Abstract: A system of payment by the transfer of electronic money and especially of electronic cheques with blind signatures comprises an interbank compensation unit, an interbank network, and a verification unit. The interbank compensation unit permits the transfer of electronic money between multiple bank units in payment of amounts owed therebetween arising from the electronic cheques. The interbank network links the interbank compensation unit to the multiple bank units, and enables the transfer of electronic cheques from a payment terminal to the interbank compensation unit. The verification unit is linked to the interbank compensation unit, and is capable of verifying the authenticity and the non-reutilization of electronic cheques which have already travelled through the interbank network after a first payment.

Abstract: A process and a system for adaptive filtering of a digital telephone signal, in which the digital telephone signal is submitted to a frequency transformation and to a sub-band filtering in order to produce a plurality of sub-band signals. Each of the sub-band signals is submitted in turn to an adaptive filtering starting from a reference signal based on a long-term statistics regarding the telephone signal, equalization by blind deconvolution of the effects of the telephone transmission lines on the digital telephone signal thus being obtained.

Abstract: A cladding layer on the core of an optical waveguide is subjected to a rapid thermal annealing process preferably either: in a multi-stage furnace in which the waveguide substrate can be transported rapidly on a carriage between stages at different temperatures; or in a quartz chamber adjacent a bank of quartz halogen lamps of low thermal inertia and easily switched rapidly between different intensities of thermal radiation through the chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for altering an incoming ring signal to produce a selected ring signal on a telephone device. The incoming ring signal is accompanied by a caller ID packet and provided by a telephone utility provider responsive to a call made by a caller. The communication system includes a system console and at least one addressable extension module. The system controller and each addressable extension module are in communication with the telephone line. The system console includes (i) means for decoding the caller ID packet to determine the identity of the caller, (ii) a storage device for storing saved caller information including caller identities and corresponding ring control information, (iii) means for selecting ring control information from the saved caller information and the identity of the caller, and (iv) means for providing the ring control information to the telephone line. Each addressable extension module additionally communicates with a respective telephone device.

Abstract: A material for microwave band devices used by the general people and in industrial electronic apparatuses is disclosed. Particularly, a magnetic ceramic composition for use in microwave devices, a magnetic ceramics for use in microwave devices and a preparation method therefore are disclosed, in which the saturation magnetization can be easily controlled, and a low ferri-magnetic resonance half line width and an acceptable curie temperature are ensured. The magnetic ceramic composition for microwave devices includes yttrium oxide (Y.sub.2 O.sub.3), iron oxide (Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3), tin oxide (SnO.sub.2), aluminum oxide (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3) and a calcium supply source. The magnetic ceramics for the microwave devices are manufactured by carrying out a forming and a sintering after mixing: yttrium oxide, iron oxide, tin oxide, aluminum oxide and calcium carbonate (or calcium oxide) based on a formula shown below.

Abstract: A subscriber antenna for use in a super high frequency multipoint fixed-access wireless system is provided which has several individually selectable directional antenna facets. The antenna is deployed in a cellular environment. The performances of the signals received by the antenna facets are prioritized, and the best performing facet is selected as a default facet. The antenna is particularly suited for use in a cellular system employing basestations sectorized by polarization to provide basestation diversity.

Abstract: A method of initializing a set of node addresses by using an apparatus having a CPU, a ROM and a NVSRAM for use in an electronic switching system comprises the steps of: (a) checking if there is a request to change the set of node addresses; (b) updating the NVSRAM with a new set of node addresses, and then going to step (f) if there is the request at the step (a); (c) checking if a flag in the NVSRAM is set or not when there is no request at the step (a); (d) going to the step (f) if the flag in the NVSRAM is determined to be set at the step (c); (e) copying the node addresses stored in the ROM to the NVSRAM if the flag in the NVSRAM is determined not to be set at the step (c); and (f) copying the set of node addresses stored in the NVSRAM onto the corresponding nodes.

