Abstract: Techniques for optimizing queries in a system in which executing the query requires retrieval of information from a number of different data bases which are accessible via a network. In the techniques, a query results in a query plan which includes subplans for querying the data bases which contain the required information. When a subplan is executed in one of the data bases, the data base returns not only the information which results from the execution of the subplan, but also source and constraint information about the data in the data base. The source and constraint information is then used to optimize the query plan by pruning redundant subplans. An embodiment is disclosed in which queries are made to a domain model implemented using a knowledge base system. The domain model includes a world view of the data, a set of descriptions of the data bases, and a set of descriptions of how to access the data. The information in the domain model is used to formulate the query plan.

Abstract: The efficiency of an N.times.N waveguide grating router may be increased in many applications by incorporating at least one output waveguide, such as an (N+1).sup.st waveguide, positioned for capturing second order diffraction optical energy from a free-space region in the router. The second order diffraction optical energy is delivered at a wavelength or at wavelengths corresponding to that wavelength or those wavelengths output on a particular associated one of the original N waveguide outputs for the router.

Abstract: Circuitry that controls a multiple-plate charged particle beam deflection arrangement includes a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) acting through a separate accumulating Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) connected to each of the plates. For each line to be scanned, at the commencement of the scanning of the line, the DSP delivers to each accumulating ALU a separate signal composed of a digital number representing an initial value (if any) and a digital number representing a step size. During each subsequent cycle of a clock, each accumulating ALU successively adds the step size to a resulting cumulative sum. This cumulative sum depends upon the initial value (if any) plus the step size multiplied by the number of cycles that have elapsed since the initial cycle.

Abstract: A call offering method for use when a directory number is shared by an analog station and an ISDN station. The ISDN station has multiple call appearances of the shared directory number that are linked logically to multiple analog station states that correspond to the offering of multiple calls.

Abstract: An integrated loop current detector for a public switched telephone network modem. The present invention solves the loop current detect problem in general, and is especially useful in modems employing echo cancellation techniques due the linearity afforded by the invention. In one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the current detector includes a solid-state loop hold circuit coupled to terminals of the PSTN. A current mirror circuit is coupled in parallel with the loop holding circuit, wherein the current mirror circuit includes a transistor having a control terminal coupled to the DC operating point of the loop holding circuit. The transistor is operable to detect interruptions in loop current. An opto-coupler device having an input coupled to the switching device has an output coupled to a current detect input line of said modem thereby providing an isolated output for quick and reliable indication of current interruptions in said loop hold circuit.

Abstract: The method of forming runners having superior stress migration characteristics is disclosed. A blanket layer of conductive material is deposited over a dielectric. A blanket layer is subjected to a blanket-etch back procedure, thereby reducing its thickness by approximately half. The remaining layer is then patterned to form runners. Resulting runners have a superior grain structure and greater resistance to electromigration and stress migration.

Abstract: An optical device having a first substrate having a fast optical axis and a slow optical axis and a first end and a second substrate having a fast optical axis and a slow optical axis and a second end, the second end is positioned adjacent to the first end such that the fast optical axis of the first substrate is coupled to the slow optical axis of the second substrate and the slow optical axis of the first substrate is coupled to the fast optical axis of the second substrate, thereby permitting an optical signal to pass between the first and second substrates. The first substrate and the second substrate have substantially equal length to thereby substantially eliminate polarization dispersion.

Abstract: An RF apparatus (e.g., a wireless label) provides improved backscattering of an incident RF signal by utilizing a separate modulator diode, which connects across the antenna, to modulate the backscattering of the antenna. A separate detector diode connects across the antenna through an impedance matching network to detect modulated signals received by the antenna.

Abstract: An end fed dipole antenna system comprises first and second quarter wavelength (L/4) conductive strips (12, 14) arranged end-to-end on one side of a PCB (16), and third and fourth conductive L/4 strips (22, 24) on the opposite side of the PCB; the third strip (22) overlying the first strip (12) and the fourth strip (24) having a longer arm lying parallel to the third strip (22). An RF generator (18) of wavelength L is connected to the corresponding outer ends of the overlying strips. Strip parts (14, 24) which do not overlie form an end fed dipole which operates as if it were center fed.

Abstract: The inventive optical fiber connector comprises a glass ferrule that is strengthened by etching of the outer surface of the ferrule, followed by deposition thereon of a protective layer. Exemplarily, the ferrule is a vitreous silica ferrule drawn from a preform that was made by a sol-gel process. The ferrule is etched in buffered HF, and the protective layer is electroless deposited Ni, with a thin layer of Au thereon. Significant strength increases, exceeding 200%, are obtainable, with the strength being relatively unchanged after even a severe abrasion test.

