Abstract: A wireless network (1) comprises mesh devices and non-mesh devices. A medium access control architecture incorporates at least a point coordination function as an access method, wherein the point coordination function starts a contention-free period (30) with a beacon (32) so that a non-polled transmission by the non-mesh devices is prevented. Further, the mesh devices are enable to communicate during the contention-free period (30). Hence, communication between the mesh devices is priorisized so that a high reliability is achieved and utilization of the wireless network (1) is optimized.

Abstract: A residential gateway (130) interfaces in-home hosts (140) to the public Internet without performing address or port translation. Each in-home host is allocated a public address (212) of the gateway and optionally one or more ports (220). The in-home host generates a lower-level version of the gateway IP address for outgoing packets (S370). The gateway maintains a lookup table (720) for public-to-private IP address conversion for packets incoming from the Internet, and finds the lower-level counterpart of the IP address (730). Packets to go out or packets that have arrived are encapsulated without any address or port translation being performed.

Abstract: There is elucidated a method of communicating data packets (210; 520) within a data communication network (10). The network (10) comprises communication nodes (30a, 30b, 30c, 40), wherein a first nodal set (30a, 30b, 30c) comprises nodes which are operable to communicate via a communication medium with a second nodal set (40) comprising at least one of said nodes (30a, 30b, 30c, 40). The method comprises steps of: (a) mutually synchronizing together two or more nodes of said first nodal set; and (b) simultaneously in a synchronized manner transmitting one or more data packets from the mutually synchronized two or more nodes of said first nodal set via said communication medium for substantially simultaneous reception at said second nodal set (40).

Abstract: A hemodialysis apparatus comprises dialyzer means, dialyzing solution supply means, blood circulation means, and blood irradiation means. Employing electromagnetic radiation in the red visible and near infrared spectrum as part of a hemodialysis apparatus prevents long-term side effects associated with the use of dialysis, including cardiovascular diseases and anemia, and protects and restores the remaining kidney function.

Abstract: A communication network (10) comprising communication nodes (20, 20a, 40, 60, 70, 80, 90) operable to communicate data therebetween. The nodes (20, 20a, 40, 60, 70, 80, 90) include a mobile station (80) being operable to cooperate with first and second corresponding access points (70, 90), the first access point (70) being operable to provide a first communication route to the mobile station (80), and the second access point (90) being operable to sense operation of the first access point (70). The second access point (90) is operable to provide a second communication route to said at least one station (80) in an event of the first access point (70) ceasing to provide said first communication route. The sensing occurs in operation during slot periods (310, 320, 330, 340) individually assigned to the access points (70, 90).

Abstract: A hemodialysis apparatus comprises dialyzer means, dialyzing solution supply means, blood circulation means, and blood irradiation means. Employing electromagnetic radiation in the red visible and near infrared spectrum as part of a hemodialysis apparatus prevents long-term side effects associated with the use of dialysis, including cardiovascular diseases and anemia, and protects and restores the remaining kidney function.