Abstract: A system and method for providing secure communication between nodes (102, 106, 107) in a wireless multihopping communication network (100). The system and method achieve secure communication in a multihopping wireless network (100) by, for example, providing a transport medium for transmission of multihopping authentication messages (400) by the infrastructure devices, such as intelligent access points (106) or wireless routers (107), and user devices, such as mobile nodes (102). The authentication messages (400) are used to verify the identity of a node (102, 107) to thus permit the node (102, 107) to communicate within the network (100). The system and method further use, for example, encryption techniques for protecting the content data packet (1000) traffic being transmitted the nodes (102, 106, 107) within the wireless network (100).

Abstract: A compact enclosure for interchangeable SONET multiplexer cards and a method for using the same. The present invention further provides a compact enclosure for receiving one or more reduced size SONET multiplexer cards having front panel access to electrical and optical connectors, along with other cards such as DS1-DS3 multiplexer cards and wave division multiplexing cards, which is adapted for use in a reduced size enclosure, and a method for using the same.

Abstract: A novel protocol for an ad-hoc, peer-to-peer radio network that provides collision-free channel access with an emphasis on improving geographic reuse of the frequency spectrum. The protocol of the invention is executed on the reservation or control channel, and provides a method for allocating data transactions on the data channels. The system of the invention utilizes multiple parallel data channels that are coordinated by a single reservation channel. The transceiver of the system employs two modems to solve the channel reliability issues with multiple channel designs, where one is dedicated as a receive-only modem for gathering channel usage information on the reservation channel. High quality voice, video and data may be transmitted. The reservation channel implements a time division multiple access algorithm with dynamic slot allocation. In a distributed manner, nodes determine geographic reuse of slots based on channel quality extracted from the modem.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a mechanism for trans-medium address resolution on a network with at least one highly disconnected medium having multiple access points to other media. The system and method provides a “unique” media access control (MAC) address in address resolution protocol (ARP) for mobile nodes in an ad-hoc network, correctly identifying the optimum intelligent access point (IAP) for node communication where the optimum IAP changes more rapidly than traditional address updating may be able to accommodate. Medium layer routing protocols recognize medium frames addressed with this unique MAC address should be routed to the currently associated IAP, whichever IAP that might be at the moment the frame is sent.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the number of transmissions required for a node in a communications network to range other nodes in the network, while also enabling the node to continuously monitor the reservation channel during the ranging process without the use of a second receiver, and to indicate to the ranged node and other nodes in the network that the ranging node and the ranged node are not tuning to a data channel to perform the ranging, to thus enable the node to more efficiently determine its geographic location. The system and method further enables a node in a wireless communications network to minimize the amount of time it is not monitoring the reservation channel while receiving information messages from other nodes in the network.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a node, such as a mobile user terminal, in a wireless communications network to route data packets to other nodes in the network based on the information contained in the data packets. The system and method employs a node, adapted for use in a wireless communications network, which comprises a controller that is adapted to examine a content of a data packet addressed to a destination node, that can have an Internet protocol (IP) address to which the data packet is addressed. Based on the content of the data packet, the controller selects a routing path including at least one of a plurality of other nodes in the network via which the data packet is to be routed to the destination node. The controller can compare the content of the data packet to routing information stored in a memory, and select the routing path based on the comparison.

Abstract: A system and method for data transmission incorporating a hybrid automatic repeat request (ARQ) function at each node in an ad-hoc network. Each node is configured to calculate an optimum segment size for transmission and thereafter executes the ARQ function to transmit and receive data segments with forward error correction and error detection coding. The coding allows the node to detect and locate errors within received segments and to provide an acknowledgement only after all segments are correctly received. A negative acknowledgement from the receiving node states the location of failed segments, and only failed segments are then retransmitted. The failed segments can be retransmitted in their original location and in other segment locations which contained segments that did not fail, thus reducing maximum time to successfully deliver the segments.

Abstract: A system and method for computing the location of a mobile terminal in a wireless communications network, such as an ad-hoc wireless communications network. In particular, the system and method estimates the location of a mobile terminal in a wireless communications network, such as an ad-hoc terrestrial wireless communications network, based on estimated distances to a plurality of terrestrial reference terminals using error minimizing techniques, such as those based on Gauss's postulate.

Abstract: An system and method for handling broadcast network requests for auto-configuration and discovery of IP to MAC address mappings and gateway presence in wireless peer-to-peer ad-hoc routing networks. The significant portion of a node's IP address is calculated by applying a hashing function to the six-byte hardware (MAC) address. The significant portion is appended to routing advertisements, and thereby propagates passively to other network nodes. DHCP and ARP requests, as well as other broadcast type requests, are handled by the local network stack of a node, without requiring a broadcast transmission over the wireless channel.

Abstract: A GFCI is provided that has secondary test switch contacts. In case closing of the primary test switch contacts fails to trip the GFCI, subsequent closing of the secondary test switch contacts results in a short circuit between the AC input terminals of the GFCI. The short circuit blows a fuse disposed on the line side of the GFCI. The blowing of the fuse disables the GFCI and/or provides an indication to the user that the GFCI is defective.

