Abstract: In a smartcard having a subscriber identity module ("SIMI") that cooperates with a mobile station to effect communication with a telecommunications network, a system for, and method of, disabling the smartcard. The system includes: (1) data commnications circuitry that transmits a code uniquely identifying the smartcard from logic circuitry within the smartcard to the telecommunications network via the mobile station, the code employable by the telecommunications network to search a disable database associated therewith, the telecommunications network returning a disable command if the code is found in the disable database and (2) disabling circuitry that incapacitates the logic circuitry to prevent an operation thereof, the smartcard being incapacitated with respect to the telecommunications network and systems independent of the telecommunications network.

Abstract: The specification describes techniques for chemically machining extruded glass preforms used to draw glass ferrules for optical fiber connectors. Using the chemical machining technique the dimensions of the preform, including OD, ID, and the OD to ID ratio can be adjusted so that the dimensions of drawn ferrules meet strict dimensional standards. The technique is especially useful for adjusting the dimensions of extruded preforms that have an inherent bow along in the length of the preform. The technique allows adjustment in dimensions while preserving a desired OD to ID ratio. Also described are techniques for reducing eccentricity and/or ellipticity of hollow bore glass preforms.

Abstract: For use with a buck-based converter having an isolation transformer, a snubber circuit and a method of damping a transient in the power rectifying diode due to its reverse recovery. In one embodiment, the snubber circuit includes: (1) a capacitor, coupled to a power rectifying diode in the buck-based converter, that receives energy from the power rectifying diode during a reverse recovery period thereof and (2) a flyback converter, coupled to the capacitor, that receives the energy from the capacitor and delivers the energy to a voltage source on the primary side of the isolation transformer.

Abstract: An assembly includes a collet including radially convergible jaws for receipt of an optical fiber threaded through the collet and outwardly from the rear opening of a housing containing the collet. The assembly comprises a container for a fluid for softening the plastic coating of a fiber extending through the assembly. When the plastic coating has softened, a barrel is screwed inwardly of the housing and against a surface of the collet for causing convergence of, and grasping of the plastic coating by, the collet jaws. The assembly is then moved axially of the fiber for stripping the softened plastic coating from a front end of the fiber.

Abstract: In an improved method for manufacturing an integrated composite semiconductor device according to the present invention, a semiconductor-based stop-etch layer having holes therein at selected sites is disposed over the epoxy or other flowable hardener used in flip-chip bonding. The hardener underneath the openings in the stop-etch layer is subtantially removed via a dry etch applied therethrough, exposing desired structure, such as bonding pads, formerly covered by the hardener. The epoxy underneath the stop-etch layer is substantially preserved.

Abstract: A method for implementing all blocking controls in a telecommunications system supporting ported directory numbers comprises initializing each switch with a call blocking control. In the preferred embodiment, ported directory numbers are identified, and a number portability data base is accessed to aid in determining whether the call blocking control applies to the ported directory number. If the ported directory number is not subject to the implemented call blocking control, the ported directory number is exempted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently accessing data in a system in which changes of program releases must be accommodated. Data is accessed via one of two indirect data accessing tables. When a new release is introduced into a system, and the new release is activated, a switch is made to an indirect data accessing table which points to the data to be used by the new release. The previously active data accessing table is maintained in case it is necessary to switch back to the old release. After the new release has been accepted, the contents of the second indirect data accessing table are copied into the first indirect data accessing table, and the first indirect data accessing table becomes active. Advantageously, only the data blocks which include changes need to be initialized, and the process of accessing data remains highly efficient.

Abstract: A connector assembly for non-permanently interconnecting wires from respective cables comprises a box-like structure including a rear wall, side walls and a front wall formed from a plurality of replaceable front wall modules. Connectors at an end of cables extending into the box are removably mounted within respective ones of a plurality of side-by-side slots in the rear wall with the connector terminals facing towards the box front wall. Each front wall module comprises a front wall plate, a printed circuit board including forwardly projecting terminals extending entirely through the front wall plate for being accessible at the front of the box, and a mating connector mounted on the circuit board and having terminals connected, via conductive paths on the circuit board, to the forwardly extending terminals.

Abstract: A grounding member for installation between a surface acoustic wave filter package and a circuit board to which the filter package is mounted. The grounding member is formed from electrically conductive sheet stock material as a leaf spring which is deformed to maintain effective contact between the outer case of the filter package and a ground plane on the circuit board. In addition to providing an effective ground connection between the filter package and the ground plane, the grounding member also functions as an electromagnetic shield for radiating signals between the input signal post and the output signal post of the filter package.

Abstract: An improved SC fiber optic coupling is disclosed which fits within a standard SC footprint when panel mounted but which provides for a buildout whereby it may be readily cleaned yet it may be used to replace SC panel couplings having the minimum footprint required by the Telecommunications Industry Association standard for SC couplings, FOCIS 3, Fiber Optic Coupling Intermateability Standard (TIA/EIA-604-3) which provides for the dimensions to be used by SC couplings. The present invention also provides a buildout system for fiber optic connectors which allows such connectors to be assembled without any rotation therebetween. Accordingly, the present invention can be used with SC, ST, LC, and FC connectors to provide a non-rotational connection, and it can be used to manufacture ganged fiber optic coupling buildouts.

Abstract: Techniques for defining object classes at run time which are indistinguishable from object classes compiled at compile time. The techniques are applied to widgets employed in X window systems. Further disclosed are new kinds of widgets. One of the new kinds is a widget which has monitor functions associated with specific resources. When the resource is accessed, the monitor function is executed. Another is a widget which has a callback tester function associated with a list of callback functions. The callback tester performs a test whenever any resource of the widget is modified, and if the test succeeds, the functions on the list of callback functions are invoked. Other kinds of widgets are adapted to representing servers and clients. In these widgets, resources represent interprocess communications and operations on the resources are related to the interprocess communication.

