Abstract: An optical resonator is described which includes an active cladding material, the active cladding material enabling optical amplification.

Abstract: A method of operating an induction furnace so as to receive electric arc furnace (EAF) dust, basic oxygen furnace (BOF) sludge/dust and/or other iron and volatile metals containing materials as a feed stream on a batch, continuous or semi-continuous basis together with a iron-containing material feed, and therefrom produce an iron-containing hot metal or pig iron product while recovering iron value from the feed materials and recovering volatile metal components contained in the feed materials.

Abstract: A system and method for narrowing the range of frequency uncertainty of a Doppler shifted pilot signal in a satellite or other communications system with relative signal source and receiver motion. The satellite communications system includes a user terminal (for example, a mobile wireless telephone), a gateway (terrestrial base station), and at least one satellite with unknown position and unknown relative velocity. The method includes the steps of shifting the pilot signal over a plurality of frequency hypotheses, coherently accumulating samples of the pilot signal over a plurality of chips, measuring the energy of the accumulated pilot signal samples, accumulating the energy measurements over a plurality of chips to produce an energy accumulation value, and determining which of the plurality of frequency hypotheses results in the highest energy accumulation value.

Abstract: A digital spread spectrum communication system calculates phase and frequency error on a received signal from a communicating entity during a wireless communication and pre-corrects a signal for phase and frequency error prior to transmission to that entity.

Abstract: A multiple phase shift keying (MPSK) spread spectrum communications receiver uses weighted correlation techniques for carrier recovery and tracking. The receiver includes three subsystems: a synchronization system, a carrier tracking system, and a data demodulation system. To demodulate the received signal, the receiver requires a carrier frequency that matches the frequency of an associated transmitter as well as the sampling (or chip) and symbol clocks that are synchronized with those of the transmitter. In the disclosed receiver, the carrier tracking subsystem continually tracks the carrier frequency of the received signal using a tracking scheme that uses weighted correlation techniques. The weighted correlation technique combines signals from two correlator modules, an R-correlator module and a W-correlator module, to generate the correlation output. The R-correlator is similar to conventional correlators. The W-correlator, however, is unlike conventional correlators.

Abstract: A wireless communication system (10). The system comprises a user station (12). The user station comprises despreading circuitry (22) for receiving and despreading a plurality of slots received from at least a first transmit antenna (A121) and a second transmit antenna (A122) at a transmitting station (14). Each of the plurality of slots comprises a first channel (DPCH) comprising a first set of pilot symbols and a second channel (PCCPCH) comprising a second set of pilot symbols. The user station further comprises circuitry (50) for measuring a first channel measurement (&agr;1,n) for each given slot in the plurality of slots from the first transmit antenna and in response to the first set of pilot symbols in the given slot. The user station further comprises circuitry (50) for measuring a second channel measurement (&agr;2,n) for each given slot in the plurality of slots from the second transmit antenna and in response to the first set of pilot symbols in the given slot.

Abstract: A plurality of transmitted data signals are received at a receiver. The receiver measures a channel response associated with the transmitted data signals. A system response is determined. The system response is expanded to be piecewise orthogonal. The received data signals data is retrieved based on in part the expanded system response.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring transmission signal interference in a bi-directional transmission/reception system in which a modulated signal received at a receiver location is subjected at the receiver location to analog to digital (A/D) conversion by an A/D converter 3, an output of which is routed to an input of a digital demodulator 6 for demodulation. The method includes the steps of accessing the output of the A/D converter 3 before the output is subjected to demodulation by the demodulator 6 and storing the accessed data in a storage buffer 7. The data stored in the storage buffer 7 is available for inspection to assist in determining the presence of signal interference.

Abstract: Device and method for coding an image for compressing a digital video signal, including the steps of (1) transforming a spatial domain of the video signal into frequency domain, and dividing the frequency domain into subband regions having relatively much meaningful information on an original video signal and subband regions having no relatively much meaningful information on the original video signal, (2) classifying the divided-subband regions into a plurality of scan blocks each having a block size, and (3) scanning in a scan block unit, whereby increasing a probability of consecutive zero run statistically, to improve the compression ratio.

