Abstract: An optical fiber transmitter comprises an optically pumped single mode MQW VECSEL for emitting an information-carrying laser beam and has an external cavity length defining a comb of optical modes, each mode corresponding to a channel wavelength of an optical telecommunications system having plural optical channels. A semiconductor structure of the VECSEL has an optical-pump-excited multiple quantum well (MQW) homogeneously broadened gain region active over a band which is less than mode-to-mode spacing, the gain region being tunable to hop from a first mode to an adjacent second mode. A tuning arrangement tunes the VECSEL from mode to mode thereby to select each one of the plural optical channels. An optical modulator adds modulation to a beam emitting from the laser to provide the information-carrying laser beam, and a coupler couples the information-carrying laser beam into an optical fiber of the optical telecommunications system.

Abstract: A phrase search is a method of searching a database for subsets of the database that are relevant to an input query. First, a number of relational models of subsets of a database are provided. A query is then input. The query can include one or more sequences of terms. Next, a relational model of the query is created. The relational model of the query is then compared to each one of the relational models of subsets of the database. The identifiers of the relevant subsets are then output.

Abstract: Acousto-optical filter systems for filtering a light beam by generating undiffracted and diffracted light beams within a birefringent crystal and by suppressing the diffracted beam within or at a face of the crystal. Where the two beams are noncollinear, an aperture provides diffracted beam suppression. Where the two beams have different polarization directions, the diffracted beam is suppressed by a polarization analyzer, internal reflection of each beam at a Brewster angle at the surface, total internal reflection of the diffracted beam at the surface, or a suitably oriented multilayer thin film at the surface. Variation of the acoustic frequency provides tunability of the filter.

Abstract: Method and system for recognizing and characterizing bioelectric potential or electromyographic (EMG) signals associated with at least one of a coarse gesture and a fine gesture that is performed by a person, and use of the bioelectric potentials to enter data and/or commands into an electrical and/or mechanical instrument. As a gesture is performed, bioelectric signals that accompany the gesture are subjected to statistical averaging, within selected time intervals. Hidden Markov model analysis is applied to identify hidden, gesture-related states that are present. A metric is used to compare signals produced by a volitional gesture (not yet identified) with corresponding signals associated with each of a set of reference gestures, and the reference gesture that is “closest” to the volitional gesture is identified.

Abstract: A system with multimodality instrument for tissue identification includes a computer-controlled motor driven heuristic probe with a multisensory tip. For neurosurgical applications, the instrument is mounted on a stereotactic frame for the probe to penetrate the brain in a precisely controlled fashion. The resistance of the brain tissue being penetrated is continually monitored by a miniaturized strain gauge attached to the probe tip. Other modality sensors may be mounted near the probe tip to provide real-time tissue characterizations and the ability to detect the proximity of blood vessels, thus eliminating errors normally associated with registration of pre-operative scans, tissue swelling, elastic tissue deformation, human judgement, etc., and rendering surgical procedures safer, more accurate, and efficient. A neural network program adaptively learns the information on resistance and other characteristic features of normal brain tissue during the surgery and provides near real-time modeling.

Abstract: An optical fiber transmitter for emitting an information-carrying laser beam comprises an optically or electrically pumped single mode MQW (multi-quantum well) semiconductor amplifying mirror as a gain medium and a separate external reflector to form a cavity. The external cavity length defines a comb of optical modes, all or a subset of which correspond to channel wavelengths of an optical telecommunications system having plural optical channels. The semiconductor gain element has a homogeneously broadened gain region; a tuning arrangement tunes the laser from mode to mode across the gain region, thereby selecting each one of the plural optical channels. When the maximum gain bandwidth is less than mode-to-mode spacing defined by the cavity, the tuning arrangement includes a means of altering the temperature of the amplifying mirror, thereby translating the frequency of the gain peak from one mode to another.

Abstract: A radiotelephone and associated housing that is configured for more convenient use by providing a larger display screen (e.g., an LCD) for the radiotelephone user. A keypad and a display screen are placed on a first housing surface. A microphone and a speaker are spaced apart on a second housing surface. A touch sensitive pad is optionally provided on the first surface, for supplemental entry of data, commands and/or graphics. A battery or battery pack, optionally detachable from the housing, is provided adjacent to the microphone or adjacent to the speaker.

