Abstract: A telecommunications database system is provided which permits an intelligent peripheral(IP) platform to have channelized database access to a plurality of databases. The IP platform can locate data in any one of the plurality of databases through a channel map that is derived from configuration data supplied by a default database and data supplied by an incoming call or request to the IP platform. Once the channel map is derived, the IP platform can select a channel to access a local or remote database based on the data supplied by the incoming call or request. This data may be a request for information, service circuit id, DNIS of the incoming call, address entered by a caller, OCN/Redirect of the call, ANI of the call, and/or progress indicators.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for generating user warning signal during data transmission suspension or degradation, that allows an user to identify that parallel operation of plain old telephone system (POTS) and digital data communications equipment is either occurring or being attempted. More particularly, the user signal warning indicates the impact to the operation of a multiple channel data communications device as a result of the parallel operation with the POTS equipment. A multiple variable signal alerts the user to the parallel operation, the amount of degradation, the elapsed time of the degradation to data communications, and which user site is causing the degradation by the direction of the data traffic being impacted.

Abstract: A signal detector is provided in which correlation analyses of multiple segments of a received signal from separate and distinct periods of time are combined to improve the detection capability of the signal detector. In one embodiment, the signal detector is part of a GPS receiver.

Abstract: Several sensors are provided for determining one of a number of physical roperties including pressure, temperature, chemical species, and other physical conditions. In general, the sensors feature a resonant circuit with an inductor coil which is electromagnetically coupled to a transmitting antenna. When an excitation signal is applied to the antenna, a current is induced in the sensor circuit. This current oscillates at the resonant frequency of the sensor circuit. The resonant frequency and bandwidth of the sensor circuit is determined using an impedance analyzer, a transmitting and receiving antenna system, or a chirp interrogation system. The resonant frequency may further be determined using a simple analog circuit with a transmitter. The sensors are constructed so that either the resonant frequency or bandwidth of the sensor circuit, or both, are made to depend upon the physical properties such as pressure, temperature, presence of a chemical species, or other condition of a specific environment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling an uncalibrated, model independent controller for a mechanical system using a dynamic quasi-Newton algorithm which incorporates velocity components of any moving system parameter(s) is provided. In the preferred embodiment, tracking of a moving target by a robot having multiple degrees of freedom is achieved using an uncalibrated model independent visual servo control. Model independent visual servo control is defined as using visual feedback to control a robot's servomotors without a precisely calibrated kinematic robot model or camera model. A processor updates a Jacobian and a controller provides control signals such that the robot's end effector is directed to a desired location relative to a target on a workpiece.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention monitors and communicates travel data transmitted from vehicles being monitored by the system to users requesting travel information on a particular vehicle. A travel data storage unit receives and stores the travel data. When a user desires to view some or all of this travel data, the user submits a request to a data manager. In response, the data manager retrieves the appropriate information from the travel data stored in the travel data storage unit and transmits this information to the user. The data manager may communicate the information in a variety of mediums and preferably contact information is predefined that enables the data manager to determine which medium is preferable and how to establish communication once the medium is determined.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention can be viewed as providing a method for manufacturing a multilayer wiring substrate. Briefly described, the method can be broadly conceptualized by the following steps: forming a first conductive connection on a first insulating layer; forming a conductive post on the first conductive connection; forming a second insulating layer on the first conductive connection, the first insulating layer, and the conductive post; exposing the conductive post by removing a portion of the second insulating layer; and forming a second conductive connection on the second insulating layer such that the second conductive connection is electrically connected to the first conductive connection via the conductive post. The second insulating layer can be formed via dry film lamination. In addition, the conductive posts can be exposed by either forming holes in the second insulating layer or by roughening the surface of the second insulating layer.

Abstract: A method of low-damage, anisotropic etching of substrates including mounting the substrate upon a mechanical support located within an ac or dc plasma reactor. The mechanical support is independent of the plasma reactor generating apparatus and capable of being electrically biased. The substrate is subjected to a plasma of low-energy electrons and a species reactive with the substrate. An additional structure capable of being electrically biased can be placed within the plasma to control further the extraction or retardation of particles from the plasma.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an air bag control system comprising a restraining apparatus adapted to be connected to an occupant side of an air bag, an extension/retraction device used to adjust the degree to which the restraining apparatus can be extended, and a control device for controlling extension and retraction of the extension/retraction device. In operation, the restraining apparatus can be retracted by the extension/retraction device in response to a signal sent by the control device to limit the physical extent to which the air bag can deploy to prevent injury of a vehicle occupant adjacent the air bag.

Abstract: A Mach-Zender interferometer employing a section of polymer cladding in one branch. The polymer cladding has an index of refraction that varies with temperature. The temperature of the section of polymer cladding is adjusted to cause a corresponding change in the phase of the laser light flowing through the waveguide core bounded by the polymer cladding to effect a desired switching or modulation of the laser light.

