Abstract: Attributes or features of a portion of a picture are represented by one or more strokes which are formed using special purpose hardware and a processing algorithm which operates in a hypothesize-and-test mode. Each assumed stroke is tested using parallel processing, and the test result is used to determine the next hypothesis. A minimum of information is maintained indicating prior test results.

Abstract: The invention pertains to W-profile single-mode silica-based optical fiberguide, and to communication systems employing these fiberguide. Such guides can be designed to have large bandwidth over a wide wavelength region, and, in particular, to have minimal chromatic dispersion at two different wavelengths, e.g., about 1.3 .mu.m and about 1.55 .mu.m, the wavelengths of loss minima in silica. Disclosed are ranges of fiber parameters that can yield these and other advantageous fiberguide characteristics. In particular, in fibers according to the invention the difference between core and outer cladding refractive index is between about 0.1% and 0.4% of the outer cladding index, the difference between the inner cladding and the outer cladding index is between about 1 times and about 3 times the difference between core and outer cladding, the core radius is between about 0.5 and 0.8 times the outer radius of the inner cladding, and the outer radius of the inner cladding is at least about 5 .mu.m.

Abstract: An extracting tool (14 ) for extracting a keying block (12) having keying pins (13) extending outwardly therefrom from the terminal pins (11) of a backplane (10) of an interconnection system. A keying pin seizing mechanism is retained on a mounting card (27) dimensioned to fit between the rails 17 and 18 of a guide frame normally holding a circuit board. The seizing mechanism comprises a pair of adjacent vise blocks (15, 16) having aligned holes (19) to correspond to the locations of the keying pins (13). When the card (27) is fully inserted in the guide frame, the keying pins (13) of the keying block (12) pass through the aligned holes (19) of both vise blocks (15, 16). The latter blocks have opposing parallel faces (20, 21) lying at an angle to the axes of the keying pins (13).

Abstract: A protector unit (30) for protecting tip-and-ring conductors of a telephone loop includes a pair of protector assemblies (40-40') which are supported within a common housing 932). A voltage protection subassembly (42) is connected electrically to a ground subassembly (44) for causing current associated with excessive voltage surges to be conducted to ground. Each protector assembly includes a heat coil subassembly (50) mounted on a dielectric half-base (51), together with a central office pin (57). The heat coil subassembly includes a line pin (61), an eyelet (62), disposed concentrically about the line pin and releasably secured to one end of the line pin in an initial position by a fusible bonding material, and a resistance wire (69), wound about the hub of the eyelet. One end of the wire is welded to the eyelet, and the other end is welded to the central office pin to establish a direct current path between the line pin and the central office pin.

Abstract: A technique is shown for injection molding knockout sections in plastic parts. Through the introduction of a weld line in a controlled manner, removable sections of any geometry may be incorporated in a part. By varying the weld line geometry, knockout forces may be varied over a wide range. An example of a circular knockout in polycarbonate material is shown.

Abstract: To obtain optimal operational sensitivity from an amplifier connected to a source of electrical signals, a technique utilizes multiple amplifiers connected together. The technique determines the number, N, of amplifiers (31 or 51) to be used and whether they should be connected in parallel (FIG. 3) or series (FIG. 5) in order to optimize the sensitivity of a given type of amplifier. Accordingly, multiple interconnection of amplifiers may be used in lieu of noise matching with transformers to minimize the excess-noise figure of the multiple amplifier circuit. The technique capitalizes on the advances in integrated circuit amplifier design, such as compactness and wideband performance, while providing lower loss and higher reliability through redundancy.

Abstract: Bidirectional circuitry, which includes two amplifiers, each having a capacitor connected between an input and an output terminal thereof, and two interrupt transistors, acts to provide amplification and/or level shifting of information between two transceivers while also reducing capacitive loading and thus enhancing response time.

Abstract: An electret transducer for producing a directional response, electret foil (92) and a backplate (94) with the actual air gap thickness therebetween varying in accordance with a predetermined relationship. The sensitivity of the electret transducer varies inversely as the actual air gap thickness. In one embodiment the actual air gap thickness is realized by a plurality of posts (90) having heights varying according to the aforesaid relationship. In another embodiment, the actual air gap thickness is realized by varying the thickness of the aforesaid backplate.

Abstract: An expeditious method has been found for measuring the concentration of particles found in a polymer composition such as in wire and cable jackets. This procedure involves dissolving the polymer composition in a suitable solvent so that the particles form a dispersion in the solvent. The concentration of these particles in the solvent is then measured through transmission spectroscopy and this value is related to the concentration of the particles present in the original polymer body.

Abstract: This invention involves the defining of a submicron feature (21 or 93) in a structure, typically an insulated gate field effect transistor structure (30, 40, or 110). This feature is defined by a sidewall oxide protective masking layer (21 or 71) formed by reactive oxygen ion etching of the structure being built at a time when an exposed surface thereof in the vicinity of the sidewall contains atoms of a material--for example, silicon or aluminum--which combine with the oxygen ions to form the sidewall oxide layer.

