Abstract: A alarm system for providing silent notification to a user including an alarm device. The alarm device includes means for generating an alarm signal, and a transmitter connected to the generating means for transmitting the alarm signal. The system further includes a notification device. The notification device includes a receiver for receiving the alarm signal and means for alerting a user that the notification device has received the alarm signal from the alarm device.

Abstract: A simple electronic horological device, termed a time cell, is presented with associated methods, systems, and computer program products. A time cell has an insulated, charge storage element that receives an electrostatic charge through its insulating medium, i.e. it is programmed. Over time, the charge storage element then loses the electrostatic charge through its insulating medium. Given the reduction of the electric potential of the programmed charge storage element at a substantially known discharge rate, and by observing the electric potential of the programmed charge storage element at a given point in time, an elapsed time period can be determined. Thus, the time cell is able to measure an elapsed time period without a continuous power source.

Abstract: Disclosed is an analogue chronograph comprising a digital display. The digital display contains an hour and/or minute indicator using numbers. The latter are arranged on individual circular tracks and under a viewing window, form the hour and/or minute indicator in a digital manner. The minute indicator, in particular, can be sub-divided into decimal and unit positions. The chronograph enables the elapsed time to be easily read, even when subjected to strong vibrations, or when the wearer of the chronograph can only glance at the face. The hour indicator has, in addition to numbers 0 to e.g. 9, a symbol similar to a flag, in order to indicate that the limit of the validity range of the time measurement has been reached.

Abstract: A first dielectric layer 3, a multilayer magnetic film 10 in which a first magnetic layer 4 having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy at room temperature, a second magnetic layer 5 having inplane magnetic anisotropy at room temperature, and a third magnetic layer 6 having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy at room temperature are sequentially laminated, a second dielectric layer 7, a reflective layer 8, and a protective layer 9 are sequentially laminated onto one principal plane of a disk substrate 2 on which a land and a groove exist, thereby forming a magnetooptic disk 1. Saturation magnetization of the second magnetic layer 5 is set to a range from 8.80×10?2 to 1.76×10?1 Wb/m2. A gas pressure upon film creation of the second magnetic layer is set to a range from 0.6 to 3.0 Pa. A content ratio of Co in the third magnetic layer 6 is set to a range from 15 to 17 atom %.

Abstract: A domain-wall-displacement-type magnetooptical recording medium is provided in which a floating magnetic field from a surrounding portion that operates on a recording/reproducing portion is suppressed. The recording medium includes a displacement layer having a composition such that rare-earth-element sub-lattice magnetization is dominant at room temperature, a switching layer, a memory layer, and a magnetization compensation layer in which iron-family-element sub-lattice magnetization is dominant at room temperature, for suppressing generation of a stray magnetic field at a temperature near room temperature.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for jumping tracks on a double-layer optical disk from a first address A on a first data layer to a target address D on a second data layer. According to the method, the first address A where the optical head is currently positioned is read. Then, after jumping to the second data layer, a relative second address B on the second data layer that corresponds to the first address A on the first data layer is read. If the second address B on the second data layer is smaller than the first address A on the first data layer, then the address of the second address B on the second data layer is shifted and a new target address is obtained on the second data layer based on this address shift. A calculation function is performed based on the first address A and the new target address, and then the optical head is moved to the new target address on the second data layer.

Abstract: A carriage servo apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a carriage for supporting a pickup that records or reproduces information relevant to an information recording face; and a carriage motor for moving the carriage in a direction parallel to the information recording face based on a motor drive signal. This carriage servo apparatus further comprises a microcomputer for detecting a minimum value of a motor drive signal required for moving the carriage from its still state, and setting a motor drive signal when recording or reproducing information, based on the detected minimum value.

Abstract: A recording apparatus and method for recording a mark on a recordable recording medium includes an optical pickup having a light source and an objective lens for focusing light emitted from the light source as a light spot on a recording surface of a recording medium. When recording on a rewritable recording medium, the size of the light spot formed on the recording surface of a recording medium is increased more than when recording on a write once recording medium and/or reproducing from a recording medium. Accordingly, when recording on a rewritable recording medium, the size of a light spot is enlarged more than when recording on an only once writable recoding medium and/or reproducing from a recording medium. Thus, when a mark is recorded on the rewritable recording medium, the erasing rate of an existing recorded phase-change mark is increased to improve the overwriting characteristics.

