Abstract: A system and method for a directional microphone system is disclosed. The directional microphone system can adaptively track and detect sources of sound information, and can reduce background noise. A first monolithic detection unit for detecting sound information and performing local signal processing on the detected sound information is provided. In the detection unit, an integrated transducer is provided for receiving acoustic waves and for generating sound information representative of the waves. A processor is coupled to the transducer for receiving the sound information and for performing local digital signal processing on the sound information to generate locally processed sound information. A base unit is coupled to the first monolithic detection unit and includes a global processor which receives the locally processed sound information and performs global digital signal processing on the locally processed sound information to generate globally processed sound information.

Abstract: The described method and apparatus wirelessly test individual integrated circuit die on a wafer containing multiple die. The method incorporates activating a selected die on the wafer by wirelessly impacting the die with at least two beams of electromagnetic radiation so that the die receives radiation energy having at least a first energy level, thereby activating the die by causing a current to flow in the die. Each beam of electromagnetic energy individually has less than the first energy level required to activate the die. The beams of electromagnetic energy are directed so that they at least partially overlap on the selected die. In the region of overlap, the two beams together impact the die with an energy level at least equal to the first energy level required to activate the die. The method may additionally include detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by the die in response to the electromagnetic energy received from the beams of electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: A digital subscriber line (DSL) communication system that utilizes the high frequency band of a standard telephone line does not require the use of a plain old telephone service (POTS) splitter in the resident's home, which provided isolation between the POTS frequency band (0 to 4 kHz) and the DSL frequency band. A digital subscriber line modem utilizes either constant envelope modulation or quadrature amplitude modulation for outputting DSL signals upstream to a central office. When a telephone in the resident's home is detected as being off-hook, then the constant envelope modulation is used by the DSL modem in order to lessen the intermodulation product distortion that results in audible noise heard by a user of the telephone. When the telephone is on-hook, then another type of modulation, such as QAM, is used to maximize the upstream data rate capability in the DSL frequency band, since any noise generated by the QAM is not a problem due to the non-use of the POTS frequency band.

Abstract: A digital subscriber line communication system does not require the use of a plain old telephone service (POTS) splitter in the resident's home. Digital signal processing techniques are utilized to adapt to varying subscriber line conditions due to POTS telephone equipment. The digital signal processing techniques eliminate the need for a splitter by reducing susceptibility to distortion due to varying subscriber line characteristics. The digital subscriber line modem utilizes quadrature amplitude modulated (QAM) signals and frequency division multiplexing. The digital subscriber line modem includes a control circuit which includes a rapid retrain circuit. The rapid retrain circuit can retrain the digital subscriber line modem in less than 0.5 seconds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing audio frequency-pressure modulation of the moisture content of the atmosphere caused by a moisture-laden audio source, such as a live human voice, is disclosed. A first light emitter is provided to generate a first light beam. An audio source that emits moisture, and the environment, modulate the first light beam to generate a first modulated light beam. A first detector is provided to detect and demodulate the first modulated light beam to recover an uncompensated audio signal. A second light emitter is provided to generate a second light beam. The second light beam is modulated by the environment and not by the audio source to produce a second modulated light beam. A second detector is provided to detect and demodulate the second modulated light beam to recover the signal component caused by environmental conditions.

Abstract: A power source employs an environmental energy extractor. The environmental energy extractor operates to extract energy from the environment and provides the extracted energy either to power an electronic device, or to a storage device coupled to a battery charger for storing the extracted energy. The environmental energy extractor can include one or more energy modules. Each energy module is for extracting environmental energy and for providing the extracted energy to either the electronic device or the storage device. When more than one energy module is employed, the energy modules are configured such that the extracted energy provided by each module is summed, and the collective extracted energy of all the energy modules is provided to the electronic device or the storage device.

