Abstract: A communications system provides the functionality to provide a wireless telephone user directional information to a desired destination. Incorporated into the wireless telephone is a position determining device such as a global positioning system (GPS) device. When a phone user establishes a connection with a particular switch in the wireless network, this positional information from the GPS device is provided and the location of the wireless phone may be determined. The wireless telephone user also provides information regarding the desired destination. Associated with the destination code for the desired destination is a physical street address. Using the known location of the wireless telephone and the street address for the desired destination, a mapping procedure may be performed to determine a route between the two points. This route may be then converted to audio and/or alphanumeric directions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a caller identification system that provides unblocking or audible identification on telephone calls from calling parties having blocked or unknown numbers. Calling parties from blocked numbers are given the option of unblocking their name and telephone number for the current call, or to record their name for delivery to the caller ID subscriber. Calling parties from unknown numbers are given the option of recording their name for audible identification. The system provides an audibly distinct ring on a caller ID subscriber's telephone and visually displays a special message on a caller ID subscriber's visual display unit to alert the subscriber that the incoming telephone call will be audibly announced, since the telephone number and possibly the name of the calling party are not available to the caller identification system.

Abstract: A telecommunications system for providing telecommunication services to a plurality of users connected to a loop-through cable distribution architecture. The system includes a signal collection and transmission circuit or headend circuit for collecting and transmitting telecommunication signals to the user. In addition, the system comprises a signal distribution system or circuit operatively connected to the signal collection and transmission circuit for receiving and transmitting telecommunication signals therefrom and thereto. The system includes a user or customer interface device operatively connected to an associated signal distribution circuit for both receiving telecommunication signals from the associated signal distribution circuit and transmitting telecommunication signals to the associated signal distribution circuit. The signal distribution circuit is formed by a node having a plurality of output lines and a service module operatively connected to one of the node output lines.

Abstract: A multi-state light modulating system having grayscale based on a series of time intervals includes an arrangement that establishes the duration of each time interval such that the time intervals in the series have progressively varying duration. The arrangement also determines a drive signal for each time interval that causes the light modulator to assume a specific light modulating state. The arrangement also causes the light modulator to produce a desired time-averaged light level over the series of time intervals by in part driving the light modulator using the drive signal that corresponds to a particular time interval for a duration that is longer than the duration of the time interval. The arrangement also or alternatively arranges the series of time intervals such that the light modulator is in the same state immediately prior to the particular time interval as the light modulator is in immediately after the time interval.

Abstract: A display system includes a light modulator divided into an array of individually controllable pixels and an input-driven illumination device. The illumination device is adapted to receive a variable input and is configured to direct light of variable intensity onto the modulator, depending on the input. The display system further includes a calibrating arrangement for establishing the input to the illumination device to produce a desired intensity level of light. The calibrating arrangement includes a light sensing mechanism, which senses the light from the illumination device while the illumination device is driven by an initial input. The calibration arrangement is configured to determine a comparison between the sensed light and a value representative of the desired-intensity level. The calibration arrangement further includes a control arrangement responsive to the comparison for varying the input so as to provide light of the desired intensity level.

Abstract: A wavelength locker includes a first beam splitter positioned in a beam path of an output beam produced by a laser. The first beam splitter splits the output beam into a first beam and a second beam. An interferometric optical element is optically contacted to the first beam splitter. The interferometric optical element receives the second beam from the first beam splitter and generates a third beam with an optical power that varies periodically with wavelength. A second beam splitter is positioned in a beam path of the first beam or in a beam path of an output beam produced by a laser, and creates a fourth beam. A first detector generates a first signal in proportion to an optical power of the third beam. A second detector generates a second signal in proportion to an optical power of the fourth beam. A wavelength of the output beam is adjusted in response to a comparison of the first and second signals and a predetermined reference signal level.

