Abstract: A CELP speech decoder includes a first portion comprising an adaptive codebook and a second portion comprising a fixed codebook. The CS-ACELP decoder generates a speech excitation signal selectively based on output signals from said first and second portions when said decoder fails to receive reliably at least a portion of a current frame of compressed speech information. The decoder does this by classifying the speech signal to be generated as periodic (voiced) or non-periodic (unvoiced) and then generating an excitation signal based on this classification. If the speech signal is classified as periodic, the excitation signal is generated based on the output signal from the first portion and not on the output signal from the second portion. If the speech signal is classified as non-periodic, the excitation signal is generated based on the output signal from said second portion and not on the output signal from said first portion.

Abstract: An audio coding technique is presented, which utilizes a time varying non-uniform filterbank in conjunction with a Perceptual Audio Coder. The non-uniform filterbank is formed from a plurality of uniform filter bank sections, and a transition filter. Each uniform filterbank section covers a portion of a predetermined frequency axis, and the transition filter is utilized to cover the remainder of the predetermined frequency axis. Aliasing terms introduced at the band edges of the transition filter are cancelled to obtain an overall transfer function for the non-uniform filterbank, which has linear phase and is approximately flat. Use of the non-uniform filterbank permits an increase in temporal resolution, which results in an improved coding technique over a wide range of frequencies.

Abstract: In an information network of clients (101-102) and servers (103-104), a service management system (122) of a server gathers data from the server and from the clients for managing an information service. Information management data is gathered on a client by extensions (131) to a browser (130) and is periodically reported to the service management system. Data gathered on the server includes: number of page accesses per unit of time, durations of delays between receipt of client requests for information and the server responses thereto, number of accesses to each accessed page from each referring page, number of page accesses per browser type, processor and mass-storage occupancy of the server, and configuration details of each accessing browser.

Abstract: A method and system for information archiving on a network that is universally accessible to users. A stationary or mobile user may archive information on demand. A hook up into the network is established via a communication medium, and an initial protocol accesses the archiving service and communicates details of what is to be archived. The communication medium is then used to transmit and store the information in a specified fashion on the network, to be retrieved at a future time. The hook up may be initiated either by the user or by the network.

Abstract: There is disclosed an integrated circuit including a resistor string comprising a plurality of resistors. The resistor string includes a first array of resistors for determining a predetermined number, M, of most significant bits, and a second array of resistors for determining a predetermined number, L, of least significant bits. Each of the first and second arrays of resistors define intermediate taps. First and second arrays of switching transistors are coupled to the respective taps in respective first and second arrays of resistors. Switches in the first array of switching transistors are coupled between a respective intermediate tap in the first array of resistors and a first output node. Transistors in a second array of switching transistors are coupled between a respective intermediate tap in the second array of resistors and a second output node.

Abstract: Multistage Er-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) are disclosed. They comprise a first stage that comprises Er and Al, and further comprise a second stage that comprises Er and a further rare earth element, exemplary Yb. Such multistage EDFAs can have advantageous characteristics e.g., a relatively wide flat gain region (e.g. 1544-1562 nm), and relatively high output power, without significant degradation of the noise figure. Exemplary, the amplifiers are used in WDM systems and in analog CATV systems.

Abstract: In a fiber optic communication system, a multifrequency light source generates a signal having a plurality of discrete and temporally spaced wavelengths. The wavelengths can be modulated with data for transmission in an optic medium. The multifrequency light source is cascaded with a power splitter for dividing the generated signal into a plurality of multifrequency signals of substantially equal power. The wavelengths in the plurality of signals may be modulated with data for transmission in an optical medium to a temperature-sensitive router which services a plurality of optic receivers for retrieval of the data. A method is provided for communicating to a host terminal complex (HTC) that a drift in the router has occurred as a result of a change in router temperature.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for device fabrication in which a layer of cobalt silicide is formed as a low resistance contact layer over the source and drain regions of a device. The silicon substrate is first subjected to conditions that fore a thin layer of oxide on the surface thereof. It is advantageous if the oxide thickness is about 0.5 nm to about 1.5 nm. At least one layer of cobalt is then formed on at least the oxidized surfaces of the silicon substrate. The cobalt layer(s) is formed using conventional expedients such as e-beam evaporation. The cobalt layer(s) is formed on the substrate in an essentially oxygen free environment. Each cobalt layer has a thickness of about 1 nm to about 5 nm. While maintaining the substrate in the essentially oxygen-free environment, the substrate is annealed to form a layer of cobalt silicide. It is advantageous if the substrate is annealed at a temperature in the range of about 450.degree. C. to about 800.degree. C.

Abstract: A system and method for interposing stored images to moving video within multimedia computer programs, wherein the system recognizes specific identifiers upon an object or image that identify that the object or image is a visual aid to be incorporated into the multimedia program. In response to this recognition, a previously stored image associated with the identified object/image is retrieved and inserted into the multimedia computer program.

