Abstract: A system for providing efficient coupling between an elliptical mode laser source and a single mode transmission fiber is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a cruciform cylindrical lens formed as a pair of perpendicular cylindrical lenses to provide for separate magnification of the "fast" diverging component (i.e., this component passes through a "fast" cylindrical lens) and the "slow" diverging component of the beam (i.e., this component passes through a "slow" cylindrical lens). By decoupling the magnification requirements of the components of the elliptical beam, the beam may be transformed into an essentially circular beam, appropriate for coupling into a single mode fiber. In one arrangement of the present invention, a coupling efficiency of approximately 90% is possible (as compared with prior art coupling efficiency of about 44%).

Abstract: A two-way wireless messaging system has a cellular network with a mobile switching center for routing messages to base stations, a home location register for storing profiles and a home location register for storing profiles and location information, and a messaging center for receiving, storing and forwarding messages. In the present invention, a set of modular servers is added to add network based message expansion, transaction tracking, directed paging, and user defined services in an incremental fashion.

Abstract: A security node disposed in the telecommunications network connecting calling and called parties transforms information (which can be voice, data, facsimile, video and other types of calls or messages) encrypted in a first format to (a) encrypted information in a different format or to (b) non-encrypted information, and vice-versa. The node is accessible from any location connected to the network. By routing calls or messages originated by the calling party and destined for the called party via the security node, and providing appropriate control signals to the node, the information may be encrypted only over a portion of the transmission path between the parties, and clear over the remainder of the transmission path. Alternatively, the information may be encrypted in different portions of the path using different encryption algorithms.

Abstract: An integrated, low power bus holder circuit implemented in low voltage technology is capable of interfacing with a relatively high voltage bus. In an illustrative embodiment, the bus holder circuit includes a first inverter for inverting a logic voltage present on a data bus and a second inverter for inverting the output of the first inverter. The second inverter is comprised of a series string of first and second pFETS and first and second nFETS, with the gates of the first pFET and first nFET coupled to the output of the first inverter. The data bus is coupled to a first circuit node between the second nFET and second pFET, and the bus logic level is maintained thereat. A third pFET is coupled to the second inverter and conducts current when a high logic voltage is present on the bus. A resistance device is coupled between a drain of the third pFET and a point of low reference potential.

Abstract: A transceiver operable in both the cellular and PCS frequency bands which uses a single voltage controlled local oscillator in an intermediate frequency stage for both the cellular and PCS signals. The oscillator is operative for upconverting transmitter signals and downconverting receive signals for both cellular operation and PCS operation. A second voltage controlled local oscillator in a stage between the transceiver antenna and the intermediate frequency stage is operative for only PCS operation to upconvert PCS transmitter signals and to downconvert PCS receive signals. This is accomplished by the use of a switchable intermediate frequency local oscillator in the transmitter path of both the cellular and PCS signals.

Abstract: A universal antenna mounting system includes a grid-like mounting frame on which the antenna is installed. A mounting pipe is secured to a tower leg at a desired height and the mounting frame is then secured to the mounting pipe. The mounting connections are all frictional in nature and the mounting frame is adjustable in azimuth about the mounting pipe so that the antenna can be pointed in the right direction. Side struts secured to the mounting frame and the tower maintain the mounting frame at the desired azimuth.

Abstract: A sampling circuit which is capable of a full ranging output when powered with very low voltage supplies, e.g., of about 1 volt. A current copier function is added to a sample and hold circuit to avoid the need for low threshold switching devices in the sampling circuit, thus avoiding output droop due to the increased leakage of low threshold devices. A pre-charge circuit is placed between the sample and hold circuit and a current storage transistor to `boost` the voltage level of the output of the sample and hold circuit above the threshold voltage of the current storage transistor. The pre-charge circuit includes an output voltage boost capacitor which is charged before the hold cycle of the sampling circuit. The level of the voltage charged onto the output voltage boost capacitor is based on the threshold voltage of the current storage transistor.

Abstract: A system for, and method of, detecting a customer premises equipment ("CPE") alerting signal ("CAS") on a telephone line that is carrying near-end audio traffic and CPE embodying the same. The system includes: (1) an echo cancellation circuit, coupled to the telephone line, that detects an outbound component of the near-end audio traffic and produces, in response thereto, an echo canceling signal, (2) a combinatorial circuit, coupled to the telephone line and the echo cancellation circuit, that applies the echo canceling signal to an inbound component of the near-end audio traffic to produce a resulting signal having the near-end audio traffic substantially removed therefrom and (3) a CAS detector, coupled to the combinatorial circuit, that detects the CAS in the resulting signal, the echo cancellation circuit and the combinatorial circuit cooperating to increase the reliability of the CAS detector.

Abstract: A network interface device has a base. The base has a first jack on its bottom and a second jack on its top. A middle section is pivotally attached to the base. The middle section has a plug portion shaped to fit into the second jack. The plug portion has first and second terminals. Each terminal has an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portions of the first and second terminals are connected to the first jack by a pair of openings in the base between the first and second jacks. Each of the openings is capable of receiving a conducting portion of an external plug when the external plug is inserted in the first jack, so that the conducting portions of the external plug contact the lower portions of the first and second terminals. An upper section is pivotally attached to the middle section. The upper section receives the upper portions of the first and second terminals. The upper section has first and second holes.

Abstract: An apparatus which routes light generated by a light source to a remote destination. The apparatus includes a cylindrical optical element defining a longitudinal axis. The element has an end face which is oblique relative to the longitudinal axis. The end face routes light by refraction or reflection. A support having a support surface is provided for positioning the optical element between the source and the destination so that the longitudinal axis of the element is substantially parallel to the support surface. The support substantially prevents rotational movement of the optical element about an axis extending normal to the support surface while allowing rotational movement of the optical element about its longitudinal axis so that the direction of the light routed by the end face can be selectively and continuously changed as a function of the rotation of the optical element.