Abstract: A telecommunications system for providing telecommunication services to a plurality of users. The system includes a signal collection and transmission circuit or headend circuit for collecting and transmitting telecommunication signals to the user. In addition, the system comprises a signal distribution system or circuit operatively connected to the signal collection and transmission circuit for receiving and transmitting telecommunication signals therefrom and thereto. The system includes a user or customer interface device operatively connected to an associated signal distribution circuit for both receiving telecommunication signals from the associated signal distribution circuit and transmitting telecommunication signals to the associated signal distribution circuit. The signal distribution circuit is formed by a node having a plurality of output lines and a service module operatively connected to one of the node output lines.

Abstract: A liquid crystal infrared light chopper includes a polarizer that receives and polarizes incoming infrared light, a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal material switchable between at least two states, a pair of IR transparent, conductive substrates positioned on either side of the liquid crystal layer and an analyzer that blocks IR light of one polarization state and passes IR light of an opposite polarization state. The liquid crystal layer acts on polarized IR light by changing its polarization if the liquid crystal is in a first state and by not changing its polarization if the liquid crystal is in a second state. Voltages applied to the conductive substrates drive the liquid crystal layer to one of the two states. The analyzer blocks IR light when the liquid crystal layer is in one of the states and passes IR light when the liquid crystal layer is in the second state.

Abstract: A system for producing spatially modulated monochrome or color light having gray scale includes an active matrix liquid crystal spatial light modulator having light modulating means including (i) a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal material which is designed to switch between ON and OFF states and (ii) active matrix means including VLSI circuitry for dividing the layer of liquid crystal material into an array of individual liquid crystal pixels and for causing each of the pixels of liquid crystal material to modulate light individually by switching between the ON and OFF states in a way that depends upon the data which the VLSI circuitry is written. The system also includes illumination means having a light source for directing light from the source into the pixel-divided layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal material in a specific way.

Abstract: A display system includes a spatial light modulator having an array of individually controlled pixels switchable between a first and a second state for producing modulated light having gray scale during a given period of time. The system generates a reference signal that varies in a predetermined way during the given period of time. The system also generates analog pixel image signals associated with each of the pixels for the given period of time. The analog pixel image signal representing a desired gray scale level for each associated pixel during the given period of time. Each of the pixels includes an arrangement for receiving the reference signal and an arrangement for receiving the analog pixel image signal associated with that pixel.

Abstract: A method of operating a liquid crystal cell includes DC-balancing by displaying an inverse image with electric fields of increased magnitude relative to the image producing electric fields. While the inverse image is displayed the image is prevented from being visible by either turning off the light source or re-directing or blocking the light from reaching the viewing area. The image producing electric fields and the inverse image producing electric fields are such that the cumulative time integral of the electric fields that are present in one direction across the liquid crystal material is substantially equal to the cumulative time integral of the electric fields that are present in the opposite direction during the given period of time during the operation of liquid crystal cell. The time duration of the inverse image portion is shorter than the time duration of the image portion by an amount proportional to the increased magnitude of the additional electric fields.

Abstract: A reflection mode, ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulating system, includes a light reflecting type spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator has a light reflecting surface cooperating with a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal light modulating medium switchable between first and second states so as to act on light in different first and second ways, respectively. A switching arrangement switches the liquid crystal light modulating medium between the first and second states and an illumination arrangement produces a source of light. An optics arrangement is optically coupled the spatial light modulator and the illumination arrangement such that light is directed from the source of light into the spatial light modulator for reflection back out of the modulator and such that reflected light is directed from the spatial light modulator into a predetermined viewing area.

Abstract: An optical correlator includes a first reflective mode spatial light modulator for inputting an input image and a second reflective mode spatial light modulator for inputting a reference image for comparing with the input image. The optical correlator also includes an optics arrangement for (i) directing light into the first spatial light modulator, (ii) directing light along a first optical path from the first spatial light modulator into the second spatial light modulator, and (iii) directing light along a second optical path from the second spatial light modulator into an image plane. The optics arrangement includes a first lens having a focal length f1 and a second lens having a focal length f2. The first lens is positioned substantially adjacent the first spatial light modulator and the second lens is positioned substantially adjacent the second spatial light modulator.

