Abstract: A monitoring pad assembly is provided for use with a graphical user interface including a monitoring pad and a signal assembly, at least one of which may be adapted to be worn on at least one of a user's digits, wherein movement of the signal assembly relative to the touch pad housing indicates a desired movement of the pointing device. Further embodiments of the invention provide a method for tracking an on-screen pointer, including the steps of: emitting a signal from a device adapted to be worn on at least one of a user's digits, and monitoring the movement and direction of the emitted signal.

Abstract: The current invention provides that data sent from a source computer to a recipients computer can be selected in real time according to at least one characteristic of the recipient which can be kept in a profile. Information such as the recipient's position, preferred websites, browsing history, content a visited website, information from a third party, or the recipients response to a question posed also could be included in the profile, and various ways to obtain this information are disclosed. A pricing method values an advertisement sent over the Internet according to the time the recipient viewed the advertisement, or whether the advertisement resulted in an inquiry or sale. The advertisements can be selected in real-time and displayed with the requested web page.

Abstract: A pointing device is provided for use in computing devices comprising a printed circuit board, a tracking device adapted to generate a tracking signal in response to a user vocal input and relay the tracking signal to the printed circuit board, and a selection device adapted to generate a selection signal in response to a user manipulation and relay the selection signal to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling handoffs in a wireless communication system include receiving a location vector from a mobile unit, and determining whether to perform a handoff of the mobile unit based on the received vector. The vector may also include time information related to the time at which the vector was transmitted. The vector may be obtained from a GPS satellite signal or one or more terrestrial stations.

Abstract: In a communication system, channel operating parameter carrier frequencies are located in the vicinity of data nulls in a data spectrum. The operating parameter carriers are summed with the data signal. At the receiver, the operating parameter carrier frequencies are recovered by demodulation techniques, and the operating parameters are recovered and processed.

Abstract: A pointing device is provided for use with a computer, including a tracking device adapted to generate a signal for use by a processor in moving a pointer on screen, and a selecting device adapted generate a selection signal for use by the processor to determine operations to execute. The tracking device and the selecting device are respectively incorporated into at least two distinct apparatuses that are separately operable by different and multiple user body parts. In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the improved pointing device may be operated at least in part by, for example, several of a user's fingers, by a foot, or by a user's eyes. The pointing device thus distributes conventional mouse functions in a way that allows them to be executed by multiple body parts, thereby reducing repeated stress to any single user appendage.

Abstract: A system for reducing multipath interference in a wireless data transmission generally includes a processor and memory device for capturing one or more data packets of the wireless data transmission. The transmitting device associates a time value and/or a spatial value to each of the data packets. Upon capture, the processor determines whether the captured data packet is reflective or non-reflective by comparing the time value or spatial value, as applicable, of the captured data packet to the time value or spatial value of each stored non-reflective packet. The system identifies the captured data packet as non-reflective, if the time value (or spatial value) of the captured packet is different from the time value (or spatial value) of each stored non-reflective packet.

Abstract: A pump source for a fiber Raman amplifier used in a WDM optical communication system is formed to generate an RF-modulated pump signal (as opposed to the prior art CW signals). The modulation frequency and index of the RF-modulated pump signal are controlled to impart a sufficient degree of “randomness” to the presence of the pump signal at each wavelength, thus minimizing cross talk between the signals and improving the transfer of power from the pump signal to the plurality of optical input signals.

Abstract: A wireless means of guidance for a device in accordance with the present invention includes receiving signals from at least one wireless base station indicating at least a respective position thereof, determining the current position of the device using at least the information contained in the received signals, calculating a vector between the determined current position and a predetermined desired destination for the device, and making trajectory corrections to the device's current trajectory so as to guide the device to the desired destination. In addition to the information contained in the received signals, the guidance system may also use stored information regarding parameters, such as the location, communication protocols and operating frequencies of the wireless base stations, as well as previous position information, for determining a current position for the device.

Abstract: A wireless means of guidance for a device in accordance with the present invention includes receiving signals from at least one wireless base station indicating at least a respective position thereof, determining the current position of the device using at least the information contained in the received signals, calculating a vector between the determined current position and a predetermined desired destination for the device, and making trajectory corrections to the device's current trajectory so as to guide the device to the desired destination. In addition to the information contained in the received signals, the guidance system may also use stored information regarding parameters, such as the location, communication protocols and operating frequencies of the wireless base stations, as well as previous position information, for determining a current position for the device.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically maintaining the security of an area. In one embodiment of the invention, several space area network elements may be placed near or in a circular pattern around an area to be kept space, such as a school. The space area network elements are devices including sensors to sense the presence of an unwanted object such as a gun. The space area network elements may also include a wireless communication unit so that when the presence of an unwanted object or gun is sensed, a third party entity such as a the police may be alerted. The space area network elements also include inter-element communication units that allow the space area network elements to share information and form a space area network. Additionally, the space area network elements may include a positioning system unit that obtains data related to the position of the space area network. By way of the positioning system unit, position information may also be communicated to the third party entity.

