Abstract: A method and system for identifying a bit pattern in a data stream including a plurality of bits each having a first or second state, the method includes identifying a number of mismatching bits, within a subset of the plurality of bits, having the first state and corresponding to a bit having the second state within the pattern; identifying a number of bits in the subset having the first state; and, identifying a number of bits in the pattern having the second state. A number of matches of between the subset and the pattern is dependent on the identified number of mismatching bits, the identified number of bits in the subset having the first state and the identified number of bits in the pattern having the second state.

Abstract: A chemical composition and method for repairing a thermal barrier coating on a component designed for use in a hostile thermal environment, such as turbine, combustor and augmentor components of a gas turbine engine. The method repairs a thermal barrier coating on a component that has suffered localized damage to the thermal barrier coating. After cleaning the surface area of the component exposed by the localized spallation, a paste-like mixture of a ceramic composition comprising ceramic powders and nano-sized ceramic materials in a binder is applied to the surface area of the component, and is optionally smoothed using mechanical means. The composition is then allowed to dry and cure to form a dried coating having polymeric characteristics. Upon subsequent heating, the dried coating reacts to produce a glassy ceramic repair coating.

Abstract: A layer of transparent conductive material is disposed on a surface of a substrate. Further layers of conductive material are deposited on the layer of transparent conductive material or on an opposite surface of the substrate. The layers are selectively etched to yield a layout of pads for mounting electrical components and conductive traces forming an electrical circuit.

Abstract: A local communication space (e.g., a local calling area) is defined based at least on a non-geographic factor, such as subscriber preference, a frequency of communication with a given destination, a destination type, and/or the like. The local communication space may be defined by compiling a list of communication spaces and allowing a subscriber to select one or more of the communication spaces as his or her local communication space, and/or by allowing a subscriber to individually input one or more communication destinations. A limit may be placed on the number of communication spaces that may be selected and/or on the number of individual communications destinations that may be input. Subscribers may be billed according to how many communication spaces and/or how many individual communication destinations they select.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing automated speech-to-text encoding and decoding for hearing-impaired persons. A broadband subscriber terminal interfaces to: (a) a network to convey speech packets thereover, (b) a telephone to convey speech information, and (c) a display device to display textual information of spoken words. A speech buffer in the subscriber terminal receives speech data and a processor decodes and displays textual representations of speech on the display device. A database stores voice and/or speech patterns that are used by a speech analyzer to recognize an incoming caller and to associate a name or characteristic (e.g., male or female) with the incoming call. A tonal and inflection analyzer analyzes speech to add punctuation to the displayed text. A detector, such as a DTMF detector, responds to subscriber inputs to activate/deactivate speech recognition or other functions.

Abstract: A communications system is designed to allow a temporary electronic find transfer from a pre-paid calling card balance to an account of the prepaid calling card issuer to take place when the user of such prepaid calling card number elects to record a spontaneous message for a called party. The transferred fund is either permanently deducted from the prepaid calling card balance when the recorded message is delivered to the called party, or partially or fully refunded to the prepaid calling card balance when the recorded message is deemed undeliverable.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying a bit pattern in a data stream including a plurality of bits each having a first or second state, the method includes identifying a number of mismatching bits, within a subset of the plurality of bits, having the first state and corresponding to a bit having the second state within the pattern; identifying a number of bits in the subset having the first state; and, identifying a number of bits in the pattern having the second state. A number of matches of between the subset and the pattern is dependent on the identified number of mismatching bits, the identified number of bits in the subset having the first state and the identified number of bits in the pattern having the second state.

Abstract: An adaptive trellis decoder system employs a state transition trellis with a predetermined number of states for decoding a group of interleaved data packets. The trellis decoder system also accommodates data interruptions and transitions between different types of data. The system decodes groups of interleaved trellis encoded data packets with a single trellis decoder in response to a synchronization signal derived from the interleaved encoded data. The decoder employs a state transition trellis with a predetermined number of states. The state transition trellis may be reset to a predetermined state in response to a detected synchronization interval in the encoded data. The decoder may also decode re-aligned data produced by removing intervening synchronization intervals from the interleaved encoded data, in response to a detected synchronization interval.

Abstract: An adaptive trellis decoder seamlessly switches between multiple input signal formats. The trellis decoder employs a code sequence detection system, described in the context of an exemplary Viterbi decoding system, that detects codes in an input interleaved packet data signal. The code sequence detection system also reduces the delay (latency) between the input of encoded data and the output of decoded data. The code sequence detection system provides branch metric values in response to the input interleaved packet data signal which exhibits one of a plurality of signal formats, e.g., partial response and normal formats. A Viterbi decoder decodes the packet data signal to produce a decoded output in response to the branch metric values which include a substantially replicated value associated with one of the formats. The Viterbi decoder includes a comparison network that provides decision data in response to branch metric values associated with the trellis encoded data packets.

