computations of the phase error. The PLL stability is improved by retaining all of the phase errors measured during a succession of plural phase measurement intervals. The plurality of phase errors thus obtained are averaged together, and the state machine internal count is corrected (updated) in accordance with this average, rather than according to an instantaneous phase error. As a result, the performance of the PLL is less susceptible to jitter-induced temporary excursions in the phase error, a significant advantage.

Abstract: Method and device for installing cables in ducts using a pressurized fluid, a fluid being applied which, under the operational pressure and operational temperature applied during the installation, is in a liquid state and which, under the ambient pressure and ambient temperature prevailing at the location of the installation, is in gaseous state. By applying such a fluid, the advantages of installing a cable using a liquid flow and using a gas flow may be combined, while the drawbacks respectively associated therewith are obviated.

Abstract: Doppler shift compensation by interpolation of a new sample between successively received signal samples using stored values of an interpolation function. The interpolation function has a non-zero amplitude in an argument range symmetrical about zero argument and zero amplitude outside the range. The time location of a new sample is shifted relative to a pair of received signal samples by an amount corresponding to a Doppler shift. The amplitude of the new sample is computed at a new sample index by combining the pair of received signal samples with corresponding samples of the interpolation function, each corresponding sample of the interpolation function being that sample whose argument is a difference between a corresponding one of the first and second indices and the new sample index. Due to the symmetry properties of the interpolation function, this operation requires as little as two multiply operations and one add operation for each new sample.

Abstract: Intelligent network (IN), comprising at least one Service Switching Point, SSP (2), at least one Service Control Point, SCP (3), one or more Intelligent Peripherals, IPs (5), and/or one or more Voice Response Systems, VRSs (4), which IN is capable of interacting with a PSTN or ISDN (1). The essence of the concept is an additional interface, in the form of a control member (6), between the IPs and/or VRs on one side and the Service Control Point(s) on the other side. Such makes it possible that the (advanced) IPs and VRSs are capable of exchanging all sorts of information with the SCP, without the IPs or VRSs consequently being occupied for an extended period of time. As a result, the SCP may dispose of (additional) information which in a regular IN cannot be made available to the SCP(s).

Abstract: System for coupling the public telephone network to the Internet using a number of Points-of-Presence, or PoPs, arranged between the public telephone network, or Public Switched Telephony Network PSTN, and an Internet Service Provider, or ISP. There, a PoP is executed such, that it can switch a received signal through to more than one ISP. To that end, the PoP comprises a system that can be chosen from the public telephone network by various numbers, in which the chosen number determines which ISP is contacted. The invention also relates to a PoP for applying the system described above, said PoP being executed such, that it can be switch a received signal through to more than one ISP.

Abstract: A method is provided for testing a communication circuit. Power is applied to a clock recovery circuit. A precharge bit is provided to the clock recovery circuit after applying power to the clock recovery circuit. A predetermined number of pulses is provided to a charge pump coupled to a voltage controlled oscillator to initialize the voltage controlled oscillator to near an operating frequency.

Abstract: Apparatus and an accompanying method for an optical scrambler and particularly one that provides randomly scrambled states of polarization (SOPs) in an optical fiber. Specifically, polarization independence is achieved by wrapping a single optical fiber around each tube in a cascade of separate piezoelectric tubes, with random amounts of fixed birefringence separating each tube, where each tube is then separately excited on a time-varying basis. The tubes are arranged in two groups. Each tube in the first group is separately excited by combined frequency/amplitude modulation with illustratively different modulating frequencies and amplitudes, and in the second group is excited at illustratively a constant frequency and voltage. Time-varying birefringence produced by each tube perturbs an initial SOP of the light provided by that tube from its original pseudo-stationary position as depicted on a poincaré sphere.

Abstract: A connector assembly for protecting against cable discharge with respect to static charges that may accumulate on cables and other conductors. The connector assembly comprises a modular plug that mates with a modular jack. The modular jack comprises a plurality of resilient contacts that connect to rigid contacts on the modular plug when the plug and jack mate. The modular jack also supports a grounding conductor such that the jack contacts connect to ground when the jack and plug are unmated. As the plug and jack begin to mate, the jack contacts connect a ground potential to the plug contacts, thereby discharging to ground any static charge that may be stored on the cable. As the jack and plug continue to mate, the plug contacts disconnect the jack contacts from the grounding conductor. When the jack fully mates with the plug, cable conductors connect to an electronic circuit via the jack and plug contacts.

Abstract: A method in a communication circuit recovers a clock signal. A voltage controlled oscillator is initialized by supplying a predetermined.number of pulses to a charge pump coupled to the voltage controlled oscillator so as to initialize the voltage controlled oscillator to near an operating frequency upon power up of . the clock recovery circuit.

Abstract: A vibraphone provided with at least one series of sound bars with resonance tubes provided thereunder, while above at least a number of the resonance tubes a shaft extends, provided with a series of fans, while driving means are provided for rotation of the or each shaft about its longitudinal axis, such that the fans rotate above the respective resonance tubes, while at least one slip coupling is provided, positioned such that a couple that can be transferred by the driving means to the shaft and/or a fan is limited.