Abstract: A method for dynamically reconfiguring control of a data bus when an initial device acting as a bus master fails or become inoperative. Each device connected to the data bus checks for the logical address of either its next higher or next lower neighbor; and the initial device acting as bus master is arbitrarily assigned the highest or lowest available logical address respectively. In either instance, the logically next lower or logically next higher device, respectively, may see a device at a logical address that is lower or higher than its own, thereby indicating that the initial device acting as bus master has become inoperative. Thereafter, the next available device able to act as bus master promotes itself to act as bus master, including reassigning itself to the highest or lowest available logical address, respectively.

Abstract: A manufacture includes a first optical fiber and a plurality of second optical fibers. The second optical fibers have cross sections with aspect ratios of two or more. Distal sections of the fibers form a bonded structure. In the bonded structure, each distal section is bonded along a length of another one of the distal sections and along a section of the first optical fiber.

Abstract: Method and system integrating wireless/wireline and circuit/packet networks (to bypass GSM Memorandum of Understandings) for cellular/PCS services so that GSM subscribers roaming into CDMA networks can be provided with basic wireless call delivery services as long as the roamers can pay the bill with their valid credit card. This is achieved by integrating wireless and wireline networks as well as circuit and packet networks, using IP networks and protocols as an alternative to the existing telephony-based approach.

Abstract: A method and communications receiver is disclosed that removes Doppler frequency shift in a spread spectrum communications signal. A pilot channel rake section has I and Q Doppler estimation channels for estimating the Doppler change in frequency based on a common pilot channel. A data channel rake section has I and Q data channels for receiving the Doppler change in frequency from the pilot channel rake section and canceling any Doppler error.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrierless amplitude and phase CAP encoding of data in a manner avoiding the use of pulse shaping filters for in-phase and quadrature impulse signals. Specifically, in-phase and quadrature vector arithmetic structures (VAS) to adapt respective in-phase and quadrature impulse components to produce appropriate shaped in-phase and quadrature components.

Abstract: A polarized organic photonics device, including an LED or photovoltaic device, is comprised of a first conductive layer or electrode coated with a friction transferred alignment material, a photoactive material, and a second electrically conductive layer or electrode. The alignment material provides for the orientation of the subsequently deposited photoactive material such that the photoactive material interacts with or emits light preferentially along a selected polarization axis. Additional layers and sublayers optimize and tune the optical and electronic responses of the device.

Abstract: In a wireless communication system, the constellation mapping scheme employed may be changed on a per-time-slot basis, i.e., from time slot to time slot, so that the constellation used to encode the symbols of each time slot may be different for each time slot within a single frame and may be different for a particular time slot in different consecutive frames. In other words, several constellation mapping schemes are available, with each providing the ability to transmit a different number of bits per symbol, and the particular constellation mapping scheme employed for any time slot need be selected for that time slot only. The ability to use any particular constellation mapping scheme is dependent on the current channel quality. The particular constellation mapping used for the user data of the time slot may be indicated in the preamble of the time slot.

Abstract: In order to transmit an inter-frame coded video signal, such as an MPEG-coded video signal, over a packet-based network such as the Internet, the video signal associated with at least one video frame, is split (102, 402) into a high priority partition and a low priority partition. A systematic forward error erasure/correction (FEC) code (108), such as a Reed Solomon (n,k) code, is then applied to bytes in the high priority partition. The forward error/erasure corrected high priority partition bytes and the low priority partition bytes are then combined (110) into n packets for transmission over the packet network to a receiver/decoder. Each of the n transmitted packets contains a combination of both high priority partition data bytes and low priority partition information bytes. In k of those packets the high priority partition data bytes are all high priority partition information bytes and in n-k of those packets all the high priority partition data byte are parity bytes produced by the FEC coding.

Abstract: A method for locating a mobile unit without synchronizing base-stations is provided. A triangulation scheme where distances between a plurality of base-stations and a mobile unit (herein termed mobile) are calculated by measuring at least three round-trip-delay-values wherein each round-trip-delay-value corresponds to transmission of a downlink signal from each base-station to the mobile unit and transmission of an uplink signal, in response to the downlink signal, from the mobile unit to each base-station is described. It is a low-cost solution without requiring the participating base-stations to be accurately synchronized in time and with the added advantages of utilizing a known downlink signal and a known uplink signal in determining the position of the mobile.

Abstract: The system and method of the invention enable any channel of a multi-channel communication link to be used for transmission of a control signal to a system component by a system controller. The system component, connected to the system controller by the multi-channel communication link, automatically locates the one or more signaling channels carrying the control signal(s) and then establishes communication with the system controller in accordance with the control signal(s). If no signaling channels are located after a predetermined number of attempts or after a predetermined period of time, the system component may, if particular conditions are met, reset itself before continuing to search for the signaling channel(s).

