Abstract: A system and method provide efficient, secure, and highly reliable authentication for transaction processing and/or access control applications. A Personal Digital Key stores one or more profiles (e.g., a biometric profile) in a tamper-proof memory that is acquired in a secure trusted process. Biometric profiles comprise a representation of physical or behavioral characteristics that are uniquely associated with an individual that owns and carries the PDK. The PDK wirelessly transmits the biometric profile over a secure wireless transaction to a Reader for use in a biometric authentication process. The Reader compares the received biometric profile to a biometric input acquired at the point of transaction in order to determine if the transaction should be authorized.

Abstract: A system and method provide efficient, secure, and highly reliable authentication for transaction processing and/or access control applications. A personal digital key (PDK) is programmed using a trusted programming device to initialize and/or register the PDK for use. In one embodiment, the initialization and registration processes are administered by a specialized trusted Notary to ensure the processes follow defined security procedures. In a biometric initialization, the programming device acquires a biometric input from a user and writes the biometric data to a tamperproof memory in the PDK. In registration, the Programmer communicates to one or more remote registries to create or update entries associated with the user PDK. Once initialized and registered, the PDK can be used for various levels of secure authentication processes.

Abstract: Wireless client devices within a wireless network exchange data with other wireless devices during particular time slots determined by the network. More particularly, the system generates and wirelessly broadcasts synchronization information to the client devices, where the synchronization information contains individual masks to be applied to bit fields of individual client devices, where said time slots are determined in accordance with the masked bit fields. In such a manner, client devices can be coordinated to communicate with the system in a dynamic real-time tiered manner.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes at least one tone generator, a first transmitter, and a second transmitter. The at least one tone generator is operable to generate a plurality of modulation tones comprising at least a first modulation tone having a first tone frequency and a second modulation tone having a second tone frequency that is different from the first tone frequency. The first transmitter is operable to apply the first modulation tone to a first optical signal such that at least a portion of the first optical signal is divided into one or more sidebands. The second transmitter is operable to apply the second modulation tone to a second optical signal such that at least a portion of the second optical signal is divided into one or more sidebands.

Abstract: Wireless client devices within a wireless network exchange data with other wireless devices during particular time slots determined by the network. More particularly, the system generates and wirelessly broadcasts synchronization information to the client devices, where the synchronization information contains individual masks to be applied to bit fields of individual client devices, where said time slots are determined in accordance with the masked bit fields. In such a manner, client devices can be coordinated to communicate with the system in a dynamic real-time tiered manner.

Abstract: In a wireless network, time slots may be configured in a manner such that the network directs portable wireless client devices to listen and respond within specific time slots. Because the time slots can be predicted or are known, one of the client devices may be configured to set a timer, enter a sleep mode, and then later awaken when a specific, time-slotted data interaction is required of the client device. Accordingly, battery power that would otherwise be consumed if the client device were active outside of the time slot may be saved.

Abstract: A system and method provide efficient, secure, and highly reliable authentication for transaction processing and/or access control applications. A Personal Digital Key is a portable device carried by an individual that stores one or more profiles (e.g., a biometric profile) in a tamper-proof memory. When multiple PDKs are present at the point of the transaction, the system automatically determines which PDK to associate with the authentication and transaction processes. The differentiation decision is based on one or more differentiation metrics including distance information, location information, and detection duration information associated with each of the PDKs within range. Profile samples comprising subsets of the profile information are received to provide a quick correlation between a PDK an input sample (e.g., a subset of a biometric input). After determining which PDK should be associated with the transaction, a full authentication process is executed.

Abstract: A system and method provides efficient and highly reliable customer tracking. A Personal Digital Key (PDK) is associated with and carried by a user. The PDK wirelessly communicates with a receiver/decoder circuit (RDC) that can be coupled to a variety of electronic devices. The RDC authenticates the PDK based on received data and stores information to track customers and provide improved service. A PDK can be assigned to one more groups of PDKs based on the received data. Specific functions can then be executed based on the group assignments. In a casino environment, the system enables functions such as group gaming, back betting, event tracking, and notification services.

