Abstract: A multi-chip module (10), having n semiconductor chips 14.sub.1 -14.sub.n, each chip having a Boundary-Scan architecture, is rendered Boundary-Scan-compliant both as a circuit board and as a macro-device by the addition of a bypass circuit (36, 36' and 36"). During selected intervals when the module (10) is to be Boundary-Scan-compliant as a macro-device, the bypass circuit operates to bypass the Test Data Input (18) to the Test Data Output (34) of each of n-1 chips. During other than the selected intervals, the bypass circuit allows test information applied to the Test Data Input of each of the chips to be shifted through the chip and to appear at its Test Data Output to facilitate Boundary-Scan compliance of the module as a circuit board.

Abstract: A lightwave communication system includes an optical distribution system for routing optical signals and a plurality of optical transmitters coupled to the optical distribution system. At least one of the optical transmitters has an amplified light emitting diode for generating an optical spectrum. At least one optical receiver is optically coupled to the optical distribution system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed wherein a single set of consumer items may be purchased by debiting any of a plurality of accounts stored on a smart card. According to an embodiment disclosed herein, a point-of-sale terminal includes a terminal processor, an item identification device, a terminal memory, and a smart card reader. The item identification device may include a conventional UPC bar code reader adapted to read UPC bar codes on consumer items. A cost table and a plurality of item tables are electronically stored in terminal memory. The cost table associates each item identifier (UPC bar code) with a corresponding cost. Each item table contains a list of item identifiers, and may optionally associate specific item identifiers with corresponding accounts. Each item table is uniquely identified using an item table identifier. The terminal memory, item identification device, and smart card reader are all coupled to the terminal processor.

Abstract: Video composition techniques are disclosed for processing video information from a plurality of sources to provide a video image having a plurality of rectangular regions. Each rectangular region displays video information from a specific one of the plurality of video sources. The video information from each video source is in the form of an incoming digital bit stream. The digital bit stream from a first video source has a first bit rate, and the digital bit stream from a second video source has a second bit rate where the first bit rate may or may not be equal to the second bit rate. The incoming digital bit streams are fed to a rate matching circuit which converts all incoming digital bit streams to a common bit rate. The output of the rate matching circuit is fed to a synchronization arid multiplexer circuit which places video information from specific digital bit streams into corresponding rectangular regions of a composite video image.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for controlling the communication of multimedia electronic signals representing audio, video, and/or data. These techniques operate in conjunction with a system including a network, a multimedia server (MMS) connected to the network, and a plurality of endpoint devices connected to the network. The network is comprised of communications links and switches adapted for selectively connecting and disconnecting the communications links. The endpoint devices are adapted for converting multimedia electronic signals into audio, video, and/or data. The MMS is equipped to control the network such that multimedia signals may be exchanged among a plurality of endpoint devices, thereby providing a multimedia conference.

Abstract: Improved bit rate reduction techniques are disclosed. When incorporated into an existing video processing system having a DCT coefficients processor, the motion vector processor disclosed herein provides enhanced computational and memory storage efficiencies over prior art designs. The motion vector processor includes a microprocessor and associated motion vector memory. The motion vector memory is adapted to store a plurality of motion vectors corresponding to at least one image frame containing a plurality of macro blocks. Each motion vector is represented by an X value and a Y value, the X value and the Y value signifying image changes within a given macro block from a given frame to the immediately preceding frame.