Abstract: An interconnection matrix is disclosed for connecting inputs and outputs of logic circuit of a programmable logic array (PLA). The interconnection matrix consists of row conductors each connected to an input of a logic circuit and segments of column conductors each connected to an output of a logic circuit. By limiting the interconnection capability of each column conductor several column conductors each electrically isolated from each other can share the same column of the interconnection matrix. The resulting PLA can perform various logic functions using an interconnection matrix which does not grow geometrically with an increase in the number of logic circuits.

Abstract: A hot melt optical fiber coating comprising a thermoplastic rubber block copolymer reduces microbending losses over a wide service temperature range, typically down to at least -40 degrees Celsius, while obtaining an upper temperature limit of at least 90 degrees Celsius. The processing properties, including shelf life, cure rate, and toughness, are superior to typical prior art materials, such as silicones. The inventive coating can be used as the inner coating of a dual-layer coated fiber or as a single coating layer.

Abstract: A fiber-optic electronic connector assembly provides for consistent low insertion loss operation by providing for the fiber optic connector assembly to float as a unit in three substantially orthogonal directions.

Abstract: A demultiplexer circuit which extracts from an incoming time division multiplexed digital bit stream any combination of PCM encoded words or data bits, irrespective of the rate of latter or the position of the data bits in a given channel or channels. The demultiplexer circuit includes a random access memory (12) for storing information as to the bit(s) to be demultiplexed out of the incoming digital bit stream. A counter (13) operates in synchronism with the received bit stream and the output thereof serves to access the random access memory to provide output signals indicative of the bit(s) carrying information for the subscriber station. These output signals are utilized to read the digital signals intended for said station into other random access memory (31, 41). A summing circuit (16-19) is coupled to the input of said other memory so that conference calls are summed in real time.

Abstract: A fastening arrangement for multiple sections of structural flooring and the like having contiguous corners (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d). The corner end of each section is grooved to present a sector (13) of a cylinder which when combined present a cylindrical bore at the junction of the section corners (10). At least the upper surface of each corner (10) has formed therein a dovetailed recess (15) which widens away from the corner junction point. A flat locking key washer member (17, 22) having dovetailed tabs (20) is fitted into the recesses (15, 15') maintains the contiguous corners (10) in place and a bolt (21) passing through a central aperture (18) of member (17) and to the cylindrical bore presented at the corners (10) may be employed to secure the assembly to a supporting structure (11).

Abstract: A demultiplexer circuit which extracts from an incoming time division multiplexed digital bit stream any combination of PCM encoded words (in separate channels), or data bits irrespective of the rate of the latter or the position of the data bits in a given channel. The demultiplexer circuit includes a random access memory (12) (RAM) for storing information as to the channel(s) to be demultiplexed out of the incoming digital bit stream. A counter (13) operates in synchronism with the received bit stream and the output thereof serves to access the RAM to provide output signals indicative of the channel(s) carrying information for the subscriber station. These output signals are utilized to read the digital signals intended for said station into a shift register (16). A summing circuit (17, 18) is interconnected with the register so that conference calls are summed in real time. Before the next frame of digital signals, the contents of the register are transferred to a second shift register (21).

Abstract: An AC plasma panel display (100) is described with selective row and column shifting capability. The column conductors (C.sub.2, C.sub.4 . . . , C.sub.512) are common between a staging area (11) and an exhibiting area (12) while the other column conductors (C.sub.1, C.sub.3 . . . , C.sub.511) are terminated at the boundary between the two areas. The row shifting is accomplished in the staging area to enter display data on the panel. Column shifting is used between the two areas to transport display data onto the exhibiting area from the staging area. The modified display panel requires a minimum number of drivers and intrinsically isolates column and row shifting during operation.

Abstract: The disclosed real time dictation arrangement time-shares several transcribers among various users requiring dictation service. The dictation from a user is partitioned into time sequential dictation segments. A controller unit distributes the segments of dictation from each of several users to several transcribers. Voice storage is provided so that users do not have to wait to speak and so that transcribers can pause or repeat the speech being worked on. The controller unit collects the transcribed dictation from the transcribers, and delivers the text to the proper user. A video terminal enables each user to see the transcribed dictation almost as fast as it is spoken, and enables the user to control by means of a cursor where transcribed text is to be inserted.

Abstract: An interactive graphics transmission system for use, illustratively, in video teleconferencing is described which advantageously reduces the amount of transmission bandwidth and user effort required to transmit changing graphical information. This is accomplished by first transmitting a full image of the graphic followed only by the changes which a conferee makes to that graphic. Those changes are determined by sensing the tilt of a light pen and the location of its tip, which is closest to the graphic, as a conferee manipulates the pen to change the graphic. The tilt of the pen primarily determines the mode in which the light pen is used. The mode information, in conjunction with the location of the pen's tip, is used to generate an instruction which specifies the way in which the graphic is to be changed, e.g., whether information is to be added to, deleted from or emphasized in a graphic. In addition, the location of the pen's tip specifies the address of that portion of the graphic that is to be changed.

Abstract: A communication conferencing arrangement is disclosed which relies upon the use of a plus/minus (+/-) nonlocking button followed by the operation of a button associated with any other line appearing at the station. If the operated line button is associated with a currently active line that line will be removed from the conference. If, however, the operated button is associated with a nonactive line (held or idle) then that line will be added, in conference fashion, with the communication leads of the enabling station. Provision is made to allow any number of added connections up to a preset maximum number at any station.