Abstract: The performance and ease of management of wireless communications environments is improved by a mechanism that enables access points (APs) to perform automatic channel selection. A wireless network can therefore include multiple APs, each of which will automatically choose a channel such that channel usage is optimized. Furthermore, APs can perform automatic power adjustment so that multiple APs can operate on the same channel while minimizing interference with each other. Wireless stations are load balanced across APs so that user bandwidth is optimized. A movement detection scheme provides seamless roaming of stations between APs.

Abstract: The performance and ease of management of wireless communications environments is improved by a mechanism that enables access points (APs) to perform automatic channel selection. A wireless network can therefore include multiple APs, each of which will automatically choose a channel such that channel usage is optimized. Furthermore, APs can perform automatic power adjustment so that multiple APs can operate on the same channel while minimizing interference with each other. Wireless stations are load balanced across APs so that user bandwidth is optimized. A movement detection scheme provides seamless roaming of stations between APs.

Abstract: An access point in a wireless network includes an external indication of the access point's proximity to another access point. The external indication can be a LED that blinks at a rate that is related to the proximity of the access point to the other access point. An access point is also capable of producing a network map that indicates the access point's proximity relative to other access points that are coupled to the network. The access point is further capable of monitoring wireless network traffic to ascertain whether wireless network traffic has exceeded a threshold, and if so, releasing some client devices so that wireless network traffic no longer exceeds the threshold. The access point is also capable of automatically choosing one of a plurality of radio frequencies on which to operate. The access point chooses a frequency after evaluating frequencies on which other access points may be operating.

Abstract: A system, device, and method for managing communication services in an optical communication system utilizes a optical service agent (OSA) that operates within the domain of the network user and manages various communication services on behalf of the network user. The OSA interacts with the optical communication network to obtain various communication services and manages those communication services for the network user based upon predetermined parameters defined by the network user. An authenticated auto-discovery mechanism is used to automatically identify and authenticate OSA-enabled users and to distribute information between peer OSA-enabled users. A peer-to-peer signaling mechanism is used to extend OSA functionality to OSA-enabled users that do not interface directly with the optical communication network.

Abstract: The present invention is a catheter having a tube and including mechanisms that provide precision control over insertion and retraction of the catheter tube. The catheter is particularly adapted for introduction into the pulmonary system. The catheter includes an insertion depth control mechanism that acts as a stop and provides a tactile indication to the person inserting the catheter tube that a predetermined position has been reached. The catheter also includes an anti-bunching mechanism to prevent bunching of a protective sleeve disposed around the catheter tube, thereby reducing interference from the sleeve during insertion of the catheter tube.

Abstract: An access point in a wireless network includes an external indication of the access point's proximity to another access point. The external indication can be a LED that blinks at a rate that is related to the proximity of the access point to the other access point. An access point is also capable of producing a network map that indicates the access point's proximity relative to other access points that are coupled to the network. The access point is further capable of monitoring wireless network traffic to ascertain whether wireless network traffic has exceeded a threshold, and if so, releasing some client devices so that wireless network traffic no longer exceeds the threshold. The access point is also capable of automatically choosing one of a plurality of radio frequencies on which to operate. The access point chooses a frequency after evaluating frequencies on which other access points may be operating.

Abstract: An access point in a wireless network includes an external indication of the access point's proximity to another access point. The external indication can be a LED that blinks at a rate that is related to the proximity of the access point to the other access point. An access point is also capable of producing a network map that indicates the access point's proximity relative to other access points that are coupled to the network. The access point is further capable of monitoring wireless network traffic to ascertain whether wireless network traffic has exceeded a threshold, and if so, releasing some client devices so that wireless network traffic no longer exceeds the threshold. The access point is also capable of automatically choosing one of a plurality of radio frequencies on which to operate. The access point chooses a frequency after evaluating frequencies on which other access points may be operating.

Abstract: The present invention is a catheter having a tube and including mechanisms that provide precision control over insertion and retraction of the catheter tube. The catheter is particularly adapted for introduction into the pulmonary system. The catheter includes an insertion depth control mechanism that acts as a stop and provides a tactile indication to the person inserting the catheter tube that a predetermined position has been reached. The catheter also includes an anti-bunching mechanism to prevent bunching of a protective sleeve disposed around the catheter tube, thereby reducing interference from the sleeve during insertion of the catheter tube.

Abstract: The present invention is a catheter having a tube and including mechanisms that provide precision control over insertion and retraction of the catheter tube. The catheter is particularly adapted for introduction into the pulmonary system. The catheter includes an insertion depth control mechanism that acts as a stop and provides a tactile indication to the person inserting the catheter tube that a predetermined position has been reached. The catheter also includes an anti-bunching mechanism to prevent bunching of a protective sleeve disposed around the catheter tube, thereby reducing interference from the sleeve during insertion of the catheter tube.

Abstract: The present invention is a catheter having a tube and including mechanisms that provide precision control over insertion and retraction of the catheter tube. The catheter is particularly adapted for introduction into the pulmonary system. The catheter includes an insertion depth control mechanism that acts as a stop and provides a tactile indication to the person inserting the catheter tube that a predetermined position has been reached. The catheter also includes an anti-bunching mechanism to prevent bunching of a protective sleeve disposed around the catheter tube, thereby reducing interference from the sleeve during insertion of the catheter tube.

