Abstract: Micromachined grating modulators which exhibit achromatic behavior are described. One embodiment includes narrow and wide ribbons suspended above a substrate and alternatingly interleaved with each other. Narrow and wide reflective surfaces are formed on the narrow and wide ribbons. Compensating reflective surfaces are formed in the gaps between and beneath the ribbons. The width of the ribbons as well as the width of the gaps and the compensating reflecting surfaces are designed so that incident optical beam can be modulated or attenuated in an achromatic fashion.

Abstract: The present invention is a stabilized oscillator system comprising an oven controlled crystal oscillator positioned inside an insulated housing. Within the insulated housing, there is a cold plate in thermal contact with the oven controlled crystal oscillator and a thermo-electric cooler in contact with the cold plate. A heat sink external to the insulated housing is in thermal contact with the thermo-electric cooler. The thermo-electric cooler pumps heat into or out of the oven controlled crystal oscillator through the cold plate and into or out of the heat sink. The thermo-electric cooler is controlled as part of a feedback loop which attempts to stabilize the output frequency of the oven controlled crystal oscillator.

Abstract: A cell necrosis apparatus is described. The cell necrosis apparatus includes an identification and usage device capable of performing an encrypted handshake protocol with an energy source. The identification and usage device is capable of identifying the cell necrosis apparatus, to prevent the use of unauthorized devices with the energy source, as well as controlling and causing a record to be made of a usage of the cell necrosis apparatus.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for the removal of soluble metal species consisting of lead, cadmium, zinc and mixtures thereof, present in an aqueous effluent, the method comprising the steps of: a) contacting the aqueous effluent with a organophosphorus salt selected from sodium di-(n-octyl) phosphinate and sodium di-(n-dodecyl) phosphinate or mixtures thereof; b) achieving precipitation of said soluble metal species by reaction with said organophosphorus salts to yield a precipitate; and c) recovering said precipitate by filtration. Preferably, the mole ratio of organophosphorus salt is about 1.5 to 2.5 and most preferably about 2, in relation to the total mole ratio of the said soluble metal species. Preferably, prior to step a), the pH of the aqueous effluent to be treated is adjusted to at least about 3 and most preferably at least about 4.

Abstract: The invention provides an information appliance and a network appliance (or telephone) that function independently as well as with each other as companion appliances. The information appliance stores user information corresponding to a particular user. The telephone is linked to network. In some embodiments, the companion appliances are capable of simultaneously exchanging voice and data messages with devices connected to the network. The appliances are connected to each other physically through a communications port, and exchange data link layer formatted data corresponding to user personalized information, commands from the user, and responses including message status information corresponding to action of the network connected devices. The user information enables the telephone to perform network communications according to user specified settings, and enables the telephone to assume the user specific information appliance network identification.

Abstract: A method for automatically defining aggregates for use in a datamart is described. The datamart includes fact and dimension tables. The method comprises accessing a schema description and an aggregates description for the datamart. The schema description specifies a schema, which in turn, defines the relationships between the fact tables and dimension tables of the datamart. The aggregates description specifies the aggregates, which define, from the schema definition, which aggregate tables are to be created from the fact tables and dimension tables in the datamart. The data in the aggregates correspond to the pre-computed results of specific types of queries. In response to a query, the aggregates can be searched to determine an appropriate aggregate to use in response to that query. The schema description is used to create a first set of commands to create and populate the fact and dimension tables.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for treating arterial occlusions combining an intraluminally operable catheter, having an occlusion-crossing working element, with a micro-invasive extraluminally operable locator for imaging the progress of the working element through the occlusion. Conical, abrasive, blunt-dissecting, and sharp-pointed, and steering and non-steering working elements including guide wires are described. Acoustic transducers and a flexible imaging tube are described for the locator. A suction cup is described for removably anchoring the imaging tube to a surface. A signal-emitting working element and cooperating signal-receiving locator are described. A method for treating arterial occlusions is described.

Abstract: A closed-case impact sprinkler unit having an outer case and an internally positioned riser sleeve that is upwardly extendable into a pop-up position. The riser sleeve may be formed with an external surface that is complimentary to the internal surface of the outer case to prevent the introduction of debris into the interior region of the outer case when the riser sleeve is in a pop-up position. The sprinkler unit may further include a closed-case turret assembly rotatably mounted on the riser sleeve that includes a fluid outlet and a compact impact sprinkler arm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing kernel mode support for fast IPC between a client process and a server process. A client application accesses a kernel mode of an operating system via a device driver or similar method. The client creates an abstract "resource" data type and derives a client port therefrom. The client port references a call structure containing object call data. The call is transported via a transport agent to the server. The server accesses the kernel mode of the operating system and creates a resource data type and a server port derived from the resource type. The server awaits calls from the clients using the server port. When a call arrives, the server port extracts the data from the call structure and performs the requested service. The server port then transmits a response back to the client. The use of the abstract resource data type permits portability across different operating systems and platforms.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting frame-type transmissions to packet-type transmissions. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a medium access controller (MAC) coupled to a packet-based network and multiple packet assembler/disassemblers (PADs). The PADs include a data link layer (DLL) PAD coupled to the MAC, a high level data link control (HDLC) PAD coupled to the DLL PAD, a network layer (NL) PAD coupled to the DLL PAD, and a NL/frame alignment sequence-bit-rate allocation signal (NL/FAS-BAS) PAD coupled to the DLL PAD. Multiple detection units are coupled to respective PADs, wherein each of the plurality of detection units detects a frame-type transmission.

