Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and techniques for performing prolate shaped corneal reshaping using an ellipsoid corneal modeler. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an ellipsoid corneal modeler is implemented with the well behaved conicoid, combined with a modeled surface which can be used for astigmatic treatments.

Abstract: A sportsboard having an ergonomic upper surface. The upper surface of the sportsboard includes at least one upwardly angled portion with respect to a center of the sportsboard adapted to contact the extremities of a rider, e.g., the feet, boots and/or bindings. Preferably, the angle is between about 1° and 20°, more preferably between about 4° and 14°, and most preferably between 5° and 12°. The angle preferably accounts for an amount of flex in the sportsboard when ridden, and thus may be, e.g., more preferably in a range of between about 4° and 7° in a flexible sportsboard. The extremity contacting sections may be laterally arcuate, may be laterally rotated, and/or may be tilted about a lengthwise axis of the sportsboard.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to minimize power usage by electronic devices. In a particular disclosed example, the battery power of a remote handset is reduced by extending the sniff period of a cordless telephone when the remote handset is remote from its base unit and the user is not likely to use the cordless telephone (e.g., when away from the house or when asleep). A low power mode module causes the electronic device, e.g., the remote handset of a cordless telephone, to remain in an extended low power STANDBY mode, or to extends the period of the periodic transition to a receive only STANDBY mode to check status registers at the base unit, at appropriate times. In one embodiment, a low power mode table contains entries defining periods of time during which the remote handset may transition between the low power STANDBY mode and the receive only STANDBY mode. The remote handset transitions to a fully powered transmit/receive (TDD) ON mode, e.g.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing an audio signal having left and right channels corresponding to an extended virtual sound source at a given apparent location in space relative to a preferred position of a listener in use is described. The information in the channels includes cues for perception of the direction of said virtual sound source from the preferred position. The extended source comprises a plurality of point virtual sources, the sound from each point source being spatially related to the sound from the other point sources, such that sound appears to be emnitted from an extended region of space. If the signal from two sound sources is the same, they are modified to be sufficiently different from one another to be separately distinguishable by a listener when they are disposed symmetrically on either side of the listener. This modification can be accomplished by filtering the two point sources using different comb filters.

Abstract: A multiple agent system providing each of a plurality of agents, i.e., processors, access to a shared synchronous memory. A super agent is preferably that agent from among a plurality of agents which accesses a shared synchronous memory most frequently. The super agent has direct access to the shared synchronous memory, without negotiation and/or arbitration, while the non-super agents access the shared synchronous memory under the control of an arbiter-and-switch. Open windows are generated when the super agent is not, accessing the shared synchronous memory. The non-super agents can be allowed interim access to the shared synchronous memory even, before the super agent terminates ownership of the shared synchronous memory.

Abstract: When a plurality of cordless telephones (e.g., digital cordless telephones) are used within range of one another, base units of one or more of the digital cordless telephones may receive transmissions from others of the digital cordless telephones. Conventionally, the base unit would simply ignore information relating to that received from an unintended remote handset, i.e., a remote handset having a security code which fails to match that of the receiving base unit. However, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, information regarding the unique security code received with respect to other remote handsets (i.e.

Abstract: A memory paging method and apparatus using a memory paging register and a memory paging mask register. The invention has particular application in the partition of memory used by more than one software application program. The bits of the memory paging mask register selectably disable bits of the memory paging register to redefine the length and physical characteristics of pages in memory based on the needs of a software program. As a result, the paged partitions in memory may be of variable length and/or may comprise non-contiguous portions of the memory.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shared I/O port and a configurable interconnect allowing any of a plurality of cores to access any pin of a shared I/O port. Preferably, one of the plurality of cores is designated as a master core at least with respect to the configuration of the shared I/O port(s), and the remaining cores desiring to gain access to the shared I/O port(s) are designated as non-master or slave cores. It is the responsibility of the master core to reassign chip resources such as the shared I/O port(s) for use by either the master core or by any of the shared cores. Preferably, all shared I/O ports are controlled by default by the master core. The slave cores communicate with the master core through a suitable internal messaging system. If a slave core requires use of a particular I/O pin or I/O port not already configured appropriately for its use, the slave core will send an appropriate message to the master core through the messaging system, e.g., a dual port memory mailbox.

