Abstract: Methods and apparatus for isolating a modulation region of an external modulator that has a semiconductor waveguide structure that comprises at least one integral isolation region.

Abstract: A subscriber loop interface circuit is provided that includes a current directing element for directing current from the output stage of line interface amplifiers. The current is directed to a secondary power supply having a magnitude lower than the conventional primary power supply of a subscriber loop interface circuit in supplying power to a subscriber loop.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing collisions between vehicles, such as railway vehicles, by exchanging data regarding track position of the vehicles. By use of an on-board track database, the system provides an indication of the distance between vehicles based not on line-of-sight but on track distance. Additionally, a system and method for accurately determining location of railway vehicles without the use of a network of trackside indicators. The disclosed system uses a gyro, position indicator, and a satellite position determination along with a track database to maintain highly accurate estimates of measurement errors and track position.

Abstract: An exciter for advanced television signals such as a digital television signal. The exciter corrects for instabilities in the television signal provided to it so as to produce a signal with tightly controlled frequency and reduced co-channel interference. The exciter inserts a pilot frequency into the digital television signal after the signal has been shaped, thereby reducing the difficulties of shaping. Also disclosed is a rate converter for use in an exciter so that a digital signal can be received at a first frequency and can be output at a second frequency in a manner in which the output of a signal is assured even in the absence of an input signal.

Abstract: An encoder and decoder for generating and decoding convolutional codes of improved orthogonality. In an exemplary embodiment the encoder includes a K-bit length shift register for receiving an input serial stream of information bits and providing for each input bit a K-bit parallel output to a self-doubly orthogonal code sequence generator. The encoded symbol stream is threshold decoded iteratively using the inversion of the convolutional self-doubly orthogonal parity code generators.

Abstract: In a local loop telephone system, a voltage limited device having circuitry to provide subscriber interface functions and generate a ring signal. The device comprises four switches in a full bridge drive configuration. An external source provides a constant voltage which converted into an alternating ring voltage by triggering the switches in a specified sequence.

Abstract: This invention is a sprint exercise training system and method suitable for a variety of animals, including horses, dogs and humans, to apply a restraining force during training to condition an animal to run faster. An exercise path (19) is defined by a single elevated monorail (20). The monorail (20) slidably carries a restraining assembly for providing a force opposing, and generally aligned opposite, an animal's direction of movement along an exercise path. A harness (12, 16) transfers the restraining force via a single tether (5) from the restraining assembly to the moving animal. An animal using the present invention may be conditioned to run faster when not subjected to a restraining force.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coloring mechanism in which hidden letters (including numbers), figures, symbols, images etc. appear by rubbing the surface with metal such as coins etc., and to a recording material provided with this mechanism. In the coloring mechanism of the invention, letters etc. are indicated on a recording face by an ink etc. containing an inorganic pigment with a Mohs hardness of 2 or more, so as to have the same color as or a similar color to the recording face, and the letters etc. are colored to be readable by rubbing with metal the recording face containing the letters etc.

Abstract: A method for creating a solderable metal layer on a ceramic, glass, or glass ceramic member is described. The described method deposits an aluminum containing mixture on the member by ion vapor deposition creating a metalized ceramic member. A photoresist is applied to the metalized ceramic member. A photomask is applied to the photoresist and the photoresist is exposed to light. After the photomask and exposed photoresist are stripped off, the underlying aluminum containing mixture is removed with an etchant. The remaining photoresist is removed and a metal corrosion inhibiting layer is deposited on the remaining aluminum containing mixture. A solderable layer is then deposited on the metal corrosion inhibiting layer.

Abstract: A hermetic thin pack semiconductor device. The semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate and at least one electrode on the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate. A lid of a ceramic material for the semiconductor device has at least one opening extending through the lid. A first electrically conductive material is located on the interior surface of the at least one opening, a second electrically conductive material is located on at least a portion of the upper surface of the lid, and a third electrically conductive material is located on at least a portion of the lower surface of the lid. A solder material is positioned between the electrode and the third electrically conductive material and positioned on a corresponding portion of the electrode opposite a corresponding opening in the lid.

