Abstract: The invention provides an optical communications system having a dual mode of operation. It includes a communications module having an optically active portion with a wide-angle view; a light collimator; and a connector connecting the communications module and the light collimator to permit the module and collimator to be selectively positioned in a collimated or non-collimated position. When it is the collimated position, the communications module is positioned at the focal point of the collimator, and when in a non-collimated position the communications module is positioned away from focal point of the collimator; so that the communications system has a narrow field of view when operated in the collimated position, and has a wide field of view when operated in the non-collimated position.

Abstract: The invention provides an imaging system including a camera with an image sensor sensitive to light and a light emitter with the camera to transmit image data from the camera. It includes a controller to control the light emitter to illuminate a subject in the field of view of the camera.

Abstract: A method and means for information transmission over a medium for a wireless communication system comprising a network of stations capable of sending and receiving data transmissions over a number of communication channels. The method includes sending a data transmission in a packet including a header and a data portion, the header includes identification (ID) of the network; identification of the next channel to be used in communications; an address; a channel busy count field; and a network command.

Abstract: The invention provides a data processing system comprising: a CPU; a system memory; a plurality of network interfaces; a CPU bus connected to the system memory and to each of the network interface for initialization and control of the network interfaces by the CPU; an individual DMA bus connected to each of corresponding network interfaces and to the system memory; each of the network interfaces is connectable to an external network, whereby data can be transferred by the data processing system from one network to another using system memory.

Abstract: A data transceiver employing optical radiation comprises transmitter assembly with an optical emitter operable in a first band and an optical emitter in a second band and a receiver assembly with a wide band optical detector which can receive signals transmitted via both the first and second band. In a second embodiment, the receiver includes both a wide band optical detector and a second optical detector which is operable in only one of the first and second bands, the receiver subtracting signals received at the second optical detector from those received at the wide band detector to separate signals received via the first and second bands. In a preferred aspect, the optical radiation employed is infrared radiation and the first and second bands are near and medium infrared bands.

Abstract: An infrared transceiver for an application interface card for use with a computer in a wireless Local Area Network. The transceiver includes a multi-facet beam deflector to maximize dispersion of the infrared beams in a room while maintaining a compact arrangement for the interface card. In another aspect, the transceiver includes a revolving turret to provide directional capabilities for serial IR or point-to-point communication applications. The transceiver is suitable for PCMCIA interface cards.

Abstract: An optical signal data transceiver comprises a convex mirror to direct received optical signals onto at least one detector responsive to corresponding optical wavelengths. At least one optical emitter is arranged to irradiate the convex mirror such that the emitted optical radiation is reflected from the convex mirror in a diffuse manner. The specific shape of the convex mirror is selected to obtain a desired transmission and reception specificity and suitable shapes include, as non limiting examples, segments of spheres, hemispheres, paraboloids of revolution, right cones, etc.

Abstract: A stereo computer system with resources to produce and record surround sound channels. Such surround sound channels are played or recorded using an audio card added to the computer system, which audio card controls additional speakers and/or microphones. Software for redirecting instructions from existing stereo application programs and sending these instructions to the existing audio device driver and the additional audio device driver is provided. Resources for processing the digital audio data for either extracting surround sound channels from two channel data provided by the application, or for encoding two sets of two channel audio data recorded by the two audio cards is also included.