Abstract: STM traffic, e.g. voice and video telephony (VT), as well as packet mode (e.g. ATM) traffic, e.g. broadcast digital video, interactive television, and data, are transmitted via a multiple access broadband fiber/coaxial cable network. Customer premises equipment (CPE) at stations, and a bandwidth controller, which may be at a head end or central office, with which all stations communicate, work together to adapt to the changing demands of the traffic mix, and efficiently allocate bandwidth to a variety of bursty and isochronous traffic sources. The bandwidth allocation defines two types of time slots, STM and ATM, and divides each frame into two corresponding STM and ATM regions. The boundary between the regions can be changed dynamically. A contention access signaling channel is provided in the STM region, for call control and set-up requests.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for controlling the communication of multimedia electronic signals representing audio, video, and/or data. These techniques operate in conjunction with a system including a network and a plurality of endpoint devices connected to the network. A novel MMS is coupled to the network and is equipped to utilize the network such that multimedia signals may be exchanged among a plurality of endpoint devices, thereby providing a multimedia conference. A Multi-Media Server (MMS) provides a multimedia conference independently, such that the reservation system utilized by existing multimedia conferencing system is no longer required. The conference is initiated by a multimedia endpoint that is equipped with a user interface device for encoding user input as BAS signals. The MMS is responsive to BAS DTMF commands issued by endpoint devices to implement multimedia conferences.

Abstract: Communications systems and methods are directed to a novel communications platform which employs a TDM bus, a TDM bus controller, a passive Ethernet bus, and a centralized Ethernet hub to provide for the communication of data, voice, and/or video signals among a plurality of endpoint devices. The TDM bus controller provides a plurality of B-Channels on the TDM bus. The centralized Ethernet hub is coupled to the TDM bus controller via a control link. Each endpoint device is connected to at least one of the passive Ethernet bus and the TDM bus. The centralized Ethernet hub operates over the passive Ethernet bus to dynamically allocate one or more individual B-Channels of a single B-Channel set amongst a group of endpoint devices, such as telephone equipment, video communications equipment, processors, and/or computing devices. The centralized Ethernet hub provides a logical control channel to each endpoint device for call establishment.

Abstract: The recovery of each signal in a transmitted signal including a pair of superimposed signals is improved by the use of linear prediction. The pair of signals includes various combinations of analog and digital signals, e.g., an analog signal sample superimposed upon a digital signal sample, or a digital signal sample superimposed upon another digital signal sample. In a first embodiment, prediction coefficients for the analog signal are generated from the received signal. These coefficients are then used to recover the analog and digital signals from the received signal. In a second embodiment, the analog signal recovered, pursuant to the first embodiment, is considered a tentative estimate of the analog signal, and prediction coefficients for this tentative analog signal estimate are formed and used to generate final estimates of the analog and digital signal.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing interoperability between a first modem and a calling identity delivery on call waiting (CIDCW) service. According to an embodiment disclosed herein, a first modem is coupled to an alerting signal receiver and a communications re-establishment device. The alerting signal receiver receives an alerting signal generated in response to an incoming call from a third party line if the first modem is communicating with a second modem. The communications re-establishment device reestablishes communications between the first modem and the second modem after the alerting signal receiver receives an alerting signal. The first modem is equipped to receive the alerting signal and reestablish communications with the second modem independent of the specific capabilities of the second modem, so that these techniques can be utilized in conjunction with a second modem not constructed in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein.

Abstract: A rotationally invariant, multilevel coded modulation scheme is provided by partitioning a constellation, such as an M-PSK or QAM constellation, into several trellis-subsets, each of which is further partitioned into block subsets. The input bits are then encoded to select a signal point from the constellation. A first portion of the input bits are differentially encoded. A second portion of the input bits, together with at least one of the differentially encoded bits, are trellis encoded to select a trellis subset of the constellation. A third portion of the input bits--excluding any differentially encoded bits --are block encoded to select a block subset from the selected trellis subset. A fourth portion of the input bits, together with the remaining differentially encoded bits, are used to select a signal point from the selected block subset.

Abstract: A signal coupler includes a transformer having a primary and a secondary winding. Each transformer winding has a pair of associated winding terminals and is also split at an intermediate winding position to form a pair of supplemental winding terminals. Circuitry is provided between each pair of supplemental winding terminals so as to provide different impedances in different frequency bands. In particular, a first circuit, which provides a first impedance in a first frequency range, is connected across the supplemental winding terminals of one winding. A second circuit, is connected across the supplemental winding terminals of the other transformer winding. This second circuit, in combination with the first, provides a second impedance in a second frequency range. In the disclosed embodiment, the first circuit provides an impedance of 600 ohms in the voiceband frequency range. The second circuit in combination with the first provides an impedance of 100 ohms in a frequency range extending above 40 kHz.