Abstract: A method for adaptive quantization of video frames based on bit rate prediction that includes increasing quantization in sectors of a video frame where coding artifacts would be less noticeable to the human visual system and decreasing quantization in sectors where coding artifacts would be more noticeable to the human visual system. In one embodiment the method reverts to uniform quantization for video frames in which adaptive quantization would require extra bits.

Abstract: A system and method for motion compensation of color sequential displays, receiving a motion image data input, extracting an estimate of a motion of an image portion represented in said image data input with a motion estimator, and calculating, for a time instance of display of each image subframe of an image frame, a compensated representation for reducing display artifacts with a processor, wherein each subframe represents a different aspect of the image frame. The subframes are preferably different color planes of the image frame. The processor preferably performs a bilinear interpolation where the compensated image boundary does not fall on a display pixel boundary. The motion compensation algorithm is preferably robust in the face of erroneous motion vectors. The system and method is advantageously used in single panel liquid crystal display projection systems, although the techniques are applicable to various image display technologies.

Abstract: An MPEG bitstream is switched in the video domain in between a decoder and recoder pair which remain continuously in operation but which are transparent through re-use in the recoder of coding decision taken in the upstream coding of the MPEG bitstream and inferred in the decoder of the switch. Around the switch point, the coding decisions are modified.

Abstract: A first sequence [SQ1] of data blocks [DB1-*] and a second sequence [SQ2] of data blocks [DB2-*] are encoded. The second sequence [SQ2] of data blocks [DB2-*] is correlated with the first sequence [SQ1] of data blocks [DB1-*]. This may concern, for example, an encoding of stereoscopic (3D) video. The first sequence [SQ1] of data blocks [DB1-*] is encoded in such a manner that certain data blocks serve as a reference [REF] for predictively encoding [PE] the other data blocks in the first sequence [SQ1]. The second sequence [SQ2] of data blocks [DB2-*] is encoded in such a manner that all data blocks [DB2-*] are predictively encoded [PE] with respect to those data blocks [DB1-*] in the first sequence [SQ1] which serve as a reference [REF].

Abstract: A compressed data buffer 21 maintains an image data loaded from a storage device 1, and a decoding section 22 conducts variable length decoding, inverse quantization and inverse discrete cosine transform, and a pixel data shifting section 23 shifts each value of pixel data to right by 1 bit, and a motion compensating section 24 applies motion compensation processing to the data shifted to right by 1 bit, and the frame data buffer 25 stores an image data to be displayed, and a reference data calculating section 24a of the motion compensating section 24 obtains a reference data from a reference buffer based on a motion vector, and a reference data adding section 24b adds the reference data to a data to which decoding processing has been applied, and a reference data storing section 24c leaves in the reference buffer the data to which the motion compensation processing has been applied.

Abstract: A technique for decoding an encoded data stream representing an original sequence of data bits, each data bit comprising a plurality of codes, each code being dependent on a current data bit and a first predetermined number of preceding data bits in the original sequence. Scores are provided indicating the likelihood that a corresponding state represents the first predetermined number of preceding data bits. The scores are arranged in an initial ordering. A first plurality of score bit slices are stored to collectively represent the initially ordered scores, each score bit slice containing a predetermined bit from each of the scores. The scores are then reordered and a second plurality of score bit slices are stored to collectively represent the reordered scores. By this approach, all the scores are updated simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of, and terminal for, detecting the presence of a 2-FSK signal, the method comprising receiving (10) a 2-FSK signal, quadrature frequency down-converting (34,35,36) the received signal to produce quadrature related outputs, oversampling (42,43) the quadrature related outputs to produce digital samples, differentially decoding (44) the digital samples to produce real and imaginary components, integrating (56,58) the imaginary components and comparing (26) the integrated value with a fixed threshold value (24) and determining a signal to be present if the threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, by which to predistort a send signal prior to its application to a power amplifier. Predistortion compensates for distortion introduced upon the signal during its amplification by the power amplifier. Compensation is effectuated by altering a phase component of symbols of which the signal is formed without affecting the magnitude components thereof.

