Abstract: An optical modulator controllably attenuates an optical signal by changing the index of refraction of an electro-optic prism in the modulator by varying the electrical bias applied to the electro-optic prism. Changing the index of refraction alters the path along which the optical signal travels through the optical modulator. By appropriately focusing the optical signal, the location of the optical signal relative to an output fiber can be controlled to vary the degree of optical coupling between the optical signal and the output fiber, thereby changing the amplitude of the outgoing optical signal. In one embodiment, the optical modulator has an electro-optic prism located between a lens and a mirror, where the mirror reflects the optical signal to pass through the prism and the lens two times: once along an input path and once along an output path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for minimizing electrostatic discharge damage to semiconductor objects utilizes an ionized air stream to reduce electrostatic and triboelectric potential build up in and surrounding semiconductor storage containers. The ionized air stream is continuously directed to a designated area where stored semiconductor objects are being removed from. Electrostatic and triboelectric potential is greatly reduced, minimizing the threat of electrostatic discharge and damage.

Abstract: In a skills-based ACD, an available agent is reserved and assigned to handle calls needing a "rare" skill of the agent and is prevented from handling calls needing a "common" skill of the agent even if calls needing the common skill are waiting to be handled, if not reserving the agent for the calls needing the rare skill would deprive those calls of the last available agent, even if no calls needing the rare skill are available for handling. The agent is reserved only if target performance criteria, such as average speed of answer, for handling the calls needing the common skill are being met. In case of more than one agent being available to handle calls that need the rare skills, one of these agents is selected and reserved and the other agents are freed to serve calls needing "common" skills.

Abstract: A cordless telephone arranged for operation in a frequency hopping system includes an arrangement which achieves optimum utilization of multiple cordless telephone portable units by permitting these units to not only access a common base unit, but also to access each other. In establishing communications between portable units, a first portable unit in the system, in response to a user-initiated request at this unit, transmits a broadcast or page signal to other portable units, also in the system, using a multiple channel frequency hopping sequence. Once a second portable unit in the system responds, a communication link between the first and second portable units is established. A third portable unit in the system may also respond to the user initiated request and join the communication link existing between the first and second portable units.

Abstract: Allowing the alerting of supervisors and off duty agents to conditions on a split of an ACD system via wireless terminals. The conditions under which the wireless alerting will be performed are programmed by the owner of the ACD system rather than the manufacturer. The ACD center is connected to a wireless switching system via a primary rate ISDN interface (PRI) link. The ACD system considers the wireless switching system as another ACD system and utilizes the look ahead interflow operation to communicate information to the wireless switching system concerning the condition of a split. This is done by the ACD placing informational telecommunication calls to pseudo telecommunication numbers via the PRI link to the wireless switching system. The wireless switching system is responsive to each of these pseudo numbers to interpret the pseudo number as to the wireless terminal that should be contacted and an alphanumeric message that is to be displayed on that wireless terminal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit memory array has a plurality of rows of memory cells, each row of memory cells being coupled to a respective row line for enabling the memory cells of the row. A row driver of the memory array provides a row voltage on the row line. A pull-up transistor of the row driver pulls up the row voltage in response to a row control signal. A parasitic diode of the pull-up transistor is coupled at its anode to the row line and is adapted to pull the row voltage down from a high state voltage to a diode drop voltage plus a low state voltage in response an enable block signal coupled to the cathode of the parasitic diode. A pull-down transistor of the row driver also pulls down the row voltage in response to the row control signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparata for electronic labeling and localizing an end point and for determining the distance between an interrogator and the end point. In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes an interrogator that transmits an identification code signal that includes a representation of the identification code of the end point to be localized. The interrogator also receives a tag response signal that is transmitted from a tag associated with the end point. The tag transmits the tag response signal upon receiving the identification code signal and confirming that the identification code signal includes a representation of the identification code. The system also includes a localizer, which is hardware, software, or both, that determines the distance between the end point and the interrogator based on the identification code signal and the tag response signal.

Abstract: An adjustment fixture for aligning pins on a protector panel to facilitate insertion of a printed wiring board thereon. The adjustment fixture includes an alignment comb having a plurality of substantially parallel beams, each having a thickness. The comb is placed between rows or columns of pins on the protector panel to straighten and impede unintended displacement or movement of the pins. A beam receptacle brace is provided for attachment to an end of the beams so as to maintain the beams in an appropriate fixed spacing so that the printed wiring board can be mounted to the pins.

Abstract: An electronics cabinet assembly having a support shelf and an equipment module movably supported thereon. The equipment module is moveable between a closed position adjacent the rear of the support shelf, and an extended position substantially forward relative of the support shelf where the equipment module is hingably supported on the support shelf such that the front of the equipment module can tilt downwards to expose the rear of the equipment module for easy access to the wire and cable connectors.

Abstract: This invention is predicated on applicants' discovery that one can design long-period gratings having a center wavelength versus A characteristic which changes polarity of slope near a wavelength of interest. Such a grating can be chirped to exhibit a wider bandwidth than chirped conventional gratings, e.g. 100 nm as compared to 20 nm. The new wide bandwidth gratings are highly useful in optical communications systems for dispersion compensation and for compensation of spectrally dependent optical amplifiers.

