Abstract: A method and apparatus for multiplexing and demultiplexing light signals of multiple wavelengths using two canceling dispersion stages with a stage between them which transforms the angular positions of the beams, the lateral positions of the beams, or both the angular and lateral positions of the beams. Light of multiple wavelengths is introduced through an input waveguide. The light then enters the first stage of the invention which disperses the signal. The dispersed signals then enter a second stage in which they are transformed. The transformed signals then enter a third stage where they are subject to the inverse of the dispersion performed in the first stage. In other words, if the third stage were placed immediately after the first stage, the third stage would nullify the dispersion of the first stage. However, adding the intervening transformation step results in only the simple linear dispersion being canceled in the system while the transformed part of the dispersion is retained.

Abstract: The specification describes an optical power level equalizer device for compensating power tilt in a wavelength division multiplexed lightwave system. The device is a movable membrane device, similar in structure to a Mechanical Anti-Reflection Switch (MARS) device, but in which the movable membrane is made essentially transparent to the center wavelength of the multiplexed signal. Reflectivity increases on one side of the power band and decreases on the other, allowing tilt to be compensated without significant power loss in the center wavelengths. The degree of tilt compensation is dependent on the size of the air gap and can be adjusted dynamically to maintain equal power levels in each channel.

Abstract: A selected image view generator is disclosed for generating a selected portion of a larger compressed image. A selected image view from an overall image is generated with significantly reduced computation and reduced latency (for video processing). Frame insensitivity permits selected image views to be formed from static images or from a video stream. Multiple users can simultaneously control a selected view received from an image source. Remote cameras can be panned electronically, rather than physically. The overall compressed image may be encoded using a suitable intra-frame macroblock-based image encoder, provided that each macroblock is encoded independently. Each macroblock optionally contains a macroblock identifier indicating the position of the macroblock in a given image. Each transmitted overall image and selected image view optionally includes a frame header indicating the number of macroblocks in the transmitted image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for the recovery of germanium from the Modified Chemical Vapor Deposition (MCVD) processing wastes by chemical conversion and recovery of germanium from the solid cake product. In the present method, the direct reaction of gaseous hydrogen chloride with the recovered materials effects the rapid and complete chlorination of the germanates, yielding germanium tetrachloride. The germanium tetrachloride product is completely volatilized and removed from the mixture during the exothermic process.

Abstract: A configuration for an electrophoretic display device is described that is effective in substantially preventing agglomeration of pigment particles. A suspension medium is contained between first and second electrodes to define an electrophoretic display cell; a plurality of pigment particles are dispersed in the suspension medium and a plurality of mechanical members project therein. The members advantageously are sized sufficiently small such that a plurality of members can exist within a minimally visible region of the cell. The mechanical members may be fabricated separately from the remaining parts of the display, allowing for flexibility in the fabrication materials and processing conditions.

Abstract: An improved stepped etalon comprises a transparent body having a stepped surface. The lands of the steps are separated by a non-abrupt or softened transition region. This reduces the diffraction of light caused by the step transitions, thereby reducing the dead spot behind the step transition portions where interference prevents accurate measurements of light transmission from being made. Methods for producing a smoothly stepped etalon and for smoothing the step transitions in an abruptly stepped etalon are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tester for a circuit path includes a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) for generating a controllable frequency oscillating test signal and having a controllable amplitude defined between first and second voltages, a multiplexer for selectively connecting one of the oscillating test signal, the first voltage, and the second voltage to the circuit path, and a selector for selectively connecting the multiplexer to the circuit path. Moreover, at least one of the first and second voltages may be controllable so that the VCO generates the oscillating test signal to selectively have one of an amplitude greater than, less than, and equal to an amplitude of an output of the circuit path. The circuit path may include a plurality of electronic circuit devices connected together.

Abstract: A game has been designed to lure computer users to websites established by companies participating in the game. The participating companies advertise their products and/or services on the websites. The object of the game is to locate and procure a specified icon hidden at each of the websites. In accordance with the invention, the specified icon may assume one of three states, e.g., green, red and yellow states in that order. The three states vary with time and cycle themselves. A user is able to procure and click on a located icon only when it is in a green state, manifest by its green color. A red state of the icon indicates that the green state has just ended, and a yellow state of the icon indicates that the green state is imminent. Thus, in the course of playing the game, a user is likely to revisit or linger at a website whose icon is in a red or yellow state.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a metal substrate is coated with a multilayer surface finish comprising, in succession, an amorphous metal underlayer, a corrosion-resistent metal middle layer and one or more outer layers of precious metal. In an exemplary embodiment the metal substrate comprises copper alloy, the amorphous metal underlayer is Ni—P, the middle layer is nickel and the outer layer is palladium. The resulting structure is particularly useful as an electrical connector.

Abstract: A voice messaging system and method includes a voice recorder/playback device to store a plurality of voice messages associated with a respective plurality of incoming calls. A receiver receives call related information associated with each of the respective plurality of incoming calls. A controller is provided to organize the plurality of voice messages for playback by the voice recorder/playback device based on pre-stored groupings of expected call related information irrespective of an order in which voice messages are stored. In one aspect the pre-stored groupings relate to various priority levels for playback sequencing. In another aspect the pre-stored groupings relate to a specific voice mailbox or bin to receive the voice message. In yet another aspect, voice recognition techniques may be utilized to query the voice messaging system, either locally or remotely, for voice messages grouped in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Abstract: Fiber is drawn from a preform comprising a silica body, e.g., a sol-gel derived overcladding or substrate tube. Prior to sintering, the body is treated with a gaseous mixture containing one or more non-oxygenated sulfur halides, to remove and/or reduce the size of refractory oxide particles, and/or dehydroxylate the body. Removal of metal oxide particles or reduction in their size contributes to drawing of optical fiber exhibiting desirable strength, since such particles act as initiation sites for breakage. Advantageously, the halides include sulfur chlorides, which provide desirable improvements compared to treatment by oxygenated sulfur chlorides such as thionyl chloride (SOCl2).

