Abstract: A method for activating an optical article includes providing an optical article, wherein at least one mark is disposed on the optical article, wherein the mark comprises an optical-state change material in an initial state, the initial state preventing the optical article from being read by a player; deriving an unlock code by cryptographic operations on an optical article operatively coupled with a POS equipment and a data input from a medium encrypted with a cryptographic algorithm; deriving a toggling signal from an unlock code, and applying the toggling signal to the at least one mark resulting in changing the optical-state change material to a final state, the final state allowing the optical article to be read by the player; wherein the toggling signal comprises a set of values corresponding to the respective states of each of a plurality of marks on the surface of the optical article, and wherein applying the toggling signal results in setting each of the marks to either one of an initial state or a f

Abstract: An optical sensor interrogation system comprises: a multi-frequency optical source configured to generate an optical interrogation signal, at least one optical sensor configured to filter light at a wavelength corresponding to a value of a sensed parameter and generate an optical sensor data signal, a photodetector configured to detect a reference signal and the optical sensor data signal and generate an electrical difference frequency signal corresponding to a wavelength difference between the reference signal and the optical sensor data signal, and an electrical frequency measurement module configured to measure the electrical difference frequency.

Abstract: A wirelessly powered flexible tag configured to be in contact with a substrate is provided. The tag includes a coupling layer configured to couple the tag to the substrate. An electrical circuit disposed on the coupling layer and configured to interact wirelessly with an external stimulus. The tag further includes at least one electrode or at least one heating element in operative association with the electrical circuit, and configured to generate electrical energy or thermal energy, respectively. Upon wireless interaction with the external stimulus the tag is configured to induce an electrical response, a thermal response, or a combination of both in the substrate.

Abstract: A remote control system for a modulatable device is provided. The remote control system comprises a receiver system coupled to the modulatable device and configured to obtain an output characteristic of the modulatable device, the receiver system being located remotely with respect to the modulatable device. The system further comprises a command signal setting system coupled to the receiver system and configured to use the output characteristic to generate a drive command signal and a bias system coupled to the command signal setting system and configured to receive the drive command signal and set a bias point of the modulatable device based on the drive command signal. The bias system is located locally with respect to the modulatable device. The command signal setting system and the bias system are coupled via a first optical conduit.

Abstract: A method for activating an optical article includes providing an optical article, wherein at least one mark is disposed on the optical article, wherein the mark comprises an optical-state change material in an initial state, the initial state preventing the optical article from being read by a player; deriving an unlock code by cryptographic operations on an optical article operatively coupled with a POS equipment and a data input from a medium encrypted with a cryptographic algorithm; deriving a toggling signal from an unlock code, and applying the toggling signal to the at least one mark resulting in changing the optical-state change material to a final state, the final state allowing the optical article to be read by the player; wherein the toggling signal comprises a set of values corresponding to the respective states of each of a plurality of marks on the surface of the optical article, and wherein applying the toggling signal results in setting each of the marks to either one of an initial state or a f

Abstract: A method is provided and includes exciting a sensor with an incident signal and generating a reflected signal by reflecting the incident signal from the sensor. The incident signal and the reflected signal interfere to form a standing wave. The method also includes processing the signals to determine a sensed parameter based upon a frequency at which the standing wave exhibits a null.

Abstract: A remote control system for a modulatable device is provided. The remote control system comprises a receiver system coupled to the modulatable device and configured to obtain an output characteristic of the modulatable device, the receiver system being located remotely with respect to the modulatable device. The system further comprises a command signal setting system coupled to the receiver system and configured to use the output characteristic to generate a drive command signal and a bias system coupled to the command signal setting system and configured to receive the drive command signal and set a bias point of the modulatable device based on the drive command signal. The bias system is located locally with respect to the modulatable device. The command signal setting system and the bias system are coupled via a first optical conduit.

Abstract: An improved magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system (10) is provided. A plurality of receiver coils (12) may be configured to supply respective coil output signals based on a plurality of magnetic resonance response signals sensed by the receiver coils. Each receiver coil defines an enclosure constituting a Faraday cage. At least one circuit device (22) is disposed in the enclosure (24) to condition the coil output signal. This enclosure enables the circuit device (22) to be shielded from electromagnetic interference.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) system and method for generating information about an object is provided. The MR system comprises at least one MR detector configured to sense a plurality of signals within a shielded environment and a digitizing circuit configured for digitizing the analog signals to generate digital signals. The MR detector, digitizing circuit is located within a shielded environment. The system further comprises a first transmission element configured for transmitting the plurality of digital signals to a plurality of electronic devices.

Abstract: A radar system having a processor, a waveform generator, a plurality of antenna interfaces, a set of first antennas configured to transmit a waveform, and a set of second antennas configured to receive a reflected waveform is disclosed. The waveform generator and antenna interfaces are in control and signal communication with the processor, each of the first antennas are in signal communication with one of each antenna interface, and each of the second antennas are in signal communication with one of each antenna interface. The waveform generator is in control and signal communication with each antenna interface, and is configurable to generate a waveform conforming to at least two ISM bands. Each first antenna is configured to transmit a circularly polarized electromagnetic waveform, and each second antenna is configured to receive a reflected circularly polarized electromagnetic waveform complementary to the first antennas.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) system and method for generating information about an object is provided. The MR system comprises at least one MR detector configured to sense a plurality of electromagnetic signals and a modulator coupled to the MR detector and configured to modulate optical signals with the electromagnetic signals to generate corresponding modulated optical signals. The MR system further comprises a resonant matching circuit configured for matching an impedance of the MR detector to an impedance of the modulator to achieve at least one of a voltage gain or a noise performance. An optical conduit coupled to the modulator is configured to transmit the modulated optical signals from within a shielded environment to outside the shielded environment. A signal detector coupled to the optical conduit is configured to convert the modulated optical signals to electrical signals.

