Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for converting light into a surface plasmon polariton on a plasmon supporting nanostructure and then controlling the emission of the re-emitting light. A circuit component is also described that is constructed of a nanostructure, which is comprised of at least one plasmon supporting metal. The metal can propagate the light, as a surface plasmon polariton, through the one-dimensional nanostructure and re-emit the light. The metal is a plasmon supporting metal, for example but not limited to, gold, silver, copper, and aluminum.

Abstract: A method and system for efficiently transmitting RF energy from a RF device is disclosed. The method and system comprises a multi-stage power amplifier having a plurality of power amplifier stages arranged in parallel with associated switches for selectively switching on or off the plurality of power amplifier stages to produce a desired power level. By selectively switching on or off each individual power amplifier's associated switches at predetermined operating point's produces the desired power level for maximum efficiency. Additionally, more than one connected multi-stage power amplifiers each having a plurality of power amplifier stages arranged in parallel with associated switches for selectively switching on or off the plurality of power amplifier stages may be used to produce a desired power level.

Abstract: A telephone communication system is implemented to enable data communication and ring signaling to coexist on a subscriber loop. The communication system transmits data during the silence intervals of a ringing cadence and withholds the transmission of data during the occurrence of a ring signal. To ensure the transmission of reliable data, the communications system allows ring signals to occur and retransmits any interrupted data during the silence intervals between the ring signals. In another embodiment, the transmission of reliable data is ensured by delaying the ring signals until the data currently being transmitted is successfully and reliably received. Accordingly, in either embodiment, the reliability of data communication during the occurrence of a ringing cadence is preserved, and, therefore, data communication is allowed to coexist with ring signaling over a subscriber loop.

Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit and method that eliminates the problem of voice echo created by the use of simultaneous voice and data (SVD) modems in a remote office application. In the instant invention, a voice signal originates in a remote office telephone and is modulated with a data signal and sent from a first SVD modem to a second SVD modem, where it is demodulated and then routed from the second SVD modem back into the switching network to a second telephone where a voice echo signal may be created by existing hybrid transformers. This echo signal will follow the return path of the voice signal to the second SVD modem where it is modulated with a data signal, sent back to the first SVD modem, demodulated, and then routed back to the remote telephone. The echo and voice signal is thus delayed by the modulation and demodulation of the voice and data signals in both SVD modems by a time period of greater than thirty-five milliseconds.

Abstract: A DSL device performs a frame check sequence operation in a digital signal processor (DSP), i.e., layer one of the OSI seven layer model, heretofore performed only in layer two of the OSI seven layer model. Performing the layer two framing and calculating the frame check sequence in the DSP allows the DSP to use the layer two error detection results, and optionally, the mean squared error vector, to more accurately determine whether to update adaptive receiver parameters.

Abstract: An echo canceler disabling system is associated with a cellular data communications device, such as a modem, which is utilized to communicate digital data over a cellular network for the purpose of enhancing digital data communications over the network. The echo canceler disabling system is configured to disable voice echo cancelers brought on-line during digital data transmission after call startup in order to prevent disruption of digital data communications by the voice echo cancelers. To deactivate the voice echo cancelers, the echo canceler disabling system is configured to transmit a tone at approximately 2100 Hz with 180 degree phase reversals to disable one or more echo cancelers brought on-line after the call startup.

Abstract: A filter system and associated method efficiently suppress noise and improve edge definition in a digitized image. The filter system has a statistical noise determination mechanism which initially determines a baseline noise level of the image. The baseline noise level is used by a filter(s) which operates upon the image data at a later time. After the statistical noise determination mechanism, the filter system generally comprises three independent system branches. Each branch has one or more filters. Each filter is configured to receive an image data array and to modify the image data array to derive a respective modified image data array. Further, each branch has a gain control mechanism adapted to modify a respective modified image data array based upon a gain factor. Finally, an assimilation mechanism combines the modified image data arrays from the gain control mechanisms to derive an improved image data array.

Abstract: An entertainment system for use with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device has a display panel and associated electronics which are mounted close to the MRI device and which are enclosed within a Faraday shield. A patient may be placed within the MRI device in a variety of positions and may view images from the display panel either directly or through a mirror, prism, or corner reflector. In order for the patient to view the images in the correct orientation regardless of the exact positioning, the display panel can display the images normally, with the images flipped from top to bottom, with the images flipped from left to right, and with the images flipped both from top to bottom and from left to right. The display panel is formed with a dark-colored focus area which forms a border around the display panel and which directs the attention of the patient toward the images on the display panel.

Abstract: An entertainment system for use with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device has a display panel and associated electronics which are mounted close to the MRI device and which are enclosed within a Faraday shield. A patient may be placed within the MRI device in a variety of positions and may view images from the display panel either directly or through a mirror, prism, or corner reflector. In order for the patient to view the images in the correct orientation regardless of the exact positioning, the display panel can display the images normally, with the images flipped from top to bottom, with the images flipped from left to right, and with the images flipped both from top to bottom and from left to right. The display panel is formed with a dark-colored focus area which forms a border around the display panel and which directs the attention of the patient toward the images on the display panel.

Abstract: A digital data transceiver comprises a conventional push-pull driver and a novel receiver. The transceiver can drive data to and simultaneously receive data from a transceiver of like kind via the same communication line. A series resistor is situated between the driver's output and the communication line. The resistor has equivalent resistance to the characteristic impedance of the line in order to prevent undesirable reflections on the line. In the receiver, the driver's output is divided in half by a resistor voltage divider for input to a differential current mechanism. The differential current mechanism has a differential current switch and a feedback circuit. The differential current switch compares the signal levels at both ends of the series resistor to derive an output for the receiver. The feedback circuit provides feedback to the differential current switch to increase the noise margin.