Abstract: A system and method for producing spatially modulated monochrome or color light having gray scale during a given period of time includes a spatial light modulator having a light modulating arrangement switchable between different states so as to act on light in different ways. A switching arrangement switches the modulating arrangement between different states in a controlled way during the period. The system also includes an illumination arrangement for selectively and alternately directing light of constant intensity and varying intensity into the modulating arrangement during predetermined subperiods of the period. In a color version of the system, the illumination arrangement directs light of different colors into the modulating arrangement during predetermined subperiods of the period, thereby providing a system for producing modulated colored light having color gray scale during a given period.

Abstract: A reflection mode, ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulating system, includes a light reflecting type spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator has a light reflecting surface cooperating with a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal light modulating medium switchable between first and second states so as to act on light in different first and second ways, respectively. A switching arrangement switches the liquid crystal light modulating medium between the first and second states and an illumination arrangement produces a source of light. An optics arrangement is optically coupled the spatial light modulator and the illumination arrangement such that light is directed from the source of light into the spatial light modulator for reflection back out of the modulator and such that reflected light is directed from the spatial light modulator into a predetermined viewing area.

Abstract: A horizontally extendable, two section gate assembly for use in restricting access through a wide opening that is defined by a pair of horizontally spaced and vertically extending walls. One end of the gate mounts hinges that are removably received within hinge brackets mounted on one wall. A swing stop allows the gate to swing in only one direction. The other end of the gate mounts a manual latch mating with a latch bracket mounted on the other wall. Two gate sections each include a horizontal upper support bar. Each upper support bar includes a horizontally extending open face slot that mates with the open face slot in the other support bar. Opposite ends of the two slots include a fixed position and extending slide block. Each slide block is fixed within one slot and is movable in the other slot, to provide low friction relative movement of the two gate sections, and to support the two gate sections in an extended position so that no gate sag is experienced.

Abstract: A process for providing a thin encapsulation layer for thin film heads includes controlling the bias voltage of the substrate and head during the encapsulation layer deposition process. The bias voltage is first maintained at approximately 60 volts while the standard encapsulation overcoat portion of the layer is deposited. This may take approximately one hour. Over the next thirty minutes, the bias voltage is ramped from approximately 60 volts to approximately 200 volts in a gradual, linear manner to reduce the stress on the wafer and heads. The bias voltage is then maintained at approximately 200 volts for the next three hours while the remainder of the encapsulation layer is deposited. Because of the higher bias voltage, the layer is deposited in a substantially planar manner so that there is no need for a lapping back process. Stress to the head is minimized by ramping the bias voltage. In addition, relatively short studs can be used for routing signals to and from the read/write elements of the head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enticing a passive television viewer by automatically playing promotional presentations of selectable options in response to the viewer's inactivity. One embodiment of the invention presents the passive viewer with a set of selectable options. If the viewer does not select an option from the set of selectable options within a predetermined amount of time, the invention then displays a promotional presentation of a first option from the set of selectable options. A more specific embodiment of the invention displays the promotional presentation of the first option by (1) requesting promotional data concerning the first option from a service source through a communication network, and (2) receiving the promotional data from the service source through the communication network.

Abstract: A circuit within a video monitor for making corrections during horizontal scan includes a data storage device containing information relating to a selected display parameter, an integrator receptive of the stored information and adapted to produce an integrated signal therefrom, and an amplifier receptive of the integrated signal for supplying signals to the video monitor based on the integrated signal. The information supplied from the data storage device to the integrator is encoded in a pulse density modulated wave form via a tri-state gate and a one-shot timer. The information stored in the data storage device is stored in bytes, each byte containing a "sign bit" and a plurality of data bits.

Abstract: Pulse compensation is disclosed for electronic devices capable of producing a pulse output signal suitable for therapeutic purposes with pulse compensation being automatically provided upon sensing of a change in she conditions being monitored. The electronic device, which preferably includes a microcomputer, has externally accessible pulse width and intensity controls for determining the width and amplitude of pulses then being delivered. Upon each sensing of a change in a monitored condition capable of causing user discomfort or possible injury, the intensity of the pulses then being delivered is quickly reduced and then gradually increased toward the full intensity requested by the intensity control.