Abstract: A system and method provides network address translation as an external service for private networks. Given the fact that local office networks (i.e., stub networks) are typically assigned only one globally unique IP address (or a small set of addresses), the invention presents a novel service provider access server (e.g., router) which performs basic network address translation (NAT) and network address port translation (NAPT) for such networks. The system allows NAT and NAPT features to be removed from stub network routers, thereby significantly reducing the cost of Internet infrastructure to individual companies and organizations. NAT features on service provider's access servers provide the ability for multiple hosts in disparate private (unregistered) networks to utilize the services of a service provider, using a single global address for each private network and allow private networks to avoid renumbering with access to each new service provider.

Abstract: A base for mounting electrical components having terminals which are potted. The base uses a substantially smaller amount of potting material than conventional bases. Furthermore, the base provides a larger contact surface area for the deposited potting material, allowing the potting material to cure more quickly. In addition, trough space between the components on the upper surface of the base is increased substantially.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip cooling system includes a thermally conductive block on which the chip is directly mounted. The block is secured to a printed circuit board and is suspended into flowing coolant, with the chip being maintained out of contact with the coolant. The coolant is circulated to remove heat from the block.

Abstract: A cable anchor assembly for facilitating ready anchored connection of cables to components while protecting the cables from external forces and from moisture. The assembly includes a plurality of plates slidably engageable along a rail for facilitating relative movement between the plates. Each plate has an engaging edge that defines a portion of a formable collar in which a cable is receivable. A fixture, such as a rubber boot, is placed over a section of the cable and, with the plates separated, the cable section is placed between the formable collar portions, whereupon the plates are brought into sliding edge-to-edge contact with each other to enclose the cable section and boot. With the plates in contact, a securing mechanism is operated to maintain contact between the plates. In a preferred embodiment, the boot is configured to create a substantially water-resistant seal between the cable section and the movable plates.

Abstract: An input device for inputting data into a computer or a video game is provided. The input device includes two keyballs mounted to a base. The keyballs may be swiveled relative to the base. Each keyball includes a plurality of switches for activation by the finger tips and thumb tips of a typist. By moving the keyballs and pressing the switches, the typist can enter data in a manner which mimics a conventional typing method. During operation, the typist's hands need not leave the keyballs. Therefore, the input device can reduce strains, and the likelihood of injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, to the wrists of the typist.

Abstract: An isolator assembly eliminates optical feedback or return beams in multiple stages. The isolator assembly employs passive optical components, including birefringent walk-off plates and non-reciprocal rotation plates. The rotation plates are located adjacent the walk-off plates. The optical components form a compact, integral unit. In the forward direction, the isolator assembly translates a polarized component beam through a triangular path to first separate and then combine the beam with respect to an orthogonally polarized component beam. By alternating birefringent sheets and rotation sheets, several isolator assemblies may be produced from a single layered stack.

Abstract: In a system and method for transmitting and displaying multiple different views of a scene, three or more simultaneous scene signals, representing multiple different views of a scene, are provided by an appropriate camera arrangement to a spatial multiplexer. The size and resolution of the scene signals are reduced as necessary to combine the multiple scene signals into two super-view signals. The super-view signals are encoded using compression based on redundancies between the two super-views and then transmitted. A decoder receives the transmitted data signal and extracts the two super-view signals according to the inverse of the encoding operation. A spatial demultiplexer recovers the individual scene signals from the decoded super-view signals in accordance with a defined multiplexed order and arrangement. The scene signals are then interpolated as needed to restore the original resolution and size and subsequently displayed.

Abstract: The specification relates to a broadband multiple access protocol for bi-directional hybrid fiber/coax (HFC) networks. The protocol supports downstream broadcast transmission from headend to cable modem, and also provides for allocation of bandwidth for cable modems to transmit back to the headend. Although the present invention is described in relation to an HFC network, it is also equally applicable to a wireless communications environment. The protocol supports different access modes such as synchronous transfer mode, asynchronous transfer mode, and variable length data. The protocol adapts to changing demands for a mix of circuit and packet mode applications and allocates upstream and downstream bandwidth in response to the a variety of bursty and isochronous traffic sources.

Abstract: For use with a power converter having a power supply control circuit, a current startup bias circuit and a method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the circuit includes: (1) a charge reservoir that receives and stores a trickle current during a startup period of the power converter, a voltage of the charge reservoir increasing as the charge reservoir stores the trickle current and (2) a latch, coupled to the charge reservoir, that activates when the voltage reaches a threshold to couple the charge reservoir to the power supply control circuit and initiate operation thereof.

Abstract: An IC comprises a tub of a first conductivity type, at least one transistor embedded in the tub, and a first pair of isolating regions defining therebetween a tub-tie region coupled to the tub. The tub-tie region comprises a cap portion of the first conductivity type and an underlying buried pedestal portion of a second conductivity type. At least a top section of the pedestal portion is surrounded by the cap portion so that a conducting path is formed between the cap portion and the tub. In a CMOS IC tub-ties of this design are provided for both NMOS and PMOS transistors. In a preferred embodiment, the cap portion of each tub-tie comprises a relatively heavily doped central section and more lightly doped peripheral sections, both of the same conductivity type.

