Abstract: A method to generate recognition, auto-adaptation and self-organization in autonomous mechanisms and organisms. A number of sensing elements generate analog signals whose amplitudes are classified into different classes of perception intensity. The currently occurring elapse times between phase transitions are recorded and compared with prior recorded elapse times in order to find covariant time sequences and patterns. A motion actuating system can be coupled to the assembly, which is controlled by pulse sequences that have been modulated in accordance with the covariant time sequences. In this way the mechanism or organism in motion is prompted to emulate the found covariant time sequences, while being able to recognize its own motion course and adapting itself to changes of environment.

Abstract: An output of an oscillating circuit is inputted to a system clock generating circuit, and a CPU performing various arithmetic processes is operated by this system clock. In order to operate a chopping pulse generating circuit and a one-shot pulse generating circuit, the CPU enters into an interrupt operation by means of an interrupt signal from an interrupt signal generating circuit, pulse information of a pulse rank storage circuit which stores a duty width of the chopping pulse generating circuit and pulse information of the one-shot pulse generating circuit, are independently controlled by means of rotation detection information of a rotation detecting circuit in previous driving of a motor, and the motor is driven by means of motor driving pulses formed by the chopping pulse generating circuit and the one-shot pulse generating circuit.

Abstract: An Electronic clock having an electric power generating element which is operable even in a state where the voltage of the electric power generating element is low. The electronic clock includes an electric power generating element, a low-voltage oscillating circuit which can oscillate even with a low voltage with the electromotive force developed by the electric power generating element as a power supply, an electronic clock movement having signal generating means, a voltage detecting circuit that detects an output voltage of a charging circuit, a selecting circuit that selects any one of the output signal of the low-voltage oscillating circuit and the output signal of the signal generating means on the basis of the voltage detection result to output it, and a step-up circuit that inputs an output signal of the selecting circuit and a voltage from the electric power generating element for stepping it up to output a stepped-up voltage to the charging circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reading from and writing to a magneto-optical disc. The apparatus comprises a first objective lens situated between a first side of the magneto-optical disc and a first source of a laser light. The apparatus further comprises a first flying magnetic head situated between the first objective lens and the first side of the magneto-optical disc, including a first coil for supplying a first magnetic field, the first coil defining a light channel through the first flying magnetic head for allowing the laser light to reach the magneto-optical disc.

Abstract: A magneto-optical disc is described. The magneto-optical disc comprises a substrate and a magneto-optical recording layer applied over the substrate. The magneto-optical disc further comprises an overcoat layer applied over the recording layer having a thickness in a range between 25 nanometers and 200 microns, wherein data is recorded on the magneto-optical disc and read from the magneto-optical disc using a laser light that is incident on the overcoat layer.

Abstract: This invention provides an optical recording-reading device that prevents deterioration of the recorded signals on the optical recording medium caused by the optical beam, and the optical recording-reading device can store information safely. An optical recording-reading device comprises an optical head to produce an optical beam, a transfer board to move the optical beam, and a motor that rotates a disk optical recording medium having a recording thin film which changes its state due to the irradiation of the optical beam. Recording and reading are conducted at a relative velocity between the optical beam and the optical recording medium that is determined as a substantially constant linear velocity. The optical recording-reading device has a transfer control unit to control the movement of the optical beam, and rotation rate control unit to control the rotation rate of the optical recording medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and reproducing a data signal on and from a rewritable recording medium structured to have sectors and a method for recording the data signal on the recording medium are provided for enhancing endurance against the degrade of the recording medium caused by overwriting. The shift information for representing a shift amount of a recording start point is added to a VFO or a SYNC of the data. In recording, the recording start point is changed on the shift amount so as to avoid the overlap of the recording start location. In reproduction, the unnecessary portion of the recorded data is erased for preventing the VFO of the recorded data from being erroneously detected. By this operation, the apparatus and the method enhances the endurance against the repetitive overwrite of the data signal and secures extraction and synchronization of the reproduction clock.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical storage device in the form of a compact disc recorder which includes sound receiving means for receiving analog signals, a convertor connected to the sound receiving means for converting the received analog signals into digital data, data storage structure communicatingly connected to the convertor for receiving the digital data from the convertor and storing the digital data received, and a compact disc recordable drive communicatingly connected to the data storage structure for receiving the stored digital data from the data storage structure and recording the digital data onto a compact disc received by the compact disc recordable drive.