Abstract: A delta-sigma modulator having a dead-zone quantizer and an error shaping digital filter clocked by a signal which is periodic at the frequency of the reference. A dead-zone quantizer provides quantization of a high resolution digital word to a low resolution digital word with three or a higher odd number of possible output levels and with an output of zero for an input near the center of the normal input range. The delta-sigma modulator is used in a fractional-N divider. The fractional-N divider is used in a fractional-N frequency synthesizer.

Abstract: A transistor with a novel compact layout is provided. The transistor has an emitter layout having a track with a first feed point and a second feed point whereby current flows through both the first feed point and the second feed point. A base terminal, a collector terminal, and an emitter terminal are provided. When in operation, current flows from the collector terminal to the emitter terminal based on the amount of current provided to the base terminal. A sub-collector layer is formed on a substrate. A collector layer is formed on the sub-collector layer. A base pedestal is formed on the collector layer. A base contact for coupling to the base terminal and an emitter is formed on the base pedestal. An emitter contact for coupling to the emitter terminal is formed on the emitter. A collector terminal for coupling to the collector contact is deposited in a trench that is formed in the collector layer and the sub-collector layer.

Abstract: A method and system for using TCAP signaling for improved call setup from a virtual switching point are disclosed. In accordance with the method, TCAP signaling is used to enhance call setup from virtual switching points which receive call request messages from calling parties using a facility on a data network such as the Internet. TCAP signaling is used when necessary to determine the availability of the called party telephone. The system includes a Virtual Switching Point (VSP) in a switched telephone network having a connection to a data network such as the Internet. Call requests are received by the VSP from the data network and processed by the VSP to establish a voice connection between the calling party which initiates the call request and a called party number indicated in the call request message. The use of TCAP signaling from the VSP to Switching Points (SPs) which serve the calling party and/or the called party improves efficiency and minimizes common channel signaling.

Abstract: A system and method for the efficient compression and identification of nonstandard frame relay information packets allows the compression and transport of nonstandard frame relay packets over a frame relay network.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a self-contained, pneumatic beverage dispensing system. In one embodiment, the pneumatic beverage dispensing system comprises a carbonator tank for facilitating absorption of CO2 gas in water to produce carbonated water, a source of CO2 gas under high pressure, the source of CO2 gas being in fluid communication with the carbonator tank so as to fill the carbonator tank with CO2 gas, and a source of water under high pressure, the source of water being in fluid communication with the carbonator tank so as to fill the carbonator tank with water. The system normally further comprises at least two liquid containers for containing liquids to be dispensed by the dispensing system, one of the liquid containers being in fluid communication with the source of CO2 gas, and a pneumatic pump system in fluid communication with the source of CO2 gas and the other of the liquid containers.

Abstract: A system having dualband power amplifier control in a dualband phone is provided using a single power amplifier controller. The dualband phone includes two power amplifiers, where each power amplifier amplifies the power of a signal transmitted at a different frequency band. A power amplifier controller is provided for controlling the amount of amplification performed by both of the power amplifiers, and a power amplifier switching device is connected to the power amplifier controller for switching the connection of the power amplifier controller between the two power amplifiers. The system further includes a processing device which monitors the quality and strength of the received signal transmitted by various base stations in the transmission region of the dualband phone.

Abstract: A squaring system for aligning structural elements. The system comprises a first alignment member, a second alignment member, and a plurality of alignment openings arranged in rows in each of the first and second alignment members, the openings of the first row being spaced from each other a predetermined distance X and the openings of the second row being spaced from each other a predetermined distance Y, with the distance X being different from distance Y. Arranged in this manner, a lock member that is sized and configured to extend into the alignment openings can be inserted into selected openings of each row to fix the relative positions of the first and second alignment members.

Abstract: A novel system and method for maintaining timing synchronization in a digital video network, in conjunction with a digital video and data delivery system, makes possible the delivery of digital video content, bi-directional data services, such as Internet data, and plain old telephone service (POTS) to an end user over a communications channel. The channel is typically the copper wire pair that extends between a telephone company central office and a residential premises, but may be any communication medium that supports the communication of compressed digital video, bi-directional data, such as Internet data, and POTS, and indeed, may be a wireless connection. The digital video and data delivery system capitalizes on a bus, or broadcast backplane, created by circuitry contained within the central office.

Abstract: A communication system capable of communicating RF signals at any one of a plurality of communication standards through a common antenna is disclosed. The communication system includes a transmitting unit having at least one transmit RF information signal output, and a receiving unit having at least one receive RF information signal input and a GPS RF information signal input. The transmitting unit includes a modulator for modulating a transmit IF with a transmit baseband information signal to generate a transmit IF information signal and an upconverter for upconverting the transmit IF information signal with a transmit RF to generate at least one transmit RF information signal.