Abstract: A dielectric coating for electrosurgical instruments including a ceramic coating applied to the instrument and a parylene coating applied to the ceramic coating. The coating may be used on monopolar and bipolar electrosurgical instruments to provide insulation having good dielectric properties.

Abstract: A cable modem provides upstream data signals in a cable system on a return channel. The upstream data signals are provided in a 50-550 MHz frequency range and yet do not affect the picture quality associated with conventional cable television signals. The data is provided on vestigial sidebands associated with the cable television signals or during black periods associated with the cable television signals. The data can be modulated in accordance with quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) techniques.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for multi-protocol, point-to-point communications which allocates processing tasks between a processor of an end point device and a processor of a communication device. The processor of the end point device performs all higher level protocol processing and the processor of the communication device performs lower level protocol processing. Internet service providers usually have several modems connected to each host computer for providing simultaneous point-to-point communication with a plurality of end users. The modems normally are located on cards which reside inside of the host computer, which may be a personal computer. To prevent the host processor from having to perform all of the protocol processing tasks for each session, the present invention provides for off-loading at least a portion of the Point-to-Point Protocol processing onto the modem processors. The host and the communication device or devices are interfaced via a shared memory device.

Abstract: A testing device for detecting defects in insulation of electrosurgical instruments that includes an implement or wand having a distal end, an electrode for generating a spark adapted to detect a defect in the insulation, and mounting means for removably mounting the electrode to the distal end of the implement. The removable mounting means includes a shank that is received in a socket or bore defined in the distal end of the wand and is engageable with the wand within the socket so the shank can easily be removed from the socket after use. The wand is releasably engageable with the housing by a flexible bracket that extends from the housing. The device may include a pad having a reflective top surface with ridges upon which the surgical instrument to be tested is placed.

Abstract: A testing device for detecting defects in insulation of electrosurgical instruments that includes an implement or wand having a distal end, an electrode for generating a spark adapted to detect a defect in the insulation, and mounting means for removably mounting the electrode to the distal end of the implement. The removable mounting means includes a shank that is received in a socket or bore defined in the distal end of the wand and is engageable with the wand within the socket so the shank can easily be removed from the socket after use. The wand is releasably engageable with the housing by a flexible bracket that extends from the housing. The device may include a pad having a reflective top surface with ridges upon which the surgical instrument to be tested is placed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for control of concurrent communication of analog information and digital information. In general terms, when the communication channel is viewed as a multi-dimensional space, the digital information signal is divided into symbols, and the symbols are mapped onto the signal space with a preset distance between them. The analog signal, generally limited in magnitude to less than half the distance separating the symbols, is converted to component signals and added (i.e., vector addition) to the symbols. The sum signal is then transmitted to the receiver where the symbols are detected and subtracted from the received signal to yield the analog signal components. The transmitted analog signal is recreated from those components. Both half-duplex and full-duplex operation is available in accordance with this invention. The illustrative embodiment includes a controller that is sensitive to input signals applied to the modem disclosed herein.

Abstract: In a multidrop data communication system operating at a first bit rate using the High-Level Data Link Control (HDLC) protocol, dial restoral of communications with a particular tributary at a second, lower bit rate is accomplished without requiring the system as a whole to back down to that lower bit rate. Specifically, the outgoing data is buffered in the dial restoral modem, which discards the data stored in the buffer upon receipt of the HDLC frame which follows any frame in which the so-called "poll" bit is set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reaming foreign deposits from the flow passage of well production tubing and cleaning deposits from the completion profiles within the tubing as well as for drifting the production tubing while located within a well bore. A reaming tool is extended through the tubing string and is rotated for reaming operations. A plurality of reaming dogs of the tool are selectively and radially expanded to tubing and tubing completion profile reaming positions by cams of a hydraulically operated linearly removable actuator mandrel. The actuator mandrel is spring-urged toward a position permitting spring-urged retraction of the reaming dogs so that the reaming tool may be introduced into or withdrawn from the tubing string by linear movement.