Abstract: A disk recording or playback device has mounted on a chassis a pickup for detecting addresses on a disk, and a sensor switch SW for detecting the pickup as brought to the inner peripheral side of the disk. The pickup is moved toward a lead-in area of the disk to turn on the switch SW, thereafter reversely moved and caused to overrun for a predetermined period of time from a position where the switch SW is turned off. The pickup reads an address on the disk and is thereafter returned. When the address is outside a target region within the lead-in area, the pickup is repeatedly moved toward the lead-in area again with the overrun time altered. The overrun time is stored which enables the pickup to read an address within the target region upon overrunning.

Abstract: A tilt correction method carries out tilt correction by adjusting a magnet-optical readable medium. A tilt value is obtained by detecting crosstalk from a predetermined region of the magnet-optical readable medium, which is loaded with an apparatus to be used for practicing the tilt correction method. The tilt value is used to correct the tilt of the medium.

Abstract: A CD encode device for a recordable optical disk includes a clock synthesizer multiplying, by M/N, a CD decode system clock, a clock having a frequency equal to 2n times or ½n times a frequency of the CD decode system clock, a clock obtained by the above multiplying functioning as a channel clock required during a write operation where M, N and n are respectively integers.

Abstract: An optical disk device of the present invention performs at least one of recording and reproduction of an optical disk in which a wobble signal is included along a data-recording track, by rotating the optical disk and by scanning the track on the optical disk using an optical head. The device includes: an extraction section for extracting the wobble signal of the optical disk from an output of the optical head; a synchronization clock generation section for generating a synchronization clock signal based on the wobble signal extracted by the extraction section; and a recording/reproduction section for performing at least one of recording and reproduction of data to/from the optical disk by the synchronization clock signal generated by the synchronization clock generation section.

Abstract: The upper envelop signal generating unit detects the upper envelop of the detection signal to generate the upper envelop signal corresponding to the detected upper envelop, and the lower envelop signal generating unit detects the lower envelop of the detection signal to generate the lower envelop signal corresponding to the detected lower envelop. The slice signal generating unit divides the voltage difference of the upper envelop signal and the lower envelop signal using a predetermined division ratio to generate the slice signal. The averaging unit averages the slice signal to produce the average signal. The defect detecting unit compares the average signal and the upper envelop signal to produce the defect detection signal indicating the period in which the voltage of the upper envelop signal is lower than the voltage of the average signal. As a result, a very short defect like a wedge-shape defect can be reliably detected.

Abstract: When a linking-point indicating signal, a defect detection signal, and a peak detection signal are obtained, a switch control section controls the on/off states of switches such that the time constant of a filter section becomes smaller or larger than the standard value during the specified period. With this control, in a linking section or a period in which a reproduced signal is missing, the threshold for asymmetry compensation traces a signal state at a higher speed, or the preceding threshold is maintained irrespective of the state of an input signal.

Abstract: An optical disc recording and reproducing apparatus can record data, which is provided in a packet having a fixed length, on an optical disc without waiting for a long time for a completion of a formatting operation. The optical disc is formatted by a formatting process performed as a background process so that another process is acceptable after a start of the formatting process. The formatting process is performed so as to fill at least a predetermined part of a recording area of said optical disc by packets having a fixed length.

Abstract: A magneto-optical disk 1 has a track, wherein one of the sidewalls (sidewall 4) of a groove 2 is wobbled by a wobble signal, and is provided with a notch 5 in the track having a different frequency from the wobble signal. The absolute position of the magneto-optical disk 1 is detected with a sample bit stored by the notch 5 of the track, and an information bit is stored with a recording/reproducing clock synchronizing with that position. By forming the notch 5 in this manner, information can always be recorded at the same information bit position, regardless of how many times information is rewritten. Therefore, a gap area and a buffer area, which have conventionally been essential, are not needed on the optical disk. Consequently, it is possible to use a recording area effectively.

Abstract: An optical pickup for use in a multi-layer disc playback apparatus for playing back a multi-layer disc having a plurality of recording layers including a wave front aberration correcting means that is disposed in an optical path between a light source and an objective lens and corrects wave front aberration of light emitted from the light source in accordance with a recording layer to be played back.

