Abstract: A data communications system, particularly suited for shared or wireless communications channels, capable of accommodating terminals having different throughput capabilites by flexibly allocating cyclically rotated phases of a common code is disclosed. One or more shifts of a cyclic orthogonal code are assigned to a terminal. These codes are preferably cyclically padded to increase their tolerance to arbitrary time shifts, and the resulting codes are used to spread the signals for transmission.

Abstract: According to the principles of the invention, there is provided a system, apparatus, and method for conserving energy in a mobile station (100) of an ad hoc wireless data network (10). Information concerning motion of the mobile station is obtained, and a rate of motion is used to adjust network parameters such as a beaconing rate (202) and a link change granularity (216). These parameters may be adjusted to reduce network overhead transmissions, and the power usage associated therewith, at appropriate times. In one embodiment, network-related transmissions, such as beacon signals and link state announcements, are reduced when the mobile station is moving quickly.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating a packet over a cell relay satellite network, without establishing a connection in the cell relay satellite network, comprises the steps of segmenting the packet into a number of segments at a source node in the communications network, generating for each of the segments a fixed size cell that includes a cell header and a payload with a prefix, a downlink beam locator, and a source node identifier included in the cell header, and inserting each segment into the payload of each generated cell, respectively, and transmitting the cells to the cell relay satellite. A cell relay satellite receives each transmitted cell from the source node, and broadcasts each cell on a downlink beam corresponding to the downlink beam locator in each cell header. A destination node receives each broadcasted cell on the downlink beam, and re-assembles the packet from the received cells.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the invention provide a robot network that can optimally reconfigure the control logic on-board each robot of the network on a real-time basis. Each robot of the network performs an assigned task according to a control logic. While performing the assigned task, each robot transmits performance data defining a fitness level of the robot for achieving the assigned task. A set of the plurality of robots is then selected based on the performance data transmitted by each robot, and the control logic of the selected set of robots is then sent to the other robots in the network. The robots that receive the control logic then optimize their control logic by producing a new control logic based on the received control logic.

Abstract: A method for improving the associating articles of information or stories with topics associated with specific subjects (subject topics) and with a general topic of words that are not associated with any subject. The inventive method is trained using Hidden Markov Models (HMM) to represent each story with each state in the HMM representing each topic. A standard Expectation and Maximization algorithm, as are known in this art field can be used to maximize the expected likelihood to the method relating the words associated with each topic to that topic. In the method, the probability that each word in a story is related to a subject topic is determined and evaluated, and the subject topics with the lowest probability are discarded. The remaining subject topics are evaluated and a sub-set of subject topics with the highest probabilities over all the words in a story are considered to be the “correct” subject topic set.

Abstract: A low cost and highly accurate sniper detection and localization system uses observations of the shock wave from supersonic bullets to estimate the bullet trajectory, Mach number, and caliber. If available, muzzle blast observations from an unsilenced firearm is used to estimate the exact sniper location along the trajectory. The system may be fixed or portable and may be wearable on a user's body. The system utilizes a distributed array of acoustic sensors to detect the projectile's shock wave and the muzzle blast from a firearm. The detection of the shock wave and muzzle blast is used to measure the wave arrival times of each waveform type at the sensors. This time of arrival (TOA) information for the shock wave and blast wave are used to determine the projectile's trajectory and a line of bearing to the origin of the projectile. A very accurate model of the bullet ballistics and acoustic radiation is used which includes bullet deceleration.

Abstract: Apparatus and software systems are disclosed that allow real-time interactive playing of musicians each at remote sites from each other. The remote sites are interconnected over a local communications network or a wide area network like the Internet. The apparatus is connected to music synthesizers that accept streams of MIDI data for playing, or generate streams of MIDI data by playing. The streams of MIDI data are bundled by a MIDI management system into transfer control protocol packets, such that the packets of MIDI data may be transferred over the communications network as or within the transfer control packets. In addition, the networked, remote computer systems are synchronized to a standard clock which is appended to the MIDI data packets, and additionally, the network delay is calculated and also appended to the MIDI data packets. In this manner the local musician can receive the MIDI data packets from the remote sites where musicians are playing and in real-time play with them.

Abstract: A pilot flame sensing system employs an electromagnetic transducer (41) at the bottom of a vertical stack (11) used for burning waste gases which incorporates a pilot burner (15) at the top of the stack (11). The electromagnetic transducer (41) responds to acoustic energy generated by the pilot burner (15) and communicates down thorough an igniter tube (21) extending essentially the full height of the stack. At least one diaphragm (43) having a low loss tangent and high modulus is used to suspend the electromagnetic transducer (41) so as to allow the electromagnetic transducer (41) to resonate the diaphragm (43) thus improving a signal to noise ratio of an output signal of the electromagnetic transducer (41). The electromagnetic transducer (41) is preferably of the moving coil geophone type which provides an electrical signal at low impedance which can be coupled through relatively long leads to a remote control facility.

Abstract: The router disclosed herein employs a plurality of forwarding processors and a matrix switch for selectively connecting input ports, output ports and the forwarding processors. Each of the input ports includes means for selecting a respective forwarding processor for each incoming data packet in accordance with data in the respective packet header and for transmitting the packet header to the selected forwarding processor. The selected forwarding processor operates to transmit to the originating input port the identity of an output port appropriate for the packet's next hop.