Abstract: A monitoring and tracking system for monitoring and tracking an object may have a plurality of object area network elements. Each of the object area network elements may have a wireless communications unit and a GPS unit, wherein the GPS units are designed to facilitate the calculation of position data for each of the plurality of object area network elements. The wireless communications units may be designed to facilitate communications between the plurality of object area network elements and at least one base station. Each of the plurality of object area network elements may further have a sensor unit, the sensor units each having at least one temperature sensing unit for obtaining temperature data and at least one pressure sensing unit for obtaining pressure data. The object area network elements may be designed to communicate the temperature data, the pressure data, and the position data to the base station.

Abstract: An arrangement for monitoring the performance of each pump source in a fiber Raman amplifier arrangement utilizes a set of unique “signature” signals, each signature signal impressed on a different pump input signal. At the receiver, the signature signals are extracted from the received, amplified signal. If a particular signature signal is missing at the receiver, this is indicative of failure of its associated pump source at the transmitter. If a particular signature signal is noticeable weaker than other received signature signals (as evidenced by, for example a low SNR or high BER), this is indicative of a power loss in its associated pump source. Since each signature signal is chosen to be unique, the identity of each pump source can be easily ascertained. In one embodiment, a low data rate signal is impressed on an RF signal used to modulate the pump prior to be applied to the transmission fiber.

Abstract: A pump source for a fiber Raman amplifier is formed to include a polarization scrambler to reduce the effects of polarization dependent gain, particularly as used in a multiple input wavelength WDM optical system. The source utilizes a polarization scrambler coupled to the output of a pump laser, the scrambler controlled by a sinusoidal input signal to impart a randomness to the polarization of the pump signal. Thus, a random state of polarization of the pump signal, with respect to the various input signal wavelengths, improves the overall gain experienced by the system.

Abstract: A system for reducing multipath interference in a wireless data transmission generally includes a processor and memory device for capturing one or more data packets of the wireless data transmission. The transmitting device associates a time value and/or a spatial value to each of the data packets. Upon capture, the processor determines whether the captured data packet is reflective or non-reflective by comparing the time value or spatial value, as applicable, of the captured data packet to the time value or spatial value of each stored non-reflective packet. The system identifies the captured data packet as non-reflective, if the time value (or spatial value) of the captured packet is different from the time value (or spatial value) of each stored non-reflective packet.

Abstract: The current invention provides that data sent from a source computer to a recipient's computer can be selected in real time according to at least one characteristic of the recipient which can be kept in a profile. Information such as the recipient's position, preferred websites, browsing history, content a visited website, information from a third party, or the recipient's response to a question posed also could be included in the profile, and various ways to obtain this information are disclosed. A pricing method values an advertisement sent over the Internet according to the time the recipient viewed the advertisement, or whether the advertisement resulted in an inquiry or sale. The advertisements can be selected in real-time and displayed with the requested web page.

Abstract: A monitoring and tracking system for monitoring and tracking an object may have a plurality of object area network elements. Each of the object area network elements may have a wireless communications unit and a GPS unit, wherein the GPS units are designed to facilitate the calculation of position data for each of the plurality of object area network elements. The wireless communications units may be designed to facilitate communications between the plurality of object area network elements and at least one base station. Each of the plurality of object area network elements may further have a sensor unit, the sensor units each having at least one temperature sensing unit for obtaining temperature data and at least one pressure sensing unit for obtaining pressure data. The object area network elements may be designed to communicate the temperature data, the pressure data, and the position data to the base station.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically maintaining the security of an area. In one embodiment of the invention, several space area network elements may be placed near or in a circular pattern around an area to be kept space, such as a school. The space area network elements are devices including sensors to sense the presence of an unwanted object such as a gun. The space area network elements may also include a wireless communication unit so that when the presence of an unwanted object or gun is sensed, a third party entity such as a the police may be alerted. The space area network elements also include inter-element communication units that allow the space area network elements to share information and form a space area network. Additionally, the space area network elements may include a positioning system unit that obtains data related to the position of the space area network. By way of the positioning system unit, position information may also be communicated to the third party entity.

Abstract: By way of the present invention, personal data may follow a monitored person in his or her travels, continuously and automatically, without the need for manual adjustment or updating of databases. As a monitored person's location is tracked during his or her travels, personal data may be automatically and continuously referenced and updated. As a monitored person moves from a first location to a second location, the personal data related to the monitored person may move from a first dynamic database, located in a first server, located within the geographic region of the first location, to a second dynamic database located in a second server which, in turn, is located within the geographic location of the second location. The personal data may be moved or transferred from the first dynamic database to the second dynamic database via a wireless or cellular communications network.

Abstract: A pump source for a fiber Raman amplifier is formed to include a polarization scrambler to reduce the effects of polarization dependent gain, particularly as used in a multiple input wavelength WDM optical system. The source utilizes a polarization scrambler coupled to the output of a pump laser, the scrambler controlled by a sinusoidal input signal to impart a randomness to the polarization of the pump signal. Thus, a random state of polarization of the pump signal, with respect to the various input signal wavelengths, improves the overall gain experienced by the system.