Abstract: In the case where data are recorded in a medium, after a specific type of a medium in which recording is performed is set, if it is detected that information is recorded on an address of specific position at which decoding information is to be located, then data at a section in which the decoding information is located are replaced with predetermined information and recording is performed. Alternatively, when data are to be reproduced from a medium, after it is discriminated that data are reproduced from a medium of a specific type, if it is determined that data are reproduced from an address of specific position at which the decoding information is to be located, then reproduction data of a section in which the decoding information is located is replaced with predetermined information and outputted.

Abstract: A wobbling signal demodulation method is disclosed that is capable of fast and precisely demodulating a wobbling signal without increasing cost of the circuit. The wobbling signal is obtained based on light reflected from a recording surface of an optical disk having a wobbling track formed thereon, and includes a carrier portion having a predetermined basic period and a phase demodulated wave portion including predetermined information.

Abstract: An information storage medium includes an area in which updated disc-related information and recording-related information updated with a change in at least one of a disc version number and a recording speed is recorded along with existing disc-related information and recording-related information. The existing disc-related information and recording-related information are recorded, and the updated disc-related information and recording-related information is recorded in an area in which the existing disc-related information and recording-related information is recorded. Accordingly, data can be recorded/reproduced on/from a new version of information storage medium even using an existing drive.

Abstract: A security control method for an optical disk drive comprises a security information reading step and a security information-determining step. In the security information reading step, security information associated with data to be read is read from a plurality of locations on an optical disk. In the security information-determining step, correct security information is determined by comparing fragments of the security information read from the plurality of locations and then by selecting a security information fragment with the highest frequency. The correct security information is used in processing of the data to be read.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of recording information to an optical recording medium that is suited to achieving high data transfer rates. The optical recording medium according to the present invention comprises a method of recording information to an optical recording medium where information is recorded by forming on the optical recording medium a plurality of recording marks selected from a group consisting of several types of recording marks each with different lengths, wherein a first recording mark and a second recording mark contained within said group are formed with the number of pulses and the pulse spacing in the laser beam set substantially equal to each other. Thus, even in the case that one clock period (T) is shortened to achieve high transfer rates, recording marks with good shapes can be formed. In addition, control is simplified and it is possible to reduce the cost of a drive to which the present invention is applied.

Abstract: A ROM-RAM recording medium includes a ROM portion in which main information is recorded by a physical change on an optically transparent substrate and a RAM portion formed on the ROM portion as a recording layer that allows writing of main information at least once. The ROM portion is provided with a sub-code area for recording sub-information. A sub-code area for recording sub-information is provided in the RAM portion arranged at physically substantially the same position as the sub-code area of the ROM portion in a track direction.

Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus for reproducing information from an optical information recording medium or for recording information onto an optical information recording medium, is provided with a first light source for emitting first light flux having a first wavelength; a second light source for emitting second light flux having a second wavelength, the first wavelength being different from the second wavelength; a converging optical system having an optical axis and a diffractive portion, and a photo detector; wherein in case that the first light flux passes through the diffractive portion to generate at least one diffracted ray, an amount of n-th ordered diffracted ray of the first light flux is greater than that of any other ordered diffracted ray of the first light flux, and in case that the second light flux passes through the diffractive portion to generate at least one diffracted ray, an amount of n-th ordered diffracted ray of the second light flux is greater than that of any other ordered diffracted

Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus for reproducing information from an optical information recording medium or for recording information onto an optical information recording medium, is provided with a first light source for emitting first light flux having a first wavelength; a second light source for emitting second light flux having a second wavelength, the first wavelength being different from the second wavelength; a converging optical system having an optical axis and a diffractive portion, and a photo detector; wherein in case that the first light flux passes through the diffractive portion to generate at least one diffracted ray, an amount of n-th ordered diffracted ray of the first light flux is greater than that of any other ordered diffracted ray of the first light flux, and in case that the second light flux passes through the diffractive portion to generate at least one diffracted ray, an amount of n-th ordered diffracted ray of the second light flux is greater than that of any other ordered diffracted

Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus for reproducing information from an optical information recording medium or for recording information onto an optical information recording medium, is provided with a first light source for emitting first light flux having a first wavelength; a second light source for emitting second light flux having a second wavelength, the first wavelength being different from the second wavelength; a converging optical system having an optical axis and a diffractive portion, and a photo detector; wherein in case that the first light flux passes through the diffractive portion to generate at least one diffracted ray, an amount of n-th ordered diffracted ray of the first light flux is greater than that of any other ordered diffracted ray of the first light flux, and in case that the second light flux passes through the diffractive portion to generate at least one diffracted ray, an amount of n-th ordered diffracted ray of the second light flux is greater than that of any other ordered diffracted

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for driving an optical recording medium for recording and/or reproducing various information for the optical recording medium, in which the output power ratio of the light source may be reduced for recording and reproduction, for optical recording media of different sorts, or for respective recording surfaces of a multi-layered optical recording medium, so that optimum characteristics may be realized even with use of an easy-to-fabricate light source or a light source with a smaller light output rating.

Abstract: Orthogonal sequences can be developed and used for use training and synchronizing in CDMA and TDMA systems. In particular, once a sequence is developed that has the length of the product of the channel length and the number of transmit antennas, the sequence is offset by a different amount for each transmit antenna. For example, each sequence could be offset by a multiple of the channel length for each transmit antenna, where the multiple ranges from 0 to N?1, where N is the number of transmit antennas. Furthermore, by not using exactly the same amount of offset shifting for each transmit antenna, e.g., not having each signal offset by the channel length, but keeping the overall total shifting the same, e.g., the average of each shift is the channel length, it is possible to determine at a receiver from which transmit antenna a particular signal originated.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for generating a chip of a chip sequence based on a supplied chip position index and a supplied sequence index is provided by generating a basic sequence bit using a portion of the chip position index and the sequence index, and by generating different mask bits using different portions of the chip position index and the sequence index, the mask bits being used in conjunction with the basic sequence bit to generate the chip. Such a chip generation process increases the chip generation rate so that users requesting chips to be generated may be efficiently pipelined.

Abstract: System for obtaining an efficient and scaleable flow control in a large packet switched network including ingress termination boards (B1?) linked to egress termination boards (B4?) by means of virtual ingress to egress flow control links through a switch core. The flow control transmission link between a port of an ingress termination board and a port of an egress termination board comprises at least two virtual ingress to egress flow controlled traffic pipes (VIEP?a, VIEP?b), one pipe handling all the traffic between the two ports which is going towards communication channels for which no congestion is detected at the level of the egress termination board, the other pipe handling all the traffic going towards communication channels for which congestion is detected.

Abstract: A telecommunications network node architecture is disclosed that enables a telecommunications network that uses automatic protection switching to be expanded to include more nodes than its standard protocol provides for without modifying the standard protocol or the existing nodes in the network. Although the illustrative embodiment is depicted as using the SONET/SDH protocol, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this specification, how to make and use embodiments of the present invention that use automatic protection switching with another protocol. The illustrative embodiment comprises: an automatic protection switching channel that defines an address space in the telecommunications network; a node that is uniquely identified by an address in the address space; and a node that is not uniquely identified by an address in the address space.

Abstract: A vehicle active network (12) communicatively couples devices (14–20) within a vehicle (10). Device operation is independent of the interface (22–28) of the device (14–20) with the active network (12). Additionally, the architecture of the active network (12) provides one or more levels of communication redundancy. The architecture provides for the total integration of vehicle systems and functions, and permits plug-and-play device integration and upgradeability.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling call admission in a wireless communications network recursively estimates reverse link load levels as a function of changes in base station receive power and/or the number of mobiles served in the cell/sector. In one implementation, a call admission controller utilizes multiple load level estimating methods, whereby a first method estimates load as a function of changes in base station receive power and changes in the number of served mobiles. The call admission controller uses a second method to recursively update load level estimates as proportionally changing with number of users. The call admission controller may utilize a third estimate method as an accuracy check based on a changes in base station receive power measurements. The call admission controller outputs a call blocking command when load level estimates exceed a threshold to avoid cell/sector overload conditions and network instability.

