Abstract: A digital signal processor with an embedded error correcting coprocessor (ECCP) is disclosed. The ECCP provides soft symbol Viterbi decoded outputs which have the absolute value of the accumulated cost difference of competing states concatenated with the traceback bit or most significant bit of the next state.

Abstract: A bimodal portable telephone provides cellular service and improved cordless service in a common handset. Operation of the bimodal portable telephone in a cellular telephone system provides telephone service over a wide geographical area of coverage through operation with multiple cellular bases and in a cordless telephone system provides telephone service over a localized geographical area of coverage through operation with an associated cordless base. The cordless service provides improved performance over convention cordless telephone service by advantageously employing a frequency hopping spread spectrum modulation technique for communications between the portable telephone and the cordless base unit. This improved performance achieves increased operating range of the cordless telephone system.

Abstract: The present invention provides thermal detection elements having a controlled relationship between a thermal radiating and thermal sensing element. The thermal detection element includes an insulating substrate having a plurality of conductive interconnection elements formed on the substrate to permit electrical connection of the substrate with other electrical components. A thermal radiating element is at least partially embedded within the substrate and mounted such it electrically communicates with at least one of the conductive interconnection elements. A thermal sensing element is mounted adjacent the thermal radiating element such that a substantial portion of the thermal energy radiated by the thermal radiating element is channeled to the thermal sensing element. The thermal sensing element is also mounted such that it electrically communicates with at least one of the conductive interconnection elements.

Abstract: A tool for stripping center conductors of subminiature coaxial ribbon cable and preparing it for connection to connectors or other components comprises a base, a holding fixture movably mounted on the base, and a vertical assembly mounted over the holding fixture. The vertical assembly contains holding, conductor cutting, forming and insulation cutting blades. In operation, the holding blade is lowered to hold a portion of the cable's insulation. The cutting blade cuts any extra length of conductors. The forming blade forms the drains so that they extend perpendicularly from the rest of the ribbon cable. The insulation cutting blade cuts insulation from the center conductor.

Abstract: A method for monitoring telephone completion data to forecast the economic benefit realized in increasing international telephone call completion. The method includes a model for evaluating carried calling loads realized from a domestic origination point to an international end destination. The method factors various network blocking loads, international telephone answer seizure ratios (ASR), and a calculated volume of ineffective call attempts in evaluating the economic benefit realized from increasing international telephone trunk capacity and/or rendering improvements for foreign internal telephone network ASR.

Abstract: Relates to arrangements for utilizing an originating caller's customer network identifier (ONI) to provide special treatment of a call, especially one that terminates outside the caller's network. The ONI is recognized in an originating switching system and is transmitted in an initial address message (IAM) to the terminating switching system for serving the call. In the terminating switching system, the ONI is used to screen the call for special treatment such as denied termination, denied termination for collect calls, or direct completion to a principal of a principal-secretary group. The ONI is also used for screening for use of originating services for members of a network. The originating or terminating switch can also query a data base to obtain screening data.

Abstract: The retransmission of signaling messages that data terminals (e.g., modems) might exchange prior to exchanging user data is controlled by arranging a data terminal that receives multiple copies of the same signaling message so that it saves only the first copy thereof, but transmits a response to the sending terminal following receipt of each such copy. The sending terminal terminates its transmission of the signaling message upon receipt of a response from the receiving terminal. The inventive procedure is especially advantageous for controlling the retransmission of signaling messages during a n-way handshake between two terminals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a telecommunications equipment terminal for outdoor mounting. The terminal housing includes a removable hood which reveals a top surface including sealing means around the periphery thereof and appropriate apertures to permit the terminal to be vertically stacked with another terminal of the same type.

Abstract: A microcell unit, in a cellular telephone system using digital signal processing BSs, is digitally connected to a macrocell, via a metallic link, such as a twisted pair. The microcell includes a plurality of radio channel units (RCU), to provide voice connectivity to mobile subscribers (MS), which are under control of a radio control complex (RCC) located in the macrocell. Several time slots of the macrocell TDM bus, through which the RCC exerts control of the RCUs, are remoted to the microcell thereby enabling control of the RCUs at the microcell location by the RCC of the macrocell. This remoting action is achieved, via a remote time division multiplex (TDM) circuit pack which enables the RCC to communicate with the RCUs as if they were located within the macrocell.

Abstract: A magnetoresistance ratio of 200% (absolute value) or more at room temperature in a field of 6T can be achieved in a layer of material of nominal composition XMnO.sub.y (X is La and at least one of Ca, Sr and Ba, y in the range 2-3.5), if, after formation of the layer, the layer is heat treated in an oxygen-rich (O.sub.2 partial pressure greater than that of air) atmosphere, typically in flowing O.sub.2. The temperature and duration of the heat treatment are in the range 300.degree.-850.degree.C. and 10 minutes-12 hours, and are selected to result in the desired ratio of 200% or more.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low bit rate audio and video communication system which employs an integrated encoding system that dynamically allocates available bits among the audio and video signals to be encoded based on the content of the audio and video information and the manner in which the audio and video information will be perceived by a viewer. A dynamic bit allocation and encoding process will evaluate the current content of the audio and video information and allocate the available bits among the audio and video signals to be encoded. In addition, an appropriate audio encoding technique is dynamically selected based on the current content of the audio signal. A face location detection subroutine will detect and model the location of faces in each video frame, in order that the facial regions may be more accurately encoded than other portions of the video frame.

