Abstract: A time-based switching method and system of SONET frames that utilize a common time reference is disclosed. Time is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic time frames. A plurality of SONET frames is associated with a time frame; the plurality of SONET frames that are contained in each of the time frames is forwarded in a pipelined manner through the network switches. The system operates with high-speed wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links. This switching method can be used to implement an all-optical SONET switching system.

Abstract: A time frame switching method and system of data units that utilize a global common time reference, which is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic time frames. The system is designed to operate with high-speed wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links, i.e., with multiple lambdas. The plurality of data units that are contained in each of the time frames are forwarded in a pipelined manner through the network switches, wherein at every stage of the pipeline is tuned to a new wavelength by using a wavelength converter. Furthermore, the incoming wavelength of a time frame and wavelength determines to which output port the data units in this time frame will be switched, while the new wavelength and time frame determine to which output the data units in this time frame will be switched in the next switch on the route. The outcome of this switching method is called wavelength conversion based fractional lambda switching.

Abstract: An electronic image visualization system, such as a music stand system and display, management and communications methodologies relating thereto are presented. The electronic music stand system is comprised of a performer subsystem comprising a processing subsystem, librarian logic, performance logic, and communications management logic. The communications management logic provides management of communication via the communications interface with external apparatus responsive to the performance logic and the librarian logic. The user input apparatus and the display apparatus can be integrated into a touch-screen input display. The user input apparatus can alternatively be at least one of a touch-tablet, a stylus-based writing tablet, a mouse, a keyboard, a joystick, a game controller, and a switch.

Abstract: This invention specifies how control information is inserted in the flow of data units on a channel between two common time reference (CTR) driven switches in order to delineate time frames, sub-time frames, and time cycles. The delineation enables the receiver to unambiguously associate the received data units with time frame, sub-time frame, and time cycles. The invention further introduces a method for counting data units in order to, among other things, detect the end of a time frame, the end of a time cycle, and the position and value of other control information.

Abstract: A time frame switching method and system of data units that utilize a time frame labels and a common time reference (CTR), which is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic time frames. The system is designed to operate with high-speed wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links. The plurality of data units that are contained in each of the time frames are forwarded in a pipelined manner through the network switches, and can be switched from any incoming WDM channel to any subset of outgoing WDM channels responsive to the time frame labels and the common time reference. The combination of time frame labels and CTR can be further used for protection when a failure occurs.

Abstract: A system comprised of a plurality of switches and time reference signals are provided for managing data transfer of data units during a time interval, comprised of a plurality of predefined time frames. During operation a plurality of sources as a Local Time Reference (LTR) signal that collectively constitute the equivalent of a common time reference (CTR) signal. The time reference signals are coupled to each of the switches, such that there is predefined time frames for transfer into and out from each of the respective switches responsive to the time reference signals.

Abstract: A time frame switching method and system of data units that utilize a global common time reference, which is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic time frames. The system is designed to operate with high-speed wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links, i.e., with multiple lambdas. The plurality of data units that are contained in each of the time frames are forwarded in a pipelined manner through the network switches, wherein at every stage of the pipeline is tuned to a new wavelength by using a tunable laser. Furthermore, the incoming wavelength of a time frame determines to which output port the data units in this time frame will be switched, while the new wavelength determines to which output the data units in this time frame will be switched in the next switch on the route. The outcome of this switching method is called tunable laser based fractional lambda switching.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for transmitting and forwarding packets over a switching network using time information. The network switches maintain a common time reference, which is obtained either from an external source (such as GPS—Global Positioning System) or is generated and distributed internally. The time intervals are arranged in simple periodicity and complex periodicity (like seconds and minutes of a clock). A data packet that arrives to an input port is switched to an output port based on its order or time position in the time interval in which it arrives at the switch. The time interval duration can be longer than the time duration required for transmitting a data packet, in which case the exact position of a data packet in its forwarding time interval is predetermined. This invention provides congestion-free data packet switching for data packets for which capacity in their corresponding forwarding links and time intervals is reserved in advance.

Abstract: A switching method is designed to operate with very high-speed wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links, i.e., with multiple lambdas. The switching and data packet forwarding method combines the advantages of both synchronous and asynchronous data packet switching modes. In the synchronous switching mode, a time frame switching method based on predefined switching schedules that are responsive to a global common time reference, where the global common time reference is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic super cycles, time cycles and time frames. The plurality of data packets contained in each of the time frames can be switched from any incoming WDM channel to any subset of outgoing WDM channels. The outcome of this switching method is called fractional lambda switching. For the asynchronous switching mode data packets that do not need guaranteed performance are separated from flows of data packets that require a deterministic service.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a movie anti-piracy system with sensing and reporting features. A movie projector projects a light image to reflect off of a screen, while an infrared energy projection source generates an infrared energy pattern which is reflected off the screen (or otherwise projected) in the same field of view as the light images reflecting from the screen. Infrared energy sensors are positioned in the seating area of the theater. The infrared sensors provide sensed signals respectively to a sensor response controller. The controller is responsive to the sensor signals to provide an infrared status (and other data) signal output to a control center. The control center responds to the infrared status and other data signals, from one or a plurality of theaters, and provides for reporting of information (such as security compliance, attendance, etc.) to one or multiple reporting sites (such as movie distribution studios, etc.).