Abstract: An ink jet recording sheet is disclosed which has excellent ink retention properties, color development properties, weather resistance and water resistance, and which is substantially free from curling even if it has its only one side provided with an ink receiving layer. In particular, the present invention relates to an ink jet recording sheet which is extremely suited for use in poster applications. The ink jet recording sheet comprises: a substrate having its at least one side provided with an ink receiving layer; the ink receiving layer containing a nonionic surfactant and a binder resin, solid content of the nonionic surfactant being in a range of 11% to 20% by weight of total solid content of the ink receiving layer, the binder resin containing a silanol group-modified polyvinyl alcohol as a component thereof in an amount of 70% by weight or more of solid content of the binder resin.

Abstract: A resource scheduler for scheduling railway train resources over a track system with a high degree of optimization. The scheduler is implemented in an expert system that employs simulated annealing techniques to approximate the optimum solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to an insertion/extraction tool for inserting and extracting printed circuit boards from a card cage. The invention uses fewer parts than the prior art and reduces bending stress on the printed circuit board by simultaneously applying the insertion or extraction force to both sides of the plane of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A laser driver for an injection laser diode (ILD) protects the ILD during ILD temperature changes so that the ILD is not subjected to a potentially harmful operating current. The ILD may be operated near it maximum limit and modulated by decreasing the available current to the ILD. The temperature of the ILD may be sensed and the maximum ILD driving current changed proportionally to a change of the sensed temperature.

Abstract: An endarterectomy instrument and method for the treatment of alterosclerosis including a loop and a handle formed from a single strand of wire, the wire of the handle being twisted together to increase the rigidity thereof, but being sufficiently flexible to avoid perforation of the outer layer of the vessel. The angle and shape of the loop may be varied to fit the vessel. In some embodiments, the loop may be compressible to facilitate insertion through a small diameter lumen of a catheter.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for achieving distributed telephony management within a network of telecommunication switches are disclosed. By using techniques known to computer communication technology but as yet unapplied to telephony, execution of tasks necessary for the proper functioning of a telephony network are performed with increased efficiency, ease, and throughput by distributing processing amongst the switches composing the network and attached computers.

Abstract: A seal for movable structural components, like piston rods or shafts, includes a carrier body made of thermoplastic material and a sealing member locked to said carrier body and made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material. A form-lock connection is achieved by an undercut which is formed permanently in the sealing member and filled with plastic material of the carrier body.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically controlling the operation of a plurality of unmanned freight trains operating over a predetermined track layout. The method includes generating a movement plan that provides for the operation of the freight trains over several alternative routes within the track layout. A wireless communication system is used to transmit speed and braking commands to the freight trains. Commands for the wayside resources are transmitted, using wireless communications, as necessary to carry out the movement plan.

Abstract: A subscriber line interface circuit ("SLIC") for a telecommunications device powered from a single power source and using a voltage regulator to limit the voltage across the terminals of the telecommunications device to a predetermined value below the industry standard voltage limits. The SLIC selectively enables or disables the speech amplifiers responsive to an external control signal that is independent of the on-hook/off- hook status of the telecommunications device. The SLIC provides a ringing signal and/or a caller identification signal through the speech amplifiers to the telecommunications device while the telecommunications device is on-hook.

Abstract: A stackable ball grid array module in which a chip select decoder is used to reduce the number of busses required for communication between modules. Additional modules may be added without requiring additional interconnect lines in the array. Cooling of the individual modules may be accomplished using a support member made from an enhanced heat transfer material or placing an enhanced heat transfer material layer between the modules. The devices on the module may be encapsulated, and the modules may be constructed in a chip first or cavity-down configuration. Methods are also disclosed.