Abstract: A complementary device consisting of a PMOS TFT transistor and an NMOS FET transistor uses a conducting layer to shunt drain regions of the transistors to eliminate any detrimental diode or p-n junction effects. The use of the conducting layer significantly improves the current drive capabilities of the PMOS TFT when the complementary device is used to design SRAM cells with NMOS pull-down transistors.

Abstract: Co-Existence Dynamic Channel Assignment (DCA) techniques for overlay macrocellular systems facilitate the coexistence of embedded autonomous underlay microcellular (e.g., indoor) systems. The Co-existence of the two systems without excessive mutual interference is achieved through statistical systematic exclusion of predefined subsets of the universal channel set from the dynamic assignment to the overlay macrocells. The sets of channels are made available to the underlay systems. The exclusion is done with minimal DCA performance degradation.

Abstract: For use with a power supply including first and second parallel-coupled converters having interleaved first and second switches, respectively, the first and second switches limited to a duty cycle of less than about 50 percent, a current mode control circuit and a method of current-mode controlling the power supply. In one embodiment, the current mode control circuit, includes: (1) an interconverter current transformer, coupled to an input of the power supply, that senses an input current of the power supply and (2) a controller, coupled to the current transformer, that moderates the duty cycle of the first and second switches as a function of the input current to cause the first and second converters to share an output current of the power supply.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing a length of outer protective layer from the end of an optical fiber. The apparatus accurately locates the fiber at a cutting station, engages a pair of opposed blades to cut the outer layer, and utilizes a constant force to remove the length of outer layer from the fiber.

Abstract: An optical switch device that includes a primary optical port for receiving a first optical signal from testing equipment such as an optical time domain reflectometer. The optical switch device also includes a plurality of connector ports for connecting to external optical fibers. An optical switching mechanism is used to optically connect the primary optical port to a selected one of the connector ports. At least one secondary optical port is also provided for receiving at least one second optical signal from an alternate piece of testing equipment. A multiplexing element is disposed between the optical switching mechanism and the connector ports. The multiplexing element combines the first test signal and the at least one second test signal to produce a multiplexed signal. The multiplexed signal is propagated through the optical fibers being tested, thereby enabling multiple tests to be performed on the optical fiber at the same time.

Abstract: Instead of trying to keep the SLs of a QC laser field free, we "pre-bias" the actual electronic potential by varying the SL period (and hence average composition) so as to achieve an essentially flat profile, on average, of upper and lower minibands, despite the presence of an applied field in the SLs. In one embodiment, in at least a first subset of the QW layers, the thicknesses of the QW layers are varied from QW layer to QW layer so as to increase in the direction of the applied field. In this embodiment, the upper and lower lasing levels are located, in the absence of an applied electric field, each at different energies from layer to layer within the first subset, so that despite the presence of an applied field, the desired flatband condition of the upper and lower minibands is realized.

Abstract: A connector block including a built in test device for testing a pair of wires connected to the block. The connection block includes a first terminal that is connected to a first one of the pair of wires and a second terminal that is connected to a second one of the pair of wires. A test board is slideably mounted on the connector block for slideable movement between a test position and an inactive position. A current indicator is disposed on the test board so that when the test board is in the test position, the current indicator forms an electrical connection between the first terminal and the second terminal indicating the presence of an electric current.

Abstract: A rigidizing cover plate for a printed circuit board mounted terminal block eliminating the instability of a 110D terminal block when it is mounted on the printed circuit board. The cover plate is a one piece injection molded polycarbonate plate that can be color coordinated to augment the existing 110D terminal blocks. The cover plate is formed with a plurality of apertures to enable the craftsperson to access the 110D terminal blocks that are mounted on the printed circuit board. The apertures formed in the cover plate contact the base of the corresponding 110D terminal block and provide lateral support for the terminal block to prevent movement of the terminal block with respect to the printed circuit board. The cover plate, when secured to the printed circuit board, functions not only as a stabilizer, but also as a protective shroud for the printed wiring board traces.

Abstract: A patch panel and a distribution module for mounting thereon has at least one aperture in the panel into which the module is fitted. The aperture has sloped latching surfaces on its upper and lower edges, and the front housing of the module has spring latches and latching tabs for mounting to the panel. A circuit board has spring blocks thereon, at least one of which engages a corresponding spring latch to prevent its becoming disengaged from the panel. A rear housing latches to the rear of the front housing to hold the circuit board in place therebetween. An identifying label holder is adapted to be affixed to the front of the front housing of the module.

Abstract: A method is provided for updating a message waiting notification count in a profile of a mobile telephone in an ANSI41 environment. An information directive, a message defined by the ANSI41 standard is modified to included the message waiting notification count, a parameter defined by the ANSI41 standard. The updates to the message waiting notification count are transmitted from a voice mail system node to a home location register by the modified information directive without the use of dedicated connections and proprietary interfaces.