Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a system comprising a MEMS based actuator unit and a control electric circuit. The actuator unit comprising one or more MEMS actuators, each comprising a stator and a rotor and configured to define a payload position in response to electric potential between said stator and rotor. The electric circuit comprising one or more amplifiers configured to provide electric control signal to the one or more MEMS actuators to selectively vary position of said payload. The electric circuit comprises a sensing circuit configured for providing an alternating carrier signal and for monitoring said carrier signal to generate data on impedance of said one or more MEMS actuators indicative of position of the rotor with respect to the stator of said one or more MEMS actuators.

Abstract: A telephone unit device connectable in series between a telephone set and a wire pair coupled to a telephone service and carrying DC power and an AC telephone signal. The device includes: a first connector connectable to the wire pair; a second connector connectable to the telephone set; means connected between the first and second connectors for passing substantially without change the AC telephone signal between the wire pair and the telephone set; and means connected between the first and second connectors for receiving DC power only from the wire pair and converting the DC power to a level suitable for proper telephone operation of the telephone set connected thereto.

Abstract: A telephone unit device connectable in series between a telephone set and a wire pair coupled to a telephone service and carrying DC power and an AC telephone signal. The device includes: a first connector connectable to the wire pair; a second connector connectable to the telephone set; means connected between the first and second connectors for passing substantially without change the AC telephone signal between the wire pair and the telephone set; and means connected between the first and second connectors for receiving DC power only from the wire pair and converting the DC power to a level suitable for proper telephone operation of the telephone set connected thereto.

Abstract: A system and method for reading an RFID data tag comprising a plurality of diffractive elements being indicative of machine-readable data carried by the tag are provided. The diffractive elements have such shape that the dimension of the diffractive elements along one axis is substantially different than the dimension of the elements along the perpendicular axis. Each diffractive element is oriented in a direction other than the direction of its neighboring elements. The system comprises a transmitting antenna configured for emitting an RF radiation signal at a predetermined polarization towards the tag; and a receiving antenna configured for collecting re-radiated RF radiation produced by the tag in response to the RF radiation signal at a polarization orthogonal to the polarization of the transmitting antenna and generating electromagnetic signals indicative of the data carried by the tag.

Abstract: A system for providing DC power on local telephone lines, such as telephone lines in a building or office, for powering devices and circuitry associated with communications over those telephone lines, as well as other functions. Desired voltage and power levels are supplied over local telephone lines by separating the DC power component from the central office or private branch exchange with a DC blocking filter while passing all AC telephony signals. A distinct DC power is then imposed over the telephone line for powering both the telephony service as well as other loads. Conventional telephone off-hook detection is simulated for compatibility with the central office or private branch exchange. The functions required may be integrated, partially or fully within a telephone outlet.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification data tag, a system and a method for reading the tag are described. The tag comprises a plurality of diffractive elements which are indicative of data carried by the tag. The diffractive elements have such shape that the dimension of the diffractive elements along one axis is substantially different than the dimension of the elements along the perpendicular axis. The diffractive elements are arranged in columns and rows in accordance with a predetermined layout scheme. In each column, the diffractive element is oriented in a direction other than the direction of the elements in the neighboring columns. The system for reading the tag comprises an array of transmitting (Tx) antennas for emitting an RF transmitted radiation signal at a predetermined polarization towards the tag, and an array of receiving (Rx) antennas configured for collecting re-radiated RF radiation produced by the tag at a polarization orthogonal to the polarization of the transmitting antenna.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method, device and/or system for communicating over a wideband distribution network. The device may include, for example, a downstream conversion module for converting a legacy downstream electrical signal of a legacy downstream frequency band into an extended downstream optical signal of an extended downstream frequency band; and/or an upstream conversion module for converting an extended upstream optical signal of an extended upstream frequency band into a legacy upstream electrical signal of a legacy upstream frequency band. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system for providing DC power on local telephone lines, such as telephone lines in a building or office, for powering devices and circuitry associated with communications over those telephone lines, as well as other functions. Desired voltage and power levels are supplied over local telephone lines by separating the DC power component from the central office or private branch exchange with a DC blocking filter while passing all AC telephony signals. A distinct DC power is then imposed over the telephone line for powering both the telephony service as well as other loads. Conventional telephone off-hook detection is simulated for compatibility with the central office or private branch exchange. The functions required may be integrated, partially or fully within a telephone outlet.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification data tag, a system and a method for reading the tag are described. The tag comprises a plurality of diffractive elements which are indicative of data carried by the tag. The diffractive elements have such shape that the dimension of the diffractive elements along one axis is substantially different than the dimension of the elements along the perpendicular axis. The diffractive elements are arranged in columns and rows in accordance with a predetermined layout scheme. In each column, the diffractive element is oriented in a direction other than the direction of the elements in the neighboring columns. The system for reading the tag comprises an array of transmitting (Tx) antennas for emitting an RF transmitted radiation signal at a predetermined polarization towards the tag, and an array of receiving (Rx) antennas configured for collecting re-radiated RF radiation produced by the tag at a polarization orthogonal to the polarization of the transmitting antenna.

