Abstract: A transmitter unit for receiving a channel signal and transmitting a representation of the channel signal to a monitoring location. The transmitter unit includes an encoder unit which compresses the received channel signal to a selectable bit rate. The encoder also converts the compressed channel signal to a packet signal for transmission to the monitoring location via a telecommunication link and adjusts a packet rate of the packet signal to conform to the bit rate of the compressed channel signal. The transmitter unit also includes an infrared control unit for receiving a demultiplexer command signal from the encoder unit and transmitting the demultiplexer command signal by an infrared signal.

Abstract: A directional antenna having a number, N, of outlying monopole antenna elements. These monopole elements are formed as a first upper conductive segment on a portion of a dielectric substrate. The array also includes the same number, N, of image elements. The image elements are formed as a second set of lower conductive segments on the same substrate as the upper conductive segments. The image elements, generally having the same length and shape as the monopole elements, are connected to a ground reference potential. To complete the array, an active antenna element is also disposed on the same substrate, adjacent to at least one of the monopole elements. In a preferred arrangement, the passive monopole elements and corresponding image elements are selectively connected to operate to in either a reflective or directive mode, such as via a switchable coupling circuit that selectively changes the impedances connected between them.

Abstract: A system for receiving network video includes a remote control with a power control input. A video receiver, controlled by the remote control, powers up or powers down based on a control signal indicating activation of the power control input. The video receiver receives video signals from a gateway or gateway source connected to the video network. The gateway decodes signals received from the network into a format acceptable by the receiver. If the gateway receives a control signal from the remote control indicating activation of the power control input and the gateway is currently in the “on” state, the gateway toggles to the “off” state and outputs a predefined channel to the receiver.

Abstract: A network device, which includes a port, a tag generation unit and a flow control module, is provided. The port, which is connected to a network entity, is configured to send and receive a data packet. The tag generation unit is configured to generate a tag based upon the network entity. The tag generation unit is also configured to add the tag to the data packet and to activate the tag. The flow control module is coupled with a buffer, and is configured to control storage of the data packet into the buffer. The flow control module is also coupled with the port, and is configured to control a communication session conducted between the network device and the network entity based upon the tag.

Abstract: A method for communicating text through a telephone system comprises the steps of generating a text message in a TTY format and electronically converting the text message in the TTY format to a pager format capable of display on a pager. The text message is sent to the pager in pager format and displayed on the pager. The user of the pager may then communicate back with the user of the TTY device through another communications device, such as a pay phone.

Abstract: A communication billing system comprising a processing system coupled to an interface system. The processing system is configured to process a plurality of wireless service events from a wireless system together at the event level with a plurality of wireline service events from a wireline system to generate total charge records for a plurality of wireless services and a plurality of wireline services. The processing system is also configured to process the total charge records for the plurality of wireless services and the plurality of wireline services to generate a customer bill. The interface system is configured to receive the plurality of wireless service events from the wireless system, receive the plurality of wireline service events from the wireline system, and transmit the customer bill for the processing system.

Abstract: A method for communicating data between network devices is disclosed. A transmission signal is sent over a port of one of the network devices, where the port is in communication with other network devices of the network devices. A data frame is also sent over the port. The transmission signal and the data frame are sent for a fixed byte time period and at least one idle pattern is included with the data frame when a time required to send all data present is less than the fixed byte time period.

Abstract: A method of planning a network architecture includes receiving at a host computer system a request from a user computer to initiate a network architecture planning process, in response to the request, transmitting an electronic file comprising a first display screen to the user computer, wherein the first display screen comprises a question relating to a parameter of the network architecture, receiving at the host computer system a first response to the question, transmitting at least a second electronic file comprising a second display screen to the user computer, wherein the second display screen comprises context-sensitive content based on at least one previous response, receiving at the host computer system at least a second response to the at least a second display screen, determining at least a first action based on the first response and the at least a second response, and transmitting information relating to the at least a first action for display at the user computer.

Abstract: A method of documenting a network architecture planning process includes receiving at a host computer system a request from a user computer to initiate a network architecture planning process, transmitting an electronic file comprising a question relating to a parameter of the network architecture to the user computer, receiving a first response to the question, storing the first response, transmitting an electronic file comprising at least a second question to the user computer, wherein the second question comprises context-sensitive content based on the first response, receiving at the host computer system at least a second response to the at least a second question, storing the at least a second response, determining at least a first action based on the first response and the at least a second response, and transmitting the at least a first action for display at the user computer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electronics and particularly to field emitters used in M-type microwave devices. The design of a multi-layer field emitter is proposed which has at least one operating film and supporting films, providing mechanical strength and preventing penetration of corrosion materials into the operating film at high operating temperatures. The supporting films could be produced from the same material or material with linear expansion coefficients equal or close to that of the operating film material. Built-in mechanical stress can cause not only deformation but also a break of the film during its exploitation in a wide range of temperatures. In the inventive structure the thermal stresses in the operating film during an emission from its surface are lower due to good thermal contact with supporting films.

