Abstract: In-place line width selection for use in a computer based graphics application employing a drawing tool includes the steps of (i) activating a line width selection mode upon an occurrence of a first event designating an initial point of contact in a drawing area by the drawing tool; (ii) growing an "ink-spill" to a desired line width dimension at the initial point of contact in the drawing area; and (iii) entering a graphic line drawing mode with the drawing tool for drawing a graphic line having the desired line width dimension selected according to the "ink-spill" grown in the previous step.

Abstract: Optical apparatus is provided for inspecting a textured surface measures a level of scattered reflections from the surface, occurring when an inspection laser beam is directed at the surface. In a first version of the apparatus, the intensity of scattered reflections directed at a single light-sensitive element are compared with the intensity of specular reflections directed at another light-sensitive element. In a second version, diffraction rings formed by the scattered reflections are passed through a mask which attenuates their intensity according to differences between the actual diffraction rings and a predetermined diffraction pattern. In a third version, the scattered light is divided by a beamsplitter to pass through one mask which increases attenuation as the diffraction rings are increased in size compared to a predetermined diffraction pattern or through another mask which decreases attenuation as the diffraction rings are decreased in size compared to the predetermined diffraction pattern.

Abstract: A system arrangement and method are disclosed for determining location of a wireless mobile unit involved in a call for public emergency assistance (e.g. a "911" call). The system is cost-effective in that it makes extensive use of existing telecommunication infrastructures, and does not require either special hardware or software at either the mobile unit site or the emergency assistance center handling a call. The system features shared use of a computer and specially defined database among a plurality of mobile switching offices serving a larger plurality of mobile base stations, the latter serving an even larger plurality of antenna and transceiving sites within predefined cellular regions.

Abstract: A networked computer system for storing and presenting multimedia data distributes that data among multiple storage devices of the system. The system includes a plurality of computers, each of which supports at least one viewing station. Each viewing station has access to any file on any of the storage devices and can retrieve and display any file on demand. To provide an efficient system and, at the same time, reduce the probability that the viewing of multimedia data may be interrupted, the system allocates resources, prioritizes access to files, and buffers data prior to the data's delivery to video adapters.

Abstract: A disk texturing tool is used, for example, to provide textured spots in an annular portion of both sides of a hardfile disk. Disks are moved into and out of the texturing process in cassettes, through two disk-handling stations. Texturing occurs as the annular portions are exposed to a train of pulses from a Q-switched laser. The Q-switch within the laser is driven by a radio-frequency signal form an oscillator, which is in turn driven by a signal from a pulse generator, which can be adjusted to leave the radio-frequency signal on for a variable time between pulses without changing pulse frequency. The laser may be equipped with a shutter and with an electronic gate selectively preventing the production of laser pulses.

Abstract: A disk texturing process uses a single pulsed laser to texture disks within a first group, which are carried through the texturing process on a first spindle assembly, and from a second group, which are carried through the texturing process on a second spindle assembly. Preferably, disks from the first group are textured alternately with disks in the second group. A first level of least one texturing parameter is stored for use only as the process is applied to disks from the first group, while a second level of the same texturing parameter is stored for use only as the process is applied to disks from the second group. These levels may be derived from measurements of textured spots made with interferometric devices forming portions of a texturing station.

Abstract: Network browser applications are improved by providing visual status indications informing users that currently displayed pages are one of: old (outdated), partly old or new. Conventional browser applications load old or partly old page information from a cache and new information from a (usually remote) server to which the browser links via a network. A user expecting to view only new information (e.g. informant that might be useless if out of date) is alerted by present status indications to request the browser to reload the entire page; which the user can do by operating a reload selector/icon conventionally presented by the browser. Various alternative status indications are shown, along with potential associations of such with a reload selector button (or equivalent icon).

