Abstract: A plurality of modulated signals are generated for a data stream. Each modulated signal, which contains all of the information in the data stream, is generated at a different carrier frequency. The modulated signals are combined for transmission as a multi-band signal. In one embodiment, the modulated signals are compatible with signals generated in accordance with the IS-95 telecommunications standard. According to this embodiment, wideband data streams are combined with code sequences that are based on the same Walsh code sequences used to generate IS-95 signals. Each wideband data stream is encoded using either a particular Walsh code sequence or its logical negation to generate one coded stream for each carrier frequency used to generate the IS-95 signals.

Abstract: For use in a module, a redundancy detection circuit for, and method of, determining whether a predetermined adequate redundancy exists when the module is present in a system. In one embodiment, the module includes: (1) a sensor, associated with the module, that receives a signal that is a function of a number of modules present in the system and (2) a calculation circuit, coupled to the sensor, that determines from the signal whether a surplus capacity of the module provides at least the predetermined adequate redundancy for the system.

Abstract: An optical switch device for switching test signals to the terminated ends of a predetermined number of optical fibers in an optical fiber cable. The optical switch device contains a first optical port for receiving the test signals. A plurality of optical second ports are provided, wherein the number of second optical ports is less than the number of optical fibers in the cable to be tested. The optical connector ports are connected to the terminated ends of optical fibers in the optical cable by a plurality of detachable adapters. Each of the adapters has a base connector that selectively engages one of the second optical ports on the optical switch device. A plurality of optical leads extends from the base connector of the adaptor. The optical leads terminate with a plurality of plugs that are adapted to selectively engage some of the terminated ends of the optical fibers in the optical cable. The plugs at one end of the adapters are first connected to the optical fibers in the optical cable.

Abstract: A rectifier having an input and an output and a method of controlling the rectifier. The rectifier comprises: (1) switching circuitry coupled between the input and the output, the switching circuitry adapted to operate in selected one of (a) an active bidirectional mode of operation and (b) an inactive unidirectional mode of operation to rectify substantially alternating current at the input to produce substantially direct current at the output and (2) control circuitry coupled between the rectifier output and a control input of the switching circuitry, the control circuitry capable of sensing an output current level of the rectifier and transitioning the switching circuitry between the active bidirectional mode and the inactive unidirectional mode as a function of the output current level thereby to prevent substantial reverse power flow through the rectifier.

Abstract: Proposed is a technique for determining the suitability of use of a material for an electroless plating operation. A solution including the material is subject to an anodic linear sweep voltammetric measurement. The resulting anodic peak is compared with that of a control solution in order to evaluate the potential of the material for poisoning a factory plating bath.

Abstract: A telephone communication system addresses calls to a particular subscriber via both a wired terminal and through the wired terminal by radio to a wireless communicator device. The wired terminal is hard wired to a telephone network and the wireless device is coupled by radio to the wired terminal which is in turn hardwired to the telephone network. Both the wired terminal and the wireless communicator ring in response to an incoming call and the call may be answered by the subscriber via either device.

Abstract: A channel assignment system assigns channels to various cells by the optimal partitioning of the available radio frequencies into non-overlapping sets, the optimal grouping of co-user cells, and the best assignment of the former to the latter. The objective is the maximization of traffic handling capacity which, given the multitude of cells, is expressed as the maximization of a bottleneck capacity ratio. The capacity ratio for a cell is defined as the ratio of the number of radio frequencies assigned to the cell over the number of radio frequencies needed to meet blocking probability requirements. The solution to attain an optimal non-regular channel assignment is decomposed into two mathematical programs designated a Master Program and a Subprogram. These are solved iteratively with assistance from a channel set augmentation technique implemented between solutions of the Master and Subprogram.

Abstract: An automated method and apparatus for determining whether a ball in a sport has contacted the ground in or out of bounds as well as where along the boundary the impact occurred. A pair of conductors run adjacent to and beneath the boundary lines of the sport court or field. The two conductors are electrically separated by an insulator, but will contact each other at the point of impact and thereby create an electrical short when a force, such as is caused by the impact of a ball, is applied to the boundary line. The short causes two counter-propagating voltage pulses to travel out from the location of the short towards a detector which detects the pulses and the time delay between receipt of the pulses. The fact of whether pulses were detected is indicative of whether the ball was in or out of bounds, while the time delay between the pulses is indicative of the location along the boundary line where the ball struck the ground.

Abstract: The invention concerns feed-forward, linear, radio-frequency amplifiers, which contain components which can be grouped into two categories: active and passive. Under the invention, all active components are constructed as two-port devices, which are easily tested, using standard equipment, in order to locate malfunctions. The active components plug into a network of the passive components, comprising striplines, waveguides, coaxial cables, and the like.

Abstract: A computer software installation, distribution and maintenance method that manufactures one or more software products on an end user's target computer system. The method operates by generating a set of blueprints and raw materials for one or more software products to be distributed; provides the blueprints and raw materials to an end user; and manufactures the software products on the target computer according to the blueprints and using the raw materials. The method optionally provides for the testing of the target computer to determine its suitability for operating the software products, determines whether and updates to the software products are available and obtains them prior to manufacture; and tests and/or demonstrates the software products after manufacture.