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide an adjustable phase and time delay to an input signal. The apparatus includes an inverting element and first and second variable capacitors. The inverting element has a first end serially coupled with the input signal and a second end. The first variable capacitor is coupled between the first end of the inverting element and first voltage. The second variable capacitor is coupled between the second end of the inverting element and a second voltage. The first and second variable capacitors are separately adjustable to controllably vary a phase shift and a delay of a reflection of the input signal. The first and second voltages may be at the same or different potentials. The input signal may be coupled to the inverting element through a directional coupler, such as a circulator.

Abstract: Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) is achieved in wireless communications systems in which reliable ASR feature vector sequences are derived at a base station directly from digitally transmitted speech coder parameters, with no additional processing or signal modification required at the originating handset. No secondary channel need be provided for the transmission of ASR feature vectors. In operating on received speech coder parameters prior to conversion to a voice signal the present system and methods avoid the lossy conversion process and associated voice distortion. Since the received voice parameters are error protected during transmission they are received with greater accuracy. All, or a subset, of speech coding parameters, including, in appropriate cases, spectral envelope parameters, reflection coefficients, LSPs, LSFs, LPCs, LPCCs, and weighted LPCCs may be processed at a receiving base station or forwarded to another location for processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing anti-tank ammunition including a tube with a first cap disposed at a first end of the tube, and a second cap disposed at a second opposing end of the tube. The first cap includes a one-way valve which allows gas to escape the tube, but which prevents gas from entering the tube. The apparatus reduces the amount of corrosion which forms on the ammunition, thereby substantially lowering the number of backfires of the ammunition.

Abstract: A patch antenna is described with enhanced beamwidth characteristics. In a first embodiment, the antenna comprises a patch element and a ground plane separated from the patch element by a first dielectric layer. The antenna further includes a signal feed line separated from the ground plane by a second dielectric layer, the signal feed line being shielded from the patch element by the ground plane. The signal feed line is electromagnetically coupled to the patch element through an aperture in the ground plane lying across the signal feed line, the ground plane functioning as a finite surface relative to the aperture. According to a further aspect of the invention, the beamwidth of the antenna is adjusted by adjusting the position of a reflector behind the signal feed line. Thus, the present invention provides an efficient way to achieve adjustable wide-beamwidth for various wireless systems in a three-sector configuration.

Abstract: A facility is provided for interfacing the Internet with a telecommunications network and vice versa so that a user who does not have access to the Internet may, nevertheless, provide a Web page and update the Web page via the telecommunications network and so that a user may access the telecommunications network via the Internet.

Abstract: An adapter/converter circuit converts transmissions by a mobile telephone built for one standard (e.g., PCS) from the telephone transmit/base station receive frequency of that one standard to the telephone transmit/base station receive frequency of another standard (e.g., cellular), and converts transmissions by a base station or similar device (e.g., a base station simulator) from the telephone receive/base station transmit frequency of the one standard to the telephone receive/base station transmit frequency of the other standard. The two frequency conversions occur simultaneously on two parallel legs under the control of a PLL dual frequency synthesizer, which is in turn controlled by user input (in the case where the adapter is used to allow, e.g., PCS telephones to be tested on cellular test equipment) or by the base station (in the case where the adapter is used to allow, e.g., PCS telephones to be used with a cellular base station).

Abstract: A communications system employs frequency division duplexing to accommodate symmetric and asymmetric services, while substantially eliminating near-end cross talk. Upstream and downstream channels are separated by a guard band in order to insure that near-end cross talk is kept to a minimum. An asymmetric upstream channel is preferably located at a lower frequency range than that of the asymmetric downstream channel. The guard band between these asymmetric upstream and downstream channels shifts in frequency along with the shift in frequency of the respective upstream and downstream channels as a function of reach. This guard band shifting permits the communications systems to utilize a greater percentage of the frequencies available to it and to thereby substantially maximize the communications rate that it can support. Although the asymmetric guard band is allowed to shift in the manner described, it is not allowed to do so in a manner that would create a conflict with symmetric channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling beam emittance by placing a quadrupole lens array in a drift space of an illumination system component. The illumination system component may be an electron gun or a liner tube or drift tube, attachable to an electron gun. The quadrupole lens array may be three or more mesh grids or a combination of grids and continuous foils. The quadrupole lens array forms a multitude of microlenses resembling an optical “fly's eye” lens. The quadrupole lens array splits an incoming solid electron beam into a multitude of subbeams, such that the outgoing beam emittance is different from the incoming beam emittance, while beam total current remains unchanged. The method and apparatus permit independent control of beam current and beam emittance, which is beneficial in a SCALPEL illumination system.

Abstract: A thermal management system is disclosed by selectively breaking the thermal connection between the heat sinks and the electronics being cooled. This preserves the excess heat generated by the electronics rather than dissipating it, thereby maintaining the electronics at or above the minimum specified operating temperature during exposure to extremely cold environments. The thermal connection can be broken in several ways including an electrically controlled device such as an solenoid or via a device that harnesses a phenomenon of the same low temperatures that is the ultimate source of the problem to be solved. A preferred example of such a device is a solidification engine. A solidification engine produces reversible motion based upon the tendency of certain substances to expand with significant force upon freezing and to contract upon melting.