Abstract: On receiving a new call, a controller in a telephone station apparatus compares the incoming caller information with caller information in stored records. On a match, an associated name is spoken over a handsfree speaker and then the controller places the telephone station apparatus in a handsfree off-hook condition. In this way, someone in a hands-busy situation or a handicapped individual may have calls from pre-selected callers automatically connected. The controller may also store a two-way or one-way communication path indication with each record and, accordingly, establish either one-way communication path from the calling party to the telephone station apparatus or a two-way communication path to and from the telephone station apparatus.

Abstract: A telecommunications network such as an ATM, Frame Relay or packet based network will be better managed by identifying nodes through which a virtual connection is routed between two end nodes. A new method of tracing the nodes on the route includes sending trace cells downstream of a monitoring node toward one or both end nodes. Each downstream node either loops back a trace cell identifying itself to the monitoring node or forwards the trace cell further. A plurality of trace cells sent along the route identify nodes located thereon. In one embodiment, the trace cell is an extension of the ATM FMOAM cell (ATM Fault Management OAM cell) specified for loopback functions.

Abstract: A system and method for processing expense reimbursement claims supported by at least one receipt associated with identifying indicia. The system includes computer readable memory, in which is defined an expense voucher record having a charge field for identifying an entity incurring expenses, an expense field for identifying expenses incurred by the entity, and a voucher identification field. The system further includes a computer in communication with the memory, for loading the voucher identification field with a first code associated with the identifying indicia, for comparing the contents of the charge field and the expense fields with corresponding reference data according to pre-defined verification criteria to determine whether or not the contents of the charge field and the expense field meet the verification criteria.

Abstract: A DFB laser is provided with a top electrode divided symmetrically into two or three in-line separate elements through which a bias current is applied with a symmetrical distribution and through which a modulation current is applied in push-pull with a temporal asymmetry.

Abstract: A method of allocating channels in a cellular system in which sectored base sites serve subscribers equipped with directional antennas. A plurality of available communication channels is divided into channel subsets. Base sites are arranged in clusters, and within each cluster: the number of channel subsets is equal to the number of base sites, is greater than the number of sectors per base site and is not a multiple of the number of sectors per base site; each channel subset is allocated once in each of the different sector directions; and the allocation pattern is not repeated within the cluster, whereby to minimize co-channel interference.

Abstract: A flexible integrated circuit package for mounting on a substrate is disclosed. The package consists of a tape film having layers of dielectric and conductive material, a semiconductor die and an array of conductive leads. A molded body covers the die, and absorbs the majority of the pressure applied when compressing the package between a heatsink and a printed circuit board (PCB). Rigid removable support material surrounds the molded body to keep the package flat while it is being mounted to the PCB. The support material is removed after soldering of the package to the PCB. The invention permits the package to be tightly compressed between a heatsink and a substrate without causing degradation of the conductive connections. Reliability of the connections is further increased since the tape film is flexible enough to accommodate bending of the substrate to which the package is connected.

Abstract: A charge integration circuit incorporates first and second capacitors, and first and second reference voltage supplies. A first switch controls integration of charge in the first capacitor and selectively resets the first capacitor to the first reference voltage. A second switch selectively resets the second capacitor to the first reference voltage. A current mirror coupled to the capacitors effects discharge of the second capacitor by a quantity of charge equivalent to the charge integrated on the first capacitor so as to effectively transfer charge therebetween at the end of an integration period.

Abstract: A signaling transfer point (STP) includes a communications controller, node maintenance unit, and a plurality of link-interface units, and designates to the individual link-interface units primary responsibility for management of resources coupled to the STP. When one of the resources experiences a problem, a prime link-interface unit for that resource assumes management of the resource and controls communication by the STP with the resource. If a prime link-interface unit fails, either the node maintenance unit or look-up tables within the other link-interface units designate which other link-interface unit will become prime for the resource covered by the failed link-interface unit.

Abstract: A hybrid logarithmic yagi antenna system characterized by the absence of a balun or other conventional log periodic yagi antenna system balanced feed and impedance matching element. The reflector element is configured as a supporting conductive tray which provides a rugged mounting mechanism for mounting the antenna system, at its reflector end, to a support structure such as a building.