Abstract: A phrase generation is a method of generating sequences of terms, such as phrases, that may occur within a database of subsets containing sequences of terms, such as text. A database is provided and a relational model of the database is created. A query is then input. The query includes a term or a sequence of terms or multiple individual terms or multiple sequences of terms or combinations thereof. Next, several sequences of terms that are contextually related to the query are assembled from contextual relations in the model of the database. The sequences of terms are then sorted and output. Phrase generation can also be an iterative process used to produce sequences of terms from a relational model of a database.

Abstract: Methods for spatially resolve spin resonance detection in a sample of material, with a resolution as small as 0.5 &mgr;m-1 mm. In one embodiment, a coupler having at least one pair of degenerate orthogonal modes provides an evanescent input signal along one coupler axis to the sample, to which a magnetic field is applied, and senses a spin interaction signal along another coupler axis. In another embodiment, an evanescent input signal is applied to the sample along one of two identical transmission line resonators, and a difference of the two resonator signals provides a spin interaction signal. In another embodiment, a polarized laser beam provides an evanescent input signal to the sample, and the spin interaction signal is sensed according to a second beam polarization direction. Certain ferromagnetic or ferrimagnetic molecules, such as YIG, can be used to tag selected chemical and biological molecules, using spatially resolved spin resonance detection for interrogation.

Abstract: Wiring defects are located by detecting a reflected signal that is developed when an arc occurs through the defect to a nearby ground. The time between the generation of the signal and the return of the reflected signal provides an indication of the distance of the arc (and therefore the defect) from the signal source. To ensure arcing, a signal is repeated at gradually increasing voltages while the wire being tested and a nearby ground are immersed in a conductive medium. In order to ensure that the arcing occurs at an identifiable time, the signal whose reflection is to be detected is always made to reach the highest potential yet seen by the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing data read from a DVD media containing stored data is described. The apparatus includes a DVD media reader for reading data and error information stored on a DVD media, an error processor for determining the number of errors in the read data, and a display means for displaying the number of errors. The method includes reading actual data from a DVD media, computing a first correction code for the actual data, reading a second correction code from the DVD media, the second correction code pertaining directly to said stored data, and comparing the first and second correction codes to determine whether said actual data needs to be corrected. The method further includes determining whether the number of errors in the actual data exceeds the maximum number of errors that can be corrected, correcting the actual data if possible, counting the number of errors that are corrected, and indicating if errors in a given row or column cannot be corrected.

Abstract: Method and system for determining varying widths of each of a sequence of signal components (marks and spaces) in an incoming digital signal stream and for indicating which mark widths and which space widths fall outside acceptable ranges. A pre-mark and pre-space are added to the front end of the recieved stream for alignment purposes. The width of each signal component (mark or space) is determined and compared with an acceptable range of mark widths or space widths. Each mark or space that lies outside an acceptable range has an indicium associated with this mark or space, indicating this non-compliance. The modified digital signal stream, including the indicia, is re-issued after a selected time delay for subsequent signal processing. A method for measurement or estimation of mark width and space width is presented.

Abstract: Method and system for determining (x,y) location coordinates for a contact point on a touch sensitive panel or input screen. Selected, substantially constant voltages are provided for two electrodes that are part of the input screen, from one voltage source. A current value is measured for one resistive line segment that extends from the contact point to one of the electrodes, and the voltage at the contact point is measured. Resistance values for at least two of the four resistive lines that extend from the contact point to the electrodes are calculated or estimated, and (x,y) location coordinates are estimated for the contact point from these resistance values. The invention uses two measurements and two non-switched voltage sources to provide the (x,y) coordinates.