Abstract: To generate a noise signal corresponding to an “antinoise environmental test” of CDMA, a noise generator 1 has a noise source A 2, an amplifier A 4, and a filter A 6 for generating an I signal for quadrature modulation and a noise source B 3, an amplifier B 5, and a filter B 7 for generating a Q signal for quadrature modulation and performs quadrature modulation for the I and Q signals generated by the circuits by a quadrature modulator 8 in accordance with a local signal supplied from a local signal source 9, then outputs a noise signal.

Abstract: A wireless receiver (UST). The receiver comprises at least one antenna (ATU) for receiving a plurality of frames (FR) in a form of a plurality of paths. Each of the plurality of frames comprises a plurality of time slots (SLN), and each of the plurality of time slots comprises a plurality of symbols. Further, each of the plurality of paths has a corresponding sample position, wherein the plurality of symbols comprise a primary synchronization code symbol (PSC). The receiver further comprises circuitry (52) for correlating a primary synchronization code across a group of the plurality of symbols and circuitry (52) for identifying a plurality of path positions within the group. Each of the plurality of path positions corresponds to a respective one of a plurality of largest-amplitude paths represented within the group as detected in response to the circuitry for correlating. The receiver further comprises circuitry (56) for defining a plurality of sub-windows.

Abstract: A digital radio receiver system uses a dual mode automatic gain control architecture and method to enhance signal-to-noise ratio and linearity to accommodate reception and processing of both L-band RF signals and band-III RF signals. The system architecture employs an analog AGC to control high/low gain switches associated with front end low noise amplifiers and down converters, as well as a digital AGC to control gain controlled amplifier and programmable gain amplifier gain settings. The AGC control can be implemented totally within the system architecture or optionally can be implemented via an external data processing device such as a DSP or micro-controller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a receiving system (R) including an adaptive first equalizer (E1) associated with a first threshold detector (S1), and a device (TR) which enables the timing (TR) of a transmitting system to be recovered for said receiving system (R) from an equalized signal (yn) and a signal obtained by thresholding (sn). The receiving system (R) also includes a fixed second equalizer (E2) associated with a second threshold detector (S2). The receiving system finally includes a device (SW) by means of which it is possible to switch between a first mode of operation (position 1) in which the equalized signal (yn) and the signal (sn) obtained by thresholding are supplied by the second equalizer (E2) and the second threshold detector (S2), respectively, and a second mode of operation (position 2) in which the said signals (yn and sn) are supplied by the first equalizer (E1) and the first threshold detector (S1), respectively.

Abstract: A method for switching between multiple clock signals in a digital circuit is provided that includes providing to a clock selector at least three distinct clock signals for the circuit. A master clock signal for the circuit is generated with the clock selector based on a first one of the distinct clock signals. The master clock signal is asynchronously blocked. The master clock signal for the circuit is generated with the clock selector based on a second one of the distinct clock signals. The master clock signal is synchronously unblocked.

Abstract: Detection of synchronization signals of digital broadcasting waves of respective reception systems is periodically carried out, and a relative time difference between synchronization timings of the synchronization signals is grasped. In the case where a synchronization signal can not be detected from the reception system under selection, the relative value is added to or subtracted from the generation timing of a synchronization signal of the other reception system, so that the synchronization timing that could not be detected is presumed.

Abstract: A multi-scanner frame in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes a base and a plurality of stands. Each stand supports a tomography gantry. The plurality of scanners supported by the gantries may represent a plurality of tomography modalities. A linear guide allows for the ready movement of at least one of the gantries relative to one or more remaining gantries.

Abstract: In order to create a method for the automatic relative adjusting of the position coordinates (xp, yp, zp) of at least one sample with respect to the center coordinates (xm, ym, zm) of a goniometer (200) determined by the intersection point of the tilting axles (&ohgr;, &khgr;, &phgr;) as well as an associated device (100) through which the construction of goniometric systems is considerably simplified and moreover the costs for multiple circle systems are considerably reduced, it is proposed that, during a variation of the sample orientation or tilting, the trajectory of the sample which is taking place, in particular the precession trajectory of the sample, can be dynamically compensated about the center coordinates (xm, ym, zm) and the sample can be dynamically held at the measuring point, while [a] the trajectory of the sample about the center coordinates (xm, ym, zm) is recorded and exploited by digital image processing, [b] correction coordinates (xm−xp, ym−yp, zm&minu