Abstract: A multi-wavelength optical transmission system includes a plurality of primary optical transmitters, each being configured to provide directly modulated analog optical signals at non-uniformly spaced apart wavelengths. An optical multiplexer having a plurality of optical input ports receives the analog optical signals from each of the plurality of primary optical transmitters and provides a wavelength division multiplexed signal over an optical fiber coupled at an output thereof. A spare optical transmitter is coupled to an input port of the optical multiplexer and, in response to detecting failure of a failed one of the plurality of primary optical transmitters, is tuned to provide a directly modulated analog optical signal at a spare wavelength that is selected as to be non-uniformly spaced relative to at least some of the non-uniformly spaced apart wavelengths according to tuning data.

Abstract: Antenna radiating elements are combined with dielectric construction materials, with the radiating elements designed to produce a certain radiation pattern taking into account the construction materials.

Abstract: A system and method provides efficient and highly reliable customer tracking. A Personal Digital Key (PDK) is associated with and carried by a user. The PDK wirelessly communicates with a receiver/decoder circuit (RDC) that can be coupled to a variety of electronic devices. The RDC authenticates the PDK based on received data and stores information to track customers and provide improved service. A PDK can be assigned to one more groups of PDKs based on the received data. Specific functions can then be executed based on the group assignments. In a casino environment, the system enables functions such as group gaming, back betting, event tracking, and notification services.

Abstract: A system and method provides efficient and highly reliable customer and asset tracking. A Personal Digital Key (PDK) is associated with and carried by a user or fixed to an asset. The PDK wirelessly communicates with a receiver/decoder circuit (RDC) that can be coupled to a variety of electronic devices. The RDC authenticates the PDK based on received data and stores information to track customers and provide improved service. The RDC can be coupled to or integrated with a variety of electronic devices. The operation of the electronic device is determined based on an identification code of the detected PDK and an identification code of the RDC. The electronic device, the PDK or both can be configured with a personalized user interface and execute specific functions based on stored state information associated with the PDK and RDC identification codes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus within an optical transmitter (300) for suppressing relative intensity noise (RIN) by generating at least two optical signals (305,310), each having differing wavelengths and combining the optical signals with a combiner (315) into a composite output signal, wherein the composite output signal has an output power value equal to the sum of the power value of the optical signals. The composite output signal is then transmitted over a communication medium, wherein information content of the optical signals are substantially equivalent, and wherein combining the optical signals before transmitting provides a reduction in RIN of the composite output signal compared to the RIN of a single optical signal transmitted over a communication medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus within an optical transmitter (300) for suppressing relative intensity noise (RIN) by generating at least two optical signals (305, 310), each having differing wavelengths and combining the optical signals with a combiner (315) into a composite output signal, wherein the composite output signal has an output power value equal to the sum of the power value of the optical signals. The composite output signal is then transmitted over a communication medium, wherein information content of the optical signals are substantially equivalent, and wherein combining the optical signals before transmitting provides a reduction in RIN of the composite output signal compared to the RIN of a single optical signal transmitted over a communication medium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards an optical receiver including a noise reduction technique that mitigates internally generated thermal noise and reduces input signal losses. The optical receiver includes a photodiode for providing an electrical signal in accordance with a received optical signal and an amplification circuit. Two identical amplifier circuits included in the amplification circuit are connected in DC bias series, thereby biasing the photodiode with their potential difference. Advantageously, the absence of a conventional photodiode bias circuit both reduces the input signal losses and limits the amount of thermal noise that is typically conventionally generated.

Abstract: An optical modulator (300) includes a light source (310) for generating an optical beam and an RF input element (305) for injecting an RF signal into the light source (310) for modulating the optical beam with the RF signal to generate an optical signal. The optical modulator (300) also includes a photodiode (315) coupled to the light source (310) for detecting a portion of the optical signal provided by the light source (310), wherein a remaining portion of the optical signal is transmitted to an output port of the modulator (300). A combiner (325) combines the RF signal and the portion of the optical signal, wherein the combiner (325) provides to the light source (310) a corrected RF signal, thereby reducing distortion levels of the remaining portion of the optical signal at the output port of the modulator (300) due to distortions caused internally by the modulator (300).