Abstract: A communication technique for transmitting packet data over parallel communication sublinks coupled to a processor unit is provided. Initially, a method receives a packet of data from a first communication link which is coupled to a set of sublinks. The method distributes packets over each of the sublinks utilizing a unique byte-by-byte (BBB) striping technique. Logically, the data bytes associated with each sublink are collected into a slice of data and each set of slices are given a unique predetermined label. Each slice is then synchronously transmitted at the aggregate bandwidth of each sublink in parallel across each corresponding sublink to a receiver. A receiver receives the slices of data from the set of sublinks and aggregates the bandwidth of these two or more communication sublinks into a single communication link. Unless there are errors, a packet is transmitted in order using multiple slices. The system recreates the original packet of data from sets of slices having the same unique label.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing data flow through a node in a network system, where messages forwarded to the node have one of at least two priorities, a normal priority and a high priority. A novel token bucket approach allows maintaining Quality of Service (Qos) while maximizing throughput. Token buckets include normal and high-priority levels, which reserve capacity for high priority bursts of data. Messages for which not enough tokens are present are marked as not protected against loss, and dropped or sent on depending on a mode. Two-stage policing using two levels of token buckets is also presented. Each flow into a node or router has an associated token bucket, with normal and high priority levels. A second aggregate token bucket then re-tests all messages which were considered protected against loss from the first stage. Messages can be marked not protected against loss and sent out appropriately (for example, marked CLP-1 in an ATM VBR-tagged system), or dropped.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for charging a charge storage device by placing the charge storage device in an RF or microwave radiation field. One or more antennas which receive the radiated RF electromagnetic field are placed on the charge storage device. Rectifiers connected to the antennas rectify the received RF electromagnetic field an produce a DC output current which is used to charge the charge storage device. The charge storage device may be a battery or a capacitor and may form an integral part of an electronic device. The same RF field that charges the charge storage device can also be employed to communicate data to transponders which may be associated with computing devices.

Abstract: A vibration reduction system including a base, a disturbance generating device, and at least one active mount connecting the base and disturbance generating device for imparting a force at a point on the base to minimize the transmission of the disturbance to the base. The active mount includes a passive element on which the disturbance generating device is supported, an actuator for imparting a force on at least the base, a sensor located on the base for sensing the total force imparted by the active mount at the selected point and generating a corresponding signal, and a controller for generating an input signal corresponding to the force to be imparted by the actuator on at least the base and sending the input signal to the actuator. The controller regulates an impedance error as a function of the signal received from the sensor to generate the input signal.

Abstract: An adaptive beamforming system for broadband sonar with a convergence time on the order of the pulse duration and effective interference nulling capabilities which enhance desirable echoes. The method uses an element based time implementation algorithm in which beam data that is formed in the direction of each interferer is successively subtracted from the element data using an adaptive FIR filter. The system can be applied to impulsive source sonar data and passive sonar data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing vibrational noise generated by the operation of a machine. The machine includes an electric motor that is driven by a drive current generated by a power source. The vibrational noise generated by the operation of the machine induces a waveform in the drive current. An input device monitors the waveform of the drive current and quantifies the induced waveform. A signal processor translates the quantified waveform into a control waveform. A control device adds the control waveform to the drive current, thereby reducing the vibrational noise generated by the machine.

Abstract: In the stereo radiographic system, an electronic x-ray image detector is exposed, through a three dimensional object to be viewed, with x-rays successively from two points separated by a preselected angle. The respective signals generated by the x-ray image detector during the successive exposures are digitized and stored. A video display is driven to generate, on successive frames, alternating images based on respective ones of the stored signals and the eyes of a user viewing the display are alternately occluded in synchronism with the alternation of the images thereby to provide to the user a stereoscopic densitometric view of the three dimensional object.

Abstract: A voice activated system for retrieving information from relation files in a database incorporating a "help" mechanism that leads the user to relevant information. The apparatus and method provides the user with a message that the spoken queries are understood or not. If understood the system outputs the desired information. If not understood the system asks for key words from the user. The system will respond with phrases using such key words that were built into the system vocabulary. The user may input the phrases into the recognition part of the apparatus or may voice new queries based on the phrase/sentences. The system responds with the desired information.

Abstract: A method for processing speech recognition including a system for generating a first probability of the word or sequence that words in a speech utterance is rejectable and a second probability that the word or sequence of words in the utterance is acceptable. A new Selected Phoneme Rejection Grammar is constructed of phonemes and/or merged phonemes. The highest first probability is calculated by comparing the utterance to sequence of the Rejection Grammar phonemes and/or merged phonemes. A Main Grammar is implemented in which the highest second probability is calculated that the utterance is composed of words in the Main Grammar. The two highest probabilities are compared and the utterance is accepted or rejected depending on the higher of the two highest probabilities. If accepted a sensible response may be made as determined by the specific application.

Abstract: A sound generating device for generating a sound wave in a body of water is provided. The device includes a pair of axially aligned pistons. An electromagnet is mounted on at least one of the pistons. Activation of the electromagnet causes the pistons to move towards each other. A spring is positioned between the pistons and biases the pistons away from each other. Provision is made for changing the spring rate during operation so that the device will operate at mechanical resonance throughout the intended frequency range. A control device controls the current flowing through the electromagnets. The current is controlled to induce a predetermined variance of axial displacement between the pistons and thereby generate a sound wave.

Abstract: In the control system disclosed herein, multiple input data streams are processed or filtered to generate multiple output streams by a filter which combines efficient batch processing of a fixed number of older input samples with immediate direct processing of a varying number of current samples thereby to generate multiple output data streams which are based on essentially current input data as well as older input data reaching back for a time interval which varies periodically.