Patents Represented by Attorney Thomas J. McFarlane
  • Patent number: 5471647
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for using feedback signals (32) to optimize the directional properties of information signals (19) with respect to their intended receivers (16), where information signals (19) are applied to the transmitting elements (14) of a transmitting antenna array (12). Feedback signals (32) generated at receivers (16) by probing signals (17) are monitored, and the weight matrix with which signals (17) are distributed among array elements (14) is adjusted according to feedback signals (32) to minimize cross-talk. Information signals (18) transmitted according to an optimized weight matrix will also have reduced cross-talk. A weight matrix may be optimized by perturbing an initial weight matrix, calculating an error function from the feedback signals (32) produced by each perturbed weight matrix, estimating the direction of an extremum from the error functions, and adjusting the initial weight matrix in that direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: The Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Derek Gerlach, Arogyaswami J. Paulraj
  • Patent number: 5450218
    Abstract: A method for encoding and decoding digital data for storage in a holographic medium (12). Digital data, consisting of binary data (B.sub.i) or grey scale data (A.sub.i), is encoded in bit groups or digit groups (B.sub.k, A.sub.k) containing at least k=1 bits or digits, respectively, by assigning to each bit group (B.sub.k) one reference bit (B.sub.r) and to each digit group (A.sub.k) two reference digits (A.sub.r1, A.sub.r2), assigning the bits of group (B.sub.k) to information bits (B.sub.j), assigning the digits of group (A.sub.k) to information digits (A.sub.j), assigning the reference bit (B.sub.r) and information digits (B.sub.j) to a reference pixel (P.sub.r) and information pixels (P.sub.j) chosen from pixels (24) of a holographic signal modulator (18), and assigning the reference digits (A.sub.r1, A.sub.r2) and information digits (A.sub.j) to reference pixels (P.sub.r1, P.sub.r2) and information pixels (P.sub.j) chosen from pixels (24) of the holographic signal modulator (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: John F. Heanue, Matthew C. Bashaw, Lambertus Hesselink
  • Patent number: 5446919
    Abstract: A communication system capable of targeting a demographically or psychographically defined audience. A master database (20) is maintained, containing demographic and psychographic information about each audience member. This information is transmitted and stored in a channel selection/decoder (100) unit associated with each audience member's receiver. Multiple media messages are transmitted to each audience member. Accompanying the transmission is a selection profile command, which details the demographic/psychographic profile of audience members that are to receive each media message. The channel selector/decoder (100) unit associated with each member's receiver compares the selection profile with the demographic/psychographic information about the audience member and selects the appropriate media message for that audience member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Inventor: Jeff K. Wilkins