Abstract: A method for reducing a volume of a tongue includes providing an ablation apparatus with an energy delivery device configured to be coupled to an energy source. The energy delivery device is positioned in an interior of the tongue. A sufficient amount of energy is delivered from the energy delivery device in the interior of the tongue to ablate a section of the tongue without damaging the main branches of the hypoglossal nerve. The energy delivery device is thereafter removed from the interior of the tongue.

Abstract: A stent assembly includes a balloon and an expandable stent positioned at an exterior of the balloon. The stent includes a first expansion strut. A plurality of the first expansion struts form a first expansion column. A plurality of second expansion struts form a second expansion column. A plurality of the first connecting struts form a first connecting strut column. Each of a first expansion strut of the first expansion column is coupled to a second expansion strut of the second expansion column. The first connecting strut includes a proximal section coupled to a distal section and at least a portion of the first connecting strut includes a first linear section and a first slant angle.

Abstract: A method is provided for genotyping a target sequence at at least two allelic sites by a 5' nuclease amplification reaction. In one embodiment, the method includes performing a nucleic acid amplification on a target sequence having at least two different allelic sites using a nucleic acid polymerase having 5'.fwdarw.

Abstract: A platform for holding a plurality of modules or printed circuit boards wherein the platform or chassis contains shutters placed over airflow openings in the platform. The shutters are normally closed and are opened by the act of inserting a module into the platform. The shutters are in the closed position in all slots not occupied by a module and are in the open state in all slots populated by a module. The shutters open as the module is inserted and close when the module is removed. The closed shutters prevent airflow from passing through the unpopulated slots and empty space within the platform, thus forcing the airflow to pass through the space in which the modules are present. The platform also comprises a means of controlling the number of fans that are operational in accordance with the number of modules installed in the platform. The fans closest to the modules inserted into the platform are operational while fans close to unpopulated slots are turned off.

Abstract: A modified universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor, referred to herein as a CEGA sensor, is provided which can be used to measure the concentration of a variety of components of a gaseous fuel emission including CO, CO.sub.2, O.sub.2, H.sub.2, and H.sub.2 O. The CEGA sensor employs at least one additional electrode on a ceramic substrate which possess a different catalytic activity relative to the electrodes that normally found on a UEGO sensor. The ceramic substrate may be made of any suitable ceramic and is preferably made of zirconia. The difference in catalytic activity between the additional electrode(s) and the electrodes native to the UEGO sensor create an oxygen gradient which enables a measure of combustion completeness to be calculated. In combination with an air/fuel ratio measured by the sensor, the concentrations of different components in the emission can be calculated.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for presenting selected information to one or more individuals, and authenticating both the individual's receipt and the individual's comprehension of the information presented. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the methods and apparatus relating to the authenticating operation include methods and apparatus for visually and, optionally, otherwise recording the individual's responses to the information presented simultaneously with the presentation thereof. Preferably the authenticating operation further includes methods and apparatus for archiving, retrieving and observing in a correlated fashion both the information presented and the recorded individual's responses thereto.

Abstract: An automated check-cashing unit includes an input device configured to generate input signals in response to inputs from a customer, a storage device including a database of customer information, a check reader configured to receive and read a check to be processed, a cash dispenser, and an electronic processor. The processor is configured to receive the input signals from the input device, receive information about the check to be processed from the check reader, access the database of customer information to obtain data about the customer, and determine automatically whether to accept or reject the check based on the input signals, the received information about the check, and the data about the customer. Upon accepting the check, the processor signals the cash dispenser to dispense cash to the customer. The processor may be further configured to confirm the identity of the customer based on biometric information about the customer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modular architecture for connecting a plurality of telephone lines to a computer network. The invention binds a plurality of network access servers together so that they form a single system image to clients dialing into the plurality of network access servers. The invention operates by providing a tunneling mechanism for communication between the network access servers. The tunneling mechanism facilitates packet re-forwarding so that a call dialed into a physical port in a network access server can be re-forwarded through a logical port in another network access server. This allows a call to be routed through a physical port in a network access server even if no logical port is available in the network access server. Packet re-forwarding also allows multilink connections through physical ports in multiple network access servers to be routed through a single logical port in a network access server.

Abstract: Two solutions are provided for optimizing the algorithm used by the local node in calculating the route to a destination node. A first method optimizes the route calculation by associating a port/link information with the PTSEs received by the node. The association is made using the first PTSE to arrive from an originating node. The routing algorithm is then steered to begin routing to a destination using the associated port/link. A second method optimizes the route calculation by utilizing a special PTSE termed a ROUTE.sub.-- PTSE into which is placed the route the PTSE takes upon being flooded from the creating node to the local node. When routing, the local node traverses the DTL already existing in the ROUTE.sub.-- PTSE received from a particular originating node that is the current destination node.

Abstract: A modified solid support for use in solid phase synthesis which comprises:a solid support having a linker group extending therefrom having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, fluorine, chlorine, iodine and bromine.