Abstract: A connection with a mobile node is established. A registration request is received and a tunnel identifier determined. The tunnel identifier is independent of (i) a home address of the mobile node and (ii) an address of a home agent for the mobile node. The registration request is transmitted to the home agent, and the registration request includes the tunnel identifier. A response to the request is received and, responsively, a connection is activated. Data packets are received from the home agent in response to transmitting the registration request. The data packets include the tunnel identifier. The connection is identified using the tunnel identifier and the packets are routed along the connection.

Abstract: A crossbar switching fabric comprising a plurality of crossbar input ports and a plurality of crossbar output ports. The traffic from at least one source is directed to more than one of the plurality of crossbar input ports. The traffic from more than one crossbar output port is directed to at least one destination.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for allocating bandwidth in a virtual channel connection. The number of fax calls expected in a trunk group is divided by the number of DS0s in the trunk group and multiplied by the number of DS0s in a subset of the trunk group. The result equals the number of fax call circuits for the subset. The number of voice call circuits for the subset equals the number of DS0s in the subset minus the number of fax call circuits for the subset. The number of fax call circuits is multiplied by the full DS0 bandwidth. The number of voice call circuits is multiplied by the bandwidth per voice call. The total bandwidth for the subset equals the bandwidth for fax calls plus the bandwidth for voice calls. These steps are repeated for other subsets entering an interface to determine the total bandwidth needed by the VCC.

Abstract: A policing technique for a telecommunications traffic of variable length packets is described. The technique uses a plurality of police engines, grouped in pairs. A selection module selects a police engine pair to process a packet. Each police engine contains a conformance unit, credit unit and a debit unit, in which the credit update of one police engine influences the credit update of the other police engine in the pair. The technique also uses a combinatorial function to decide on a category of a processed packet and which police engines to update their debit units.

Abstract: A diagnostic device that may be included in a superior-level application, for example as an ActiveX component with a software interface standardized for this purpose. The superior-level application may be a visualization application of a control application or a visualization at the control level. The diagnostic device receives diagnostic data for a field bus from a field bus switching component. The diagnostic data is transmitted via a PLC I/O bus and interfaces provided in the PLC, without the need to parameterize or program either the control application or the visualization application.

Abstract: An objective, service-level specific voice call listening quality test scheme for a Voice Over IP (VOIP) network is presented. Test probes are deployed along the border of the VOIP network. Each test probe is capable of placing calls over the VOIP network to the other test probes at different levels of service and measuring call quality using an objective measurement algorithm such as PAMS or PSQM. The measurement results are collected on an ongoing basis to obtain information on the VOIP network's voice call quality. The information is compared to thresholds to measure performance against Service Level Agreement guarantees.

Abstract: This method for music-on-hold in a voiceover Internet Protocol (VoIP) environment includes determining a quality value for each of a plurality of audio streams communicated in the VoIP format. One of the audio streams may be selected for playing to a call on hold based on the quality values for the audio streams. In that particular embodiment, the quality values may be determined at and/or near the endpoint handling that call on hold.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an internal topology of a node within a network includes determining asymmetric connections between traffic bearing components in a network node. An intranode connectivity is determined between the traffic bearing components based on the asymmetric connections. A model of the node indicative of the intranode connectivity is distributed to a disparate node in a network with a node. The model is used at a disparate node in determining a routing path through the network.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a multiple spanning tree system in which a plurality of spanning trees are constructed in a ring system to effectively use a band of the ring system. A plurality of bridge protocol processing sections are provided in a node device to enable a plurality of bridge protocol processings to be performed in a transmission path connected to one node device. Thereby, a plurality of spanning trees can be constructed and a root bridge can be placed every each node device.

Abstract: A first communication node of a plurality of communication nodes connected with processorless central equipment in a system sends one or more first portions of node-output information to the processorless central equipment. One or more additional communication nodes of the plurality of communication nodes send one or more additional portions of node-output information to the processorless central equipment. The first communication node receives from the processorless central equipment a portion of central-output information. The portion of central-output information comprises the one or more first portions of node-output information and the one or more additional portions of node-output information.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods wherein communication link redundancy may be provided which is optimized to the primary links. Specifically, a redundant link portion of a communication system may be deployed to provide redundant links for a primary link portion of the communication system having substantially greater information communication capacity. However, through the use of isolation of portions of the primary link capacity, such as through the preferred embodiment sectors, sufficient redundant link capacity may be maintained economically. According to a preferred embodiment, a single redundant sector may be coextensive with a plurality of primary sectors and, thus, be relied upon for providing redundant links for any such primary sector. Preferred embodiments allow for the subsectoring of primary sectors while maintaining the configuration of a redundant sector corresponding thereto.

