Abstract: A system is provided for reducing a penalty period for a vehicle. The vehicle includes a braking system that switches into an application state upon commencement of the penalty period. The braking system includes a fluid carrying brake pipe which connects a first powered unit and a remote powered unit. The system includes a sensor positioned within the vehicle, which measures a parameter related to the operation of the braking system. A control processor is positioned within the first powered unit, and is coupled to the sensor. Subsequent to the commencement of the penalty period, the control processor monitors the measured parameter and switches the braking system from the application state into a release state to reduce the penalty period, based on the measured parameter falling within a predetermined safety range.

Abstract: A system is provided for reducing a penalty period for a vehicle. The vehicle includes a braking system that switches into an application state upon commencement of the penalty period. The braking system includes a fluid carrying brake pipe which connects a first powered unit and a remote powered unit. The system includes a sensor positioned within the vehicle, which measures a parameter related to the operation of the braking system. A control processor is positioned within the first powered unit, and is coupled to the sensor. Subsequent to the commencement of the penalty period, the control processor monitors the measured parameter and switches the braking system from the application state into a release state to reduce the penalty period, based on the measured parameter falling within a predetermined safety range.

Abstract: A system is provided for reducing a penalty period for a distributed power train. The distributed power train includes a braking system that switches into an application state upon commencement of the penalty period. The braking system includes a fluid carrying brake pipe which connects a first locomotive and a remote locomotive. The system includes a sensor positioned within the distributed power train, which measures a parameter related to the operation of the braking system. A control processor is positioned within the first locomotive, and is coupled to the sensor. Subsequent to the commencement of the penalty period, the control processor monitors the measured parameter and switches the braking system from the application state into a release state to reduce the penalty period, based on the measured parameter falling within a predetermined safety range. Additionally, a method is provided for reducing a penalty period for a distributed power train.

Abstract: A system is provided for reducing a penalty period for a distributed power train. The distributed power train includes a braking system that switches into an application state upon commencement of the penalty period. The braking system includes a fluid carrying brake pipe which connects a first locomotive and a remote locomotive. The system includes a sensor positioned within the distributed power train, which measures a parameter related to the operation of the braking system. A control processor is positioned within the first locomotive, and is coupled to the sensor. Subsequent to the commencement of the penalty period, the control processor monitors the measured parameter and switches the braking system from the application state into a release state to reduce the penalty period, based on the measured parameter falling within a predetermined safety range. Additionally, a method is provided for reducing a penalty period for a distributed power train.

Abstract: The top and bottom parts of a one-piece cover of a PCMCIA card are snapped together to form lap-joint seams which are welded together with a laser, under argon gas. Only a few small tack welds are required to substantially increases the mechanical strength and moisture resistance and to eliminate the risk of accidentally opening the card. The operation can be done at a high rate with minimal cost. Also, an internal frame may be made much narrower to allow more card area, while still meeting structural requirements for PCMCIA cards. The weld penetrates fully through the first layer of the seam and only partially through a second layer. During welding a fixture holds the seams in reasonably precise position and tightly closed so the seams are much tighter after welding than when the card is only snap closed. The precise positioning of the seams also allows the size of the weld to be minimized which reduces the risk of burn through which may damage electronic components enclosed within the card during welding.

Abstract: A cartridge having top and bottom metal covers which enclose a circuit board, the metal of the covers forming a seam which is welded at locations therealong to bond the two covers together. The covers may form a snap-fit, lap, or butting seam where the welds are applied. The cartridge is particularly useful in PCMCIA applications.

Abstract: A method and system for segmenting and acting upon segments of, for example, a previously generated voice message by inserting audible interrupts into the voice message for partitioning the voice message into segments. Upon initiating or encountering such an interrupt in a voice message, a subscriber may act upon a segment adjacent to the interrupt. Actions on the adjacent segment include replaying the segment, forwarding the segment to an addressee with comments, deleting the segment, or no action although retaining the option of future action on the adjacent segment. Furthermore, the inserted interrupts may be inserted by the originating party of the voice message for action by the originating party, or by the originating party for future action by another receiving party.

Abstract: The present invention features an improvement in the construction and manufacturing of small peripheral cartridges which plug into exterior slots of computer systems such as PCMCIA cards. The metal cover of a snap-together PCMCIA card is typically tack welded at its seams An inexpensive and highly accurate welding technique is presented for performing this welding operation. The inventive welding technique may be used without risk of damage to highly sensitive electronic components. The lap joint seam formed using the techniques exhibits the strength and stiffness characteristics that allow the size of welded seams to be minimized thereby also reducing the risk of burn-through or other damage to the cards during manufacturing.

Abstract: A method for providing a user with the facility to linguistically direct a computer system to present desired audio/video programming is provided. The method is intended to be used in conjunction with a computer system having an input device, an audio interface, a controller, and a monitor. The method begins with the step of presenting to a user a menu of options at the monitor. The method continues with the step of identifying a set of key phonemes including phonemes associated with the menu of options. The method next includes the step of receiving at the audio interface a command signal representing a linguistic audio command. The command signal is then converted into a command phoneme which is matched with a phoneme of the set of key phonemes. Finally, the controller performs a task associated with the matched phoneme.

