Abstract: A low profile alternating current electrical plug is disclosed in which the electrical pins are terminated in lands at right angles to the axis of the pins. These lands are used for crimping wires to the pins as well as for mechanically stabilizing the pins in the molded plug body. Forming these lands at right angles to the pin axis permits a very thin plug body. The electrical cord exits the plug head at an acute angle to the line of the power pins as well as at an acute angle to the axis of a mating electrical outlet. The wires exit the plug head, however, at a right angle to the pin axes and parallel to the wall, thereby maintaining the low profile.At the wire exit, a cone-shaped sleeve acts as a shock absorber for forces exerted on the cord, thereby absorbing most of these forces before they reach the pin area. A removal ring is made integral with the low profile plug, lying parallel to the plug when not in use, but pivoting to a perpendicular position when grasped by a finger.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing resource allocations is disclosed which utilizes the Karmarkar algorithm to proceed in the interior of the solution space polytope. The constraints on the allocation variables (the surfaces of the polytope) are partitioned into sparse and non-sparse partitions to permit applying a perturbation formula permitting rapid inversion of the resulting perturbed matrix products. Each successive approximation of the solution point, and the polytope, are normalized such that the solution point is at the center of the normalized polytope using a diagonal matrix of the current solution point, also partitioned into sparse and non-sparse portions. The objective function is then projected into the normalized space and the next step is taken in the interior of the polytope, in the direction of steepest-descent of the objective function gradient and of such a magnitude as to remain within the interior of the polytope.

Abstract: Arrangement and method for avoiding the processing time associated with executing branch instructions in a computer. An instruction fetch unit appends a next instruction address field to each instruction it passes it via an instruction cache to an instruction execution unit. The fetch unit decodes the present instruction being read and the next sequential instruction in main memory. If neither instruction is a branch instruction, the next address field is set to the address of the next sequential instruction. If the present instruction is a branch, the next instruction address field is set to the branch address contained in the present instruction. If neither of these cases are true and the next sequential instruction from main memory is a branch, the next instruction address field is set to the branch address of this instruction. The execution unit uses the next instruction address to access instructions from the instruction cache. Thus, execution of branch instructions by the execution unit are avoided.

Abstract: A method and structure for assembling cathode ray tube electronic equipment is disclosed in which a sheet metal cage is assembled inside the plastic housing to enclose the electronic components. The face of the cathode ray tube is covered with a fine conductive mesh which is engaged by the bezel surrounding the front edges of the cathode ray tube. A projecting lip on the inner edge of the bezel, contoured to match the tube face, engages the mesh to keep it flat and smooth against the face of the tube. Simultaneously, flanges on the front of the cage are attached by self-tapping screws to bosses on the back side of the bezel so as to capture the edges of the mesh in conductive contact against the cage flanges. Conductive gaskets may be used to improve the electrical contact between the parts and thus improve the tightness of the shield.

Abstract: A universal protocol data receiver is disclosed which is capable of receiving data streams in character mode and block mode, providing flow control and error detection and correction. The receiver is divided into two stages separated by a first-in, first-out buffer register. The first stage handles flow control and error processing as well as initialization. The second stage handles interfacing with the data utilizing mechanism and flow control acknowledgements. The FIFO buffer is divided into two parts by a movable barrier which limits the access of the second stage. The barrier permits error processing by hiding incoming blocks of data behind the barrier until processing is complete. Both a hardware and a software implementation of the receiver are disclosed.

Abstract: A one-piece hammer strap is disclosed for attaching ductwork to the superstructure of a building. The hammer strap comprises a baseplate, a strap and a fastening device. The strap is attached at one end to the baseplate, threaded around the ductwork and through a slot in the baseplate. The strap can be bent at the slot to firmly grasp the ductwork. The hammer strap can be attached to the superstructure prior to the installation of the ductwork, using the fastening device. The one-piece hammer straps, and the method of using such hammer straps to install ductwork, allow a single installer to install the ductwork without the need for an assistant.

Abstract: An algorithm or technique for compacting (and expanding) digital data is disclosed in which the data is broken up into words or lexemes. The words are entered into a push-down list as they are received and, if already on the list, a list location identifier is transmitted and the word moved to the top of the list. The last word on the list falls off the list when a new word is entered at the top and thereafter is treated as a new word. The data expander maintains identical lists and substitutes the data word for the list location code when received. Both hardware and software implementations are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing resource allocations is disclosed which proceeds in the interior of the solution space polytope instead of on the surface (as does the simplex method), and instead of exterior to the polytope (as does the ellipsoid method). Each successive approximation of the solution point, and the polytope, are normalized such that the solution point is at the center of the normalized polytope. The objective function is then projected into the normalized space and the next step is taken in the interior of the polytope, in the direction of steepest-descent of the objective function gradient and of such a magnitude as to remain within the interior of the polytope. The process is repeated until the optimum solution is closely approximated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing resource allocations is disclosed which utilizes the Karmarkar algorithm to proceed in the interior of the solution space polytope. At least one allocation variable is assumed to be unconstrained in value. Each successive approximation of the solution point, and the polytope, are normalized such that the solution is at the center of the normalized polytope using a diagonal matrix of the current solution point. The objective function is then projected into the normalized space and the next step is taken in the interior of the polytope, in the direction of steepest-descent of the objective function gradient and of such a magnitude as to remain within the interior of the polytope. The process is repeated until the optimum solution is closely approximated.The resulting algorithm steps are advantageously applied to the phase of one problem of obtaining a starting point, and to the dual problem, where the free variable assumption produces unexpected computational advantages.