Abstract: There is disclosed a radio frequency (RF) modem shelf for use in a fixed wireless access network comprising a plurality of base stations capable of bidirectional time division duplex (TDD) communication with wireless access devices disposed at a plurality of subscriber premises. The radio frequency (RF) modem shelf comprises: a) a first RF modem for communicating with a plurality of the wireless access devices using TDD frames, each TDD frame having an uplink for receiving data and a downlink for transmitting data; and b) a modulation controller associated with the RF modem shelf for determining an optimum modulation configuration for each of the plurality of wireless access devices communicating with the first RF modem.

Abstract: An improved wireless mobile IP system including an apparatus and method for managing transmission of information. Agent advertisements are used to detect movement of the mobile node and derive care-of addressing information for the Home Agent. Foreign Agents and Home Agents currently periodically broadcast an agent advertisement on the data channel. The claimed system reduces the need for agent advertisements by detecting movement of a mobile user into a new network using either the mobile node or a routine on a low-level protocol layer. After detection of movement, an agent solicitation message is transmitted from the mobile node or from the cell-site transmitter. The mobility agent then transmits a single agent advertisement in response. Derived care-of addressing information will then be registered with the Home Agent to support “tunneling” of communications to the mobile node through the foreign network.

Abstract: A communication system with a plurality of access points (AP1, AP2, AP3) and at least one network station (5, 6), the network station (5, 6) being arranged to communicate with one of the plurality of access points (AP1, AP2, AP3) through a wireless communication protocol, each access point (AP1, AP2, AP3) is able to monitor its access point traffic load and transmit an access point traffic load parameter (ATT) to the network station (5, 6), and the network station (5, 6) is able to monitor its network station traffic load; store a network station traffic load parameter (AUTT); receive access point traffic load parameters (ATT) from the access points (AP1, AP2, AP3); and select a communication connection with one of the access points (AP1, AP2, AP3) using a predetermined cost function taking the access point traffic load parameters (ATT) and the network station traffic load parameters (AUTT) into account.

Abstract: A method of operating a wireless communications unit (UE) to request a connection with a base station (10) is disclosed. The wireless unit (UE) receives a signal from the base station (10) indicating at least one time slot within which a preamble may be transmitted by the wireless communications unit (UE). The wireless unit (UE) selects one of a plurality of orthogonal codes (hi) for the preamble and generates a spread code using the selected orthogonal code. The spread code (70) is arranged as a symbol (hi) of the selected code, repeated a selected number of repetitions. The wireless unit (UE) transmits the preamble signal corresponding to the spread code to the base station (10).

Abstract: A method is described of controlling a communication system using a continuous FDD channel. Each time segment of the channel is divided into a predetermined number of sub-segments. For a first set of time segments, the communication signal data for the respective time segment is repeated in all sub-segments, and for a second set of time segments, null periods are provided in one or more of the sub-segments during which the communication signal from the first station to the second station is interrupted. The communication signal data is transmitted during the remaining sub-segments of the second set. This approach enables a slotted transmission mode to be established in a CDMA FDD system, without the need to adapt the spreading ratio of the CDMA system.

Abstract: A system for controlling a contention state for a communication link between a base station controller and customer premises equipment in point-to-multipoint communication. The contention state is controlled using a state machine. The state machine includes a grant pending absent state in which a unicast request slot is maintained open for use by the customer premises equipment. During the grant pending absent state, the customer premises equipment sends no upstream data to the base station controller but can use the unicast request slot to request a data slot for sending upstream data to the base station controller. Preferably, the state machine further includes an idle state in which the customer premises equipment awaits arrival of data packets to send as upstream data to the base station controller. The state machine preferably further includes a deferring state in which the customer premises equipment defers contending for the data slot so as to avoid collisions with other customer premises equipment.

