Abstract: A method of optimizing the cost of toll calls in a communication system comprised of providing a plurality of toll call plan costing agents, each representing a call completion plan having parameters relating to a minimal call cost and to the minimization of a total system cost of calling, detecting that a toll call is to be made and the parameters of the toll call, the call plan costing agents each calculating an estimate of a minimizing system toll call cost increment in the event its toll call plan is implemented for the call, bidding for the toll call by each of the costing agents by providing the estimated cost of the call and of the increment, selecting a suitable bid based on minimization of total system calls, and indicating to a call processor agent parameters of the selected toll call plan whereby the call can be completed in accordance with the selected plan.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of distributing signals to valid subscribers comprised of storing subscriber terminal valid identification codes at a central station, broadcasting promotions of services available to subscribers, each associated with a specific promotion code, selecting one of the services and entering a selected service promotion code into a terminal at a subscriber location, automatically reading an identification number associated with the terminal in response to the entering of a selected promotion code, processing the identification number and the selected promotion code in accordance with an encryption algorithm, and generating an encrypted event request code therefrom, providing the event request code to a verification center, at the verification center, decrypting the event request code, verifying the number against the valid identification codes, and providing a password unique to the terminal and the selected promotion code, entering the password into the terminal at the subscribe

Abstract: A clock feeding circuit to a semiconductor memory wherein the memory is comprised of separate independent control circuits each requiring a clock signal, comprising apparatus for receiving a control signal applied to one of the control circuits, and apparatus for applying a clock signal to the one of the independent control circuits, restricted to the one of the independent control circuits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a universal peripheral interface comprised of control logic circuits for a plurality of peripherals carrying different signals on different pins of respective peripheral connectors, a single interface connector for mating with any of the peripheral connectors, a first multiplexer for interfacing any of the control logic circuits with the single interface connector and for switching particular lines of each of the control logic circuits carrying particular signals to particular pins of the single connector, and apparatus for controlling the multiplexer to map the lines to the particular pins of the single connector.

Abstract: A method of transferring data from an ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) physical device to an application specific circuit (ASIC) comprised of receiving a continuous stream of ATM cells from the ATM physical device, identifying a virtual circuit from a header of each cell, providing an identification (address) of the virtual circuit to an output for reception by the ASIC, providing a continuous stream of payload contents of each cell received from the ATM physical device directly to an output for reception by the ASIC, calculating a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) on data carried by cells forming each packet for each to virtual circuit address and providing an indication to the ASIC of invalid data relating to a packet having a particular virtual circuit in the event the CRC is indicative that data in a packet is incorrect.

Abstract: A variable pulse width generator comprised of apparatus for receiving a clock signal, apparatus for terminating an output pulse from a leading edge of the clock signal, and apparatus for initiating another output pulse following the terminated output pulse from the leading edge of the clock signal and after a first delay, whereby successive output pulses are initiated and terminated that are related to the leading edge of the clock signal, and thus are related to the frequency but not the pulse Width of the clock signal.

Abstract: A holster for a radio pager contains an electrical element which can be detected by the matching radio pager when the pager is inserted into the holster. In one embodiment the pager and holster have matching electrical contacts which are made when the pager is inserted into the holster. The pager contains means to sense the connection of a specific impedance and to convey this data to an internal control device. The control device has the capability to alter the mode of alert from vibrate to an alternate alert mode such as audible alert, according to the pre-selected choice of the user, under control of the low impedance sense signal. The holster sense circuit output is also used by the control device to invert the orientation of displayed information, to provide for on-belt reading of a front faced display pager.

Abstract: A system for transmitting FM signals comprised of apparatus for receiving an input data signal, apparatus for precompensating the received data signal, apparatus for applying the precompensated data signal to a constant envelope modulator to provide a modulated signal, apparatus for applying the modulated signal to a power efficient non-linear amplifier and transmitting a signal resulting therefrom, apparatus for receiving the transmitted signal in an I-Q receiver, and apparatus for filtering the received transmitted signal for the precompensation, to obtain an output data signal representative of the input data signal.