Abstract: A reduced speed equalizer is provided which receives signal samples at a first rate but performs the equalizing operation at a second, lower rate which is below the rate at which symbols are transmitted across the channel. The equalizer is docked to receive samples in a shift register at the first rate. Samples stored in the shift register are clocked into a set of buffers at the second rate. The equalizer coefficients are applied to the samples stored in the buffer set to generate a sequence of equalized symbols at the second rate.

Abstract: A process for efficiently distributing processing between a mobile computing device having limited resources and at least one remote computing device having substantially greater resources than the mobile computing device, comprises establishing wireless communication between the mobile computing device and the remote computing device in response to a user's invoking of an application at the mobile device. The mobile computing device executes, in parallel, a first version of an algorithm for performing a function associated with the user-invoked application to obtain a first result, and the remote computing device executes a second version of an algorithm for performing the same function associated with the user-invoked application to obtain a second result. The results that are available first (generally the locally generated results) are presented to the invoked application on the mobile device.

Abstract: The effectiveness of a microstrip conductor antenna, such as a patch antenna, is improved at any particular frequency by making the thickness of the conductor sufficiently small to reduce shielding and losses caused by the skin effect and make currents at the upper and lower surfaces couple with each other and make the conductor partially transparent to radiation. In one embodiment the thickness is between 0.5.delta. and 4.delta.. Preferably the thickness is between 1.delta. and 2.delta. where .delta. is equal to the distance at which current is reduced by 1/e., for example 1.5 to 3 micrometers at 2.5 gigahertz in copper. According to an embodiment, alternate layers of dielectrics and radiation transparent patches on a substrate enhance antenna operation.

Abstract: A digital port includes a passive bus and, at least, the registration and call transfer features associated with a switch to provide cellular wireless capability. The passive bus allows a base station to be connected to the channel and thereby interface a plurality of wireless terminals to the switch. While only some of the wireless terminals in the neighborhood of a base station can be active concurrently (as is the case in all wireless systems) by way of a digital communication channel that is included in the passive bus, the switch can register and, hence, keep track of, a larger number of wireless terminals that are present in the base station's neighborhood. The passive bus also includes at least one circuit switched channel to allow communication with one or more wired or wireless terminals.

Abstract: A seal for use in an optical closure is formed in the general shape of a truncated cone. The seal has an aperture which extends completely through the conical shape portion of the seal and which terminates within a plug located at the larger end of the seal. A sinusoidal shaped slit is formed completely through the seal from the small end of the seal to a small distance away from the large end of the seal. The seal is placed within an angled section of a port within an optical closure and an end cap is screwed into the port thereby forcing the seal further into the angled section. The seal can be used for both sealing ports which receive optical cables and ports which do not receive any cables. For the ports that do receive an optical cable, the plug is removed from the seal and the slit is extended all he way to the rear of the seal. When the optical cable is passed through the slit into the aperture of the seal, portions of the seal on either side of the slit become separated from each other.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a field emission device is provided with an improved pillar structure comprising multi-layer pillars. The pillars have a geometric structure that traps most secondary electrons and an exposed surface that reduces the number of secondary electrons. Processing and assembly methods permit low-cost manufacturing of high breakdown-voltage devices, including flat panel displays.

Abstract: A software application program terminating a directory number for all incoming calls directed to the directory number and determining the operations that should be performed with respect to a mobile unit and a telephone station set. The software application program then directs the incoming calls to the mobile unit and telephone station set regardless of where these units are connected to a telecommunication system. An outgoing call from the mobile unit or telephone station set is switched to the software application program which then switches the outgoing call to the destination telephone station set as if the outgoing call had originated at the location of the software application program. Also, the originating directory number used in placing the outgoing call is the directory number associated with the software application program. Two dialing number plans are used: the directory number plan which consists of standard telephone numbers and a secondary dialing plan.

Abstract: A system and method for the storage of digital information wherein data that would normally be represented by multiple bits of information is effectively stored at single memory site within a ROM. This is accomplished by employing a multiple bit-line memory architecture, in conjunction with a data decoder. With this arrangement it is possible to store, at a single memory site, information that would have required up to .left brkt-top.log.sub.2 (n(n-1)/2)+1).right brkt-top. individual memory sites in a conventional ROM (where n is the number independent of bit-lines connected to an individual memory element in the invention). The invention is particularly well-suited to what would be considered relatively low-speed data retrieval systems, such as those adapted to provide audio and/or video to a user on a real time basis.