Abstract: A level shifter circuit which is suitable for use in an integrated circuit converts an input logic signal having a first voltage potential to an output logic signal having a second voltage potential. For logic signals transmitted between sections of an integrated circuit operating with different supply voltages, the level shifter circuit allows reliable circuit operation between the sections when the voltage potential of the input logic signal is converted to the output logic signal having a higher voltage potential, the same voltage potential, or a lower voltage potential. The level shift circuit includes an inverter stage which drives a fully differential output stage, and the fully differential output stage includes two sections. Each section incorporates a fast switching pair of transistors connected in series across an output supply voltage and ground potential which act as an inverter and which provide an output node at the series connection.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a resistor formed in a doped tub located in a semiconductor substrate. A first highly doped resistor contact region extends outward from the associated contact windows towards a second highly doped resistor contact region. The extent of the underlying tub region that lies between the highly doped tub contact regions largely determines the resistance value. The size and geometry of the highly doped resistor contact regions, and hence the resistance of the resistor, is typically determined by the same mask that defines the thin oxide regions of field effect transistors formed on the IC. In a typical application, the resistor is connected between an output buffer and a bondpad. A multiplicity of output buffers on an IC chip may each connect to corresponding bondpads using a multiplicity of the inventive resistors, which may have the same, or alternatively differing, resistance values.

Abstract: A fault simulator for a digital combinational circuit implements a critical path tracing algorithm in reconfigurable hardware and comprises: a forward network capable of emulating the digital combinational circuit and having primary outputs; a second forward network capable of emulating the digital combinational circuit in the presence of a stem fault and having corresponding primary outputs, the first and second forward network receiving identical input test signals at primary inputs thereof; a backward network having one primary input for every primary output of said combinational circuit and one primary output for every primary input of the combinational circuit, the backward network receiving signal values propagated to primary outputs in the first forward network in response to the input test signals; and, circuitry provided in the backward network responsive to signal values propagated in the first forward network for computing criticality of paths, the computed critical paths indicating faults in the c

Abstract: A mass splice tray for holding a plurality of optical fiber splices, such as mechanical or fusion type splices for optical fiber ribbons, has a floor and front and rear and end walls defining an interior of the tray. A support shelf extends from the rear wall into the interior, spaced from the floor, for supporting splice holders above the floor at one side of the tray. Extensions on the end walls define, with the rear wall, channels for routing fiber, especially ribbon fibers, into and out of the tray. Splice holder inserts have locating means thereon for mating with locating means in the rear wall to position the inserts on the support shelf, and splice holders are dimensioned to fit within the inserts. The elevation of the splice holders permits routing slack fibers or ribbons within the interior of the tray without interference from the splice holders. Protective tabs extend from the top edges of the walls to maintain the fibers or ribbons within the tray.

Abstract: An underwater optical fiber cable is constructed from a terrestrial optical fiber cable by hermetically enclosing the terrestrial optical fiber cable with a hydrogen barrier such as a copper tube or by using a terrestrial optical fiber cable having a hydrogen barrier therein, and by wrapping at least one layer of galvanized armor wires outside of the hydrogen barrier. As so reinforced, the terrestrial optical fiber cable has the strength needed for an underwater optical fiber cable by using relatively inexpensive galvanized armor wires. Although the galvanized armor wires generate hydrogen by contact with water, this hydrogen is prevented from adversely affecting optical fibers in the terrestrial optical fiber cable by the presence of the hydrogen barrier. Advantageously, a standard terrestrial optical fiber cable can be chosen from the many types available including high fiber count designs.

Abstract: An interface unit for interfacing a computer device and a telecommunications terminal device such, for example, as a telephone, with a data network capable of carrying data associated with each type of device. The interface unit is powered independently from the computer device and includes both the processing and memory resources needed to interact with the network and an interface for establishing a link to the telecommunications terminal.

Abstract: A process and structure for transferring a wound coil disposed around a first mandrel onto a second mandrel. The first mandrel is radially expandable between first and second outer diameters and the coil is wound onto the first mandrel when in its larger, first outer diameter which is larger than the diameter of the second mandrel. The two mandrels are disposed in side-by-side coaxial relationship and the diameter of the first mandrel is reduced for reducing the radial stress of the wound coil against the first mandrel for facilitating movement of the coil off the first mandrel and onto the second mandrel.

Abstract: A differential comparator having a low-offset comparator and two processing paths, each of which receives one of the two primary inputs to the differential comparator and generates one of the two inputs to the low-offset comparator. The output of the low-offset comparator is the output of the differential comparator. Each processing path is capable of (1) generating an offset voltage and (2) turning on and off the generation of that offset voltage. In a preferred embodiment, each processing path has a passive resistor that generates the offset voltage and a pair of shunt transistors that selectively shorts out the passive resistor. The output of the low-offset comparator is connected (either directly or indirectly through an inverter) to the gates of the shunt transistors. The shunt transistors are therefore controlled by the output of the low-offset comparator. In each of two modes of operation, a different one of the passive resistors is "on" while the other passive resistor is "off.

Abstract: A power converter for converting three phase input power to DC output power and a method of effecting such conversion. The power converter includes: (1) three single phase DC converters, each having outputs, that receive the three phase input power, (2) a DC/DC converter coupled to the outputs of the three single phase DC converters and (3) a converter selection circuit, associated with the three single phase DC converters, that selects a selected subset of the three single phase DC converters as a function of an electrical characteristic of each phase of the three phase input power to conduct a portion of the three phase input power to the DC/DC converter, the converter selection circuit permitting the power converter to operate on the three phase power with less than three DC/DC converters.