Abstract: A method and system for providing user access to complex information through interactive voice dialog. The computerized method includes the provision of a memory and storage in the memory of a plurality of selected words which may be recognized in predetermined phrases and dialogue contexts when spoken by users. A voice template is further stored in memory having selected information slots in corresponding frames. Each of the slots and frames is adapted to be continuously filled by recognized words. User speech utterances are initiated for receipt by the computer which requests complex information or responds to generated queries. By continuously receiving and comparing the user speech utterances to the stored plurality of selected words, slots and frames of the voice template are filled.

Abstract: A continuous process line for producing computer cartridges includes a closing station for squeezing cover portions of the cartridges together, followed by a connection station to permanently secure the cover portions together, followed by a station to mark the cartridges for identification. The closing station includes two low friction surfaces such as rollers and/or fixed slides with low friction surfaces, which taper together to close a partially folded one piece snap together PCMCIA card cover. The connection station includes a Nd:YAG laser welder with inert gas to laser weld lap joints at the seams of the snap-together cartridges. The marking station includes an applicator for applying preprinted labels to the cartridges. An automatic controller senses the positions of the cartridges as they move down the line and initiates the securing and marking of the cartridges depending on the position of the cartridges.

Abstract: A method for developing a network analysis and modeling application program includes the step of interactively selecting and displaying a graphical object. An instantiation of the graphical object is representative of at least a portion of a network. The graphical object is further used in an executable network analysis and modeling application program. The preferred embodiment further includes the step of editing the selection of the graphical object.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for identifying corrupted speech signals in a call receiving mode of a voice messaging system. The method includes the step of receiving a message signal. The message signal represents an audio message. The method next includes the step of determining a signal quality. The signal quality is then compared to a threshold. If the signal quality is at least as great as the threshold, the audio data representing the message signal is stored in a memory. If the signal quality is not as great as the threshold, an indication signal is transmitted indicating that the signal quality is poor. A system is also disclosed for implementing the steps of the method.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for use in cooperation with a computer having memory in a Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) for generating an optimized transition plan for the placement of Self-Healing Rings (SHR) and the routing of point-to-point demand in accordance with projected customer demand over a selected multi-period time interval. By determining the number of nodes within a SONET, the demand therebetween over selected time interval as well as the discounted add-drop cost for a plurality of selected Add-Drop Multiplexers (ADMs), a set of logical rings as well as a set of physical rings and detailed routing information may be obtained and graphically illustrated. Logical rings may be determined by optimizing discounted fixed and interconnection costs for the plurality of ADMs in accordance with a selected mixed integer program to generate a corresponding electrical signal for receipt by the computer memory.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for use in cooperation with a computer having a memory for generating an optimized transition plan for the placement and interconnection of carrier hubs in a local access network having a plurality of Central Offices (COs), Serving Wire Centers (SWCs) and Point-of-Presence (POP) exchange carriers such that calls may be routed at least cost. In operation, the total number and location of existing SWCs within the network must be determined along with the total switched and special access demand. Thereafter, known tariff rates for selected channel terminals, transport channels and multiplexers must be determined along with the total number of DS3 lines from each SWC to its corresponding POP. By expressing determined network demand as selected mixed-integer program decision variables and determining a corresponding set of logical constraints consistent with these decision variables, the optimized placement of hubs within the local access network may be determined.

Abstract: An improved logistics planning method and system for recommending optimal order quantities and timing, choice of vendor locations and storage locations, and transportation modes, for individual items and for product families. The system is designed for use in cooperation with the computer having memory and incorporates item, customer, supplier, and routing information databases. In operation, the item, customer and supplier databases are accessed in order to provide customer and warehouse demand forecasts. The routing and customer databases are similarly accessed to provide transportation cost forecasts necessary to determine optimized routing modes for selected items, customers and suppliers. The demand and transportation costs are processed in accordance with a dynamic programming model to determine stock and non-stock order/shipment solutions for the selected items and customers, including optimized supplier and routing selection, order timing and quantity.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing human speech using a linear mapping of a small set of coefficients that are speaker-independent. Preferably, the speaker-independent set of coefficients are cepstral coefficients developed during a training session using a perceptual linear predictive analysis. A linear predictive all-pole model is used to develop corresponding formants and bandwidths to which the cepstral coefficients are mapped by using a separate multiple regression model for each of the five formant frequencies and five formant bandwidths. The dual analysis produces both the cepstral coefficients of the PLP model for the different vowel-like sounds and their true formant frequencies and bandwidths. The separate multiple regression models developed by mapping the cepstral coefficients into the formant frequencies and formant bandwidths can then be applied to cepstral coefficients determined for subsequent speech to produce corresponding formants and bandwidths used to synthesize that speech.