Abstract: An edge detection apparatus for detecting an edge on a surface. The apparatus comprises a source of coherent radiation for generating a radiation beam and directing the beam onto the surface. A radiation detector is located so as to detect radiation diffusely reflected, but not specularly reflected, from the surface. A system is provided for causing relative scanning movement between the radiation beam and the surface. A monitor is coupled to the detector for monitoring the intensity of the detected radiation.

Abstract: The present invention is a catheter having a tube and including mechanisms that provide precision control over insertion and retraction of the catheter tube. The catheter is particularly adapted for introduction into the pulmonary system. The catheter includes an insertion depth control mechanism that acts as a stop and provides a tactile indication to the person inserting the catheter tube that a predetermined position has been reached. The catheter also includes an anti-bunching mechanism to prevent bunching of a protective sleeve disposed around the catheter tube, thereby reducing interference from the sleeve during insertion of the catheter tube.

Abstract: The present invention is a catheter having a tube and including mechanisms that provide precision control over insertion and retraction of the catheter tube. The catheter is particularly adapted for introduction into the pulmonary system. The catheter includes an insertion depth control mechanism that acts as a stop and provides a tactile indication to the person inserting the catheter tube that a predetermined position has been reached. The catheter also includes an anti-bunching mechanism to prevent bunching of a protective sleeve disposed around the catheter tube, thereby reducing interference from the sleeve during insertion of the catheter tube.

Abstract: An edge detection apparatus for detecting an edge on a surface. The apparatus comprises a source of coherent radiation for generating a radiation beam and directing the beam onto the surface. A radiation detector is located so as to detect radiation diffusely reflected, but not specularly reflected, from the surface. A system is provided for causing relative scanning movement between the radiation beam and the surface. A monitor is coupled to the detector for monitoring the intensity of the detected radiation.

Abstract: The present invention is a catheter having a tube and including mechanisms that provide precision control over insertion and retraction of the catheter tube. The catheter is particularly adapted for introduction into the pulmonary system. The catheter includes an insertion depth control mechanism that acts as a stop and provides a tactile indication to the person inserting the catheter tube that a predetermined position has been reached. The catheter also includes an anti-bunching mechanism to prevent bunching of a protective sleeve disposed around the catheter tube, thereby reducing interference from the sleeve during insertion of the catheter tube.

Abstract: A system, device, and method for managing communication services in an optical communication system utilizes a optical service agent (OSA) that operates within the domain of the network user and manages various communication services on behalf of the network user. The OSA interacts with the optical communication network to obtain various communication services and manages those communication services for the network user based upon predetermined parameters defined by the network user. An authenticated auto-discovery mechanism is used to automatically identify and authenticate OSA-enabled users and to distribute information between peer OSA-enabled users. A peer-to-peer signaling mechanism is used to extend OSA functionality to OSA-enabled users that do not interface directly with the optical communication network.

Abstract: A technique for logically connecting local communications networks (CNs) that may be separated by wide area networks containing routers and other network components. A logical link is formed between two devices called tunnelers, such that, once a tunnel has been established between two CNs, other devices on the CNs can communicate. The tunneling mechanism of the invention requires that each CN have only one active tunneler at any particular time, referred to as the designated tunneler, and each of the tunnelers is configured to have knowledge of the identities of the other tunnelers. A tunnel is established after a successful exchange of messages between two tunnelers, and then traffic may be forwarded through the tunnel in a transparent manner. The tunneling mechanism permits messages to be forwarded between CNs separated by a wide area network containing routers.

Abstract: A method for connecting a first communication system with a third communications system, by passing through a second communications system, is disclosed. A first frame is received from the first communications system, where the first frame has a multicast address as a destination address. The multicast address requires the frame to be transmitted onto the second multicast address is translated into a functional address. The functional address is written into a second frame, and the second frame is transmitted onto the second communications system. A station receiving the second frame translates the functional address into a multicast address and writes the multicast address into the destination address field of a third frame, and transmits the third frame onto the third communications system.

Abstract: A technique for logically connecting local area networks (LANs) that may be separated by wide area networks containing routers and other network components. A logical link is formed between two bridge-like devices called tunnelers, such that, once a tunnel has been established between two LANs, other devices on the LANs can communicate as if the tunnel were a bridge. The tunneling mechanism of the invention requires that each LAN or extended LAN have only one active tunneler at any particular time, referred to as the designated tunneler, and each of the tunnelers is configured to have knowledge of the identities of the other tunnelers. A tunnel is established after a successful exchange of messages between two tunnelers, and then traffic may be forwarded through the tunnel in a transparent manner. The tunneling mechanism permits messages to be forwarded between LANs separated by a wide area network containing routers.

Abstract: A technique for modifying the IEEE 802.3 standard for selecting backoff times in a Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) network, in the event that a collision is sensed by a node that has captured the network communication channel. If there is a small number of active nodes on the network, one node may capture the channel and the standard backoff algorithm makes it increasingly unlikely for another node to transmit. The new technique provides for less aggressive, i.e. longer, backoff times before at least the first retransmission attempt made by a node that has captured the channel, and in addition provides for the use of a stopped backoff algorithm. Three specific examples of methods to choose a backoff time and two methods of using a stopped backoff algorithm are disclosed.