Abstract: Improved methods for fabricating smart cards are disclosed. Semiconductor die approximately 0.004 to 0.007 inches thick are fabricated using chemical stress relief processes and UV dicing tape. The die are positioned substantially on the neutral axis of a smart card, thereby providing smart cards having improved resistance to mechanical flexure.

Abstract: In connection with cellular telephones, the divergent call treatment technique of the present invention is used to particular advantage. A list of accepted callers is maintained by a service supplier. When a call comes in, a determination is made as to whether the caller is an "accepted" caller. If so, the call is forwarded to the cellular telephone. Otherwise, the caller is offered the option to pay for the call. A willingness on the part of the caller to pay for the call is indicated by a signal from the caller, such as pressing a key on a DTMF pad. In response to such a signal, the call is forwarded to the cellular telephone. In the absence of such a signal, the call is disconnected or diverted.

Abstract: Loss of synchronization, due to a digital data signal having the same signal value for an extended number of bit or symbol periods, is overcome through the use of a coding scheme which assures transitions after each such period despite the absence of transitions in the signal to be encoded. Broadly, within the encoder, a digital input signal having m signal levels is transformed into a coded digital output signal having n possible signal values, where m<n. The transformation alters the current digital input signal value as a function of the previous coded digital output signal value and the current digital input signal value performed in a number system whose modulus is n. In a disclosed embodiment, a binary input signal is coded into an output signal having three signal levels.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing secure electronic financial transactions are disclosed. Money is electronically stored on a plurality of smart cards. At least one smart card is equipped with an electronic security wall having a closed state and an open state. In the closed state, the smart card is disabled from participating in at least one financial transaction, and in the open state, the smart card may participate in at least one financial transaction. At least one smart card is equipped with at least one of a first security key for changing the state of the electronic security wall from the open state to the closed state, and a second security key for changing the state of the electronic security wall from the closed state to the open state.

Abstract: Smart card techniques are disclosed for integrating and administering records related to the ownership and/or operation of motor vehicles. A smart identification card stores and administers a plurality of motor vehicle records corresponding to a single motorist. These motor vehicle records include items selected from the group of motor vehicle registration information, drivers license information, vehicle code violations, automobile insurance information, parking garage entry times, parking garage account balance, highway toll account balance, motor club information, and environmental inspection information. Each smart identification card is equipped to interact with any of a plurality of computer databases through the utilization of a conventional communications link in conjunction with a smart card scanner. Each of the computer databases administers motor vehicle records.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for predicting RF propagation within a structure such as a building. A reference transmitter location and a plurality of reference receiver locations are selected. For each reference receiver location, RF propagation pathways are determined with respect to the reference transmitter location. The RF propagation pathways include a direct path joining the reference transmitter location to a given reference receiver location across a straight-line path, as well as one or more reflection paths joining the reference transmitter location to a given reference receiver location via reflections from one or more reflective surfaces. One or more propagation pathways may pass through an RF obstacle, such as, for example, a lossy dielectric material. Each reflective surface and RF obstacle is associated with a reflection coefficient and a transmission coefficient.

Abstract: An antenna assembly for use with a portable transceiver provides improved communication between the portable transceiver and a base station. A novel antenna assembly is created wherein the radiating portion is elevated above the handset by combining a half wavelength sleeve dipole antenna with a coaxial line section followed by a quarter wavelength choke. Such a configuration reduces the antenna-housing interaction. The quarter wavelength choke prevents the coaxial transmission line from radiating RF energy, and therefore limits the radiation to the sleeve dipole portion of the antenna assembly.