Abstract: A reconfigurable antenna comprises an array of interconnected gas enclosures, each of the enclosures being controllable between at least a first state in which gas within the enclosure is substantially non-conducting and a second state in which the gas within the enclosure forms an electrically conductive plasma. At least one pair of adjacent enclosures in the array is arranged such that configuring the pair of enclosures in the second state results in an electrical connection, between a first electrode associated with one of the enclosures of the pair and a second electrode associated with the other enclosure of the pair, through electrically conductive plasma of at least one of the enclosures of the pair. The reconfigurable antenna in an illustrative embodiment is operable in a plurality of different modes of operation by altering, from mode to mode, which of the enclosures are configured in the first state and which of the enclosures are configured in the second state.

Abstract: A remote control device is located in an environment proximate to conditions to be monitored and actions to be implemented. The remote control device is able to receive and transmit wireless text based communications. A user employing a wireless communication device that supports text based messaging can transmit a control message containing a predetermined command to the remote control device. After preferably authenticating the user, the remote control device initiates a predetermined action based on receipt of a corresponding command.

Abstract: A multi-pump phase modulator apparatus and operating method uses only one phase modulator to eliminate SBS without degrading idler(s). The single phase modulator phase modulates multiple pump signals to form multiple phase modulated pump signals using a modulation signal having a modulation period. A delay apparatus delays a first wavelength group by the modulation period relative to other wavelength groups. A combiner combines the delayed first wavelength group with the other wavelength groups to form a combined modulated multiple pump signal. In one embodiment a multi-pump phase parametric apparatus comprises the multi-pump phase modulator apparatus combined with a parametric apparatus to generate an amplified input signal and one or more idlers. Other embodiments of the multi-pump phase conjugator apparatus are used as part of an Optical Switch, Sampler, Tributary Extractor, and Regenerator.

Abstract: An optically modulated signal is generated for use in transporting data by generating a so-called sub-carrier modulated optical signal and, then, vector modulating the sub-carrier modulated optical signal to yield the desired modulated optical signal for transmission. The vector modulation includes a phase component and an amplitude component. In one specific embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for use in generating a modulated optical signal includes a generator to generate a sub-carrier modulated optical signal including an optical carrier and at least one sub-carrier and an analog vector modulator coupled to receive both the sub-carrier modulated optical signal from the generator and a data signal. The analog vector modulator generates an output optical signal by phase modulating and/or amplitude modulating the sub-carrier of the received optical signal in response to the data signal.

Abstract: A switch-based feature that dynamically designates a class B line as class A if the call is a GETS call. The line remains class A until a non-GETS call is placed, whereupon the line reverts to its normal class B designation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving requests for the remote storage of time schedule media programs from a client over the Internet and the delivery of such media programs in a specified streaming video format to the client is disclosed. The client requests the recording of a media program by a delivery device which delivery device identifies, in an e-mail message to the client, the storage location of the requested program in the delivery system. The client then accesses the delivery system via the Internet using the storage location identity and the delivery system delivers the stored program. The method and apparatus receives media program signals from distributed geographic locations to provide the client access to media programs not available at the client's location. Tools are also provided to simplify media program selection and storage.

Abstract: A system for, and method of, controlling access to a resource of a computer system. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a database of problems and corresponding precalculated solutions, (2) a problem retriever that responds to a request from a client for access to the resource by retrieving one of the problems from the database and transmitting the one of the problems to the client and (3) a solution evaluator that, upon receiving a putative solution from the client, employs the database to validate the putative solution and, if the putative solution is valid, grants the client access to the resource.

Abstract: The apparatus, method and system embodiments of the present invention provide for maintaining call control at a gateway mobile switching center (MSC), for roaming mobile units, utilizing a packet network or link, such as an ATM link. The preferred system embodiment includes a gateway MSC, a serving MSC, and a base station having a wireless link with the roaming mobile unit. The gateway MSC includes a protocol handler for voice (PHV).

Abstract: A MEMS device achieves a large angle of rotation of a plate about 2 independent axes by employing a handle portion of the plate which is isolated by respective springs coupling the handle portion to each of two actuators. A first actuator, which rotates the mirror about the same axis as done in U.S. Pat. No. 6,781,744 is essentially the same structure disclosed therein, but with the mirror plate thereof shrunken in size. This shrunken plate is coupled by a spring to the mirror plate of the instant invention. Movement of the shrunken plate causes corresponding movement of the handle portion, and hence the mirror. A second actuator, coupled by another spring to the mirror plate of the instant invention, rotates about a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis and parallel to the substrate. The second actuator includes an actuator plate and an electrode thereunder.

Abstract: A micro-electrical-mechanical-switch (MEMS) device comprises a semiconductor wafer, a first semiconductor layer formed on the semiconductor wafer, and a second semiconductor layer formed on the first layer. A first latching movable shuttle is formed in the second layer and has the first layer removed under the first movable shuttle, the first movable shuttle being moved in a first direction relative to the wafer in response to a predetermined acceleration of the MEMS device in a direction opposite to the first direction thereby changing an operating condition of the MEMS device from a first switch state to an intermediate switch state. A second latching moveable shuttle is formed within the first shuttle, the second shuttle being moved in a second direction relative to the first shuttle in response to a thermally activated force so as to change the operating state of the MEMS device from the intermediate switch state to a second switch state.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining when a request for a higher transmission rate should be granted to a mobile station that currently has access to a communication system to facilitate the maintenance of a performance target (quality of service level) of the reverse link. The method for determining when a mobile station can have access to a higher transmission rate includes obtaining first and second estimated performance indicators for a reverse link of the base station that a mobile station is currently accessing. A blocking threshold value is established. Access at the requested higher transmission rate is based on a comparison of the first and second indicators relative to the established blocking threshold value. If access is denied at the requested higher rate, access will be granted at the next lower rate which will not degrade the performance of the wireless communication system.

