Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for a utility or a service vendor to provide electricity via a class of service. The system and method provide a mechanism by which power is supplied to customers via prioritized classes of importance wherein the point of utilization communicates with the electrical power supply network and provides information for the utility to determine whether or not power needs to be supplied to a specific outlet or appliance during various electrical demand or rate periods.

Abstract: A caller-controlled barge-in telephone service, managed by telephone systems, intercepts telephone calls directed to instantly busy telephone lines predesignated as objects of this service, and: 1) verifies that the called line is a respectively predesignated object of this service and that the caller is entitled to invoke the service relative to that line; and 2) forms a bridging connection between the caller and parties to a telephone call instantly busying the called line. Verification that a caller is entitled to the service can be implemented by playing a voice announcement requesting the caller to speak or key in an authorization code. If the caller fails to respond or returns an invalid code, the caller is either disconnected or transferred to a voice mail service. Disconnection of the caller may be preceded by a voice announcement (e.g. a spoken “goodbye”).

Abstract: A process for the preparation of metal sulphides includes reacting corresponding metal oxides at temperatures between 500 and 1500° C. in a stream of gaseous CS2 characterized in that the CS2 is generated from elementary carbon and gaseous H2S by reaction at temperatures between 900 and 1500° C. upstream of the metal oxide. The process furnishes metal sulphides of high purity, thus being of specific usefulness in optical glass materials, for, e.g., fiber optics.

Abstract: A system for determining a dimension of a detail includes an optical scope for producing an image of the detail, an image scaling device for providing a scaled image size, and a processor. The system also includes a video camera which is either within the optical scope or external to the optical scope. The optical scope includes a focusing device for adjusting a focal position of the image of the detail and a device for providing a focus position signal based a position of the focusing device. The processor converts the focus position signal into an object distance signal, or a magnification signal, or both, and determines the dimension of the detail based on the scaled image size and based on the object distance signal, or the magnification signal, or both. The system further comprises means to compensate for changes in temperature of the optical scope to ensure that the measurement accuracy is not compromised by expansion or contraction of the scope.

Abstract: A packet router for a data packet transmission network, wherein routers offer priority services of the type required for isochronous handling of data representing real-time voice, includes a Quality of Service (QoS) management system for ensuring that guarantees associated with such priority service can be met with a high degree of certainty. This management system provides prioritized queues including a highest priority queue supporting reservations for the priority service suited to isochronous handling. The highest priority queue and other queues are closely monitored by a QoS manager element for states of near congestion and critical congestion. While neither state exists, filler packet flows are promoted from lower priority queues to the highest priority queue, in order to keep the latter queue optimally utilized. If all lower priority queues are empty at such times, dummy packets are inserted as filler flows.

Abstract: A system/method is disclosed for screening telephone system callers, using speaker-dependent text-independent voice recognition, to either prevent excessive fraudulent use of certain telephone system lines (or radio channels) or to selectively restrict classes of service allowed for different users of a common line. The voice recognition process is configured to provide an extent of mismatch indication, between a voice sample taken from a caller immediately using the protected line (or channel) and a recorded reference voice sample, which indication corresponds to the probability that the instant caller is not the same as the person who provided the reference sample. The extent of mismatch indication is compared to a mismatch limit value which can be set to a different magnitude for each call. Different actions are taken depending upon whether the extent of mismatch indication is or is not larger than the limit value.

Abstract: A newly developed computer adapter and call routing system allow for cable television networks (or other broadband networks) to offer digital telephony services seamlessly; i.e. in a manner such that a user receiving the service is unaware of any difference between that service and comparable telephone services presently supported by the public switched telephone network (PSTN). The adapter attaches to a computer, one or more telephones, the PSTN, and the broadband network. During utility power outages, switch circuitry in the adapter connects attached devices directly to lines in the PSTN, so that existing power support functions of the PSTN are fully utilizable. At other times, the adapter conditionally routes outgoing telephone calls from the attached devices to either the PSTN or cable network. Conditions determining the routing of outgoing calls can be set by users and also determined automatically (e.g. as logical functions of called numbers).

Abstract: An operating shaft which provides compensation for axial and spatial misalignment between a rotatable component mounted within an enclosure and a rotating apparatus generally outside the enclosure is disclosed. The operating shaft has a first end dimensioned to be slidably received within a receiving portion of the rotating apparatus such that the shaft is maintained in a fixed angular position with respect to the rotating apparatus. The shaft is axially slidable with respect to the rotating apparatus such that it will provide compensation for axial misalignment between the rotatable component and the rotating apparatus. The shaft has a second end configured to engage the rotatable component such that rotation of the rotating apparatus will produce a corresponding rotation of the rotatable component. The shaft also has a spatial compensation device which is integrally formed from the shaft between the first and second ends.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 2,6-diaminopurine-.beta.-D-ribofuranuronamide derivatives of the following formula (I). These compounds and their salts and solvates are useful as anti-inflammatory agents, particularly in the treatment of patients with inflammatory conditions who are susceptible to leukocyte-induced tissue damage.

Abstract: This invention allows customers and other users of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to enable, disable or modify special services provided by the network. The PSTN is defined here as all equipment world wide (land-based, radio or other) enabling ordinary telephone users to connect to other telephone users, but excludes private telephone networks such as "tie line" systems maintained or leased by private enterprises. Presently contemplated actions can be taken independent of the state of the customer's telephone line (e.g. on-hook or off-hook), and usually involve use of equipment other than telephones and communication networks other than the PSTN (e.g. computers operating through the Internet and pagers operating through pager networks). The special services include existing services (call waiting, call blocking, call forwarding, etc.) and new ones (e.g. transferring an active call from a desk phone to a mobile cellular one without interrupting the call).

