Abstract: A computing interface system includes a mouse with a keypad, and a computer display that displays a group of icons that have a one-to-one correspondence to the keys composing the mouse's keypad. The icons have the same relative positioning as the keys composing the mouse's keypad. This arrangement permits the user to enter digits into the computer without repeatedly shifting his or her gaze back and forth between the keypad and display.

Abstract: A type of tomography is described, wherein occupancy of lattice sites in a microscopic sample of crystalline material is predicted. An electron beam is projected through the sample, at a specific angle, causing discernible spots in a detector, such as photographic film. Each spot corresponds to a row of atoms. The intensity of each spot indicates the number of atoms in the row, and the number is called a "line count." Projecting the electron beam at specific additional angles produces additional line counts. From all the line counts, a set of equations is derived. Each variable in the equations corresponds to a lattice site in the material. A solution to the equations is found by linear programming techniques, thus assigning a value to each variable. Each value indicates the probability of occupancy of a respective lattice site.

Abstract: Query optimization which is done by making a graph of the query and moving predicates around in the graph so that they will be applied early in the optimized query generated from the graph. Predicates are first propagated up from child nodes of the graph to parent nodes and then down into different child nodes. After the predicates have been moved, redundant predicates are detected and removed. Predicates are moved through aggregation operations and new predicates are deduced from aggregation operations and from functional dependencies. The optimization is not dependent on join order and works where nodes of the graph cannot be merged.

Abstract: Verification of test information transmitted across an 1149.1 backplane test bus between a circuit board (12.sub.1) and a test master (14) is accomplished by having both the test master and the circuit board compute a cheek code for each block of information that is transmitted by, or received at, the board. During intervals other than one of the active Boundary-Scan states, the test master (14) acquires the check codes produced at the circuit board (12.sub.1) and compares them to the corresponding codes generated by the tests master. Any difference between the corresponding codes generated by the test master and the circuit board signifies a transmission error.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for conformance testing of protocols specified as a collection of communicating finite state machines (FSMs). A guided random walk procedure is advantageously used to cover a substantial number of transitions in the component FSMs to determine if the FSM output corresponds to the protocol as specified.

Abstract: Resistive circuits are provided at the tip and ring of the battery feed circuit as a method of alleviating the need for bulky DC transformers or complex integrated circuitry. The voltage is monitored through a set of comparators eliminating the expense of maintaining fused resistors. The voltages for voice or data transmission is amplified prior to being transmitted. Received signals are AC coupled, with proper biasing, onto the tip and ring lines. Any AC noise on the tip and ring line is shifted 180 degrees out of phase and re-inserted on the line to cancel the noise. As an enhancement to the battery feed circuit, another voltage comparator is added to check the line for DC current signifying an off hook condition.

Abstract: An RF detector circuit (28), which may be utilized in an output power control loop (10) for an RF transmitter, includes a bridge circuit (50) including a first arm (52) containing a first diode (D2) which rectifies the RF signal and a second arm (54) which contains a second diode (D3) series-coupled to the first diode (D2), and having an RF bypass capacitor (C4). The second diode (D3) serves as a temperature compensator for the first diode (D2). The outputs of the bridge circuit (50) are connected to the inputs of a differential amplifier circuit (32) which provides a signal for use in the power control loop (10). The detector input signal is derived from the sense output of a directional coupler (22). In a second embodiment the compensating diode (D13) has its cathode coupled to the cathode of the rectifying diode (D12), and the full voltage across the rectifying diode (D12) is applied to the differential amplifier circuit (32).

Abstract: An apparatus and method which utilize polarization diversity detection to compensate for polarization-mode dispersion (PMD) introduced in an optical signal propagating over a medium such as optical fiber. A received optical signal is separated into first and second polarization components by a polarization beam splitter (PBS). A control signal corresponding to a phase difference between the polarization components is used to drive at least one polarization controller located in the optical signal path before the PBS, such that the two polarization components are aligned with the PSPs of the received optical signal. The control signal may also be used to adjust a variable delay element such that phases of the two polarization components are aligned before the components are combined to provide a PMD-compensated output signal.

Abstract: In an optical fiber light source a section of multimode fiber is interposed between an energizing laser (e.g,, a diode laser) and a single mode fiber active medium. In a preferred embodiment the single mode fiber active medium is surrounded by a multimode cladding coupled to the multimode fiber. The source may serve as a pump laser for a fiber amplifier or as an amplified spontaneous emission source. Arrangements for coupling several energizing lasers to the active medium are also described.

Abstract: The temperature dependent dielectric constants in the vicinity of room temperature have been measured for bulk ceramics which are phase-mixtures of Pb.sub.2 (Nb,Mg,Ti).sub.2 O.sub.6+x pyrochlores and Pb(Nb,Mg,Ti)O.sub.3 perovskites. A band of compositions has been found in which the negative temperature coefficient of dielectric constant for the pyrochlore is very closely compensated by the positive temperature coefficient of dielectric constant of the perovskite. These compositions have dielectric constants near 200, with Q's near 200 at 1 MHz, making them an intermediate family of dielectrics between the much studied high dielectric constant low Q Barium-Strontium Titanates and low dielectric constant high Q Barium-Lanthanide Titanates.