Abstract: A radio communication system includes an Interrogator for generating and transmitting a radio signal. One or more Tags contained within the radio communication system receive the radio signal. A Backscatter Modulator modulates the reflection of the radio signal using a subcarrier signal, thereby forming a reflected modulated signal. The Interrogator receives and demodulates the reflected modulated signal. Based upon the characteristics of the demodulated signal, the Interrogator can determine the identity of the Tag, and the relative velocity of the Tag with respect to the Interrogator. The Interrogator can also determine if motion exists in the vicinity of the Interrogator, even when no Tag is present, without the need for a separate motion detection system. The characteristics of the demodulated signal, can also be used to determine the characteristics of motion of the Tag, such as the vibrational frequency.

Abstract: An electrically conductive hinge includes an electrically conductive first plate with a plurality of knuckles having openings. An electrically conductive second plate of the hinge also includes a plurality of knuckles having openings. The pluralities of knuckles are alternatively interlaced, and a hinge pin is inserted into the openings. One or more electrically conductive tabs are provided on the first hinge plate and frictionally engaged against one or more of the knuckles of the second hinge plate. Also, one or more electrically conductive tabs may be provided on the second hinge plate and frictionally engaged against one or more of the knuckles of the first hinge plate. The conductive tabs are resilient and provide good electrical conductivity between the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate. The hinge is particularly advantageous in grounding an electrically conductive cover to an electrical conductive housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of planarizing a surface on a semiconductor wafer containing metal. In one embodiment, the method comprises selecting a slurry that contains conventional components of an abrasive and an oxidant. The oxidant is known to have a known rate of oxidation and is capable of oxidizing the metal. This embodiment further comprises reducing a rate of exposure of the metal to the oxidant by altering a property of the slurry, oxidizing the metal at the reduced rate to form an oxide of the metal, and removing the oxide with the abrasive to produce a planarized surface of the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: In order to use a digital oscillator to generate a target frequency ZT with a "high" or "low" level constant in time from a working clock by variable division by a first division factor, two divider circuits which can be respectively triggered by the positive or the negative edges of a working clock, and to which a control word can be directed alternately by means of a first controlled switch, and which are connected on their output sides to a second controlled switch to obtain a clock pulse. To that end each divider circuit has a logic module which detects the occurrence of the edge of the control word and stores this event, with this event triggering a division by a second division factor.

Abstract: A cord has a jacket for containing wires. The jacket has a plurality of circular portions and a plurality of non-circular portions alternating with each other. The circular portions are substantially circular, and the non-circular portions are substantially non-circular, and may be in the shape of a "C" or "U". The "C" or "U" shape maintains the wires in a predetermined order. A method for forming cord includes alternately: (a) extruding a circular portion having a cross section that is substantially circular around a plurality of wires; and (b) extruding a non-circular portion having a cross section that is substantially non-circular around the plurality of wires. The extrusion is continuous, so that the non-circular portion is adjacent to the circular portion. The non-circular portion may be opened so that the conductors are arranged substantially in a line.

Abstract: The dynamic test unit presents the operator with a dynamically changing visual representation of the voice terminal under test and its present state. This visual representation provides the operator with an enhanced visual comparison of voice terminal under test with the virtual representation to verify both the type of voice terminal under test and its present state. By providing a visual representation of the voice terminal under test, only minimal operator training is required and the test facility interface is made language independent. The dynamic test unit can also display visual images of the signals that are applied to the voice terminal under test and the signals received therefrom to enable the operator of the test facility to precisely analyze the operation of the voice terminal under test.

Abstract: A tool-less insulation displacement connector block for selectively routing wiring connections contains a first terminal strip, a second terminal strip and a third terminal strip which are disposed on the connector block. The first terminal strip has a first wire receiving terminal which is electrically connected to a first output connector. The second terminal strip has a second wire receiving terminal which is electrically connected to a second output connector. Similarly, the third terminal strip has a third wire receiving terminal which is electrically connected to a third output connector. The connector block also contains a unitary cap which encapsulates the first, second and third output connectors. The cap has a bridging device which can be used for selectively connecting either the first output connector or the third output connector to the second output connector thereby establishing an electrical connection between the second wire receiving terminal and the selected output connector.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for making polynucleotides of any desired nucleotide sequence by repeating a series of reactions involving assembly of overlapping oligomers, ligation by DNA ligase, and cleavage with a restriction enzyme that cuts so as to add one or more additional nucleotides to a growing polynucleotide. This invention also relates to combining such a method for polynucleotide synthesis with a step employing localized melting of hybridized DNA oligomers, to synthesize an array of polynucleotides of different, defined nucleotide sequence on a substrate, and to the articles for polynucleotide hybridization so made.

Abstract: A method of semiconductor circuit fabrication utilizing the poly buffered LOCOS process is disclosed. Amorphous silicon is desirably formed by the decomposition of disilane at temperatures between 400-525.degree. C. The amorphous silicon exhibits less pits than what is produced by conventional processes. The absence of pits contributes to eventual substrate integrity.

Abstract: For use with a communication station having a database containing past communication event information pertaining to the station, systems for, and methods of, predicting a future communication event pertaining to the station. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) correlating logic that analyzes the past communication event information to determine whether a correlation exists in the past communication event information and (2) predicting logic, coupled to the correlating logic, that examines a current communication event pertaining to the station and predicts the future communication event based on the current communication event and the correlation.