Abstract: A control channel supporting traffic control in epochs is divided into two control subchannels each being less than or equal to about a half epoch in duration and occurring serially in time. Slot allocation data may be transmitted and received independently over the subchannels. One subchannel may be used for transmitting forward slot allocation data and the other subchannel may be used for transmitting reverse slot allocation data. The channel split into two subchannels may be a paging channel. The forward and reverse slot allocation data may be transmitted between a base station processor and field unit. Forward and reverse traffic data may be staggered by at least about half an epoch. Transmission of traffic data happens within about two epochs after the assignments.

Abstract: An access point operates in an 802.11 wireless communication network communicating with a client station, and includes a smart antenna for generating directional antenna beams and an omni-directional antenna beam. An antenna steering algorithm scans the directional antenna beams and the omni-directional antenna beam for receiving signals from the client station. The signals received via each scanned antenna beam are measured, and one of the antenna beams is selected based upon the measuring for communicating with the client station. The selected antenna beam is preferably a directional antenna beam. Once the directional antenna beam has been selected, there are several usage rules for exchanging data with the client station. The usage rules are directed to an active state of the access point, which includes a data transmission mode and a data reception mode.

Abstract: A technique for distributing channel allocation information in a demand access communication system. In a preferred embodiment, for use with Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) type communication, multiple access codes are used that have a defined code repeat period or code epoch. For each such epoch duration, a central controller, such as located at a base station in the case of operating a forward link, determines a schedule of assignment of traffic channels to active terminals for each epoch. For each terminal designated as active during the epoch, an active terminal unit identifier is assigned. For each terminal designated as active during the epoch, the base station assigns a list of active channels for such terminal unit. Prior to the start of each epoch, a channel set up message is sent on one of the forward link channels, such as a paging channel.

Abstract: A Station Management Entity (SME) steers a directional antenna for a station to communicate with an Access Point (AP) in an 802.11 protocol system. The SME can steer the antenna before or after an 802.11 station has authenticated and associated with the Access Point. During a passive scan, the steering process cycles through the available antenna positions and monitors an AP beacon signal to determine a best position based on, for example, a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI). During an active scan where access probing is used, the steering process cycles through the antenna positions and monitors a probe response to determine the best antenna position. Additional scans may be performed based on a decision that the received signal level of the currently selected antenna position has dropped below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for operating an access point in a wireless local area network (WLAN) is provided. The access point includes a directional antenna for communicating with a plurality of remote stations, and the directional antenna includes a plurality of antenna patterns. The method includes creating an antenna database by associating between the access point and each remote station a respective measured signal quality corresponding to the plurality of antenna patterns. The respective measured signal qualities are determined by the access point based upon communications with each remote station. The method further includes determining for each remote station a preferred antenna pattern based upon the antenna database, and selecting a remote station and the corresponding preferred antenna pattern to communicate with.

Abstract: A technique for steering a directional antenna such as may be used in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) device. The technique detects signal parameters during reception of short sync pulses in the very beginning portion of a Packet Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) frame. As a result, the antenna can be steered to an optimum direction for reception prior to receiving other portions of a preamble that may be needed to acquire carrier signal phase and frequency.

Abstract: A method for operating an access point in a wireless local area network (WLAN) is provided. The access point includes a directional antenna for communicating with a plurality of remote stations, and the directional antenna includes an omni angle and a plurality of directional angles. The method determines a preferred direction to the point the directional antenna from the access point to a desired remote station. This determination is based on a sequence of probe signals exchanged between the access point and the remote station. The probe response signals are measured by the access point, and are stored in an antenna database.

Abstract: A technique for distributing channel allocation information in a demand access communication system. In a preferred embodiment, for use with Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) type communication, multiple access codes are used that have a defined code repeat period or code epoch. For each such epoch duration, a central controller, such as located at a base station in the case of operating a forward link, determines a schedule of assignment of traffic channels to active terminals for each epoch. For each terminal designated as active during the epoch, an active terminal unit identifier is assigned. For each terminal designated as active during the epoch, the base station assigns a list of active channels for such terminal unit. Prior to the start of each epoch, a channel set up message is sent on one of the forward link channels, such as a paging channel.

Abstract: A technique for a time division multiplex system in which access to shared broadcast communication media is granted on a demand basis. Particular connections are assigned slot times at the transmitter based on demand. However, no specific information regarding the assignment of time slots need be communicated to the receivers. The transmit side employs a forward error correction technique followed by multiplication by a cover sequence unique to each connection. All receivers listen to the broadcast transmission channel all of the time. The receiver assigned to each connection decodes the signals in such a manner that only the receiver with the correct cover sequence assigned to a particular connection will successfully decode the data associated with that connection. Data frames that fail the forward error correction process are discarded, and only those frames which are successfully decoded are passed up to a higher layer.

Abstract: To minimize overhead in the allocation of channels, forward and reverse link time slots are automatically assigned in pairs. In particular, rather than requiring a separate process for allocating reverse link channels for the sending of acknowledgment messages in response to receipt of a forward link packet, a different scenario takes place. At the receiving end, such as for valid reception of data on a forward link channel at a central base station site, a reverse link time slot is automatically allocated in a time slot which depends upon the time slot allocation on the forward link. This assists with the rapid return of acknowledgment messages in a reverse link direction which is the predominant direction for such messages in a wireless system wherein most data traffic is Web page oriented.