Abstract: Metallic solutions at room temperature used a laser point source target droplets. Using the target metallic solutions results in damage free use to surrounding optical components since no debris are formed. The metallic solutions can produce plasma emissions in the X-rays, XUV, and EUV (extreme ultra violet) spectral ranges of approximately 11.7 nm and 13 nm. The metallic solutions can include molecular liquids or mixtures of elemental and molecular liquids, such as metallic chloride solutions, metallic bromide solutions, metallic sulphate solutions, metallic nitrate solutions, and organo-metallic solutions. The metallic solutions do not need to be heated since they are in a solution form at room temperatures.

Abstract: An x-ray radiation source in which a focused electron beam impinges upon a target positioned in front of the focal point of the electron beam and the radiation emitted by the target travels through the aperture of an aperture diaphragm with the aperture disposed at the focal point of the electron beam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for testing connection of customer premise equipment to a trunk, comprising a user interface for receiving user commands from a remote location, memory registers for storing indications of trunk type and status, and a controller for initiating automatic trunk tests responsive to the user commands and in response storing the indications of trunk type and status in the memory registers and outputting the indications to said the interface.

Abstract: A call center system for enabling communication between callers and subscribers. The call center system includes a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and a virtual call center operable to receive calls from callers via the PSTN. The virtual call center performs Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and Automated Call Distributor (ACD) functions to the callers on behalf of subscribers of the virtual call center for enabling communication between the callers and the subscribers. The virtual call center performs IVR and ACD functions to callers on behalf of each subscriber based on a service level agreement between each subscriber and the virtual call center. The virtual call center performs IVR functions associated with a subscriber for a caller to access information from the subscriber and for a caller to provide information to the subscriber. The virtual call center performs ACD functions associated with the subscriber to connect the caller with an agent of the subscriber.

Abstract: A method for backing up call charge data, stored in a disk storage, of a telephone switching office, in which individual data blocks are read by the disk storage and transmitted, with write orders, to two sequential mass storages, for example magnetic tape storages, which are independent of one another. In this process, in each case a data block read by the disk storage is transmitted, together with a write order, both to the first and to the second or a further mass storage, and after an acknowledgment is received both by the first mass storage and by the second mass storage, the next data block read by the disk storage is transmitted, together with write orders, to both mass storages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processing the data produced by a telephone exchange, the transfer of the data through a transfer medium to a receiving equipment, and outputting of the processed data in the receiving equipment on a screen or paper. The data are processed in the telephone exchange to reduce the amount of data transferred through the transfer medium. This will be accomplished by using fixed forms in the exchange and the receiving equipment. A form will be used to separate the binary data of the specified fields from the data pre-processed in the telephone exchange. The receiving equipment will use a form that corresponds with that of the telephone exchange to separate the incoming binary data into the parts specified in the form, and each part will be attached to the field indicated by the corresponding identifier information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to displaying caller ID information, and more specifically, to displaying caller ID information in an environment with broadband telephony service. The invention provides a method and apparatus for receiving caller ID information from a service provider and providing the caller ID information for display as an overlay over a television programming image provided by the service provider and displayed on a television.

Abstract: A method and system for remotely and automatically selecting and activating a profile of a telephone. In particular, a user defines telephone profile activation information and communicates this information to the telephone to activate a desired profile during a certain event. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a calendar application whereby the user may input scheduling information and profile associations so that calendar information and profile associations are transmitted by the calendar application to the telephone and activated upon occurrence and for the duration of an event. In an alternate embodiment, the method of the present invention includes having the telephone update the calendar application. The preset invention is capable of working in different time zones by converting the calendar information into the current time zone of the telephone.

Abstract: A conference call system receiving calls through a common carrier switch, where the conference call system includes a plurality of multi-port conference bridges, is operated by accepting a bridge having adequate port capacity and for each incoming call for the requested conference: establishing a first incoming connection segment from the carrier switch to the system; prompting the incoming caller for a conference access code; and, if the access code received in response to the prompt matches the conference access code, calling the target bridge through the carrier switch to establish an outgoing connection segment from the system to the carrier switch and a second incoming connection segment from the carrier switch to the target bridge; associating the second incoming connection segment with the incoming call; dropping the first incoming connection segment and the outgoing connection segment; and adding the incoming call to the conference on the target bridge.