Abstract: A system and method of transmitting media to a plurality of wireless terminals. The method includes forming a group of wireless terminals, and transmitting a group-specific media message to each of the wireless terminals in the group. The method can include forming a location-based group of wireless terminals disposed within a proximity of a location and transmitting a media message to each of the wireless terminals in the location-based group. The method can also include determining the location of the plurality of wireless terminals. The system includes a Location Server for determining the location of the plurality of wireless terminals and an Application Server for grouping the wireless terminals. The system also include a Call State Function Controller for routing calls thereby transmitting the group-specific media messages to the wireless terminals in the group via wireless interfaces.

Abstract: The present invention is a methodology for predicting when current sets of encryption keys used in a high speed data network are about to expire. The invention allows network elements of a communication system to re-negotiate new sets of keys well in advance so as to prevent interruptions in communications traffic flow. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a weighted traffic flow per usage for a given network element is calculated on a periodic basis. The value of the weighted traffic flow per usage is compared with a remainder value of a specific quantity of communications traffic yet to be processed by the network element. If the remainder value is less than the weighted traffic flow value, an indication is given to the appropriate network element to renegotiate a new set of keys.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for deriving accurate global positioning satellite (GPS) timing by calibrating frame boundaries to GPS timing. Time calibration is achieved by determining a time difference ?t between a reference GPS time (or pulse) and an nth frame boundary. The time difference ?t and a frame boundary identifier specifying the nth frame boundary are provided to a device equipped with a full or partial GPS receiver so that the GPS equipped device may synchronize itself to GPS timing. Upon synchronizing itself to GPS timing, the GPS equipped device may search for GPS signals using information provided by a geographical location server, e.g., WAG server.

Abstract: Flip-chips are aligned by making a fiducial in the “top” chip that is translucent/transparent to light of a wavelength shorter than infrared, and at least one corresponding fiducial in the “bottom” chip. The top-chip fiducial may be made of a transparent or translucent material, its shape may be outlined by an opaque material, or it may be formed by etching through the top chip. The bottom-chip fiducial may be reflective of the light which is transparent/translucent to the fiducial in the top chip, in which case alignment can be achieved by employing at least one video camera which is located above the top chip. Alternatively, the fiducial in the bottom chip may also be transparent/translucent to the light, in which case alignment can be achieved by having the video camera located below the bottom chip. The chips are aligned by aligning the fiducials as seen by the video camera.

Abstract: Techniques for retrieval of multimedia data through visual representations are provided. Such visual representations, preferably in the form of visual activity maps or spatio-temporal activity maps, serve as an efficient and intuitive graphical user interface for multimedia retrieval, particularly when the media streams are derived from multiple sensors observing a physical environment. An architecture for interactive media retrieval is also provided by combining such visual activity maps with domain specific event information. Visual activity maps are derived from the trajectories of motion of objects in the environment. The visual activity map based techniques significantly help users in quickly and effectively discovering interesting portions of the data, and randomly accessing and retrieving the corresponding portions of the media streams.

Abstract: Techniques for use in designing, adjusting or operating a wireless network so as to provide a desired level of performance for the network. An optimization process is applied to a set of information characterizing the network. The optimization process includes at least a pre-frequency-assignment optimization stage, which is applied prior to assignment of frequencies to one or more communication channels of the wireless network. An output of the optimization process is utilized to determine one or more operating parameters of the wireless network, such as a base station transmit power or antenna orientation.

Abstract: A system for, and method of compressing a data table using models and a database management system incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a table modeller that discovers data mining models with guaranteed error bounds of at least one attribute in the data table in terms of other attributes in the data table and (2) a model selector, associated with the table modeller, that selects a subset of the at least one model to form a basis upon which to compress the data table.

Abstract: In a reservation network designed to carry bursty traffic an improved dynamic bandwidth allocation method accounts for reservation latency. In one advantageous embodiment wherein the system is memoryless, a user will request its queue size divided by the reservation latency in the system. Alternatively, a small memory based system can achieve further efficiencies by making available to a user a frame length amount of memory. The user can then request the greater as between its queue size divided by the reservation latency and the number of current arrivals at the user.

Abstract: The invention provides improved computer network firewalls which include one or more features for increased processing efficiency. A firewall in accordance with the invention can support multiple security policies, multiple users or both, by applying any one of several distinct sets of access rules. The firewall can also be configured to utilize “stateful” packet filtering which involves caching rule processing results for one or more packets, and then utilizing the cached results to bypass rule processing for subsequent similar packets. To facilitate passage to a user, by a firewall, of a separate later transmission which is properly in response to an original transmission, a dependency mask can be set based on session data items such as source host address, destination host address, and type of service. The mask can be used to query a cache of active sessions being processed by the firewall, such that a rule can be selected based on the number of sessions that satisfy the query.