Abstract: A communications system and method for exchanging spectrum usage information through a drop box (100) includes one or more central stations (101) that defines a region of operation. A central drop box (102) is associated with the central station (101) for providing a database of spectrum usage information. Stations (103, 105, 107) using the communications system may submit information regarding spectrum usage to the central drop box (102) that affects the region of operation (109, 115) for providing the most efficient and non-interfering uses of the frequency spectrum.

Abstract: A communications system and method for exchanging spectrum usage information through a drop box (100) includes one or more central stations (101) that defines a region of operation. A central drop box (102) is associated with the central station (101) for providing a database of spectrum usage information. Stations (103, 105, 107) using the communications system may submit information regarding spectrum usage to the central drop box (102) that affects the region of operation (109, 115) for providing the most efficient and non-interfering uses of the frequency spectrum.

Abstract: A photoprocessing apparatus for sensing type of photoprocessing consumable and method of assembling the apparatus. The invention includes a photographic printing and developing apparatus (10) adapted to allow the apparatus to sense types of supplied consumable photosensitive paper and photoprocessing chemicals and method for assembling the consumable paper and chemicals for sensing. An electrically programmable read/write memory contained in a transponder (54) is integrally attached to the consumable paper or chemicals package. The transponder (54) is capable of receiving a first, RF frequency electromagnetic field and deriving power and address information from the first frequency, then generating a second RF frequency electromagnetic field in response, where the second electromagnetic field is characteristic of the data stored in memory. A transceiver (50) is disposed within the photographic printing and developing apparatus (10) with antenna (56) and support components for polling each transponder (54).

Abstract: In a video camera having a zoom lens and a microphone pickup for recording sound associated with the video images, the acoustic focus (or acoustic acceptance angle) of the microphone pickup is varied between uni-directional and omni-directional in synchronism with the zoom lens control of the camera in order to correlate the optical field of view of the lens with the acoustic field of view of the microphone for optimum coordination of picture and sound.

Abstract: A clamping circuit for use in a line sequential video processor sets separate dc voltage levels for a pair of color difference signals. The respective dc levels serve to identify the sequence of the color difference signals in the line sequential signal. By first setting the voltage offset between the respective levels, the dc voltage levels for both color difference signals are later established by clamping only to every other signal. The clamping circuit includes a monostable multivibrator that generates a clamping pulse only at the onset of every other color difference signal.