Abstract: To minimize overhead in the allocation of channels, forward and reverse link time slots are automatically assigned in pairs. In particular, rather than requiring a separate process for allocating reverse link channels for the sending of acknowledgment messages in response to receipt of a forward link packet, a different scenario takes place. At the receiving end, such as for valid reception of data on a forward link channel at a central base station site, a reverse link time slot is automatically allocated in a time slot which depends upon the time slot allocation on the forward link. This assists with the rapid return of acknowledgment messages in a reverse link direction which is the predominant direction for such messages in a wireless system wherein most data traffic is Web page oriented.

Abstract: A technique for steering a directional antenna such as may be used in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) device. The technique detects signal parameters during reception of short sync pulses in the very beginning portion of a Packet Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) frame. As a result, the antenna can be steered to an optimum direction for reception prior to receiving other portions of a preamble that may be needed to acquire carrier signal phase and frequency.

Abstract: A Station Management Entity (SME) steers a directional antenna for a station to communicate with an Access Point (AP) in an 802.11 protocol system. The SME can steer the antenna before or after an 802.11 station has authenticated and associated with the Access Point. During a passive scan, the steering process cycles through the available antenna positions and monitors an AP beacon signal to determine a best position based on, for example, a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI). During an active scan where access probing is used, the steering process cycles through the antenna positions and monitors a probe response to determine the best antenna position. Additional scans may be performed based on a decision that the received signal level of the currently selected antenna position has dropped below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Random early detection (RED) controlled loss (i.e., discarding data packets) is determined as a function of change in processing gain assigned by a resource management system in a data network having a communications link between first and second network nodes. Rather than triggering RED controlled loss as a function of buffer levels, triggering is determined as a function of change in processing gain caused by, for example, a change in code rate, modulation technique, error (e.g., bit error rate or frame error rate), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or carrier-to-interference (C/I) level, or a number of traffic code channels or TDMA slots assigned to the nodes. In a wireless data network, this technique may be deployed in a base station or access terminal. A tight coupling between the physical layer and link layer is provided using this technique.

Abstract: A control channel supporting traffic control in epochs is divided into two control subchannels each being less than or equal to about a half epoch in duration and occurring serially in time. Slot allocation data may be transmitted and received independently over the subchannels. One subchannel may be used for transmitting forward slot allocation data and the other subchannel may be used for transmitting reverse slot allocation data. The channel split into two subchannels may be a paging channel. The forward and reverse slot allocation data may be transmitted between a base station processor and field unit. Forward and reverse traffic data may be staggered by at least about half an epoch. Transmission of traffic data happens within about two epochs after the assignments.

Abstract: Parallel demodulators are provided in field units. Forward and reverse channel allocation information may be broadcast to the field units in the same epoch as traffic data but on first and second channels, such as paging and traffic channels. This assures that all field units are able to receive forward and reverse channel allocation information every epoch. By having parallel demodulators in the field unit, switching between the first and second channels is avoided and channel allocation information is not lost.

Abstract: A technique for a time division multiplex system in which access to shared broadcast communication media is granted on a demand basis. Particular connections are assigned slot times at the transmitter based on demand. However, no specific information regarding the assignment of time slots need be communicated to the receivers. The transmit side employs a forward error correction technique followed by multiplication by a cover sequence unique to each connection. All receivers listen to the broadcast transmission channel all of the time. The receiver assigned to each connection decodes the signals in such a manner that only the receiver with the correct cover sequence assigned to a particular connection will successfully decode the data associated with that connection. Data frames that fail the forward error correction process are discarded, and only those frames which are successfully decoded are passed up to a higher layer.

Abstract: A technique for distributing channel allocation information in a demand access communication system. In a preferred embodiment, for use with Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) type communication, multiple access codes are used that have a defined code repeat period or code epoch. For each such epoch duration, a central controller, such as located at a base station in the case of operating a forward link, determines a schedule of assignment of traffic channels to active terminals for each epoch. For each terminal designated as active during the epoch, an active terminal unit identifier is assigned. For each terminal designated as active during the epoch, the base station assigns a list of active channels for such terminal unit. Prior to the start of each epoch, a channel set up message is sent on one of the forward link channels, such as a paging channel.

Abstract: A technique for a time division multiplex system in which access to shared broadcast communication media is granted on a demand basis. Particular connections are assigned slot times at the transmitter based on demand. However, no specific information regarding the assignment of time slots need be communicated to the receivers. The transmit side employs a forward error correction technique followed by multiplication by a cover sequence unique to each connection. All receivers listen to the broadcast transmission channel all of the time. The receiver assigned to each connection decodes the signals in such a manner that only the receiver with the correct cover sequence assigned to a particular connection will successfully decode the data associated with that connection. Data frames that fail the forward error correction process are discarded, and only those frames which are successfully decoded are passed up to a higher layer.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a theater having a first screen and a second screen movable relative to the first screen. The first and second screens are typically designed for different movie formats. The second screen is mounted to a frame in sections, and a rotating member is operable to move sections of the second screen away from the first screen. A projection system disposed in front of one of the screens is operable to project screen images alternatively on the first screen or on the second screen. A plurality of speakers are mountable to the frame to provide a sound system.