Abstract: A method of controlling access to a network media by a plurality of stations, the method including determining a number of time slots; determining a number of slot cycles for each time slot, at least one of the time slots having more than one slot cycle; assigning each station one or more slot cycles in one or more time slots; and operating each of the stations by initializing an access timer to time out at the beginning of the station's assigned slot cycle(s) and transmitting data during the assigned slot cycle(s), the access timer being stopped whenever a station transmits over the network, and restarted at the end of transmission.

Abstract: A method of controlling access to a network media by a plurality of stations, the method including determining a number of time slots; determining a number of slot cycles for each time slot, at least one of the time slots having more than one slot cycle; assigning each station one or more slot cycles in one or more time slots; and operating each of the stations by initializing an access timer to time out at the beginning of the station's assigned slot cycle(s) and transmitting data during the assigned slot cycle(s), the access timer being stopped whenever a station transmits over the network, and restarted at the end of transmission.

Abstract: A method of controlling access to a network media by a plurality of stations, the method including determining a number of time slots; determining a number of slot cycles for each time slot, a least one of the time slots having more than one slot cycle; assigining each station one or more slot cycles in one or more time slots; and operating each of the stations by initializing an access timer to time out at the beginning of the station's assigned slot cycle(s) and transmitting data during the assigned slot cycle(s), the access timer being stopped whenever a station transmits over the network, and restarted at the end of transmission.

Abstract: A wireless communication system operating in the presence of the periodic noise signals such as from a microwave oven, the communication system, including at least two wireless communication stations with each station including a transceiver, each such transceiver. Each transceiver includes a detector for detecting periodic noise signals and producing a first signal indicating the presence of noise signal's quiescent period and second signals indicating the end of quiescent periods of such periodic noise signal. A controller responsive to the first and second noise signals controls the transceiver to provide effective communication with an other transceiver which minimizes the noise effect of the periodic noise signal. The transceiver transmits information concerning the detected quiescent period for use by the other transceiver to determine when to transmit during such quiescent period.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a quality determination for a plurality of signal channels in an ultrawide bandwidth local network that will not require a coordinator associated with the network to suspend network operation. This is achieved by having the coordinator send a channel quality request to a non-coordinator device in the network. This non-coordinator device then performs a channel quality determination to determine channel quality information about the plurality of signal channels. After it has completed the channel quality determination, the non-coordinator device then sends the channel quality information from the non-coordinator device to the coordinator device. And if the non-coordinator device can accomplish the channel quality determination quickly enough, it need not even remove itself from the network, even temporarily.

Abstract: Image answering apparatus comprising: an interface for connecting to a public telephone system; and memory for storing audio and image information received over the public telephone system.

Abstract: A wireless communication system operating in the presence of the periodic noise such as from a microwave oven, the communication system, wherein the wireless communication system including at least two wireless communication stations with transceiver in microwave communication with each other, each such station detects periodic microwave signals for producing a signal indicating the duration of a periodic microwave signal's quiescent period; and controls the transmitter to send a data packet which includes data and the duration of quiescent periods in the periodic microwave signal; and adjusts the amount of data sent in an data packet as a function of the duration of the quiescent period.

Abstract: A system method for digital image capture and transmission includes an image fulfillment server, having a transceiver for sending and receiving channel assessment signals and receiving a digital image file and a memory for storing the received digital image file.