Abstract: In order to provide an optical pick-up capable of carrying out write and read operations of information signals with respect to plural kinds of optical discs in which thicknesses of transparent bases are different from each other and simple in configuration, a first object lens 7a for converging light beams from a first light source onto an optical disc 101 of the first kind and a second object lens 7b for converging light beams from a second light source 6 onto an optical disc 102 of the second kind are provided on the same lens bobbin 8. The lens bobbin 8 is movably supported by the columnar support shaft and is caused to undergo movement operation by magnetic circuit.

Abstract: An optical information processing apparatus includes: an optical head for radiating a light beam onto an information storage medium and generating a reproduction signal from the light beam reflected an/or diffracted from the information storage medium, the information storage medium carrying optically readable information recorded thereon; a transportation member for causing a relative movement of the optical head with respect to the information storage medium; and a signal processing circuit for receiving the reproduction signal generated by the optical head and processing the reproduction signal.

Abstract: Address groups are composed of two of address blocks 16, 17, 18, and 19, where the address blocks 16, 17, 18, and 19 are disposed in a sector address region 5 and include identifiable information of address numbers 13 and overlapping sequential numbers 14. The address groups are disposed so that each group is alternately shifted from a track center 2 toward the inner periphery side or the outer periphery side, by a width substantially equal to half the track pitch, along the radius direction.

Abstract: A plurality of land sectors are arranged along a first spiral track, and at the header portion of the land sector directly before the first sector among the plural land sectors, information indicating that this sector is directly before the first sector with its address information, and a plurality of groove sectors are arranged along a second spiral track adjacent to the first spiral track, and at the header portion of the groove sector directly before the first sector among the plural groove sectors, information indicating that this sector is directly before the first sector with its address information, thereby forming a structure for switching the land sector and the groove sector successively and alternately every spiral track, with the header portions of the land sector and the groove sector making a pair to be arranged in a staggered pattern.

Abstract: A disk cartridge of the present invention comprises a case body (101) having a disk-storage portion and an opening/closing cover (201) having a pair of disk holding members (202) that hold a disk (10) in its inplane direction. The accommodated disk (10) is loaded together with the opening/closing cover (201) into an adapter having compatibility with a large disk cartridge. Thus, information can be, for example, reproduced from the disk (10) in a drive unit designed for a large disk cartridge via the adapter. Moreover, a series of operations can be conducted without touching the disk directly.

Abstract: A method and a device for, preferably in ATM-traffic and in a switch with input and output buffers and with a so-called “credit based solution” for flow control, using a very short time interval between the requests from the input ports to send cells through the switch core to the output ports and where the degree of fullness of the output buffers is accurately supervised and taken into the calculations together with the number of cells in the input buffers when determined how many cells should be allowed to be sent to each output port during the next time interval. A certain over-allocation of cells to each output port is permitted.

Abstract: A network interface for an asynchronous cell switched communication network includes a data input, a memory for buffering data received at the data input, and a clock signal generator for providing a clock signal having a frequency which is controlled in accordance with a fill level of the buffer memory. The clock signal is used to control a rate of transfer of data from the buffer memory. Data received at the network interface device is consumed by a buffer, typically a FIFO device. When the buffer fill level exceeds a predetermined level, the clock signal frequency is increased and conversely, when the buffer fill level drops below the predetermined level, the clock signal frequency is decreased.

Abstract: This invention relates to duplex and to half duplex transmission schemes and more particularly to the application of such schemes in TDMA and other multiple access environments. In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of multiplexing signals transmitted by a number of terminals onto a communications link; the link having a capacity less than the total capacity of the terminals; the method including the step of varying the rate of encoding of said signals transmitted by said terminals whereby the bandwidth o the transmitted signals corresponds to the portions allocated to the terminals. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for the communication of signals in real time over a channel; said system adapted to vary the bandwidth of at least one signal such that the number of signals multiplexed onto said channel can be dynamically varied.

Abstract: An n-tuple defines an envelope of a variable over a time interval. An input memory receives blocks of measurements made at known points of the network and converts them into initial n-tuples. In a base memory, a functional model comprises a list of components, (Lv), and the designation (Df, Dg) of at least one particular function of the measurements (Lp). Management will, repetitively, (a) match together available initial n-tuples, and at least one model applicable to them, (b) through computations on n-tuples, with the function designation (Df, Dg) of the model, and these n-tuples, obtain at least one result n-tuple (Nf, Ng), (c) apply the result n-tuple (Nf, Ng) to test for a standard expression, and (d) associate the output from the test with the list of components (Lv) of the model. Decision logic analyzes various outputs from the test, with a view to determining one or more defective components.

