Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for determining characteristics of an input optical signal in an optical network. An optical signal monitoring apparatus estimates a minimum time interval between transitions in the input signal, determines a clock signal based on the estimated minimum time interval, and performs a time domain measurement on the input signal based on the determined clock signal. The optical signal monitoring apparatus samples the input signal based on the determined clock signal and determines the characteristics of the input signal.

Abstract: A precise network time service that provides synchronization and time of day information. In accordance with my invention a user or customer premise equipment initiates the process by requesting time service from a network time server. The server responds by sending operation, administration, and maintenance (OAM) cells to the requesting party. These cells are immediately looped back to the time server and used to derive a minimum round trip time. Based on the minimum round trip time, the time server and the requesting party's equipment are subsequently synchronized. Once synchronized, delay measurements are used to maintain synchronism and provide time of day information so that such practical network problems as congestion may be monitored.

Abstract: A lightweight, flexible device for holding shower articles such as shampoo, soap, or lotion comprising a loop for suspending the device from a shower head, a plurality of ropes connected to the loop, and hooks for holding the shower articles to the ends of the ropes opposite the suspending loop. Preferably, the loop is formed of rubber or plastic which will grip the neck pipe of a shower head. The device may be used at home or packs easily for travelling.

Abstract: A multi-function high speed barrel shifter comprising three functional levels. The first level performs 1/4 word shifts by a selectable amount. The second level performs 1/8 word shifts on the portion of the word to be shifted and, where desired, fills the remainder of its output with fill bits. The third level performs 1/32 of a data word shift. All shifting and filling are controlled by an input control signal which specifies the operation, direction and shift amount. The circuit is easily complimented in LSI Technology and is easily cascaded to double the size of the data word handled thereby.

Abstract: A multi-level priority micro-interrupt controller for a micro-program controlled computer handles a plurality of interrupt signals at a plurality of levels of priority, wherein only one interrupt signal for each level of priority may be active at any moment. When an interrupt occurs which has a higher priority than that of the interrupt currently being handled, the control store address of the next instruction to be executed is stacked and the interrupt handler subroutine for the higher priority interrupt is initiated. When an interrupt occurs which has a lower priority than that of the interrupt currently being handled, it is queued. After an interrupt has been handled, the stack is popped and execution is resumed at the control store address at the top of the stack. The control store address of the interrupt handler subroutine for a particular interrupt is decoded from the interrupt signals in two parts, the second part also being used to control the branching to the interrupt handler subroutine.