Abstract: A wireless local area network is provided with simplified RF ports which are configured to provide lower level media access control functions. Higher level media access control functions are provided in a cell controller, which may service one or more RF ports that are capable operating with at least two wireless local area subnetworks occupying common physical space. Mobile units can also be configured with the higher level media access control functions being performed in a host processor.

Abstract: A wireless local area network is provided with simplified RF ports which are configured to provide lower level media access control functions. Higher level media access control functions are provided in a cell controller, which may service one or more RF ports that are capable of operating based on a pre-assigned security level. Mobile units can also be configured with the higher level media access control functions being performed in a host processor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for delivery of UMTS services to a dual mode mobile station through a WLAN when the mobile station is operating within a WLAN environment. UMTS services are transmitted to a WLAN through a UMTS repeater tuned to receive services addressed to registered IDs and transmit these services to that (those) WLAN(s) having mobile stations registered with the UMTS. The WLAN format converter converts the UMTS format into a WLAN message format and communicates the message to the registered users.

Abstract: A method and system of control signaling for a wireless access network includes receiving from a wireless access network a signaling message for a mobile device. The signaling message is in a wireless-specific format. The signaling message is converted to a native format of a call agent to generate a call agent message. The call agent message comprises wireless-specific information of the signaling message.

Abstract: A method for automatically configuring a broadband communication device is disclosed. An embodiment provides for a method in which a central server may be contacted when configuration information is needed for a broadband communication device. This contact may be initiated via a dial-up modem. Next, the central server uses caller-ID to identify the customer with the broadband communication device. Based on the caller-ID, the central server determines configuration information for the broadband communication device. For example, the central server may scan a number of Internet service provider databases for the proper configuration information for this user. Then, the configuration information is transferred over the dial-up communication link. Finally, the broadband communication device is automatically configured with the configuration information.

Abstract: The versatility provided by network nodes in accordance with the present invention allows the formation of networks using different types of links, links with differing bandwidth, data rates, and bit error rates, as well as both asymmetric and symmetric links. For example, a network can include a first network node coupled to a second network node with a wireless link. The network can include a third network node coupled to the second network node an optical link and coupled to the first network node by a wireless link. A fourth network node can be easily inserted between the third network node and the third network node using wireless links. The optical link between the second and third network nodes can operate at one bandwidth and the various wireless links would operate at other bandwidths depending on the environmental conditions between each pair of nodes.

Abstract: A directory server provides a media session channel for communication of real time streaming media data from a remote client to a client served by an address translation firewall. The directory server includes a client registration module for receiving a registration datagram originated by the client, source network address and a source port number from the registration datagram, and providing a session signaling message from the remote client to the client utilizing the extracted source network address and source port number.

Abstract: Described are techniques used in a computer system for handling data operations to storage devices. A switching fabric includes one or more fast paths for handling lightweight, common data operations and at least one control path for handling other data operations. A control path manages one or more fast paths. The fast path and the control path are utilized in mapping virtual to physical addresses using mapping tables. The mapping tables include an extent table of one or more entries corresponding to varying address ranges. The size of an extent may be changed dynamically in accordance with a corresponding state change of physical storage. The fast path may cache only portions of the extent table as needed in accordance with a caching technique. The fast path may cache a subset of the extent table stored within the control path. A set of primitives may be used in performing data operations. A locking mechanism is described for controlling access to data shared by the control paths.

Abstract: Data frames are converted to a format suitable for transparent, flexible concatenated transport such that a network element not supporting flexible concatenation may transparently pass the data frames. Flexible concatenation involves nonstandard data frames such as an STS-4c or an STS-Nc in which the time slots do not occupy rigidly defined contiguous time slots. In transparent flexible concatenation, the pointer from the parent time slot is used for each of the child time slots and the concatenation identifier is set to indicate no concatenation. In this way, the concatenated data appears to be a series of conventional STS-1s such that pointer processing may be successfully accomplished even by a network element not capable of handling non-standard concatenations. A downstream receive framer reconstructs the original STS-Nc based on the N STS-1s and a concatenation table the contents of which are shared between the transmit framer and the downstream receive framer.