Abstract: A cable strain relief connector has a generally rectangular, elongated connector body with a terminal face at a front side of the body for engaging terminals of a mating connector, and a cable end face at a rear side of the body. The connector body has mounting fastener openings at each end of the length of the body for receiving fasteners for mounting the connector body in electrical connecting relation the mating connector. A cable strain relief clamp is seated on the cable end face of the connector body and extends over the cable end face between the fastener openings at each end of the connector body.

Abstract: A knowledge representation system which allows a user to utilize a description language to generate, maintain and access information in a knowledge base is disclosed. The knowledge representation system includes an explanation subsystem which explains where the derived information that is stored for a particular object was obtained from. A first level explanation function will provide a user with an explanation of the immediate source of the pieces of derived information that are stored for an object in the knowledge base. A complete explanation function provides a complete explanation by continuing to explain how the immediate source for each piece of the information itself received the information, until the source of the information is told information or the result of a rule firing. The explanation subsystem also explains subsumption inferences, which explain why a particular concept or rule antecedent is satisfied by a particular object.

Abstract: Articles according to the invention comprise a superconductive cuprate (e.g., YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7) body containing elongate grains measuring at least about 10 .mu.m along the long axis and having an aspect ratio of at least 10:1. Bodies according to the invention can have relatively high critical current density, as compared to analogous non-textured bodies.

Abstract: Systems and methods for steering an optical path to gain access to data locations in a holographic memory cell (HMC). One of the systems includes: (1) first and second reflective elements locatable to receive and reflect a complex, spatially-modulated incident beam of light, (2) a reflective element steering mechanism, coupled to the first and second reflective elements, that moves the first and second reflective elements to steer the incident beam in a desired direction and (3) an HMC rotating mechanism, couplable to the HMC, that rotates the HMC about an axis thereof, the reflective element steering mechanism and the HMC rotating mechanism cooperating to cause the incident beam to illuminate a location on a plane of the HMC that is a function of a movement of the first and second reflective elements and a rotational position of the HMC.

Abstract: A chemical storage facility, dispensing area, or equivalent unit is provided with a safety interlock device which automatically regulates access to the inlet used to introduce materials into the unit responsive to markings provided on the containers which hold such materials. In connection with the handling of potentially hazardous chemicals, such regulation is performed responsive to information provided on labeling associated with the bottles which contain the chemicals to be used. A bar code scanner is used to read bar-coded information provided on the labels affixed to the bottles, and the access door of the chemical storage facility or dispensing area is released, allowing the door to be opened, only in cases where the bar-coded information read by the scanner is found to correspond with the proper chemical to be dispensed.

Abstract: A method to achieve good stepper focus and exposure over an entire wafer for a particular mask level before the start of a product run is described. This method can also be used to produce a characterization of lens field curvature (i.e., a surface of optimum focus across the lens) and to characterize lens astigmatism, defocus sensitivity, relative resolution, and other characteristics, and to check the stepper for optical column tilt. The process prevents the complexities of resist development from affecting determination of focus. The process involves forming an array of latent images in a resist and examining the scattered light from the edges of the latent images. Analysis of the scattered light quickly provides information on correct exposure and focus together with lens characteristics over the printing field.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for accurately estimating a location of a mobile-telephone using forward link power control. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises the steps of transmitting first, second and third signals from first, second and third base stations during first, second and third time intervals; decreasing the power level of the first base station during at least portions of the second and third time intervals; receiving a mobile-telephone signal having receive information indicating times-of-arrivals of the first, second and third signals at the mobile-telephone; and estimating a location of the mobile-telephone using the receive information and known locations of the first, second and third base stations. Advantageously, this embodiment of the present invention actually decreases the interference level contribution of the first base station, and requires little change to the network side of existing wireless communication standards and no change to the mobile-telephone side.

Abstract: Thin film transistors in which the active layer is an ordered film of a pthalocyanine coordination compound with a field-effect mobility greater than 10.sup.-3 cm.sup.2 /Vs and a conductivity in the range of about 10.sup.-9 S/cm to about 10.sup.-7 S/cm at 20.degree. C. are disclosed. Examples of suitable pthalocyanines include copper pthalocyanine, zinc pthalocyanine, hydrogen pthalocyanine, and tin pthalocyanine. Thin film devices made of these materials have an on/off ratio of at least about 10.sup.4. It is advantageous if the device is fabricated using a process in which the substrate is heated to a temperature in the range of about 30.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C. when the film is formed thereon.

Abstract: An integrated photosensing device includes a three-terminal photosensing device integrated within a photo-integrator semiconductor integrated circuit. The photosensing device includes a Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (MOS) capacitor merged with a junction diode, both of which are integrated on a semiconductor substrate. The photo-integrator semiconductor integrated circuit includes a voltage buffer and a number of switches for configuring the photo-integrator during an operating cycle that includes three phases. The circuit resets during the first phase and integrates during the second phase. During the third phase, the circuit forces the output impedance of the photosensing device to increase such that the signal output of the circuit is boosted. Various embodiments are described for the present invention which disclose several buffer and switch configurations for buffering the output and providing the bias requirements of the photosensing device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-contained converter plant for use in a modular power supply system. A modular power supply system includes a chassis having power unit bays each configured to receive a power unit module therein, a power distribution bus, a communications bus and a controller. In one embodiment, the self-contained converter plant comprises a housing having a power input connector configured to engage an electrical power interface on the power distribution bus and a converter communications connector configured to engage a communications interface on the communications bus. The converter plant further comprises a converter, and a power distribution device, all contained in the housing. The power distribution panel is electrically coupled to the converter.