Abstract: An adaptive trellis decoder seamlessly switches between multiple operational modes. The trellis decoder employs a code sequence detection system that detects codes in input interleaved packet data. The code sequence detection system also reduces the delay (latency) between the input of encoded data and the output of decoded data. The code sequence detection system processes video data in the form of groups of interleaved trellis encoded data packets and includes a traceback network that identifies a sequence of antecedent trellis states, in accordance with a state transition trellis. The traceback network identifies the antecedent states for collocated interleaved packets in response to decision data associated with trellis state transitions. Output trellis decoded data is provided in response to the identified sequence of antecedent trellis states. The decoder can also provide a plurality of trellis decoded data sequences.

Abstract: An adaptive trellis decoder seamlessly switches between multiple operational modes. The decoder switches between multiple modes and accommodates data type transitions using a single state transition trellis with a predetermined number of states. The system decodes trellis encoded video data encoded in different formats respectively containing different numbers of levels associated with different modes. The decoder system adaptively operates in response to a configuration signal distinguishing between the modes, and employs a state transition trellis with the same number of trellis decoding states for decoding encoded data of different formats. The state transition decoding trellis may also be reset to a predetermined state in response to a synchronization signal generated as a result of a transition from one type of data to another or in response to a mode change.

Abstract: An interactive communication system includes a portable unit of a cordless telephone for providing wireless telephone communications and integrating telephone functions and control of remotely operated devices, such as television sets, video cassette recorders and cable converters. The portable unit advantageously provides controlling information to a remotely operated device in response to voice and data communications occurring over the telephone network.

Abstract: An acidic water-based film-forming coating composition suitable for the protection of ferrous surfaces by application thereto and drying at ambient temperature wherein said composition contains at least one acid of defined formula, such as lactic or tartaric acid, which prevents or reduces general yellow/brown staining.

Abstract: In the protection of ferrous substrates by application of a water-based paint composition followed by drying at ambient temperature susceptibility to flash rusting is reduced by the use of a paint composition having pH in the range from 4.0 to 6.5.

Abstract: The equation operating system is an improved data and command entry format together with a compatible operation system for use with electronic data processing apparatuses, most particularly with scientific calculators which provide an alphanumeric display of entered equations. This invention provides a different set of commands and displayed characters for performing exponentiation. An up arrow together with a down arrow serve to define the expression of the exponent. The numeric data stored in a numeric display register upon implementation of the exponentiation is raised to the power of the expression between the up arrow and the down arrow. This invention also includes an integral power exponentiation command which enables easy entry of single digit positive integral exponents, thereby eliminating the need for a completing command.

Abstract: The equation operating system is an improved data and command entry format together with a compatible operation system for use with electronic data processing apparatuses, most particularly with scientific calculators which provide an alphanumeric display of entered equations. This invention also includes a unary operation implementation technique, whereby the operand may be entered either before or after the unary operation.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus employs a single key stroke for defining a complex number entry and for designating a particular complex number calculation mode. Entry of a complex number follows the following format: entry of the first part of the complex number, entry of a complex number mode designation command, and entry of the second part of the complex number. Entry of the complex number mode designation command designates the numeric data to be assigned the first part and the second part of a complex number and also causes the data processing apparatus to enter a corresponding complex number computation mode. Thereafter, upon entry of at least some of the normal operational commands of the data processing apparatus, these operational commands are performed upon the previously entered complex numbers in accordance with the mathematical laws of complex number arithmetic. The data processing apparatus preferably generates an indication of when a complex number computation mode has been set.

Abstract: The equation operating system is an improved data and command entry format together with a compatible operation system for use with electronic data processing apparatuses, most particularly with scientific calculators which provide an alphanumeric display of entered equations. This invention provides an implied multiplication having differing hierarchical ranks when one of a member of a predetermined prefix set entry is followed by one of two differing suffix set entries. Each of these implied multiplications have a differing hierarchical rank than that of explicit multiplication.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus having a plurality of preprogrammed functional operations and at least one user accessible memory includes a generalized input sequence for combining functional operations with data storage in one of the user accessible memories. In the case where a number of user accessible memories is provided, memory entry is enabled by a store input followed by an input designating the memory while a memory recall operation is enabled by a recall input followed by a memory designation input. The algebraic memory operation and entry sequence requires entry of the store input, the desired operation input and the memory designation input. If a unary operation is selected, the selected operation is performed on the data stored in the output indicator memory or alternately on the data stored in the designated memory and the result is stored in the designated memory.