Abstract: The present invention is an efficient method for upgrading telephone networks having a large number of copper wire pairs 31 that extend from a telephone central office 300 to a predetermined number of telephone customers 250. Such networks are referred to as narrowband communication networks. However, for telephone companies to be competitive with cable television providers who may soon be offering telephone service, they must upgrade their narrowband networks to handle video communication signals such as CATV. This is done in an efficient multi-step process keeping in mind the eventual network configuration. During the first step, optical cable 21 is installed between the telephone office and a remote terminal 310; and digital loop carrier (DLC) equipment 201,202 is connected at each end. The DLC equipment is suitable for audio but not video communication signals. Thereafter, the DLC equipment is replaced at the telephone central office and at the remote terminal with broadband access (BA) equipment 203,204.

Abstract: Four stages of digital cellular architecture are presented which reuse much of the existing voice infrastructure while allowing graceful introduction of data and integrated voice/data services over industry standard, low cost platforms. First, a separate ATM-based infrastructure is introduced that supports data services. A new data call control is introduced on industry standard hardware platforms using object oriented and modular programming. Second, ATM is introduced at radio ports and call control functions are migrated to the new ATM-based call control platforms. Third, vocoders are introduced at the DCS. Fourth, the cellular functions of the legacy cellular switch are phased out and replaced by the ATM-based target architecture.

Abstract: The specification describes pulse generators and detectors for the far infra-red and operating at frequencies of the order of 10.sup.10 to 10.sup.13 Hz (the Terahertz range). These devices rely on electric field interactions with optical beams in biased metal semiconductor microstructures. The electric field is created between metal electrodes on the semiconductor surface and the electric field is enhanced, according to the invention, by configuring the electrode gap geometry with sharp electrode features.

Abstract: A walk-off device is used to split an incoming beam into two parallel outgoing beams having orthogonal polarization. A polarization flipper is positioned to change the polarization of one of the two beams exiting from the walk-off device so that the two beams are parallel and have essentially identical polarizations. A nonreciprocal device receives the two beams, and the resulting apparatus is a polarization independent nonreciprocal device. Conversely, a polarization flipper flips the polarization of one of the two parallel beams of like polarizations into orthogonal polarizations and subsequently a walk-off device combines or superimposes these two beams to form an unpolarized single beam.

Abstract: Continuously varying the type of media used during a multimedia communication conference call by a telecommunications terminal. In response to inputs from a user, a telecommunication terminal can vary the type of media by increasing, decreasing, or changing the bandwidth of the call. Further, a telecommunication terminal controlling the multimedia communication conference call is informed of changes being made by the telecommunication terminal on the conference call and informs the remaining telecommunication terminals of changes in participation of the telecommunication terminal.

Abstract: The specification describes a p-channel IGBT with improved performance attributable to a vertical underlying n-p-n structure, and fabricated by a process that is fully compatible with simultaneously forming complementary MOS and TGBT devices.

Abstract: The use of a terpolymer significantly enhances the properties of resists suitable for deep UV lithography in the manufacture of semiconductor devices. This terpolymer is one represented by the polymer formed from sulfur dioxide, an acid-sensitive monomer moiety and a monomer that imparts polarity to the final terpolymer.

Abstract: Ferrite films having excellent crystalline and magnetic properties are obtainable without high temperature (>500.degree. C.) processing if an appropriate template layer is deposited on a conventional substrate body (e.g., SrTiO.sub.3, cubic zirconia, Si), and the ferrite is deposited on the annealed template. The template is a spinel-structure metal oxide that has a lattice constant in the range 0.79-0.89 nm, preferably within about 0.015 nm of the lattice constant of the ferrite. Exemplarily, a NiFe.sub.2 O.sub.4 film was deposited at 400.degree. C. on a CoCr.sub.2 O.sub.4 template which had been deposited on (100) SrTiO.sub.3. The magnetization of the ferrite film at 4000 Oe was more than double the magnetization of a similarly deposited comparison ferrite film (NiFe.sub.2 O.sub.4 on SrTiO.sub.3), and was comparable to that of a NiFe.sub.2 O.sub.4 film on SrTiO.sub.3 that was annealed at 1000.degree. C.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method of compensating for Doppler error in a wireless communications system employing Viterbi decoding comprises the steps of: for each signal sample in a first predetermined-sized grouping of received signal samples, performing a parallel Viterbi update and short symbol decode; and for a second predetermined-sized grouping, forming by pipeline processing an estimate of the Doppler error in accordance with the parallel short traceback decoding performed for the first grouping, and adjusting each signal sample in the second grouping in accordance with the estimated Doppler error.Briefly, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a Viterbi traceback reconstructed signal sample index comprises: a state counter, a traceback shift register (TBSR); a signal reconstruction table; and a comparator coupled in a configuration so as to provide the sign bit to the TBSR from a comparison of binary digital signals.

Abstract: A system to automatically provide to a consumer an electronic rebate by an existing telephone network and system. The consumer dials a dedicated preassigned telephone number and is prompted to enter the product code and a serial number for purchase verification purposes. A rebate is provided instantaneously in the form of a credit to the consumer's telephone account. The rebates so provided to consumers are collated on a per manufacturer basis, and the telephone service provider issues statements to the rebating manufacturers to cover the rebates issued as well as its service charge.