Abstract: A method for servicing communications between a base station and plural mobile stations which are linked by a radio line in which plural communication channels are set, comprising the steps of setting an identifier indicating a mobile station in slot units corresponding to each of the plural communication channels, and communicating with plural mobile stations in the same communication channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a digital mobile communication system and a method for high-speed data transmission in a digital mobile communication system. The mobile network allocates two or more parallel traffic channels to a high-speed data signal which requires a transmission rate that exceeds the maximum transmission rate of one traffic channel. The high-speed data signal is packed into transmission frames which contain a fixed number N of information bits. The number of the information bits is such that the data rate of the frame is fixed and corresponds to a standard rate adaptation of a traffic channel in the mobile communication system, for example 9.6 Kbps. Among these information bits of the transmission frame, a variable number of bits N1 which is dependent on the data rate of the high-speed data signal is employed for the transmission of the user data.

Abstract: A code division multiple access receiver, which receives a signal combining both information signals and training signals, has an interference canceler that successively estimates and cancels interference caused by the training signals. The interference canceler also successively estimates and cancels interference caused by the information signals. The estimating and canceling process is preferably repeated, for each training signal and each information signal, in two or more stages.

Abstract: A low-diversity antenna diversity receiver suitable for TDMA PCS handset implementation employing two diversity branches. The receiver is capable of selecting a diversity scheme which is anticipated to give optimum signal reception among a plurality of diversity schemes installed on the receiver. This receiver, more conveniently termed multi-diversity receiver comprises a single conventional wireless digital receiver chain augmented with a few additional low-cost passive RF components and minor control circuits. A plurality of diversity algorithms, for example, selection diversity (SD), equal-gain combining (EGC) or interference-reduction combining (IRC) scheme, which are suitable for implementing on this multi-diversity receiver are also described. Simulation results showing performance of this multi-diversity receiver are also presented.

Abstract: A frame structure suitable for effectively transmitting voice and data in a TDMA communication system. The TDMA communication system using the frame structure separates voice/data competition procedures, and disposes a request subslot at a leading end of every slot so as to reduce the access delay of a real-time traffic. Thus, it is possible to easily reserve the traffics, by maintaining the constant number of the request subslots. Further, the slots are first allocated to the real-time traffic, and the remaining idle slots are allocated to the non real-time traffic. Therefore, it is possible to give a priority order to a voice user and separate the voice/data contentions.

Abstract: A method for encoding network data, such as Internet Protocol (IP) data, into a format for transmission over a satellite system is described. The network data is configured in a packet having a data block and header information. The network data packet is encoded into a variable-length multi-packet transport (MPT) frame. The MPT frame comprises a data frame to hold data and header information. The IP packet in inserted its entirety into the data frame of the MPT frame. The variable-length MTP frame is then encoded into one or more fixed-length MTP packets. Each MPT packet has a data fragment block comprising a portion of the MTP frame and associated header information to designate what portion of the MTP frame is contained in the data fragment block. The MPT packets are sized to be embedded as a specific size payload of the satellite packet that is transmitted over a satellite network. Using this method, data received over a data network (i.e.

Abstract: The instant invention allows control of voice transmission from end user to end user by common channel signaling without the repeated conversion delays encountered by entering and exiting the standard voice network and an ATM network. The control is accomplished in parallel over the standard public switch telephone network while the voice “data” is transported over an ATM “data” network. Each ATM node has with it a co-located PSTN voice switch. A pair of control links are used to communicate between the two co-located ATM and TDM switches.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving tandem free operation (TFO) including bypass transcoding and cross transcoding in a communication system. The present invention provides communication of compressed voice signals, or voice signals compressed in a common format, between wireless mobile stations across a PSTN by bypassing vocoders residing in the MSC/BSC of the communication system, or between network elements of an ATM network. In a wireless network, a capability signal, preferably being a low frequency tone, is transmitted by the terminating MSC/BSC to the originating MSC/BSC to indicate that the terminating element is capable of transcoding or transcoding and cross transcoding. The originating element responsively generates an optional LF tone and a 2100 Hz tone to disable network cancellers between the originating element and the terminating element in the forward direction.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a multichannel facility datalink processor. The processor comprises input circuitry operable to receive a first plurality of facility datalink signals. In addition, the multichannel facility datalink processor comprises output circuitry operable to transmit a second plurality of facility datalink signals. A state machine operable to be loaded with a predetermined state also forms a portion of the processor and is further operable to process ones of the first plurality of facility datalink signals and ones of the second plurality of facility datalink signals. The processor further comprises storage circuitry coupled to the state machine which is operable to store state information and facility datalink data for each of the first plurality of facility datalink signals and each of the second plurality of facility datalink signals.

