Deborah A Clark

US Patent:

53114230, May 10, 1994

Filed:

Jan 7, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/637854

Inventors:

Deborah P. Clark - Anaheim CA

Assignee:

GTE Service Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G06F 1522
G06F 1524
G06G 752

US Classification:

364401

Abstract:

A method of managing information used and generated in the scheduling and exhibition of performances is disclosed. A video network includes a video server that operates several video recorders to simultaneously exhibit video performances or programs on a plurality of channels. The video server is controlled in real time in accordance with data presented to it in an exhibition plan. The exhibition plan is generated through the performance of an exhibition manager process which operates on a computer. The exhibition manager manages information related to the performances to be exhibited, schedules the performances in accordance with user-supplied timing data, prints reports, and maintains a personal information manager having a database describing studios, contacts, and other information related to licensing the performances for exhibition on the network. The information related to performances includes repeat factors and short titles which the exhibition manager calculates. The scheduling activities of the exhibition manager automatically schedule repeated exhibitions of a performance in accordance with the performance's repeat factor.

US Patent:

58594043, Jan 12, 1999

Filed:

Oct 12, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/543860

Inventors:

Ronghua R. Wei - Calabasas CA
Jesse N. Matossian - Canoga Park CA
Peter Mikula - Sterling Heights MI
Deborah Clark - Saline MI

Assignee:

Hughes Electronics Corporation - El Segundo CA
General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B23K 1000
C23C 1500

US Classification:

21912143

Abstract:

A plasma heating apparatus for heating a workpiece includes a chamber of sufficient size to receive a workpiece therein and a source of a reduced gas pressure within the chamber of from about 0. 01 to about 100 millitorr. The plasma heating apparatus further includes a plasma source of an enveloping plasma. Optionally, a workpiece voltage may be applied between the workpiece and the wall of the chamber, and a source of a reactive gas can be provided to backfill the chamber, and radiant heaters can be provided to independently heat portions of the workpiece. In operation, the plasma source produces a plasma that surrounds and heats the workpiece. The plasma and the heating of the workpiece are tailored to achieve controllably uniform or nonuniform heat treatment and/or surface treatment of the workpiece. The apparatus can be used to heat treat the workpiece in vacuum, or a reactive gas such as a gaseous source of nitrogen, carbon, or boron can be backfilled into the chamber to alter the surface chemistry of the workpiece.