Abstract: A computer terminal device includes a flat screen display element and a touch-sensitive element. Simulated keyboards can be displayed on the display element and, in response to the touching of the simulated keys, generate appropriate control signals. The same flat screen display can also be used to display computer output, either the result of calculations or the result of information retrieval requests. The slim silhouette of this terminal makes it ideal for hostile environments such as the factory floor or the hospital room.

Abstract: A compliant, synthetic material of predetermined thickness is inserted into the space between cables and the inner surface of a pedestal enclosure which houses the cables. The compliant material prevents moisture, rodents, and insects from entering the upper portion of the enclosure. Drainage slots are provided. A wire mesh pad or steel wool may be used instead of the compliant, synthetic material. A plurality of embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A digital transmission system includes a plurality of stations sharing a common transmission line. Variable length messages, set off by flags, are exchanged between pairs of stations. While a message is being received, the downstream portion of the transmission line is segmented to permit simultaneous use by another station pair. If a message is received from an upstream station while a message is being transmitted downstream, an abort message flag terminates the transmitted message abruptly to permit flowthrough of the received message. When any station is not in use or out of order, it is bypassed to permit use of the transmission line by the rest of the stations.

Abstract: A data base system is disclosed in which records are locked out during record changing by using a dynamically generated directed acyclic graph of the records. The edges of the graph, stored in the records themselves, point toward a "root" record representing multiply-shared information. An application to the assignment of telephone facilities to telephone subscribers is also described. A transaction list is maintained to identify locked out records previously locked out during the same transaction.

Abstract: Undesired signals from interfering satellites are separated from desired signals from a target satellite by using a sum beam and a difference beam as in a monopulse radar. Both desired and undesired signals are received by an antenna and separated by different mode couplers from a waveguide. The fundamental mode of the waveguide provides the desired signals along with components from the interfering signals. Both desired and undesired signals are picked up from the waveguide through a fundamental mode coupler. The higher order modes of the waveguide provide the interfering signals alone, representing the difference beam which will be aligned along the boresight. In a circular waveguide, the TM.sub.01.sup.o will yield a difference pattern for vertical polarization in any plane, and a TE.sub.21.sup.o or TE.sub.01.sup.o mode will result in a difference pattern for horizontal polarization. A square or a rectangular waveguide could be used instead of a circular waveguide to achieve the same result.

Abstract: A single chip, bipolar logic circuit receives input signals in a differential amplifier or comparator stage coupled, without saturation, by differential current mirrors to drive an output stage of the push-pull variety. Various circuit arrangement are included to keep other bipolar transistors out of their saturation operating regions, and master transistors of the current mirror are provided with trickle bias when in the operating state to hold them at turn-on threshold for fast response to changes in state of the digital signals.

Abstract: A data base system includes future versions of the data base which are maintained currently in response to orders for future execution. All transactions against the data base are time stamped to assure access to the proper version of the data base. Information concerning the various versions are stored as delta nodes or lists. The application of this data base system to the assignment of outside plant telephone facilities to telephone subscribers is also described.

Abstract: Data-aided equalization and cancellation in digital data transmission over dually polarized fading radio channels is disclosed. The present invention uses decision feedback structures with finite-tap transversal filters. Subject to the assumption that some past and/or future data symbols are correctly detected, formulas and algorithms for evaluating the least mean-square error for different structures are disclosed. In a sequence of curves, the performance of various structures for a particular propagation model and several fading events are evaluated and compared.

Abstract: In a telephone local exchange system where loops are connected to a remote switch which in turn homes on a host switch via a carrier system and where the distance between the ends of the loops and the host switch exceeds a threshold, the loops may be tested by locating the test apparatus remotely from the host switch so that the distance between the free ends of the loops and the test apparatus is below the threshold and so that a metallic pair of conductors may be used therebetween to permit some tests which cannot be done using carrier facilities. In order to establish a connection between the test apparatus and the loops, signals are transferred over two dedicated carrier channels between the test apparatus and the host switch via two applique circuits. These applique circuits make it appear to the test system as if the remote switch (or carrier RT or concentrator) support a test trunk.

Abstract: A wireless PBX or LAN system is disclosed that allows multiple, simultaneous users per channel for communication between a base station and a plurality of remote terminals by a combination of adaptive signal processing arrays using optimum combining at the base station for interference suppression and separation of desired signals, adaptive power control at the remote terminals to keep interference at acceptable levels, and adaptive retransmission with time division in the direction from the base station to the remote terminals for communication therebetween including sending power control information to the remote terminals. The adaptive signal processing arrays have a plurality of antennas at the base station, permitting a plurality of users in any one channel. If after adaptation a user's signal cannot be received adequately, the user is dynamically reassigned to a different channel. Interference is minimized by keeping the signals transmitted from and received at the base station at the same power level.