Abstract: A .pi./4 delay spread detection and compensation arrangement effectively detects distortion due to multipath delay spread in a digital channel and compensates for this distortion with minimum circuit complexity. An improvement in the bit error rate performance for a differential detector in the receiver is achieved through use of a detected direct current (DC) component, which is proportional to the amount of multipath delay spread on the digital channel. This DC component is used in the differential detector for compensating for this delay spread. In addition, the differential detector also provides a channel quality measure of the level of delay spread on the digital channel for use by the receiver in selecting either the differential detector or an equalizer for decoding of the data on the digital channel.

Abstract: A fast, low power and small size approach to matching digital patterns provides for comparing of the input pattern bit-by-bit against the reference pattern to determine matches. In the illustrative embodiment, each mismatch turns on a current source. When the current from mismatches exceeds a maximum current sink value, the pattern mismatch output goes high. Both the reference pattern as well as the number of bits that must match may conveniently be made programmable. This approach is especially useful in "fuzzy" matching, where any N bits of an M bit pattern must match to consider the pattern matched.

Abstract: An image communication system and method includes an image capture device which utilizes CCD technology to "take a picture", i.e., to capture an image, and then to generate a digital representation of that image which may be applied to a fax modem and then transmitted to a remote facsimile machine via a telephone communication link. The digital image is processed, such as by dithering, to enhance its presentability, so that shades of gray present in a conventional black and white photograph are converted to a pattern of black and white dots which retains the character of the original image in spite of subsequent facsimile transmission. The image capture device may include a printer and a memory for storing multiple images as well as the destination numbers of facsimile machines which are intended to receive copies of the images.

Abstract: A boost converter includes a snubber with finite but limited losses to minimize active power switching losses and minimize turn-off losses of the boost diode without generating any additional circulating energy losses. An inductor is connected so as to slow turn off of the boost diode and minimize reverse recovery losses. This inductor additionally minimizes the turn-on switching losses of the active power switch of the converter by providing for zero-current turn-on. A series connection of a finite resistor and a second diode is connected in shunt with the inductor/boost diode connection to prevent excessive voltage ringing across the active power switch by clamping its voltage during turn-off. A third diode is connected to the junction of the inductor and boost diode to prevent the voltage across the boost diode from ringing during the on interval of the active power switch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a clean working area within an enclosure while simultaneously permitting open access to the working area from outside and also preventing any toxic substances from escaping the enclosure to contaminate a worker area. A higher pressure region within the enclosure near the aperture of the enclosure prevents dirt from entering and toxic materials from escaping.

Abstract: A telephone message system overcomes the problems and limitations of presently available systems that seek to enhance inter-and intra-premises communications. The system comprises a controller unit with Caller ID capabilities and one or more adjunct units that are all bridged onto a single wire-pair at a user's residential location in a parallel electrical connection. For facilitating a message routing capability, a mailbox of groups of telephone numbers are associated with a particular party at the residence. These telephone numbers are preprogrammed into the controller unit so that upon receipt of an incoming call from one of these telephone numbers, identified through caller ID, the incoming call is associated with the particular called party and the controller unit routes the incoming call directly to the called party's mail box where the calling party is able to leave a message.

Abstract: An optoelectronic lII-V or II-VI semiconductor device comprises a thin film coating with optical characteristics providing low midgap interface state density. A field effect device for inversion channel applications on III-V semiconductors also comprises a thin dielectric film providing required interface characteristics. The thin film is also applicable to passivation of states on exposed surfaces of electronic III-V devices. The thin film comprises a uniform, homogeneous, dense, stoichiometric gallium oxide (Ga.sub.2 O.sub.3) dielectric thin film, fabricated by electron-beam evaporation of a single crystal, high purity Gd.sub.3 Ga.sub.5 O.sub.12 complex compound on semiconductor substrates kept at temperatures ranging from 40.degree. to 370.degree. C. and at background pressures at or above 1.times.10.sup.-10 Torr.

Abstract: A method is described for selectively modifying the refractive index of an optically transmissive body having an optical propagation axis. According to this method, polarized, actinic radiation is impinged on at least a portion of the body. In contrast to methods of the prior art, the actinic radiation is at least 60% polarized with a polarization direction parallel to a plane containing the propagation axis.

Abstract: A laser having a binary stratified structure of alternating sections of graded-index, separate confinement heterostructure (GRINSCH) and semi-insulating semiconductor formed in the direction of light propagation. The active region of the laser includes at least two GRINSCH sections upon a substrate and at least three filler sections sandwiching the at least two GRINSCH sections in an alternating fashion. An analysis of the practical limit on the minimum threshold current and the packaging problems of a semiconductor laser based on the binary stratified structure is included.