Abstract: Integrated holster and audio appliance for a radiotelephone. The audio appliance includes a speaker and a microphone, spaced apart and connected by an extension that can be extended to position the speaker and the microphone near a user's ear and mouth and that can be folded or collapsed to fit into the holster with the radiotelephone. The radiotelephone need not be removed from the holster to receive and respond to calls. When the radiotelephone is positioned in the holster, electrical power for one or more selected radiotelephone components (display screen, touch sensitive screen, keypad, etc.) is optionally reduced or withdrawn to conserve battery charge, and a built-in speaker and a built-in microphone for the radiotelephone are optionally disabled. The system includes an optional retraction mechanism to retract an electrical cable associated with use of the audio appliance into the holster when the audio appliance is not in use.

Abstract: Composition for a solid state material, in bulk and in thin film form, that provides relatively high dielectric permittivity that is tunable with variable electrical field bias, relatively low loss tangent and low leakage current for microwave applications. In a first embodiment, the material is BaySr1−yTi1−xMxO3, where M is a substance or mixture including one or more elements drawn from a group consisting of Ta, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Al, Ga, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Sc and Re, and the indices x and y satisfy 0≦x≦1 and 0≦y≦1. A preferred choice is M=Ta, V, W, Mo and/or Nb. In a second embodiment, the material is BaySr1−yTi1−x−zTaxMzO3, where M is a substance or mixture including one or more trivalent elements drawn from a group consisting of Al, Ga and Cr and the indices x, y and z satisfy 0≦x+z≦1 and 0≦y≦1.

Abstract: An integrated system including radiotelephone and a touch sensitive display, electronically communicating with the radiotelephone, that can be stored within a slot provided in radiotelephone housing. The display is removed from the slot for use and communicates with the radiotelephone through a cable or through a wireless connection. The display may be arranged with a selected orientation relative to the radiotelephone so that the display and the radiotelephone are supported in the same plane.

Abstract: Conditional access methods and apparatus are provided for use with digital television receivers and other digital broadband receivers. The methods and apparatus are capable of handling several different digital signal transmission protocols in an automatic and flexible manner. An input unit is provided for analyzing and tagging incoming data bytes so that further processing operations are less dependent on the transmission format being received. A cipher handling unit is provided for adapting in real time the scrambling and descrambling performances to match the requirements of the transmission network and the receiving apparatus. A filtering mechanism is provided for filtering and handling multiple asynchronous data streams in a parallel manner. A private recording mechanism is provided for making a private copy of selected incoming signals.

Abstract: Apparatus for a touch sensitive panel or input screen for a hand held computing device that provides increased active or key area for the input screen. Four wires, each connected to one of the electrodes, are divided into smaller two-wire and one-wire units, with two of the four wires being connected to a signal processor from opposed locations on a boundary of the input screen. Replacing a conventional four-wire unit with this arrangement, the active or key area on the input screen can be increased by as much as 10-14 percent on a typical hand held device, or one or more dimensions of the device housing can be reduced. The four wire connection may be replaced by a three wire connection.

Abstract: A method for processing a digitized analog signal read from a DVD media and provided to a digital processing system is described herein. The method includes the steps of forming a first set of data from actual data read from a location on a DVD media, the location containing a known test data sequence, forming a second set of data comprising the known data bits making up the known test data sequence. The method proceeds with the steps of comparing the first set of data to the second set of data; and determining the magnitude of no more than two variables, the two variables representing at least three coefficients in an impulse response relationship which models the digital processing system, the magnitude of the no more than two variables being determined so that the error rate between the first and said second sets of data is minimized.

Abstract: An optical fiber transmitter for emitting an information-carrying laser beam comprises an optically or electrically pumped single mode MQW (multi quantum well) semiconductor amplifying mirror as a gain medium and a separate external reflector to form a cavity. The external cavity length defines a comb of optical modes, all or a subset of which corresponding to channel wavelengths of an optical telecommunications system having plural optical channels. The semiconductor gain element has a homogeneously broadened gain region; a tuning arrangement tunes the laser from mode to mode across the gain region thereby selecting each one of the plural optical channels. When the maximum gain bandwidth is less than mode-to-mode spacing defined by the cavity, that tuning arrangement comprises a means of altering the temperature of the amplifying mirror, thereby translating the frequency of the gain peak from one mode to another.