Abstract: A telecommunications service control unit within which a plurality of controllers classified for service items are included makes quite easy to add a new telecommunications device under the same service control unit. Each control procedure of a controller corresponding to respective telecommunications device is standardized and also encoded as a result of classification of standardized procedure. Designating another code for calling out controller corresponding to the control procedure code, a conversion table between control procedure codes and call out code is provided for service control interface of corresponding classified service item. Service control controller which instructs all classified controllers applies the procedure codes to instruct corresponding service control interface and the instructed service control interfaces apply the call out code for call out the instructed specific controller.

Abstract: The invention is an ATM system to route DS0 traffic from T1 Extended Superframe (ESF) or Superframne (SF) systems that use robbed bit signaling. The invention is able to route the call selecting the ATM VPI/VCI that routes the call within the ATM system. DS0s with robbed bit signaling are transported transparently by the ATM system.

Abstract: In establishing an audio one link connection wherein an audio signal is not encoded/decoded in a relay station, loud noises may be produced if the states of two audio tandem relay devices which make a pair during relay are changed from a normal connection state to a relay connection state at different times. In order to solve this problem, comfort noise generators are provided. In detail, when a first pattern signal is detected while a relay call is connected via a relay exchange, switches are switched to be connected at a contact point 1, and a switch is at a contact point 2. Upon detection of a second pattern signal, the switches are connected at the contact points 2, while the switches are connected at the contact points 2. With this arrangement, outputs from the comfort noise generators are selected and outputted during a period from first pattern signal detection to second pattern signal detection, during which the states of the two devices of a pair are different.

Abstract: A CDV-reducing algorithm circuit self-monitoring system is operative for detecting a non-data cell contained in a cell flow and arriving at a predictable time, executing a CDV-reducing algorithm operation on the detected non-data cell using self-monitoring parameters, comparing the result of the reduced CDV algorithm operation and an estimated value, and determining, when the two compared data are equal, that the CDV-reducing algorithm is normal, while making, when the two compared data fail to be equal, a determination that the CDV-reducing algorithm is abnormal and also notification of an alarm to a function control system.

Abstract: A network bridge/router for identifying a data unit to be routed by a network bridge/router, for identifying a protocol associated with the received data unit to be routed, and for carrying out appropriate data unit transfer operations, all in hardware. A Receive Header Processor (RHP) analyzes the destination address of the received data unit, in hardware, for determining if routing or bridging is required. If routing is required, the RHP uses portions of the received data unit header as a compare value against predefined values stored in data structures which provide a protocol ID identifying the protocol of the received data unit and serving as an index to the appropriate microcode handling routine, executed by the RHP, for the data unit. The handling routine causes the RHP to forward data unit identifying information appropriate to the identified protocol and obtained from the received data unit to further hardware-based data unit processing elements.

Abstract: A route switching layer is provided to end stations on a local area network (LAN) segment between the network layer protocol stack and the LAN adapter device driver. The route switching layer reads the network layer protocol header in a data frame queued for transmission. If the data frame is destined for a station on a different LAN segment, the route switching layer compares the network layer address with entries stored in a local address table. If a match occurs, the route switching layer inserts the corresponding data link layer address from the table in the data link header that is appended to the data frame. The data frame is then transmitted directly from source to destination end station by a hardware switch. If an address table match does not occur, the source station route switching layer sends a query to a route server device for the data link layer address corresponding to the network layer address of the destination end station.