Abstract: A method of calibrating an interferometer system and a multilayer thin film used for calibrating the interferometer system. The method including measuring the step height of a gold step with the interferometer system, the multilayer thin film comprising a gold layer that defines the gold step. The multilayer thin film having an optical flat, a first layer on the surface of the optical flat, a second layer on the first layer, a test layer on a part of the second layer, and a gold layer on the test layer and on a part of the second layer uncovered by the test layer. The test layer having a test layer step, and the gold layer having a gold step over the test layer step. Also, a reference standard and a method of making the reference standard for a thin film sample with one or more component thin film layers, the reference standard having a gold layer over the surface of the thin film sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a capacitor for use in a semiconductor device having a damascene interconnect structure, such as a dual damascene interconnect, formed over a substrate of a semiconductor wafer. In one particularly advantageous embodiment, the capacitor, comprises a first capacitor electrode, such as copper, comprised of a portion of the damascene interconnect structure, an insulator layer formed on the damascene interconnect structure wherein the insulator layer is a passivation layer, such as silicon nitride. The passivation layer may be an outermost or final passivation layer, or it may be an interlevel passivation layer. The capacitor further includes a second capacitor electrode comprised of a conductive layer, such as aluminum, that is formed on at least a portion of the insulator layer.

Abstract: A sequence of Quadrature Amplitude Modulated (“QAM”) data symbols is received and its' fading process estimated. The estimated fading process is then used to generate estimates of the identity of the symbols themselves. Instead of using the single, received sequence to complete the fading process estimates, multiple offset sequences are used. For a given signal-to-noise ratio, the resulting fading process estimates and data symbol estimates provide for reduced bit error rates.

Abstract: An apparatus including first and second devices, at least one connection between an input of the second device and an output of the first device, and at least one resistor in series between the connection and the input of the second device. The series resistor, acting as a type of end termination, positively alters the waveforms of the signals input to the second device. In particular, glitches and ringing after the input pin package or at the input of the second device (at the gate for a CMOS transistor) are reduced. Overshoots and undershoots are also reduced. As a result, the input signals are usable and the interface between the first and second devices operates correctly. Further, the setup procedure of the valid logic level of the input signal can be accomplished much more quickly and is much more stable. The series resistor also consumes very little extra power.

Abstract: An electrode for use in actuating MEMS elements. The electrode declines in height along its length from a first end thereof to second end thereof. In use, the first end of the electrode is disposed proximal to an axis of rotation or axis of bending of an overlying MEMS element. In one embodiment, the decline in height of the electrode along its length is linear such that the electrode has a wedge-shaped profile. In another embodiment, the height of the electrode declines in discrete steps such that the electrode has a stepped profile.

Abstract: A Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) receiver performs a receiver initiated recovery algorithm (RIRA) when the number of lost or out-of-order payload packets exceed a predetermined value. In particular, the receiver maintains a number of variables: the “next sequence number expected to be received” (Sr) value, and Snl, which stores the value of the currently received “next sent” (Ns) sequence number from the latest received packet. When the value of Snl>Sr+adjustment, the receiver portion resets the value of Sr to the value of Snl and passes all packets to the upper layer of the protocol stack. The value of the adjustment variable represents the number of packets that may be dropped or out-of-order at the receiver before the receiver initiates recovery. The receiver also sends (either via piggybacking or a zero-length message) an ACK packet to inform the sender of the new Sr value at the receiver.

Abstract: A circuit includes at least one odor-sensitive organic field effect transistor (OFET) having a conduction channel whose conductivity changes in response to certain ambient odors and a feedback loop coupled between an output and an input of the circuit. The feedback loop generates a feedback signal which stabilizes the output signal of the circuit for time drift of the odor-sensitive organic transistor. In one embodiment, the OFET is an integral part of an amplifier and generates input signals to the amplifier in response to certain odors. A selectively enabled switch may be coupled between the output and the input of the amplifier circuit to provide negative feedback that tends to cancel the effect on the amplifier of time drift due to the OFET.

Abstract: A computer implemented system and method administrates network-based conferencing, thereby enabling users to schedule, moderate, and attend network-based conferences, without manual system administration. In one implementation, a media provider system includes a web front end which administrates scheduling of network-based presentation events, delivers interactive display screens for receiving presentation data and control commands from a moderator, and controls media pushes and streaming during the presentation event. The web front end sends Email invitations and event reminders to attendees, including a password if access to the presentation event is closed. In one implementation, the web front end receives digital audio or video data from the moderator during the presentation event, which is streamed and transmitted to attendees.

Abstract: The invention provides a perceptually-based system for pattern retrieval and matching, suitable for use in a wide variety of information processing applications. An illustrative embodiment of the system uses a predetermined vocabulary comprising one or more dimensions to extract color and texture information from an information signal, e.g., an image, selected by a user. The system then generates a distance measure characterizing the relationship of the selected image to another image stored in a database, by applying a grammar, comprising a set of predetermined rules, to the color and texture information extracted from the selected image and corresponding color and texture information associated with the stored image. The vocabulary may include dimensions such as overall color, directionality and orientation, regularity and placement, color purity, and pattern complexity and heaviness.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a network element from a client at a remote work station connectable to the network, the network, element is registered for attributes to be tracked, and attributes associated with the network element are polled only if the client requests the monitoring of the network element.