Abstract: The invention describes a method for transmitting data packets over a packet switching network with widely varying link speeds. The switches of the network maintain a common time reference (CTR). Each switch along a route from a source to a destination forwards data packets in periodic time frames (TFs) of a plurality of durations that are predefined using the CTR. The time frame duration can be longer than the time duration required for transmitting a data packet, in which case the exact position of a packet in the time interval is not predetermined. In accordance with the present invention, different time frame intervals: TF1, TF2, and so on are used for forwarding over links with different capacities. Employing different time frame intervals is useful in heterogeneous networks with widely varying link speeds, since the number of bytes that can be transmitted during one time frame of one of, for example, 500/125/62.5/12.

Abstract: An input buffer switch scheduling method operates responsively to a global common time reference. The global time reference is used to enable pre-computed switching schedules from an input port to an output port, thereby, expediting switching and increasing the performance and scalability of the switching system. In the switch architecture disclosed in this invention the switching fabric operates according to predefined switching schedules. The switch decodes the data packet headers in order to determine the destination output port and the switching time responsive to the global common time reference. This decoded switching time is then used by the pre-defined switching schedules in order to switch the data packet from the input port to the output port. The usage of predefined switching schedules provides scalability to the design of high performance input buffer switch design.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for transmitting and forwarding data packets over a packet switching and shared media networks. The switches of the network maintain a common time reference (CTR), which is obtained either from an external source (such as GPS—Global Positioning System) or is generated and distributed internally. The time intervals are arranged in simple periodicity and complex periodicity (like seconds and minutes of a clock). The present invention provides for synchronous switches to be accessed by end-stations that are located on a shared media network. The shared media network can be of various types, including but not limited to: IEEE P1394 and Ethernet for desktop computers and room area networks, cable modem head-end (e.g., DOCSIS, IEEE 802.14), wireless base-station (e.g., IEEE 802.11), and Storage Area Network (SAN) (e.g., FC-AL, SSA).

Abstract: A time frame switching method and system of data units that utilize a global common time reference, which is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic time frames. The system is designed to operate with high-speed wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links, i.e., with multiple lambdas. The plurality of data units that are contained in each of the time frames are forwarded in a pipelined manner through the network switches, and can be switched from any incoming WDM channel to any subset of outgoing WDM channels responsive to the global common time reference. The outcome of this switching method is called fractional lambda switching.

Abstract: The input buffer switch scheduling method in this invention is tailored to operate responsively with respect to a global common time reference, such that the switching delay from input to output is deterministic. Consequently, such a switch can be employed in the construction of very high speed virtual leased lines (VLLs). Such VLLs can carry real-time traffic over packet switching networks while guaranteeing end-to-end performance. The switching and data packet forwarding method combines the advantages of both circuit and packet switching. According to the invention, timing information is not used for routing, and therefore, in the Internet, for example, the routing is done using IP addresses or an MPLS tag/label. Also, according to this invention, the switch memory access bandwidth is independent of the number of switching input/output ports.

Abstract: This invention describes a system and a method for realizing an adjustable optical delay system that is based on using an optical switch. The outputs of the optical switch are connected to its inputs with optical fiber with predefined lengths: d1, d2, . . . , dj, . . . , dN, then changing the optical switch configuration forms an optical delay line with an optical fiber length that is the concatenation of any subset of the optical fibers with predefined lengths.

Abstract: A switching method operates with very high-speed wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) links, i.e., with multiple lambdas. An efficient time frame switching method is based on pre-defined switching schedules that are responsive to a global common time reference, where the global common time reference is divided into a plurality of contiguous periodic time frames. The plurality of data packets contained in each of the time frames can be switched from any incoming WDM channel to any subset of outgoing WDM channels. The outcome of this switching method is called fractional lambda switching.

Abstract: A foldable structure having an assembled configuration and a folded configuration. The foldable structure includes a main portion, a base panel which supports the main portion and a stabilizing panel which attaches to the main portion to stabilize the structure when in the assembled configuration. The foldable structure preferably includes at least one removable intermediate section which partition the space defined by the assembled main portion. Additionally, the foldable structure is preferably provided with anti-tip members which secure the main portion to the base panel so as to prevent the main portion from tipping away from the base panel.

Abstract: A method to and apparatus to prevent injury and infection of a health-care recipient as a result of anticipated possible complications associated with any ones of a predetermined plurality of health-care procedures. The invention provides specific unambiguous warning indications prohibiting one or more of the aforementioned procedures on the outer surface of a physical barrier which is placed onto said health-care recipient in such a way that the indications are clearly visible, or alternatively affixed as a decal to the skin of the patent. The presence of said barrier is designed to significantly interferes with any reasonable application said plurality of procedures on said recipient.

Abstract: A security method and system for protecting movie film images from being recorded by video cameras. The system is comprised of a means to generate an infrared pattern and a means to display this infrared pattern. The infrared pattern generated and displayed is of sufficient strength such that video cameras with infrared filters can not prevent the infrared pattern from interfering with the recording. A human viewing a screen containing movie film images sees only the movie film images on the screen and does not see the infrared pattern being displayed simultaneously. Video cameras aimed to record a screen containing the movie film images, even video cameras having infrared filters, are unable to prevent the infrared pattern from interfering with recording the movie film images, and one embodiment may completely obscure the picture being recorded and render it unacceptable for even pirated distribution.