Abstract: System and method for providing a customer with the ability to obtain temporary advanced telecommunication services in the Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) for the customer's calling line by dialing a call to special access code, without the intervention of a service representative. The call is recognized as a request for an initiation of a temporary advanced telecommunication service with respect to the customer's calling line. On the basis of the recognition, an association may be retained between the calling line number and the service switching point serving the calling line number. This retained association may be used later in the activation of the temporary advanced telecommunication service for the calling line number. The call is routed to a rental service interface through which rental information from the caller may be collected.

Abstract: A method and supporting apparatus for an executive phone patch is disclosed. An administrative assistant uses a first phone line to communicate with a first party, places first party on-hold, and establishes a connection with a second party. Once the second party is on the line, the two lines are connected together and the assistant is isolated from the conversation.

Abstract: A system for providing a telephone number of a calling party to a called party for calls being handled at a call center. First the call center receives a first call set-up message in a switching system to set-up an incoming call to a terminal in the call center. The call center then extends the incoming call from the switching system to the terminal. The call center then receives a request in the switching system from the terminal to set-up an outgoing call to a called party. The call center then generates a second call set-up message including an identification of the calling party and the call set-up message to the called party.

Abstract: A cost-effective filter consuming low power and occupying minimal space. The filter may be used in a ADSL modem (or CPE) to filter the signal components other than the ADSL signals. A high pass filter first filters the low frequency components to attenuate (or remove) lower frequency components such as that caused by ADSL transmit echo signals and that used for voice transmission. The high pass filter may be modified by adding a few resistors to limit the voltages of the high frequency signals also. The output of the high pass filter is amplified and passed through a low pass filter to filter the high frequency components (HPNA included). Due to earlier filtering operation of the high pass filter, the signal can be amplified substantially before being sent to the low pass filter. The implementation of the low pass filter is simplified due to the prior amplification.

Abstract: A telephone line-powered power supply, a method of operating the same and telephone line-powered ancillary equipment. In one embodiment, the power supply includes: (1) a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding and (2) an energy storage device (which may, but is not required to, be a capacitor) series-coupled to the primary winding, the primary winding and the energy storage device adapted to be coupled to, and provide a terminating resistance for, a telephone line. A node between the primary winding and the energy storage device provides DC power. Another embodiment employs a control switch to regulate an energy storage device, thereby dispensing with a need for the transformer.

Abstract: A rear cover (1) for a telephone handset (2) is described. An inner area of the handset (2) is adapted to receive electronic circuitry (27) for the operation of the telephone. A portion of the rear cover is adapted to provide a housing (4) for a SIM card (5). The rear cover (1) is provided with electronic terminals (8b) adapted to enable electronic communication between a SIM card (5) and the electronic circuitry (27) within the telephone. The rear cover (1) desirably additionally provides a housing for a battery.

Abstract: A rear-view mirror assembly 10 is provided, including a housing 12 and a reflective surface 14. At least one microphone 18 is positioned behind the reflective surface 14 within the housing 12. At least one audio port 20 allows sound to pass through the reflective surface 14 to reach the at least one microphone 18.

Abstract: A cryptographic accelerator for handling instruction-intensive bit permutations. The cryptographic accelerator comprises a selector and a plurality of buses coupled to the selector. Herein, at least one of the plurality of buses includes signal lines routed to perform a bit permutation operation incoming data. The bit permutation operation is one of a plurality of operations associated with a symmetric key function.

Abstract: A method and system for generating random numbers is disclosed wherein an array of imaging sensors while not in normal use, captures ambient light and back scattered light. These light sources vary naturally over a range of intensities. Intensity values above and below a threshold value are decoded as “1” and “0” bits, respectively. The resulting values, based on noise within the array signal, are single bit values or n bit values. A preferred imaging sensor array is a charge coupled device. Other imaging sensor arrays such as capacitive fingerprint imagers may also be used for this purpose when sufficient noise exists within the imaging sensor array signal.