Abstract: A backlit LCD display apparatus includes an LCD display panel, a light source for backlighting the LCD display panel, a loss-less polarizing element positioned between the backlight and the LCD display panel, and a dimmer device in the form of a twisted nematic LCD cell positioned between the polarizing element, and the LCD display panel

Abstract: A congestion control mechanism in an ATM network access device includes segmentation and reassembly (SAR) logic that sends and receives Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cells to and from interface logic that transfers the cells to and from a switch fabric. The cells are transferred on ATM connections, including flow-controlled connections for which the sending of cells by the SAR logic is controlled in response to the settings of Generic Flow Control (GFC) bits appearing in the headers of ATM cells received by the SAR logic. The interface logic receives a congestion signal indicative of the level of congestion in a transmit buffer in the switch fabric. In response to the congestion signal, the interface logic sets the GFC bits in the headers of cells transferred to the SAR logic such that the cell transmission rate is maintained at a high average level while undesirable congestion in the transmit buffer is avoided. Hysteresis is employed in the setting of the GFC bits is response to the congestion signal.

Abstract: A multi-stage Raman amplifier includes a first Raman amplifier stage having a first sloped gain profile operable to amplify a plurality of signal wavelengths, and a second Raman amplifier stage having a second sloped gain profile operable to amplify at least most of the plurality of signal wavelengths after those wavelengths have been amplified by the first stage. The second sloped gain profile is approximately complementary slope to the slope of the first sloped gain profile. The combined effect of the first and second Raman stages contributes to an approximately flat overall gain profile over the plurality of signal wavelengths.

Abstract: Apparatus, and a corresponding method, present to a customer various forms of information (product, brand . . . ) during periods where the customer is idle. A signal indicating the start or impending start of idle time is used to present to the customer various offers in a series of interactions between a computer interface and the customer. The interactions are planned based on previously acquired information about the customer, the current transaction, the venue of the transaction, the time of day and the date of the transaction, and the history of prior customer activities. The method of the invention enables a system of computers to collect information about the characteristics of a customer in a retail, banking or service establishment utilizing a point-of-sale terminal, which has input and output devices that the customer can use to communicate with the system of computers for identification purposes and to select from various options presented to the customer.

Abstract: A polarization scrambler and a polarization mode dispersion (PMD) compensation system compensate for PMD on an active optic fiber. The polarization scrambler scrambles a state of polarization of an optical signal that carries user information. The PMD compensation system then receives the optical signal over the active optic fiber. The PMD compensation system measuring a differential group delay and principal states of polarization of the PMD in the active optic fiber. The PMD compensation system then determines a modification of the optical signal based on the differential group delay and the principal states of polarization of the PMD. The PMD compensation system modifies the optical signal in the active optic fiber to compensate for PMD based on the determination of the modification. The PMD compensation system then transmits the optical signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a slide from a video. A slide is automatically identified in video frames of a video input stream. A digitized representation of the slide is generated based on the video frames of the video input stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wireless communication device that attaches using magnetic force in whole or part to an article of manufacture, or other material having a magnetic surface portion. The wireless communication device contains a form of a magnet to provide magnetic force and attraction. A magnet can be a natural magnet, electromagnet or other type of material having magnetic properties. The wireless communication device may be detached from the article by altering the magnetic force created by its associated magnet. Altering is accomplished by using an external device or a device internal to the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device is also operable to receive and communicate information regarding the article to which it is attached remotely for identification, informative, and tracking purposes.

Abstract: A method and an integrated circuit package support a high-speed integrated circuit operating at 10 GHz or higher switching speeds. The packaged integrated circuit has external terminals, a semiconductor die having conventional bonding pads, a substrate (e.g., printed circuit board) having conductive traces to couple input, output or bi-directional signals between bonding finger areas of the conductive traces and the external terminals. A ground plate that is electrically isolated from a conductive trace is positioned in the vicinity of the bonding finger area of the conductive trace. Bond wires connect the bonding pads of the electronic circuit and the bonding finger areas of the conductive traces. The ground plate improves integrity in a high-speed signal by canceling the complex impedance of a bond wire.

Abstract: A method and differential services network are provided for propagating status information. Status information may be obtained at the first edge node (or egress router). A first status message may be forwarded from the first edge node (or router) to the first core node (or router). The first status message may be updated based on status information at the first core node (or router). The updated first status message may be propagated to the second edge node (or ingress router).

Abstract: An image forming apparatus uses a plurality of image forming units having photosensitive drums and that are arranged rotatable in a vertical plane such that the image forming units are shifted sequentially to an image forming position. Each of the image forming units has a rectangular concave portion along its longitudinal direction which contains a handle made of an elastic rectangular-shaped plate. The handle has elongated holes extending in the longitudinal direction at both ends of the handle which engage anchoring members provided at the concave portion. The handle is allowed to be contained within the concave portion by its elastic force and is allowed to be pulled out from the concave portion by a user's finger inserted into an entrance groove provided only at a side opposite to the photosensitive drum with respect to the handle.