Abstract: A communication system includes an optical “LAN” (50) interconnecting a plurality of information sources (16a) and sinks (22a) with a light-to-electrical converter (36a) associated with an electrical RF transmitters (32a) and an RF-to-light converter (38a) to a receiver (34a). The transmitter is coupled by way of electrical-to-light converter (46a), and the receiver is coupled by way of light-to-electrical converter (44a), and by way of a directional coupler (76a), to an end of an optical bus (74a), so that light signals representing signals to be transmitted flow in one direction, and light signals representing received signals flow in the other direction through the bus. A directional coupler (72a) at the other end of the optical bus routes the transmit light signals to a light-to-RF converter (47a) which feeds a sink or antenna (12a), and received signals from a source or antenna are routed by way of an RF-to-light converter (40a) and the directional coupler (72a) onto the optical bus (74a).

Abstract: A radio and method of making the radio is disclosed having a first set of radio components for processing analog signals in a radio transmission and a second set of radio components for processing digital signals in a radio transmission. The radio comprises a substrate base support, and at least one pocket formed within the substrate. The radio comprises at least one processor, each of the at least one processor being within a corresponding one of the at least one pocket for modulating a radio signal into one of a plurality of waveforms based on a software instruction set. Each of the at least one processor being in electronic communication with both of the first and second sets of the radio components. A dielectric layer covers a top surface of the substrate and each of the at least one processor. A plurality of vias are formed in the dielectric layer to expose selected portions of each of the at least one processor.

Abstract: A radio and method of making the radio is disclosed having a first set of radio components for processing analog signals in a radio transmission and a second set of radio components for processing digital signals in a radio transmission. The radio comprises a substrate base support, and at least one pocket formed within the substrate. The radio comprises at least one processor, each of the at least one processor being within a corresponding one of the at least one pocket for modulating a radio signal into one of a plurality of waveforms based on a software instruction set. Each of the at least one processor being in electronic communication with both of the first and second sets of the radio components. A dielectric layer covers a top surface of the substrate and each of the at least one processor. A plurality of vias are formed in the dielectric layer to expose selected portions of each of the at least one processor.

Abstract: A dc-free coding scheme that also provides channel gain employs a code that is based on an alphabet of two and comprises a list of N-dimensional vectors, where N is even, with a maximum run of two symbols. From this list, all vectors which begin or end in two identical symbols are eliminated. This avoids runs of longer than two consecutive symbols when vectors are concatenated. With this scheme, if the baseband transmission of a “+” is realized with positive voltage V and transmission of a “−” is realized with a negative voltage −V, then any concatenation of symbols is dc-free. Improved coding gain is realized by mapping modulated signals onto convolutional code trellises.

Abstract: A communication system includes an optical “LAN” (50) interconnecting a plurality of information sources (16a) and sinks (22a) with a light-to-electrical converter (36a) associated with an electrical RF transmitters (32a) and an RF-to-light converter (38a) to a receiver (34a). The transmitter is coupled by way of electrical-to-light converter (46a), and the receiver is coupled by way of light-to-electrical converter (44a), and by way of a directional coupler (76a), to an end of an optical bus (74a), so that light signals representing signals to be transmitted flow in one direction, and light signals representing received signals flow in the other direction through the bus. A directional coupler (72a) at the other end of the optical bus routes the transmit light signals to a light-to-RF converter (47a) which feeds a sink or antenna (12a), and received signals from a source or antenna are routed by way of an RF-to-light converter (40a) and the directional coupler (72a) onto the optical bus (74a).

Abstract: A spread spectrum communications system that is operable to provide user-selectable data transfer rates comprises a user station for generating an access request and a gateway server for receiving the access request. The gateway server includes a rate unit for comparing a requested rate to assigned rates, a selector for selecting an available user channel and an available signaling alphabet, and an allocation unit for assigning the carrier, user channel, and alphabet to the access request. One of several offered transfer rates is assigned to the available user channel. Each offered rate corresponds to a set of signaling alphabets with low cross-correlation for data transfer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for recording a viewer's television viewership habits. Sensors monitor the audio signal, synchronization signal, and video signal emanating from the television. A time coincidence channel tag is mixed with the transmitted television audio or video signal at a dwelling by a master unit. Then by matching the channel tag of the viewed channel with the channel tag, an accurate identification of the viewed channel can be made.

Abstract: Received echo data are transferred from an ultrasound probe to the signal processing circuitry of an ultrasound imaging system by use of a reduced number of multiple coaxial cables. The system operates by frequency division multiplexing of the analog output signals produced by multiple individual array elements in the probe onto a single coaxial cable, which connects the probe to the central host computer or console for conventional signal processing and imaging.

Abstract: A system for filtering digital television signals is provided. The system comprises a generator for providing a first data sequence to a private data packetizer, and a transmitter for transmitting the packetized first data sequence in a data channel of a digital television signal. The system further includes a receiver for receiving the digital television signal and recovering the first data sequence. The receiver includes a channel estimator for providing an estimate of channel characteristics, such as estimated channel impulse estimate and estimated noise variance. The receiver further includes an adaptive equalizer filter having an input for receiving the digital television signal and an input for receiving adaptive filter coefficients. The receiver further includes a coefficient processor for calculating adaptive filter coefficients based on the channel estimate, and providing the adaptive filter coefficients to the adaptive equalizer filter.