Abstract: In an information transceiver system for transmitting/receiving specific information, an information transmission device transmits a key message in which a specific information cipher key is ciphered with a usual key, and transmits to a destination information reception device a cipher message in which specific information is ciphered with the specific information cipher key. The information reception device deciphers a specific information cipher key included in a key message with a usual key, and deciphers with the specific information cipher key the cipher message following the key message. Also, in the presence of a plurality of destination information reception devices, the information transmission device provides to the information reception devices setting information of broadcast setting information of a unicast, a broadcast, or the like, cipher setting information, vendor setting information, group setting information, or the like.

Abstract: Initially, a key range variable is created by concatenating the card group value, card number and reference number for an encryption key to be generated. A hashing algorithm generates an encryption key from a master key and the variable key range variable. The encryption key and the key range variable are output to the caller who requested the key. The encryption key is used to encrypt the information, while the variable key range is stored with the encrypted data. Generation of a decryption key requires a user call for a decryption key and includes the key range variable from the encrypted data. A hashing algorithm generates a decryption key from the master key and the key range variable. The decryption key is used to decrypt the information.

Abstract: Method for controlling a control arrangement controlling a predetermined system (10), the control arrangement comprising a controller (6), M output sensors (4) providing an output signal vector y(t), L control actuators (2) controlled by a control signal vector u(t) provided by the controller (6) and N reference signal generators (8) for providing a reference signal vector z(t) to the controller (6). The method comprises the step of minimizing a criterion function J defined as a mixture of energy of an observed output signal vector &egr;1(t) and energy of a control error signal vector &egr;2(t), by recursively updating the controller coefficients in w(t) proportional to the observed output signal vector &egr;1 and proportional to the control error signal vector &egr;2.

Abstract: A module adapted for use in a noise reduction headset earcup has an enclosure having walls separating an interior of the enclosure from an exterior of the enclosure outside the earcup. There is a driver with a diaphragm. A port connects the interior and exterior. An acoustically resistive opening connects the interior and exterior in parallel with the port.

Abstract: To provide a piezoelectric speaker in which a breakdown of an electric lead terminal due to a large amount electric current flow is prevented an electric accident due to hand touch to an electrode and a frame is prevented, the precision of position and shape of the electrode formed by masking is enhanced, and the generation of buzz sound that becomes noise is prevented, side frames fixing side ends of a vibrating diaphragm are sectioned into upper and lower plates by the side ends formed in a corrugate shape, and a vibrating diaphragm supporting portions of the upper and lower plates are formed in the same corrugate shape as that of the side ends so that the side ends are clamped by the vibrating diaphragm supporting portions in the state of the corrugate shape of the vibrating diaphragm being maintained, and partitioning plates are inserted between the side frames to partition crests and troughs of the vibrating diaphragm.

Abstract: A feedback cancellation system with reduced sensitivity to low-frequency tonal inputs is provided. Such a system can be used, for example, in a hearing aid to prevent cancellation of the desired tonal inputs to the hearing aid, thus improving the gain at high frequencies of the hearing aid while simultaneously preserving the desired tonal inputs at low frequencies. The feedback cancellation system comprises a first adaptive filter block for adaptively filtering an error signal to remove the low-frequency tonal components from the error signal. The first adaptive filter block is constrained so that only low-frequency tones in the error signal are cancelled, thus enabling the feedback cancellation system to still cancel “whistling” at high frequencies due to the temporary instability of the hearing aid. A second adaptive filter block adaptively filters a feedback path signal to produce an adaptively filtered feedback path signal.

Abstract: A microphone capsule for an in-the-ear hearing aid is disclosed. The capsule can include a top plate having first and second spaced openings defining front and rear sound inlets, and a directional microphone cartridge enclosing a diaphragm. The diaphragm is oriented generally perpendicular to the top plate and divides the directional microphone cartridge housing into a front chamber and a rear chamber. A front sound passage communicates between the front sound inlet and the front chamber, and a rear sound passage communicates between the rear sound inlet and the rear chamber. Front and rear acoustic damping resistors are associated with the front and rear sound passages. The acoustic resistor pair provides a selected time delay, such as about 4 microseconds, between the front and rear sound passages. The use of two acoustic resistors instead of one levels the frequency response, compared to the frequency response provided by a rear acoustic damping resistor alone.