Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring the performance of an interactive voice response (IVR) system used by an automated call processing center generates logs of call activity, determines routing information from the logs, notes predetermined significant activity in agent-caller dialog portions of calls routed to an agent in the logs, and determines at least one quantity correlated to a true intention of callers. A performance model of the IVR system is generated from the logs. The logs, the routing information, the quantity correlated to the true intention of the callers, and the performance model are analyzed to determine a performance value of the IVR system, which is used to monitor the IVR system.

Abstract: A system for assessing an automated call routing system's performance is structured to present a caller calling into the automated call routing system with a call that includes an interactive voice response (IVR) portion and, at an option of the caller, an caller/agent dialog portion. The system operates to monitor calls coming into the automated call routing system and to record end-to-end calls from among the calls coming into the automated call routing system. A sequence of events for the recorded calls is transcribed, including events occurring in the IVR portion and in the caller/agent dialog portion, to identify predetermined call events of interest. The transcribed calls are analyzed to infer a complete event sequence of each of the recorded calls. From the analysis, parameters are calculated corresponding to cost effectiveness and usability of the automated call routing system, based at least in part upon information obtained by the caller during the IVR portion.

Abstract: An antenna including a feed network; four or more helical radiating elements, and four or more impedance matching stubs each coupling a respective radiating element to ground in parallel with the feed network. The shunt stubs provide a reactance in parallel with the radiating elements to rotate the desired frequency locus about a constant admittance curve. Specifically, the shunt stubs rotate the desired frequency locus from a low resistance, capacitive impedance to 50 ohms purely resistive. The length of the stubs can be adjusted to control the inductance.

Abstract: A variable reluctance load cell for measuring the static or slowly fluctuating load, or tension, on devices is contained in a support tube. A sensor in the tube utilizes opposing C and I shaped magnetic cores attached to opposing ends of the support tube. A magnetic circuit is formed having an inductance defined by the size of the gap between the magnetic cores with the reluctance dominated by the gap. The sensor inductance is coupled with a fixed, predetermined capacitance in a resonant LC circuit, and the resonant frequency is a function of the gap. The sensor is in a cavity within the tube, and the cavity is sealed in a manner that prevents water or other damaging agents from entering the sensor. In this manner, mounting the sensor and tube to a static device and measuring the AC voltage at the sensor, the amount of load, or stress can be determined.

Abstract: An antenna feed network including a 180° hybrid coupler having a feed port, a 0° port; and a 180° port having an approximately 180° phase difference with the 0° port. A first antenna port is coupled to the 0° port; and a second antenna port is coupled to the 0° port via a respective phased line, the second antenna port having an approximately 90° phase difference with the first antenna port. A third antenna port is coupled to the 180° port; and a fourth antenna port is coupled to the 180° port via a respective phased line, the fourth antenna port having an approximately 90° phase difference with the third antenna port. The feed network can be used to drive antenna elements in phase quadrature. In a preferred embodiment the feed network drives a quadriflar helix antenna.

Abstract: A multi-band antenna comprising two or more low frequency radiators dimensioned to operate in a low frequency band, and two or more high frequency radiators dimensioned to operate in a high frequency band. Each high frequency radiator is substantially coplanar with the low frequency radiators, and is formed in a spiral with the high and low frequency radiators interleaved. A hybrid feed network has two or more antenna ports, each antenna port being coupled with a low frequency radiator and a high frequency radiator. The antenna can be used for receiving GPS L1/L2 signals. The antenna is configured to send and/or receive circularly polarized radiation.

Abstract: A multi-band antenna comprising two or more low frequency radiators dimensioned to operate in a low frequency band, and two or more high frequency radiators dimensioned to operate in a high frequency band. Each high frequency radiator is substantially coplanar with the low frequency radiators, and is formed in a spiral with the high and low frequency radiators interleaved. A hybrid feed network has two or more antenna ports, each antenna port being coupled with a low frequency radiator and a high frequency radiator. The antenna can be used for receiving GPS L1/L2 signals. The antenna is configured to send and/or receive circularly polarized radiation.

Abstract: An antenna feed network including a 180° hybrid coupler having a feed port, a 0° port; and a 180° port having an approximately 180° phase difference with the 0° port. A first antenna port is coupled to the 0° port; and a second antenna port is coupled to the 0° port via a respective phased line, the second antenna port having an approximately 90° phase difference with the first antenna port. A third antenna port is coupled to the 180° port; and a fourth antenna port is coupled to the 180° port via a respective phased line, the fourth antenna port having an approximately 90° phase difference with the third antenna port. The feed network can be used to drive antenna elements in phase quadrature. In a preferred embodiment the feed network drives a quadriflar helix antenna.

Abstract: A fiducial beam monitor includes a patterned diode layer on a semiconducting substrate. An electrical field between the diode (or diodes) on the diode layer and the semiconducting substrate modulates the size of the depletion layer formed by the diode or diode. A high energy beam incident upon a diode on the diode layer produces a greater current than a high energy beam incident upon a non-diodic region of the same layer. In use, the beam monitor is typically fixed to the backside of a workpiece such as a semitransparent membrane being patterned by a focused high energy beam that is translated with respect to workpiece and attached monitor. The changes in current during translation are then correlated with the position of the beam with respect to the pattern on the diode layer.

Abstract: An improved process for the alkylation of benzene in the presence of an alkylation catalyst. The catalyst bed may be caused to move in a direction countercurrent to the movement of the benzene and olefin, or a portion of the catalyst bed is periodically removed and replaced. A regeneration step, whereby the catalyst is heated in a controlled oxygen atmosphere in order to reactivate the catalyst, is also described.

Abstract: An improved process for the alkylation of benzene in the presence of an alkylation catalyst. The catalyst bed may be caused to move in a direction countercurrent to the movement of the benzene and olefin, or a portion of the catalyst bed is periodically removed and replaced. A regeneration step, whereby the catalyst is heated in a controlled oxygen atmosphere in order to reactivate the catalyst, is also described.

Abstract: A dissolving tank for dissolving a large amount of gas in a liquid and including a generally horizontally disposed tray (28) (29) mounted within the tank (2) (21) to divide the tank (2) (21) into an upper reaction zone (36) and a lower discharge zone (38). The tray (28) (29) has formed therein both a central opening (34) (35) for fluid communication between the discharge zone (38) and the reaction zone (36) and peripheral openings (32) (33) which allow any liquid which collects on the tray (28) (29) to flow from reaction zone (36) to discharge zone (38). The dissolving tank further includes liquid feed means (10) positioned within the tank (2) (21) below the tray (28) (29) to discharge liquid upwardly through the central opening (34) (35) of the tray (28) (29) and into the reaction zone (36). The dissolving tank further includes liquid distribution means (14) mounted within the tank (2) (21) above the tray (28) (29) and having flared sidewalls (15) and a vertically-oriented distribution orifice (16).