Abstract: A telecommunications system is arranged to efficiently route digital information from a mobile network to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and vice versa by interposing a packet network between the mobile network and PSTN so that digital information originating from the wireless network at a first data rate may be forwarded over the packet network at that rate and then sent over a direct connection from the packet network to the PSTN at a second data rate expected by the PSTN. In this way the conversion of the digital information from the first to the second data rate is performed only when needed, i.e., at the ATM switch connected to the PSTN.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a radio communications system is disclosed that can operate in one of several Modes which integrate in-building security, location determination, messaging, and data communications capabilities. The radio communication system includes at least one Interrogator for generating and transmitting a radio signal. One or more Tags of the 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. The Interrogator can also transmit a first information signal to one or more tags, specifying which tags should respond using the Backscatter Modulator. In the Interrogation Mode, the Interrogator can determine the identity of the Tags in the reading field, and can exchange data with those Tags that have been identified.

Abstract: A filter method for designating one of a plurality of packet filter rules contained in a router for routing a packet of information through a network, each packet characterized as having parameters, the method comprising: generating one or more partitioned sets, each partitioned set associated with a different packet parameter with each partition of a set having zero or more associated filter rules; generating a vector corresponding to each of the parameters, the vector defining structure indicating one or more potential filter rules to be applied; comparing each parameter of the received packet with each partition of a corresponding partitioned set and determining one or more potential filter rules to be applied to the packet for each parameter; and determining from each of the vectors one or more identical potential filter rules associated with each vector, one of the identical filter rules capable of being applied to the received packet, with the rule to be applied being the rule of greatest priority.

Abstract: At least some rare earth-doped optical fiber lasers are subject to self-pulsing and/or relatively high noise. We have found that these shortcomings can be eliminated if the cavity length of the fiber laser is increased, typically by inclusion of a length .LAMBDA. of rare earth-free conventional (single mode) transmission fiber in the cavity, with .LAMBDA.>0.3L, where L is the effective cavity length of the laser.

Abstract: An optical coupler having two prongs extending axially therefrom in opposite directions comprises a first connector comprising a first prong extending outwardly from a first end of a first elongated tubular member. A first coupling sleeve is concentrically mounted around the first tubular member in axially movable, spring biased relation therewith. A second connector comprises a second prong-containing tubular member fixedly telescoped within a second end of the first tubular member. A second coupling sleeve is mounted in axially movable, spring biased relation with the second tubular member by pins secured to and extending through the second coupling sleeve into engagement with a spring mounted on the second tubular member.

Abstract: An adaptive filter and method that proportionately adjusts individual tap gain distributors such that the individually adjusted tap gains are not necessarily equal to one another and that the average of tap gains remains substantially constant. The filter employs a proportionate normalized least-means-squares (PNLMS) method of adaptation that imparts improved convergence speed over prior art adaptive filters that utilize a normalized least-means-squares (NLMS) method of adaptation, without affecting the adaptation quality of the filter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of roughing a metallic surface. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of positioning a pressurized grit source a predetermined distance from and at an angle substantially perpendicular to the metallic surface of the object that is to be roughened, projecting grit from the pressurized grit source against the metallic surface, forming a grit impact area, which in certain embodiments may be seven inches square, on the metallic surface, and moving the pressurized grit source from the grit impact area after an amount of time that ranges from about three seconds to about eight seconds.

Abstract: A multidimensional feedback system is used to reduce the noise component of a vibrational or acoustic field. The feedback algorithm includes a matrix operator that diagonalizes the feedback system. As a consequence, each of two or more actuators can be treated as though it closes an independent, one-dimensional feedback system. Therefore, classical one-dimensional feedback analysis can be used in the context of a system having multiple error sensors and multiple actuators.

Abstract: A cordless telephone provides both basic and enhanced features that are accessible through the combination of a portable unit and an auxiliary recharge cradle, some of these features being heretofore available only at a base unit which combines a cordless telephone fixed station and a telephone answering device. The cordless telephone includes a call screening feature which allows a user at the portable unit to monitor incoming messages received over telephone lines as they are being recorded at the telephone answering device. A loudspeaker is incorporated into the recharge cradle and, while the portable unit is in this recharge cradle, a user may configure the portable unit and cradle in a manner to monitor the incoming messages through the loudspeaker.

Abstract: Interactive Methods and apparatus for studying similarities of values in very large data sets. The methods and apparatus employ a dotplot in an interactive graphical user interface to make the relationship between the similarities and the data set visible. A variety of filtering, weighting, and compression techniques make it possible to employ the dot plot with sequences of more than 10,000 tokens and to interactively magnify the dot plot, change weighting and display quantization, and view the underlying data. Also disclosed is a technique which is employed in the apparatus for identifying long sequences of similar tokens. The apparatus is used in the study of large bodies of text and code.