Abstract: Disclosed apparatus and method enable a host computer or server in a non-synchronous data communication network--e.g. a network in which data is subject to routing over transmission paths of indefinite configurations and lengths, and receptive handling of indefinite duration--to gather time statistics from client computers or terminals receiving the data; particularly statistics useful for determining: (a) transit times of data from server to clients; (b) times elapsed at client stations, between reception of data and one or more events pre-specified in information accompanying the data; and (c) transit times of return messages sent from respective client stations to the server. Control information attached to transmitted data includes a "timing script" written in a scripted language subject to interpretation by software at the client station receiving the data.

Abstract: A visual feedback aid, for a computer system performing speech recognition functions, provides indications on a display monitor of the system representing the current state of operation of a system microphone, the current mode of operation of the system in respect to speech, and a string of text representing the system's recognition (correct or incorrect) of commands instantly spoken into the microphone. The indications preferably are located in a reserved area of a display window associated with a currently active application involving speech recognition. The reserved area preferably would be a prominent one, such as the application title bar.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Mini Probe Positioning Actuator which is low in cost and mass, capable of high accelerations, relatively long stroke and compact packaging. The probe positioning actuator is composed of a pair of substantially parallel cantilevered beams, each beam being comprised of flexible, signal carrying cable formed of a polyimide composition which allows for the probe tip to be suspended from and form part of the armature of the actuator. The armature also includes a pair of oppositely wound coils intermediate the beams, which coils coact electromagnetically with a pair of spaced apart but fixedly positioned (relative to the coils/armature) magnets forming a motor for effecting armature and thus probe tip movement. The light mass of the coils and armature and the dual functional purpose of the suspension beams serves to make the probe actuator highly accurate and sensitive while allowing for reliable operation.

Abstract: A scanning probe microscope includes a detection mechanism producing a feedback signal indicating a condition of engagement between the scanning probe and the surface of a sample being examined. When this engagement is above a threshold level, the lateral scanning movement between the probe and sample is stopped. The scanning movement occurs in incremental movements, and a feedback signal above the threshold level indicates that, if the scanning movement were to continue, the probe could not be moved upward fast enough to prevent a crash condition between the probe and the sample surface. The scanning movement is not re-started until the feedback signal indicates that the probe has been moved far enough away from the sample surface that such a crash condition can be avoided during the next incremental movement.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for reducing perplexity in a speech recognition system within a telephonic network based upon determined caller identity. In a speech recognition system which processes input frames of speech against stored templates representing speech, a core library of speech templates is created and stored representing a basic vocabulary of speech. Multiple caller-specific libraries of speech templates are also created and stored, each library containing speech templates which represent a specialized vocabulary and pronunciations for a specific geographic location and a particular individual. Additionally, the caller-specific libraries of speech templates are preferably processed to reflect the reduced bandwidth, transmission channel variations and other signal variations introduced into the system via a telephonic network.

Abstract: A disk texturing tool is used, for example, to provide textured spots in an annular portion of both sides of a disk for a hard disk drive. Disks are moved into and out of the texturing process in cassettes, through two disk-handling stations. An optical system includes a laser directed at a beamsplitter to split the laser beam into two beams having approximately power, which are directed along parallel paths through a power control optics block to expose simultaneously opposite sides of a disk to be textured. The power level of each of these two beams is controlled by a program which operates in a teach mode to develop a look up table describing laser beam power as a function of a signal driving an attenuator, in a set point mode setting this drive signal to provide a certain laser beam power, in a run mode controlling this power through a feedback loop, and in a display mode showing laser beam power as a function of time.