Abstract: A system and method for a media access control (MAC) algorithm with separate operation modes for good channel and bad channel communication. Variables, including channel vector values transmitted in request-to-send/clear-to-send (RTS/CTS) messages, are varied depending on channel mode, resulting in optimized system throughput. In a first mode, the present invention provides a system and method to estimate a channel vector length, and communicate the length to a first node and any associated groups of nodes receiving the RTS/CTS sequence. In a second mode, a maximum channel vector length is used, as retransmissions are less probable in good channels.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a transmitter employing signal spreading techniques to increase the data rate of the transmitted modulated signal without reducing the multi-path delay spread. Specifically, the system and method use concatenated spreading sequences to provide data modulated spread signals having increased data rates with extended multi-path delay spread. The system and method therefore removes the one-to-one relationship between the repetitive spreading code length and maximum multi-path delay spread of a data modulated spread signal, to thus increase the data rate for a given multi-path delay spread while preserving the autocorrelation and cross-correlation properties of the individual spreading sequences.

Abstract: A system and method for providing discrete analog voltage levels. The system and method employs a pseudo-random sequence generator for generating random-sequences of binary values, namely zeros and ones, based on a digital input. The pseudo-random sequence serves to modulate a current source whose output is integrated to develop a constant discrete analog voltage output. This method reduces spurious frequency interference on the circuit. The system and method can be employed in a node of a wireless ad-hoc communications network.

Abstract: A system and method for sending and receiving messages, such as status or request-for-help messages, automatically between mobile nodes and ultimately to an appropriate destination via a wireless infrastructure. When a node determines that such infrastructure is not available, the node will communicate the necessary information to another mobile node located in, for instance, a vehicle. In this case, the receiving node stores the information, then transmits the information from that node to the wireless infrastructure equipment, so that the infrastructure can forward the message to an appropriate destination once such equipment is in range of this second node.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating a DC power supply, adaptable for use with a motion sensor switch, by limiting the leakage to ground current of the power supply to comply with U.L. Standards while also enabling the DC power supply to provide a stable DC output voltage which is essentially unaffected by changes in magnitude of the AC supply voltage or changes in ambient temperature. The method and apparatus employs first and second transistors, in which the base and collector of the first transistor and the base and collector of the second transistor are coupled to receive a voltage based on the AC supply voltage, and the emitter of both the first and second transistors are coupled to drive an output circuit of the DC power supply. The emitter of the second transistor is also coupled via a first resistor to the base of the first transistor, and the collector of the second transistor is also coupled via a second resistor to the base of the first transistor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a motion sensor switch which is adapted to control a lighting circuit in an area monitored by the motion sensor switch. The apparatus and method employs a setting adjustment device, such as a potentiometer, having a setting range which sets the duration of a delay period during which the motion sensor switch delays deactivating the lighting circuit after sensing that the monitored area has become vacant. The setting adjustment device further includes a first setting position, a second setting position, or both. The apparatus and method further employs a bypass controller, such as a comparator circuit or software-implemented comparator, which, when the setting adjustment device is set to the first or second bypass setting position, controls the motion sensor switch to maintain the lighting circuit activated or deactivated, regardless of whether the motion sensor senses motion in the monitored area.

Abstract: A stereoscopic image generation apparatus generates a stereoscopic image using MPEG encoded data containing I, B and P pictures. A picture extractor extracts each picture data from the MPEG encoded data. A motion vector generator generates motion vectors individually corresponding to macroblocks in the picture and supplies the generated motion vectors to a motion vector field former. A picture storing unit stores pictures reproducted from the encoded picture data by the picture number K. A motion type determiner determines a motion type corresponding to a current picture using the motion vectors supplied from the motion vector field former. A stereoscopic image generator generates a mixed picture corresponding to the current picture using the previous pictures stored in the picture storing unit and the motion type determined in the motion type determiner and outputs the current picture and the mixed picture.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically selecting an amount of build-out capacitance to be applied to a hybrid in a telecommunications circuit to balance or substantially balance the hybrid. The apparatus measures voltages of signals being transmitted on telecommunication lines to which the hybrid is coupled, and based on the measured voltages, automatically selects any number of a plurality of capacitive elements to be coupled to the balance port of the hybrid as the build-out capacitance. The apparatus is further controllable to operate in a manual mode in which the capacitive elements to be coupled to the hybrid are manually selected by switches.

Abstract: An electrical device such as a plug or a connector has a housing with electrical contacts coupled thereto. The housing also has a nameplate permanently affixed thereto by adhesive and mechanical fasteners. The mechanical fasteners are attached to the housing, which is constructed of a plastic material, in such a manner that the plastic material of the housing completely conceals the metal fasteners or screws. In the preferred embodiment, the nameplate as a curved label section with adhesive on one side such that the nameplate can be secured to a frustoconical section of the housing. A pair of mounting tabs with mounting holes extend from one of the curved edges such that they may be bent or folded and then fastened to a hidden wall of the electrical connector housing. In the preferred embodiment, the electrical housing has a center section, with a shroud section coupled to one end and a cord clamping section coupled to another end.

Abstract: An electrical device such as a plug or a connector has a housing with electrical contacts coupled thereto. The housing also has a nameplate permanently affixed thereto by adhesive and mechanical fasteners. The mechanical fasteners are attached to the housing, which is constructed of a plastic material, in such a manner that the plastic material of the housing completely conceals the metal fasteners or screws. In the preferred embodiment, the nameplate as a curved label section with adhesive on one side such that the nameplate can be secured to a frustoconical section of the housing. A pair of mounting tabs with mounting holes extend from one of the curved edges such that they may be bent or folded and then fastened to a hidden wall of the electrical connector housing. In the preferred embodiment, the electrical housing has a center section, with a shroud section coupled to one end and a cord clamping section coupled to another end.