Abstract: In one embodiment according to the invention, a telephonic apparatus includes an interface to a network, a memory adapted to store a telephone number, a text-to-speech module adapted to produce audible signals associated with the stored telephone number, a processor, and a local input unit. The local input unit is adapted to produce an input signal in response to user activation, and the processor is adapted to respond to the input signal by retrieving the stored telephone number from the memory and causing the text-to-speech module to produce the audible signals for transmission to the network via the interface. In an alternative embodiment according to the invention, a method of transmitting Caller ID data to a distant party includes the steps of receiving a local input command, retrieving stored Caller ID data in response to the local input command, producing audible signals based on the retrieved Caller ID data, and transmitting the audible signals to the distant party.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides a packer-unpacker (PUP) for a digital serial interface which allows a plurality of processors to access time slot registers of a serial data stream relating to the digital serial interface. A configuration register is maintained either by one of the plurality of processors or by each of the processors to arbitrate access to the individual time slot registers. Another aspect of the invention allows one or more processors to efficiently access and/or write more bits to a resource such as a time slot register than the width of the processor's respective data bus allows. Extra bits registers are maintained for at least one of the read and write direction data busses. The extra bits correspond to the least significant bits conventionally ignored in changing from a data bus of one width to a data bus of a narrower width. The extra bits in the write direction are accessed, e.g.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises an object for display, a retro-reflector receiving light from the object, a beam-splitter in a path for light from the object to the retro-reflector, and a Fresnel lens (having no point of central symmetry) between the beam-splitter and the retro-reflector. The beam-splitter makes an oblique angle to the direction of propagation of the light, such that it transmits some light and reflects the rest. Light from the beam-splitter passes through the lens to the retro-reflector, which reflects it back through the lens to the beam-splitter. This retro-reflected light is reflected and/or transmitted by the beam-splitter to form a real image suspended in space. The type of Fresnel lens used in the apparatus improves viewability because unwanted reflections from the surfaces of the lens are shifted such that they are no longer visible when viewing the suspended image.

Abstract: Telephone line service type identification is provided to a telephone technician in the field by the placement of one or more tuned circuit(s) across the telephone line. In one embodiment, an inexpensive tuned circuit such as a ceramic resonator forms a telecom service resonator ID device which is placed across a telephone line, either at the central office or at the customer premises. Injection of a test current at a predetermined frequency, and a suitable amplitude of the same indicates to the technician aspects of telecom service to that particular telephone line (e.g., the existence of POTS, ISDN, and/or xDSL) and or use of the telephone line by a home network such as HPNA. In another embodiment, a telecom service transponder ID device is formed to provide line service identification to an interrogating line technician. The telecom service transponder ID device is activated when the test signal including an appropriate frequency is present to cause excitation in the telecom service transponder ID device.

Abstract: A short message service (SMS) network allows more than one short message service center (SMSC) to service an individual subscriber with virtually no modification to the existing conventional network elements, e.g., the home location register (HLR) or the mobile switching center (MSC). In a disclosed embodiment, the HLR of the SMS network sends a notification, e.g., an SMS notification (SMSNOT) signal, to a predetermined one of the plurality of SMSCs in the SMS network when a subscriber becomes available to receive a pending short message from at least one of the plurality of SMSCs. Each of the plurality of SMSCs in turn delivers short messages to an intended subscriber, and then forwards the notification signal to another one of the SMSCs, until all of the SMSCs have delivered the respective pending short messages. The next SMSC to which the SMSNOT is forwarded may be fixedly determined, e.g., by network configuration.