Abstract: A timer comprised of first and second gated SR (set-reset) latches each including two pair (S1, S2 and R1, R2) of inputs and a pair of outputs (Q, QN), the Q output of the first latch being connected to the R2 input of the second latch, and the QN output of the first latch being connected to the S2 input of the second latch, the Q output of the second latch being connected to the S2 input of the first latch, and the QN output of the second latch being connected to the R2 input of the first latch, apparatus for applying a delayed representation of a first pulse signal to the S1 input of the first latch and apparatus for applying a delayed representation of a second pulse signal to the R1 input of the first latch, apparatus for applying an inverted representation of the pulse signal to the S1 input of the second latch and apparatus for applying an inverted representation of the second pulse signal to the R1 input of the second latch, whereby timed output signals representing a differential between leading edges

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data encryption and/or decryption system comprised of apparatus for storing encryption and/or decryption keys, an encryption and or decryption processor for receiving data signals, for receiving the key or keys from the storing apparatus, and for encrypting or decrypting the data signals in accordance with the key or keys, an output data bus for receiving the encrypted or decrypted signals from the processor, apparatus for plugging the system into a read-only memory (ROM) socket of a computer for access to a source of the data signals and to the output data bus, whereby the data signals are received, and encrypted data signals are passed through the ROM socket.

Abstract: An antenna radiator comprising a rectangular conductive cap disposed over a top of a dielectric, the cap having an extension over a side of the dielectric, apparatus for feeding energy to the radiator adjacent an end of the extension remote from the cap, and a ground plane spaced from and parallel to the cap, below the dielectric.

Abstract: This invention relates to programming a remote control comprised of storing in a memory, data for control of a population of appliances, the data being sufficient to allow a remote control to remotely control functions of any of the population of appliances; selecting which appliances are to be controlled by the remote control; transmitting to the remote control data for control of the selected appliances; storing the transmitted data in the remote control; whereby the remote control is programmed to control the selected appliances.

Abstract: A method of transferring data into or out of plural memory cells of a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) comprised of precharging bitlines of the DRAM for a predetermined interval, addressing a first group of wordlines for a first period of time, after the first period of time, addressing a second group of wordlines for a second period of time, the first and second periods of time being contained within the predetermined interval, addressing and sensing a first group of memory cells from the first group of wordlines for an interval within the first period of time, addressing a second group of memory cells from the second group of wordlines within the second period of time, and transferring sensed bits from the first group of memory cells to the second group of memory cells while the second group of memory cells is being addressed.

Abstract: A ring discriminator comprised of apparatus for receiving an input ringing signal, a counter, apparatus for applying clock pulses to the counter, apparatus for enabling the counter to count clock pulses from a cycle of ringing current, and apparatus for determining a clock pulse count on the counter to distinguish a frequency characteristic of the ringing signal.

Abstract: A method of determining an error level of a data channel comprised of (a) receiving channel parity error data indicating when bit errors occur within a set of data carried on the channel (channel error events), successively integrating the channel error events data over successive accumulation periods, comparing the integrated channel error events data with a threshold, and indicating an alarm in the event the integrated channel error events data exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A PH measuring device having a first and second lumen with adjacent first ends, wherein the first lumen has a sensor electrode secured to the first end and the second lumen has a fibrous absorbent plug closing the first end, with an absorbent thread attached to the plug, and extending through the second lumen. An electric conductor connected to the sensor electrode extends through the first lumen to an electrical meter.

Abstract: A DRAM charge storage structure including a p-channel access FET in an n.sup.- doped well of a p.sup.- doped substrate, a p.sup.- channel charge storage capacitor, conductive apparatus connecting a gate of the charge storage capacitor to a drain of the FET, and apparatus for applying a boosted word line voltage to a gate of the FET.

Abstract: A stereoscopic display is comprised of a pair of display apparatus having faces mutually oriented between approximately 90.degree. and 120.degree. to each other, apparatus for polarizing light from images displayed on the respective display apparatus, light from one image being polarized orthogonally to the light from the other image, a semitransparent mirror disposed between and approximately bisecting the angle between the pair of display apparatus for transmitting light from an image displayed on one display apparatus and reflecting light from an image displayed on the other display apparatus, toward a viewing position.

Abstract: A method of sensing alternating current in a cable having at least a pair of longitudinal conductors each of the pair carrying a current equal or unequal in absolute value to the other in mutually opposite directions, is comprised of disposing a coil with its lateral plane adjacent the cable in a position whereby electromagnetic fields caused by the currents intersect primarily different portions of the coil and induce current in the coil, and detecting the induced current in the coil.