Abstract: A communication control system in a packet communication network having a plurality of radio sub-networks, the radio sub-networks being connected to a wired sub-network by learning type bridges, respectively, the system including a radio terminal for communicating with the radio sub-networks, the radio terminal including first means for detecting whether or not the terminal moves from one of the radio sub-networks to other radio sub-networks, and second means for transmitting a dummy packet when movement between the radio sub-networks is detected.

Abstract: A network having a number of terminals connected by a hub includes managing data transmission collisions by distinguishing among the terminals following a transmission. In the preferred embodiment, the terminals are arranged in a star configuration and the hub is an Ethernet hub that forwards a data packet from a terminal to all of the remaining terminals. A data packet is stored in memory while it is transmitted to all of the other terminals in the collision domain. If a collision is detected in forwarding the data packet, the transmission is completed to the collision-free terminals, thereby isolating subsequent forwarding of the data packet to the one or more collision-inducing terminals. When a no-carrier condition is sensed, the data packet is retransmitted to the one or more collision-inducing terminals.

Abstract: A device (104) transmitting or receiving low priority data may receive or be directed to transfer higher priority data for transmission. If the incoming data is of sufficiently high priority, the device (104) will interrupt transmission of the outgoing data by generating a signal on the bus (102) indicative of a collision. The receiving device (106) will then back-off. To prevent another device (106, 108) from seizing the bus after the back-off, the device (104) immediately (i.e., before expiration of a single slot time), proceeds with the high priority transmission. Once it is finished, the device (104) may resume its earlier lower priority transmission.

Abstract: The automatic detection of plain-old telephone system (POTS) lines. A line-type detector detects the particular type of communications line and preferably correspondingly configures a communications device, depending on whether POTS was detected or not. The detection is preferably accomplished by detecting the two dial tone frequencies present in a POTS line.

Abstract: A mobile node moves from a first IP (Internet Protocol) network to a second IP network in a network system in which the first IP network capable of executing communication in accordance with both first and second kinds of IPs and the second IP network capable of executing communication in accordance with only the first kind of IP are connected with each other. When the mobile node communicates a message with other nodes on the first network after its movement accordance with the second kind of IP, a header for the movement containing both home and foreign addresses of the first kind in IP is added to a header containing home and foreign addresses in the second kind of IP, and put to the message, is added. The message to which the movement header is thus added is used for the communication between a first mobile agent on the first network and a second mobile agent on the second network, or between the mobile node and the first mobile agent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to change compression methods without data loss. A real time system for converting compressing data using one of several compression methods is described. When a change in compression rates is requested, the system changes compression methods while continuing to compress data in real time without data loss.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for supplying arbitrary types of information in a digital signal conformant to the structures defined in ISO standard ISO/IEC 13818-1, known generally as MPEG2 Systems. The method extends Program Stream and Transport Stream structures by application of principles developed for standardization of bidirectional data communications protocols to define a universal messaging syntax applicable to all types of information, including Internet data streams, VBI data streams, other types of data streams, as well as MPEG2 video, audio, and control; to define a multiplexing structure that is independent of the details of the MPEG2 signal structure; and to define a scheme for addressing such enhanced MPEG2 signals, or portions of signals, to individual decoders or to groups of decoders.

Abstract: A transmitting apparatus and method, and a receiving apparatus and method for communicating a pack of 2,048 bytes using the digital interface in accordance with the IEEE 1394 standard. A 4-byte time stamp is added to a 2,048-byte pack of MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group)-PS (program stream) data. Also, 124 bytes of padding data is added to this pack in order that the overall byte length of data be a multiple of 16. Then the data is divided into a number of fractions which is a multiple of 2 (e.g., 32), thereby being converted into a number of data blocks equal to the number of fractions. Each data block has a byte length of a multiple of 4 (e.g., 68 bytes). A CIP header and the like are added to a predetermined number of the data blocks to form a packet.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for processing packet data received from a physical layer. The processing is performed in-line while streaming packets to an upper layer. The method includes loading an instruction set for custom programming the processing of packet data received from the physical layer. Determining a type of packet data received from the physical layer. Identifying a first word location in the packet data based on the contents of the instruction set. Examining the packet data received from the physical layer at the first identified word location. The method further includes storing an element indicative of information contained in the first identified word location into a data structure, and appending the data structure to the packet data before the packet is streamed to the upper layer. The methods and apparatus also have direct applicability to reducing a CPU's work load during transmissions of data over a network.