Abstract: An apparatus for producing a series of electronic forms that are related to completing a task. The apparatus includes a computer system in which one or more databases are stored. The computer system displays a list of tasks that can be selected by a customer service representative. Each task has associated with it a series of forms that must be completed. Each form includes a plurality of fields, each of which has an associated database. A code segment associated with each field processes data as it is entered into the field and stores the data in the field's associated database. The system also provides a task map indicating the forms that must be completed to finish a given task, as well as the forms that have already been completed.

Abstract: Method and devices for fuel characterization and optimization on-site at a fuel delivery dispenser are disclosed. Fuel properties associated with a fuel sample of a fuel can be measured by mid-infrared analysis and displayed. Pre-determined preferred values for the fuel properties for the particular vehicle can be determined by inputting the model and type of vehicle into a processing means and correlating the vehicle information with the preferred values. The preferred and measured values can be compared and the comparison displayed. A fuel sample rating for the vehicle can be performed based this comparison and displayed. An optimal dispenser fuel for the vehicle can be identified based on a comparison between the preferred values and the values for the fuel properties for each of the dispenser fuels. In one embodiment, driveability index can be the fuel property determined in situ and in real time. In other embodiments, octane number, and Reid vapor pressure can be similarly determined.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for routing communications in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) having at least one central office switch. The disclosed system routes communications from a calling party having at least one Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) device to a secondary party having a single calling number for a plurality of CPE devices, each having a corresponding communication address. In operation, communications are routed to a central office switch which is provided in electrical communication with at least one adjunct processor. Thereafter, the desired type of secondary CPE device sought to be accessed is identified in cooperation with storage means which is provided in electrical communication with the adjunct processor. As disclosed, the storage means is provided for storing a directory having a plurality of secondary party calling numbers and corresponding communication addresses.

Abstract: A method for the removal separation, and concentration of cesium cations from a source solution which may contain larger concentrations of other alkali metal ions comprises bringing the source solution into contact with a polymeric resin containing poly(hydroxyarylene) ligands. The poly(hydroxyarylene) ligand portion(s) of the polymeric resins has affinity for cesium, thereby removing cesium from the source solution. The source solutions from which the cesium has been removed may then be treated or disposed of as desired and the cesium cations are then removed from the polymeric resin through contact with a much smaller volume of a receiving solution in which these cesium cations are soluble and has greater affinity for such cations than does the poly(hydroxyarylene) ligand or protonates the ligand, thereby quantitatively stripping the complexed cesium cations from the ligand and recovering them in concentrated form in said receiving solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for safely producing hydrogen peroxide by injecting dispersed minute bubbles of hydrogen and oxygen into a rapidly flowing liquid medium. The minute bubbles are surrounded by the liquid medium of sufficient volume for preventing an explosive reaction between the hydrogen and oxygen. The liquid medium is formed of an acidic aqueous solution and a Group VIII metal catalyst. Hydrogen is sparged into the flowing medium for dissolution of the hydrogen in the medium. Oxygen bubbles are reacted with the dissolved hydrogen for producing hydrogen peroxide. Preferably, the liquid medium has a velocity of at least 10 feet per second for providing a bubbly flow regime in the reactor. The invention allows the direct combination of oxygen and hydrogen while preventing propagation of an explosive condition within the reactor. The method and apparatus provide for the safe production of hydrogen peroxide with low manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A user interface for use in a mobile telephone handset which includes static visual display means for presenting the status of the mobile telephone and other services accessible by the user. The interface further includes dynamic visual display means for presenting a plurality of context sensitive function labels. A plurality of fixed-labels signaling keys and soft-label signaling keys are also provided in electrical communication with the static and dynamic visual display means. The soft-label signaling keys are operative to access the displayed function labels relevant to the current context of the user interface. A method is further disclosed which includes the provision of a mobile telephone handset as described above, as well as the steps of viewing the static and visual displays to obtain instructions as to the status of the mobile telephone, the availability of telephone functions and whether fixed or soft-label signaling keys should be utilized.

Abstract: An interdiction device and method to jam or delete selected video and telephony signals. The interdiction device includes amplifiers and forward couplers to prevent the telephony signals from appearing at other undesired subscriber locations on the network.

Abstract: An improved user interface for use in interactive electronic devices. The user interface eliminates the complexity and ambiguity problems encountered in conventional interfaces through the incorporation of a physical overlay designed for use in cooperation with a contiguous touch screen or a plurality of individual touch screens. The physical overlay delineates the touch screen or screens into a plurality of context sensitive task and information display regions which may be accessed by direct user manipulation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for diagnosing fuel-related problems at the site of vehicle servicing and matching fuels to new engine designs. Fuel properties associated with a fuel sample can be measured with mid-infrared analysis. The measured fuel property values can be compared with pre-determined preferred values for the fuel properties for the particular type of vehicle. Fuel-related problems can then be identified and diagnosed based upon this comparison, and the diagnosis can be immediately displayed for the operator. In one embodiment, driveability index can be determined in situ and in real time. In other embodiments, octane number, and Reid vapor pressure can be similarly determined.

