Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing resource allocations is disclosed which utilizes the Karmarkar algorithm to proceed in the interior of the solution space polytope. The constraints on the allocation variables (the surfaces of the polytope) are partitioned into sparse and non-sparse partitions to permit applying a perturbation formula permitting rapid inversion of the resulting perturbed matrix products. Each successive approximation of the solution point, and the polytope, are normalized such that the solution point is at the center of the normalized polytope using a diagonal matrix of the current solution point, also partitioned into sparse and non-sparse portions. The objective function is then projected into the normalized space and the next step is taken in the interior of the polytope, in the direction of steepest-descent of the objective function gradient and of such a magnitude as to remain within the interior of the polytope.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for applying a colorant material to the surface of a plastic insulation material which has been applied to an elongated material such as a metallic conductor (22) or an optical fiber which is being moved at any of a wide range of speeds along a path of travel. The colorant material is applied by nozzles which are staggered along the path of travel and which direct the colorant into engagement with the plastic insulation material at different radial directions. A first plurality of nozzles (46--46) each cause the colorant to be in a spray pattern (45) which is in the area of a plane. Advantageously, those nozzles cooperate to stabilize the conductor and prevent undulations thereof as the conductor is moved along its path of travel. A second plurality of nozzles (50--50) cause the colorant to be in a solid conical pattern (53).

Abstract: A self-initializing communication system is described which automatically itializes circuit boards of the system using predetermined operating parameters when the system is initially powered-up or reset. The system is arranged to initialize circuit boards inserted in any order in any board slots of the system equipment housing. A malfunctioning circuit board can be replaced while the system is operating and the replacement circuit board is automatically initialized by the system using the stored operating parameters from the malfunctioning circuit board.

Abstract: In an ADPCM coder and decoder including a so-called locking-unlocking adaptation speed control, the adaptation speed is locked to a very slow, almost constant, speed of adaptation for voiceband data and partial band energy signals, i.e., tones and tone like signals, and is unlocked to achieve a fast speed of adaptation for speech. When a so-called partial band energy signal is being inputted, the adaptation speed is biased toward the unlocked state and when a transition occurs from a partial band energy signal to another such signal, the adaptation speed is set to the totally unlocked state and coefficients of an adaptive predictor are set to prescribed values. This is done in both the coder and decoder to minimize generation of impulse noise in the decoder output.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of setting up, manipulating, and taking down communication connections. The telephone instrument would include a graphics screen, such as a PC, and a series of call appearance boxes would be represented on the screen. Each possible party to a connection would be represented by a picture (icon generated upon request for a particular party) and an associated label (the party's name). The icon representative of a party is moved, by use of a cursor, inside a communication appearance box on the screen to place that party on the call. The icon would be moved out of the box to drop the party from the call. In this manner, two-party, as well as conference, calls can be established.