Abstract: An interferometer forms a pair of projected sub-beams by decomposing a single coherent, linearly-polarized beam. These sub-beams are focussed by an objective lens onto a pair of test spots on a test surface. The reflections of these sub-beams are recombined to form an elliptically polarized return beam, which is broken into return sub-beams of opposing polarities in a polarizing beam splitter. The intensities of these return sub-beams are used to calculate a difference in height between the two test spots. When these test spots are aligned along a path of relative motion with the test surface, the resulting differences in height are added to form an accumulative profile of the test surface.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing a number of "L"-shaped sections within a flat strip to form terminals extending from a component. In the strip, these sections are attached to a web by connecting portions. A number of such sections are simultaneously processed within various stations through which the strip is incrementally fed. These connecting portions are first twisted, so that each "L"-shaped section in the number of such sections extends in a plane perpendicular to the web. Next, these connecting portions are deflected so that outward extending legs of the sections extend in a direction needed for insertion into an electronic component structure. Then, these connecting portions are sheared, as each "L"-shaped section separated from the strip is placed in a slot within a receptacle block. Then, the receptacle block is slid to insert the "L"-shaped sections.

Abstract: In ultrasonic wirebonding apparatus, vibrations produced using a tubular piezoelectric (piezoceramic) actuator, driven by electrical current at an ultrasonic frequency, are used to provide energy for the wirebonding process. An assembly including means for mounting the actuator at a proximal end, the actuator itself, and a bonding tip extending from a distal end of the actuator, are moved by a carrier between the various points at which wirebonding is to occur. The bonding wire is fed through a passageway in this assembly. The carrier slides on a first carriage for movement into engagement with the workpiece. The first carriage slides in a first direction on a second carriage, which in turn slides in a second direction, to move between points at which wirebonding is to occur. The workpieces, such as circuit chips being manufactured, are moved into a workspace for wirebonding, are held therein during processing, and are subsequently removed from the workspace.

Abstract: A scanning probe microscope includes probe moved into and out of engagement with a sample surface by a combination of deflections occurring within a fast actuator, having a relatively small range of motion, and a slow actuator, having a relatively large range of motion. When the deflection of the fast actuator is moved outside a predetermined range, in which such deflection is a linear function of applied voltage, the slow actuator is operated so that subsequent operation of the fast actuator can return the fast actuator to its predetermined range, Furthermore, when it is necessary to operate the slow actuator in this way, a scanning motion moving the sample surface past the probe is stopped until the probe is brought into a correct level of engagement with the sample surface, with the fast actuator deflected within the predetermined range.

Abstract: Microscopic apparatus for inspecting electronic circuit chips includes an illumination source directing light at a chip at an oblique angle with respect to a normal plane perpendicular to its surface. To take advantage of specular reflection, a lens is arranged to view the chip also at an oblique angle, placing an image of a strip of the circuit chip on a linear CCD. Movement of the circuit chip in a scanning direction causes the image to flow across the circuit chip in a transverse direction, allowing a two-dimensional data pattern to be formed with data from successive operations reading data from the CCD.

Abstract: In an communication system including a computer system comprising a digital signal processing adapter for performing a-set of tasks, and a E-1 port for providing and receiving time division multiplexed (TDM) signals in accordance with a first inter-system communication protocol, such as the E-1 or T-1 protocols, a communication subsystem, for coupling to the IP system. The communication subsystem includes an E-1 link for coupling to the first I/O port, and for providing and receiving TDM signals in accordance with the E-1 or T-1 protocols. The subsystem further includes a digital signal processor adapter, coupled to the second I/O port, for enhancing processing capability of the digital signal processing resource; and a third I/O port, coupled to the digital signal processor circuit, for providing and receiving signals in accordance with the first or a second inter-system communication protocol.

Abstract: A device for testing multi-fiber optical cables includes a number of test stations into which an end of a cable under test is plugged. Some to the test stations provide for the attachment of an array connector, while others provide for the attachment of a number of discrete connectors. The optical input/output port of an OTDR unit is connected to each of the test stations through an optical switch, which connects this port with only one such station at a time. Within each station, signals from the optical switch are divided among a number of light paths by a splitter, which also returns signals from these light paths to the OTDR through the optical switch. The various light paths within each station include fiber optic jumpers which vary in length, so that a single test pulse from the OTDR is reflected back from a number of interfaces in the cable under test as a train of pulses.