Abstract: A gas sensor is described which is particularly well suited as a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor in a self test gas sensor. The sensor includes a number of aspects which may or may not be used in conjunction with one another. A first aspect is an embodiment which reduces electrical interference (or cross-talk) between a test or gas generating cell and a sensing cell. In one embodiment, baffles are provided to prevent cross-talk. In another embodiment a switching circuit ensures that a test gas generator is operational only when the gas sensor is disconnected from a current source. A second aspect is an embodiment which includes an improved wick which is in close proximity with an electrode and ensures electrolyte is always in contact with the electrode. In an alternate embodiment a solid polymer electrolyte is used between the electrodes. A third aspect is an improved catalyst which reduces the reaction energy and thereby renders the sensor more sensitive. The catalyst is also cheaper than platinum.

Abstract: A method for analysis of the curvature of the surface of a cornea using a checkered placido comprises, projecting the image of the checkered placido onto a patient's cornea, detecting the image of the checkered placido reflected off of the cornea, detecting a plurality of nodal points from the reflected image, determining the mean curvature at a plurality of nodal points and analyzing the mean curvature at a plurality of nodal points in order to produce a graphic display of the estimated actual curvature of the cornea.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to generate an alternative receiver off-hook (AROH) notification signal to a user of a telephone system suffering from an extended off-hook condition. The alternative receiver off-hook notification signal may be, e.g., an e-mail message sent to a preferred e-mail address, a paging message sent to a preferred pager number, a facsimile message sent to a preferred facsimile machine, and/or an audible message sent to a preferred alternative telephone. More than one alternative receiver off-hook notification device may be used, and are preferably prioritized such that as one notification device fails to rectify the off-hook condition, the next priority notification device will be utilized after a suitable delay. Thus, the user of the telephone system can receive notification of the off-hook condition of their telephone system even when not within an audible or visual distance of the telephone system.

Abstract: A sportsboard such as a snowboard or wakeboard includes board structure having a handle structure defining a generally smooth surface to be grasped by at least a portion of a hand of the user such that (1) the user may remain in contact with the board structure when the bottom surface of the board structure is out of contact with the medium being ridden and (2) the board structure may be transported by hand more easily by the user. In one embodiment, an opening sufficiently sized to receive the forefingers of a rider's hand is formed in at least one end of the sportsboard. In another embodiment, at least two openings are formed on at least one end of the sportsboard, the two openings being on opposite sides of a lengthwise center axis of the sportsboard. In a third embodiment, at least one end of the sportsboard is rolled-up sufficiently to form a lip which can be grasped by the thumb or forefingers of a rider.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to record a verbal or textual summary for a particular voice message in a voice message system such as a telephone answering device. A message summary memory allows storage of either verbal or textual voice message summaries recorded by the calling party and/or by the user. The voice message summaries are retrievable by the user for playback or display before or during playback of the voice message.

Abstract: The current draw of a wireless device, e.g., a cordless telephone, is minimized for a cradled remote handset drawing power from an AC outlet. This allows a greater portion of the total current amperage provided by the AC to DC converter to be allowed to charge the battery in the remote unit, and reduces the overall maximum or peak value of the current draw of the wireless device. With an improved peak power budget, a smaller (and presumably less expensive) AC to DC adapter than otherwise necessary may be used to power the wireless device. In one aspect, sniff operations of the remote handset are disabled or otherwise suppressed while the remote handset is in the cradle of the base unit, e.g., receiving a quick charge or trickle charge to its battery. In a second aspect, sniff operations of the base unit are disabled or otherwise suppressed while the remote handset is in the cradle of the base unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus allowing two independent arbiters which do not directly talk to one another to function on a common system bus, allowing efficient operation of a master controller, and virtually endless capability to add peripherals to the common system bus without problems or major modifications commonly associated with additional arbitration overhead. A master controller sets time slot parameters for an external, subordinate arbiter as often as desired. Based on the time slot parameter information, the subordinate arbiter functions on an electrically separated portion of the common system bus during all times but for a time slot associated with communication of the super arbiter over the entire common system bus. During this time, a tri-state buffer element allows communication between portions of the common system bus.