Abstract: A line-feed circuit which is controllable by logic level control signals from a local microprocessor. One of the logic level signals is a 20 Hz clock signal with a duty cycle of 20 ms high and 30 ms low. Another is an enable signal that allows the ringing driver either to be turned on (and which places the line-feed circuit into a disconnect or "open interval" state so as not to load the ringing signal) or off in which case the ringing driver is placed into a high impedance state so that it will not load signals appearing on the Ring conductor. This permits the ringing driver to be connected directly to the Ring conductor without the need for a series isolating element such as an electromechanical relay or comparable solid state device. The nature of the ringing driver allows the use of a simple ring trip detector comprised of a voltage comparator and duty cycle detector.

Abstract: An improved micromechanical modulator that incorporates a mechanical transmission line for damping membrane vibration is disclosed. The modulator comprises a transmission line mechanically communicating with a vertically-movable membrane for receiving an optical signal. The membrane is supported over a substrate. Under the action of bias, the membrane moves toward the substrate, which causes a change in an optical property of the modulator. The transmission line receives and dissipates a sufficient amount of the energy developed in the membrane as it moves to prevent the membrane from vibrating. In one configuration, the modulator incorporates two strip-line transmission lines. In another configuration, the modulator incorporates two clamped-plate transmission lines.

Abstract: A facility is provided to enable a user of a telecommunications system, for example, a key telephone system, to automatically print labels for the designation strips of a telephone station set connected to the telecommunications system. In particular, when a user changes the functions (features) associated with respective ones of the station set buttons, then the user may print the labels for the designation strips associated with those buttons, in which the printing is done automatically on paper stock having designation strip labels printed thereon, in which the layout of the printed labels is customized for the particular station set.

Abstract: A faceplate for mounting to an outlet box located behind a wall has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is pivotally attached to the lower portion so that it may be swung out from the wall to permit access to the rear thereof and to the outlet box. The front face of the faceplate has one or more openings therein into which both electrical and optical fiber type couplers may be fitted. The front face of the faceplate has tracks formed thereon for mounting a protective hood, and the rear face of the faceplate has an aperture therein for receiving and mounting a fiber or wire storage member.

Abstract: A radiotelephone wrist instrument wherein the microphone and speaker are releasably mounted to the tips of respective fingers of the user's hand.

Abstract: A computer system retrofit is described which allows the inclusion of voice recognition capabilities to provide a user of a standard system not incorporating voice recognition with the ability to use voice commands when editing a document on a computer system. An apparatus that recognizes speech patterns may be inserted in a computer system as a stand alone unit that provides keystroke data to the standard keyboard cable input port of a microprocessor unit. The apparatus, based on the detection of predetermined voice commands, generates keystroke data which are equivalent to the keystroke data which would have been generated had the computer user physically depressed a corresponding sequence of keys at a keyboard.

Abstract: A system for distributed control in wireless cellular and personal communication systems includes separate servers for performing call control and connection control functions, thereby obviating the need for a mobile switching or other switch to be anchored for the duration of a call. During a registration procedure, visiting location servers track only roaming mobiles, rather than tracking both roaming mobiles as well as mobiles located in their home network. Direct signalling links between servers and base stations, or other servers, located in different networks allow roaming mobiles to contact their home networks for service at all times, thereby obviating the need for passing signalling information for mobiles when they are not involved in a call. The use of multicast signalling with asynchronous transfer mode switches, permits specified channel control functions to take place concurrently in channel servers associated with base station and switches that form a segment of the route for a call.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an apparatus for filling an LCD cell comprises a capillary wick coupled to reservoir of liquid crystal material by capillary action. The cell is filled by disposing the plates containing an unsealed region in contact with the wick, minimizing contact between the cell and the material in the reservoir.

Abstract: A power magnetic device, a method of manufacture therefor and a power converter. The power magnetic device includes: (1) an isolation transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, (2) a switch coupled to the primary winding, (3) a rectifier coupled to the secondary winding and (4) an encapsulant substantially surrounding the isolation transformer, the switch and the rectifier to join the isolation transformer, the switch and the rectifier into an integrated package, the integrated package having: (a) a first power input coupled to a first end of the primary winding, (b) a second power input coupled to the switch, (c) first and second power outputs coupled to the rectifier circuit and (d) a control input coupled to the switch, the control input allowing the switch to be controlled to couple the primary winding to a source of electrical power, the power magnetic device thereby capable of employing the isolation transformer and the rectifier to convert electrical power into DC electrical power.

Abstract: A previously unknown phase of .alpha.-hexathienyl, designated .alpha.-6T/HT, exhibits diffraction peaks at 2.theta.=4.31.degree., 8.64.degree., 12.96.degree., 17.32.degree., 26.15.degree. and 29.08.degree. in a CuK.sub..alpha. powder X-ray diffraction pattern, and is expected to have properties (e.g., high hole mobility) that make the phase desirable for use in, e.g., thin film transistors. Substitution of thin films of .alpha.-6T/HT for prior art organic thin films in thin film transistors and other devices is contemplated.