Abstract: A hybrid coaxial cable network employing interdiction to ensure privacy in telephony communications. The video and telephony signals are secured such that telephony and interactive video signals to and from a subscriber do not appear on the network at any other undesired subscriber location.

Abstract: User interfaces are distributed between a host computer 10 and an intelligent terminal 12 for communication over a telecommunications network 14 requiring minimum bandwidth. Host user interfaces 18 resident in the host computer 10 are distributed as terminal user interface objects 32 to the terminal 12. Terminal user interface objects 32 are directly manipulated on the terminal 12 and communicated on a filtered basis to the host computer 10 by a terminal port controller 34. Messages from the terminal 12 are directed by a host dispatcher 26 to host user interfaces which communicate with the host processor 16. Output messages from the host are routed through host and terminal port controllers 20 and 34, a terminal dispatcher 40 to terminal user interface objects 32.

Abstract: A method for removing, separating, and concentrating certain selected ions from a source solution that may contain larger concentrations of other ions comprises bringing the source solution in contact with a composition comprising an ion-binding ligand covalently bonded to a membrane having hydrophilic surface properties. The ligand portion of the composition has affinity for and forms a complex with the selected ions, thereby removing them from the source solution. The selected ions are then removed from the composition through contact with a much smaller volume of a receiving solution in which the selected ions are either soluble or which has greater affinity for the selected ions than does the ligand portion of the composition, thereby quantitatively stripping the complexed ions from the ligand and recovering them in concentrated form in the receiving solution. The concentrated ions thus removed may be further separated and recovered by known methods.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for alleviating the harmful effects of convolutional and additive noise in speech, such as due to the environmental noise and linear spectral modification, based on the filtering of time trajectories of an auditory-like spectrum in a particular spectral domain.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for use in cooperation with a computer having memory in a Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) for generating an optimized transition plan for the placement of Self-Healing Rings (SHR) and the routing of point-to-point demand in accordance with projected customer demand over a selected multi-period time interval. By determining the number of nodes within a SONET, the demand therebetween over selected time interval as well as the discounted add-drop cost for a plurality of selected Add-Drop Multiplexers (ADMs), a set of logical rings as well as a set of physical rings and detailed routing information may be obtained and graphically illustrated. Logical rings may be determined by optimizing discounted fixed and interconnection costs for the plurality of ADMs in accordance with a selected mixed integer program to generate a corresponding electrical signal for receipt by the computer memory.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for use in cooperation with a computer having a memory for generating an optimized transition plan for the placement and interconnection of carrier hubs in a local access network having a plurality of Central Offices (COs), Serving Wire Centers (SWCs) and Point-of-Presence (POP) exchange carriers such that calls may be routed at least cost. In operation, the total number and location of existing SWCs within the network must be determined along with the total switched and special access demand. Thereafter, known tariff rates for selected channel terminals, transport channels and multiplexers must be determined along with the total number of DS3 lines from each SWC to its corresponding POP. By expressing determined network demand as selected mixed-integer program decision variables and determining a corresponding set of logical constraints consistent with these decision variables, the optimized placement of hubs within the local access network may be determined.

Abstract: A battery booster for a wheelchair electrical system powered by two twelve volt batteries that includes a twelve volt power socket of conventional standardized configuration for receiving battery-boosting power from a twelve volt power source such as a vehicle cigarette lighter. Power received at the socket charges the wheelchair batteries either through a switch for selectively connecting the batteries in series for operation or parallel for charging, or through a timer and relay arrangement for automatically charging the batteries in alternating sequence.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for use in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) for automatically accessing and invoking existing switch-based services without going off-hook. To be operative, the Advanced Intelligent Network must be equipped with O-called-party-busy trigger and leg manipulation functionality such as in AIN release 1.0 architecture and have at least one service node or suitable switch in electrical communication with a plurality of central offices via a suitable signaling protocol such as Transaction Capability Application Part (TCAP) protocol. The switch or service node must be operative as the home switch or virtual Service Switching Point (SSP) for subscribers to existing switch-based services. In operation, the signaling protocol is monitored to detect predetermined triggers and line conditions associated with selected switch-based services.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the required number of active video circuits in an interactive video delivery network required to meet the specified blocking probability constraints. By determining peak loading hours as well as the number of system subscribers in a given video delivery network, the user may determine the blocking probability of the interactive video delivery system in accordance with the formula: ##EQU1## This information may thereafter be used to determine the number active video circuits to meet the determined blocking probability.

Abstract: A hybrid coaxial cable network employing interdiction to ensure privacy in telephony communications. The video and telephony signals are secured such that telephony and interactive video signals to and from a subscriber do not appear on the network at any other undesired subscriber location.

Abstract: A fiber optic/coaxial cable telephony network including power. Power is supplied through the coaxial cable portion of the video network to an cable network unit where the power is converted and supplied to the equipment including customer premises equipment.