Abstract: A system and method for reading an RFID data tag comprising a plurality of diffractive elements being indicative of machine-readable data carried by the tag are provided. The diffractive elements have such shape that the dimension of the diffractive elements along one axis is substantially different than the dimension of the elements along the perpendicular axis. Each diffractive element is oriented in a direction other than the direction of its neighboring elements. The system comprises a transmitting antenna configured for emitting an RF radiation signal at a predetermined polarization towards the tag; and a receiving antenna configured for collecting re-radiated RF radiation produced by the tag in response to the RF radiation signal at a polarization orthogonal to the polarization of the transmitting antenna and generating electromagnetic signals indicative of the data carried by the tag.

Abstract: A system for providing DC power on local telephone lines, such as telephone lines in a building or office, for powering devices and circuitry associated with communications over those telephone lines, as well as other functions. Desired voltage and power levels are supplied over local telephone lines by separating the DC power component from the central office or private branch exchange with a DC blocking filter while passing all AC telephony signals. A distinct DC power is then imposed over the telephone line for powering both the telephony service as well as other loads. Conventional telephone off-hook detection is simulated for compatibility with the central office or private branch exchange. The functions required may be integrated, partially or fully within a telephone outlet.

Abstract: A telephone unit device connectable in series between a telephone set and a wire pair coupled to a telephone service and carrying DC power and an AC telephone signal. The device includes: a first connector connectable to the wire pair; a second connector connectable to the telephone set; means connected between the first and second connectors for passing substantially without change the AC telephone signal between the wire pair and the telephone set; and means connected between the first and second connectors for receiving DC power only from the wire pair and converting the DC power to a level suitable for proper telephone operation of the telephone set connected thereto.

Abstract: A system for providing DC power on local telephone lines, such as telephone lines in a building or office, for powering devices and circuitry associated with communications over those telephone lines, as well as other functions. Desired voltage and power levels are supplied over local telephone lines by separating the DC power component from the central office or private branch exchange with a DC blocking filter while passing all AC telephony signals. A distinct DC power is then imposed over the telephone line for powering both the telephony service as well as other loads. Conventional telephone off-hook detection is simulated for compatibility with the central office or private branch exchange. The functions required may be integrated, partially or fully within a telephone outlet.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method, device and/or system for communicating over a wideband distribution network. The device may include, for example, a downstream conversion module for converting a legacy downstream electrical signal of a legacy downstream frequency band into an extended downstream optical signal of an extended downstream frequency band; and/or an upstream conversion module for converting an extended upstream optical signal of an extended upstream frequency band into a legacy upstream electrical signal of a legacy upstream frequency band. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system for providing DC power on local telephone lines, such as telephone lines in a building or office, for powering devices and circuitry associated with communications over those telephone lines, as well as other functions. Desired voltage and power levels are supplied over local telephone lines by separating the DC power component from the central office or private branch exchange with a DC blocking filter while passing all AC telephony signals. A distinct DC power is then imposed over the telephone line for powering both the telephony service as well as other loads. Conventional telephone off-hook detection is simulated for compatibility with the central office or private branch exchange. The functions required may be integrated, partially or fully within a telephone outlet.

Abstract: A system for providing DC power on local telephone lines, such as telephone lines in a building or office, for powering devices and circuitry associated with communications over those telephone lines, as well as other functions. Desired voltage and power levels are supplied over local telephone lines by separating the DC power component from the central office or private branch exchange with a DC blocking filter while passing all AC telephony signals. A distinct DC power is then imposed over the telephone line for powering both the telephony service as well as other loads. Conventional telephone off-hook detection is simulated for compatibility with the central office or private branch exchange. The functions required may be integrated, partially or fully within a telephone outlet.