Abstract: A conference server system, for internal use in the public switched telephone network (PSTN), links to public data communication networks (e.g. the Internet) for distributing computer displayable data between participants in voice telephone conferences. The server system includes a computer sub-system for storing data generated by the participants and distributing the data in coordination with voice presentations of respective participants. Data so stored and distributed includes computer-displayable data. Other data handled by the computer subsystem represents commands and functional requests issued by participants which pertain to the handling of computer-displayable data and voice parameters of the conference. Conference participants, having separate and concurrent access to both the PSTN and the data network, receive and view computer-displayable data prepared by one of the participants in coordination with the respective voice conference.

Abstract: Apparatus for linking a window pane to a window lifter which includes one or more inner jaws for holding the window pane and a pair of outer jaws for holding the inner jaws. The inner jaw or jaws each have one free end and one end pivotably attached at a junction to a base. The outer jaws have hooked ends to engage the junction in a mounting position in which the inner jaws are splayed to accept the window pane. The assembly consisting of the one or more inner jaws, base and window pane is pushed into the outer jaws until the hooked ends of the outer jaws engage the free ends of the one or more inner jaws, thereby locking the assembly in position.

Abstract: An on-line method for the continuous generation of alkali metal salts includes continuously reacting a source of acidity, a liquid having a low pH value, with a source of alkalinity, a liquid having a high pH value, while continuously monitoring an electrical parameter of the resultant in salt which is indicative of its pH value. The monitored value is used to adjust the relative flow rates of the input liquids so as to dynamically maintain the pH value of the resultant salt within a predetermined range. In the apparatus, the input liquids can be continuously supplied to a reacting element and the conductance of the resultant salt monitored for purposes of providing feedback control signals to adjust one or more flow rates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula (IV): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.a and R.sup.b each represent a hydrogen atom or together form an alkylidene group.

Abstract: A process for determining one or more leachate concentrations of one or more components of a glass composition in an aqueous solution of the glass composition by identifying the components of the glass composition, including associated oxides, determining a preliminary glass dissolution estimator, .DELTA.G.sub.p, based upon the free energies of hydration for the component reactant species, determining an accelerated glass dissolution function, .DELTA.G.sub.a, based upon the free energy associated with weak acid dissociation, .DELTA.G.sub.a.sup.WA, and accelerated matrix dissolution at high pH, .DELTA.G.sub.a.sup.SB associated with solution strong base formation, and determining a final hydration free energy, .DELTA.G.sub.f. This final hydration free energy is then used to determine leachate concentrations for elements of interest using a regression analysis and the formula log.sub.10 (N C.sub.i (g/L))=a.sub.i +b.sub.i .DELTA.G.sub.f.

Abstract: An on-line method for the continuous generation of alkali metal salts includes continuously reacting a source of acidity, a liquid having a low pH value, with a source of alkalinity, a liquid having a high pH value, while continuously monitoring an electrical parameter of the resultant in salt which is indicative of its pH value. The monitored value is used to adjust the relative flow rates of the input liquids so as to dynamically maintain the pH value of the resultant salt within a predetermined range. In an apparatus, the input liquids can be continuously supplied to a reacting element and the conductance of the resultant salt monitored for purposes of providing feedback control signals to adjust one or more flow rates.

Abstract: An operating shaft which provides compensation axial and spatial misalignment between a rotatable component mounted within an enclosure and a rotating device generally outside the enclosure. The operating shaft has a first end which is dimensioned to be slidably received within a receiving portion of the rotating device such that the shaft is maintained in a fixed angular position with respect to the rotating device. The shaft is axially slidable with respect to the rotating device such that it will provide compensation for axial misalignment between the rotatable component and the rotating device. The shaft has a second end formed to engage the rotatable component such that an rotation of the rotating device will produce a corresponding rotation of the rotatable component. The shaft also has a spatial compensation device which is integrally formed in the shaft between its first and second ends.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for Video-on-demand (VOD) satisfying the desire of `surfers`. The process entails a server operating in a standard Near-Video-on-demand (NVOD) mode, whereby it repeatedly transmits multiple copies of each program on separate channels. Each copy is delayed by a staggered time interval. The server also repeatedly transmits a beginning portion of each NVOD program of a duration up to the staggered time interval. The invention provides a way to fulfill a VOD user requests asynchronous with the start of a NVOD transmission but which still makes primary use of the NVOD transmission for that requestor. The invention further advantageously provides fixed asset utilization in a predictable manner.

Abstract: In a vehicle door with a cross-arm type window lift and a lock assembly, which can be produced more easily and cost-effectively by employing modular construction and by using individual components for several different functions. The invention is distinguished by the guide rail of the cross-arm window lift simultaneously functioning as the support for the lock assembly, by the guide for guiding the window being integrated in the base body of the lock assembly and by the outer edge of a base plate supporting a window lift having a circumferential profiled sealing section in the interior sheet metal door panel for sealing a mounting opening, so that the protection of electrical/electronic components is provided in the dry space without additional steps.

Abstract: A system and method for Video-on-Demand (VOD) satisfying the desire of `surfers`. The process entails a server operating in a standard NVOD mode, whereby it continuously sends multiple copies of each program on separate channels. Each copy is delayed by a staggered time interval. The invention provides a way to fulfill a VOD user request asynchronous with the start of a NVOD transmission but which still makes primary use of the NVOD transmission for that requestor. The system and method combines independent server service satisfying an asynchronous request for only a short duration, usually less than or equal to the NVOD staggered time interval, and then aligns that requestor with an immediately previously commenced NVOD transmission.