Abstract: The present invention enables APs to communicate with CNs in a backhaul network configuration in such a manner that the network is dynamically and adaptively self-aligning in terms of bandwidth utilization. A technique known as Black bursts is adapted to a backhaul network configuration to enable access instants in communicating between APs and CNs to be automatically and dynamically self re-aligned in response to APs entering and leaving the network. Thus, APs are not required to explicitly inform each other of these changes. Real-time APs are given priority over non-real-time APs in order to ensure that real-time traffic meets bounded end-to-end delay requirements. This is accomplished by decreasing the period of time that real-time APs must wait while the channel is idle before accessing the channel relative to the time period that non-real-time APs must wait before accessing the channel.

Abstract: The present invention customizes a network connection to customer premises equipment using a calibration signal. A network signal processor emits a tag signal indicating that a signal processing platform is in use. Customer premises equipment (CPE) issues a calibration signal to the network signal processor based on detection of the tag signal. The customer premises equipment outputs the calibration signal to the network signal processor which measures the signal loss, adjusts the gain mapping and issues a calibration signal to the customer premises equipment. The customer premises equipment then estimates spectral shaping based on the calibration signal from the network signal processor and equalizes the receive path so that the signal processing platform is detected and implemented. Embodiments of the present invention are illustrative of a more general concept of the use of CPE as an agent in telephone network maintenance.

Abstract: The present invention customizes a network connection to customer premises equipment using a calibration signal. A network signal processor emits a tag signal indicating that a signal processing platform is in use. Customer premises equipment (CPE) issues a calibration signal to the network signal processor based on detection of the tag signal. The customer premises equipment outputs the calibration signal to the network signal processor which measures the signal loss, adjusts the gain mapping and issues a calibration signal to the customer premises equipment. The customer premises equipment then estimates spectral shaping based on the calibration signal from the network signal processor and equalizes the receive path so that the signal processing platform is detected and implemented. Embodiments of the present invention are illustrative of a more general concept of the use of CPE as an agent in telephone network maintenance.

Abstract: The present invention enables APs to communicate with CNs in a backhaul network configuration in such a manner that the network is dynamically and adaptively self-aligning in terms of bandwidth utilization. A technique known as Black bursts is adapted to a backhaul network configuration to enable access instants in communicating between APs and CNs to be automatically and dynamically self re-aligned in response to APs entering and leaving the network. Thus, APs are not required to explicitly inform each other of these changes. Real-time APs are given priority over non-real-time APs in order to ensure that real-time traffic meets bounded end-to-end delay requirements. This is accomplished by decreasing the period of time that real-time APs must wait while the channel is idle before accessing the channel relative to the time period that non-real-time APs must wait before accessing the channel.

Abstract: A solid state audio system provides audio signals when played in an audio cassette player. The audio system is provided in a casing having the same size as a standard audio cassette tape and includes an audio tape, a sensing mechanism providing signals indicating a speed and a direction of travel of the audio tape, a processor coupled to the sensing mechanism and a memory card coupled to the processor and storing digitized audio information. The audio system also includes an audio transfer system coupled to the processor and magnetically coupled to the audio tape for transferring audio signals onto the tape corresponding to the digitized audio information. A solid state audio player is also provided that includes a memory card having digitized audio information stored thereon, a processor coupled to the memory card, a D/A converter coupled to the memory card and the processor. The D/A converter outputs an analog audio signal.

Abstract: The present invention customizes a network connection to customer premises equipment using a calibration signal. A network signal processor emits a tag signal indicating that a signal processing platform is in use. Customer premises equipment (CPE) issues a calibration signal to the network signal processor based on detection of the tag signal. The customer premises equipment outputs the calibration signal to the network signal processor which measures the signal loss, adjusts the gain mapping and issues a calibration signal to the customer premises equipment. The customer premises equipment then estimates spectral shaping based on the calibration signal from the network signal processor and equalizes the receive path so that the signal processing platform is detected and implemented. Embodiments of the present invention are illustrative of a more general concept of the use of CPE as an agent in telephone network maintenance.

Abstract: An optical communication system and methods are disclosed wherein the receiving source uses an array sensor to recover data from a transmitted optical beam and to evaluate alignment accuracy with the transmitted beam. The array sensor uses the principles of geometric invariance to determine the accuracy of alignment. The sensor may relay the recovered information to a system controller or other suitable device, which can then reposition the receiver so that it is properly aligned with the transmitter. The system and methods advantageously provide for a more compact and robust communication system wherein a single receiving element can be used for both data recovery and alignment evaluation functions.

Abstract: The present invention is a smart tray for an in-home audio player adapted to play pre-recorded music stored on a semiconductor music chip storage medium. Music chips are loaded into the smart tray which holds a predetermined number of chips and is inserted as part of the audio player. Each tray will have a low cost, low power microprocessor on board to handle routing and accessing of the music from an individual chip on the tray. For instance, the tray level microprocessor will be able to cue up a next song selection while a digital signal processor (DSP) within a base portion of the audio player finishes decoding the current selection. The smart tray minimizes music selection search times and allows the DSP to focus on processing the encoded music from the chips thereby minimizing housekeeping activities performed by the DSP and increasing efficiency. The smart tray allows for active music selections by the user so that the user can select a particular artist, song, music style, etc.

Abstract: A memory device for digital storage of pre-recorded audio. Contained within a housing adapted for insertion into a solid state audio player is an array of memory cells for storage of digitally recorded audio. Each of the memory cells is individually addressable over a parallel address bus and data is read and/or written over a parallel data bus. Data is transmitted to and from the device by means of a serial interface with the solid state audio player. Shift registers within the memory device are coupled to the serial interface for transmitting serial data to and receiving serial data from the audio player. Data buffers are interposed between the address bus, data bus and respective shift registers for storing data to be placed on the address bus and receiving data from the data bus. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a series of capacitive plates is included to provide a contact-less interface between the memory device and the associated solid state audio player.

Abstract: A contactless interface for transfer of data between a semiconductor music chip and a solid state audio player Data is transferred between the chip and audio player by way of a capacitive interface. The interface comprises a set of conductive plates or electrodes with outer dielectric surfaces on both the music chip and the audio player. Corresponding capacitive plates on the music chip and audio player facilitate data communication by forming a series of capacitors once the music chip is inserted within the audio player so that the capacitive plates of each device are aligned and in close proximity with one another. In accordance with one aspect of the invention a set of four capacitive plates is included on both the music chip and the audio player forming four capacitors. In this arrangement, two plates on each device are utilized to transmit data and two plates are utilized to receive data.

Abstract: A button interface for a state machine provides three signals, X, Y, or X and Y. The state machine further detects a single contact, a double contact, or a persistent contact to provide a matrix of nine separate states which control player functions. The cover of the button interface has two degrees of freedom, rotation and depression, which are achieved by various embodiments of leaf and coil springs.

Abstract: A protocol for labeling various types of data contained in a music chip. The protocol includes a hierarchical arrangement of headers for storing information about selections on the chip and the method in which they were coded in the memory of the chip. A global header located at the very start of memory will specify information needed to successfully decode the content of the music chip. This will include, for example, the necessary bit rate, as well as information pertaining to a specific PAC (Perceptual Audio Coding) algorithm employed in recording audio on the chip. In addition to the global header, each chip will have a section of memory allocated to a table of contents. The table of contents will include information on play times, song titles, music category and artist. Individual track selections will be listed as part of the table of contents by individual headers. The individual header contains a music field to which a track belongs, for example, classical, jazz, country, rock, etc.