Abstract: A fabrication system is provided which includes a storage apparatus coupled perpendicularly to a branch transport aisle, and one or more environmentally controlled fabrication tools coupled parallel to the branch transport aisle. The fabrication tools can encompass single chamber units or larger cluster tools with sub mainframes. The storage apparatus has one or more load ports which allow transfer of wafer carriers to or from a factory transport agent. A tool loading platform is positioned to receive a wafer carrier from the storage apparatus and to enable the fabrication tool to access a wafer carrier positioned thereon. A plurality of fabrication tools may be coupled beside each other within the equipment set. Each of the plurality of fabrication tools is coupled to the storage apparatus so that a wafer or wafer carrier may be received from or transferred to a factory transport agent and may travel along the storage apparatus to any of the plurality of fabrication tools coupled thereto.

Abstract: In a wireless switching system in which base stations dynamically re-arrange logical coverage areas, when a base station enters a new logical coverage area, wireless handsets registered on the base station do not have to report individually this change in logical coverage areas to a wireless switching system controlling the wireless switching system. The base station performing the transfer from one logical coverage area to another logical coverage area informs the wireless switching system controller of the change in logical coverage areas both for the base station itself and for each of the wireless handsets registered on the base station. The base station informs the wireless handsets that the logical coverage area is being changed and informs the wireless handsets that they do not have to re-register. This reporting by the base station greatly reduces the number of operations performed when the base station moves from one logical coverage area to another logical coverage area.

Abstract: Allowing a service vendor to establish a set of Internet access accounts with an Internet service provider and to have the capability of activating or deactivating an Internet access account by directly interacting with the Internet service provider system via a digital link. In addition, the service vendor can determine the amount of access time that has been spent on each of the Internet access accounts owned by the service vendor. The service vendor can also rent to a user an Internet terminal that can only be utilized to access the Internet access account rented to that user. In the Internet terminal, the Internet access account number is encrypted and cannot be modified by the user. In addition, the service provider has the capability of disabling the rented Internet terminal by transmission of a message via the Internet service provider system.

Abstract: Transmitting via email by a store computer controlling a point of service terminal (POS) terminal, at which a transaction has been performed, transaction data to a personal computer of a customer making the transaction. The transaction data includes the actual items purchased with price and the grocery code of each item. The transaction data is transmitted as an email message via the Internet. The communication address of the customer computer is identified to the store computer by a store card that is utilized for other purposes or through the use of a standard credit card.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a semiconductor fabrication process. The method comprises sampling a byproduct of a semiconductor fabrication process, isolating the sample from the process, exciting the sample to produce radiation and analyzing the radiation. A small evacuated analysis chamber is added to a process chamber to sample byproducts of a reaction taking place in the main chamber. Energy supplied by an excitation source excites the byproducts in the analysis chamber to produce radiation. Preferably the byproducts are ionized by a RF energy to produce a discharge in the analysis chamber. Radiation from the discharge, in the form of IR, UV or visible light, is analyzed by a conventional optical techniques such as OES. The method and apparatus enable optical endpoint detection for normally non-ionized gaseous interactions.

Abstract: Using a plurality of terminal service profiles (TSP) that are selected on the basis of the switching system to which a wireless mobile unit is registered. Each TSP defines the operation of features associated with the wireless mobile unit, and a service profile defines features associated with a directory number shared by a stationary station set and the wireless mobile unit. This allows some features to be associated only with the wireless mobile unit and other features to be associated with the shared directory number. These other features are usable by the wireless mobile unit and any other unit sharing the shared directory number. These other features are performed on a permanent switching system to which the shared directory number is assigned. When the wireless mobile unit is not associated with a stationary telephone station set, different TSPs are selected based on the particular switching system to which the wireless mobile unit is registered.

Abstract: Utilization of an electrical link separate from an optical transmission path to gather information identifying the number and types of optical devices in the optical path and utilization of this information to adjust the power output level of an optical transmitter and to transmit the power output level to optical receivers connected to the optical transmitter by the optical path. Each optical receiver is responsive to the number and types of optical components in the path between the optical receiver and the optical transmitter and the power output level to adjust the sensitivity of the optical receiver. Each optical component is associated with an electrical identification circuit connected to the electrical link which specifies the information on the electrical link concerning the optical component including the performance characteristics of the optical component.

Abstract: A magnetic fluid conditioner for abating the adherence of precipitates in conduits transmitting a variety of liquids and/or gases which contain unwanted compounds capable of adhering to the inner walls of the fluid transmitting conduits, the magnetic fluid conditioner having means for directing the outwardly radiating magnetic flux toward the fluid conducting conduits to thereby increase the magnetic flux acting on the liquid and/or gas flowing in the conduits.

Abstract: A magnetic unit for polarizing particles in fluid being conducted in a fluid conducting conduit, the objective being to prevent particulate matter from adhering to the inner wall of the fluid conducting conduit. The magnetic unit includes at least two magnets potted in a housing and surrounding a tube to be incorporated into the conduit thereby providing treatment of the fluid being conducted through the conduit.

Abstract: A magnetic fluid conditioner for abating the adherence of precipitates in conduits transmitting a variety of fluids and/or gases which contain unwanted compounds which will precipitate and adhere to the inner walls of the conduits. The magnetic fluid conditioner includes a metallic flux path for increasing the flux density.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of treating well water, in a water system, by polarizing and aerating a small portion of pumped water from the high pressure side of the water system and returning the treated water to the raw water in the well.

Abstract: A multimodule time division switching system is disclosed in which intermodule calls are served by transmitting call information words over a bus system interconnecting all modules. Each transmitted word contains information specifying the receiving module identification number, the time slot in which the call is to be served in the receiving module, as well as the message or intelligence representing the subject matter of the call. A FIFO memory in each module is used as an input buffer to temporarily store each received word and thereby reduce the need for short term time slot synchronization between modules.

Abstract: A multimodule time division switching system is disclosed having facilities for the serving of conference calls between port circuits in at least three different modules. Each module serving a conference call transmits a series of call data words to the other modules serving the same call over a special bus system interconnecting all modules. Each word contains information including a module ID number and a time slot number as well as the message or intelligence representing the subject matter of the call. The transmitted ID number specifies the identity of the other modules serving the same call and to which the word is directed. The transmitted time slot number specifies the time slot in which the call is to be served by only a first one of the specified receiving modules. This first module responds to the reception of the word and serves the call in the specified time slot.

Abstract: A plurality of stored-program controllable computer units MP.sub.(o) -MP.sub.(n) are associated with a somewhat greater number of program stores PS.sub.(o) -PS.sub.(N+1) in an arrangement with a main memory unit MBM and an activity memory unit AM in a manner such that each computer unit is only assigned to use that program store which has already been loaded with a program paged from the main memory unit. When a computer unit finishes with the program store it had been using, it obtains a new, already-loaded program store with which to work and causes the main memory unit to reload the store with which it has just finished working with a new program. In this manner, no computer unit must wait while a program is being paged into any program store.