Abstract: A method for searching for a station carrying paging data without unduly draining the paging receiver battery. If a station to which the receiver is presently tuned becomes unreliable, the pager scans among channels listed in a local channel list. If no paging data is received on these channels, the scanning among the local list channels may optionally proceed for a further interval at a slower rate. After it appears that paging data will not be found on channels listed in the local list, the pager begins a full spectrum search at a slow rate until it again finds a channel carrying paging data. By this arrangement, battery power is expended at a rate roughly in accordance with the likelihood of finding a paging station.

Abstract: A very useful data transmission system having a plurality of transmission modules connected to a single cable in a multidrop manner is disclosed herein. The system features its ability to check the transmission state at the level of individual modules through use of a proper code notation (typically, Manchester code). The system detects a specific module with proper signals lasting at the same level for more than a given time, except cable outputs, and treats it as involving a faulty condition and compels the transmission state to a halt, thus preventing only the faulty module or modules from transmitting signals thereby avoiding breakdown of the whole system.

Abstract: An improved selective call addressing scheme provides local mode paging capability in a wide area paging network. A selective call receiver used in this system will configure its operating parameters by selecting one of a plurality of operational personalities in response to the presence or absence of a specific received signal having a signal indicative of the area in which the pager is operating.

Abstract: A signal select control circuit for a select circuit, which selects one of a plurality of predetermined signals, in accordance with a select signal comprising an arrangement change circuit, a priority-based select circuit, and an arrangement reverse circuit. The arrangement change circuit receives n input signals (n is an integer) arranged in parallel in accordance with a first arrangement and changes an arrangement of the n input signals in accordance with a control signal indicative of a priority order so that the n input signals are arranged in parallel in accordance with a second arrangement based on the priority order. The priority-based select circuit receives the n input signals having the second arrangement and generates n output signals arranged in parallel in accordance with a third fixed arrangement. The n output signals indicates one of the n input signals, which has a highest priority among valid input signals among the n input signals.

Abstract: A reader transmits a pulse to a transponder. The transponder responds by transmitting a particular number (e.g. 10) of signals at a frequency dependent upon the identifying code recorded in the transponder. The reader then transmits a pulse of an opposite polarity to that previously transmitted. The transponder responds by generating 10 signals at a second frequency different from the first frequency. In this way, sequences of pulses alternatively of opposite polarity are transmitted by the reader and sequences of signals at the first and second frequencies are transmitted by the transponder. The reader decodes the sequences of signals at the first and second frequencies, in accordance with the order of the frequencies of such signals, to identify the code at the transponder. The transponder may have a programmable memory to store the code. To program the memory with such a code, the reader transmits sequences of pulses, each sequence coding for a programmable item of information (e.g.

Abstract: An adapter response circuit indicates the number of adapters on a link responding to a given address and hence permits the detection of possible data collisions. Each adapter responding to the address transmitted on the link induces a current on a common conductor. The magnitude of the current unambiguously identifies the number of adapters responding to that address. The proper resistive termination of the link may be checked by inducing a similar incremental current on the conductor and evaluating a voltage variation indicating the presence or absence of a termination resistor.

Abstract: A dual mode communication receiver a receiver for receiving information transmitted in a first and second modulation format on a common channel, a first demodulator for detecting information transmitted in the first modulation format, and a second demodulator, responsive to the information detected in the first modulation format, for detecting information transmitted in the second modulation format. A power conservation circuit is also provided for selectively supplying power to the first and second demodulators for enabling the detecting of the information transmitted in the first modulation format and the second modulation format, respectively.

Abstract: When a first paging network system terminal determines that a pager is not within the coverage area of that network system, a paging message is automatically transmitted from another paging network system terminal. The pager wearer can advise the first paging network system terminal of his travel to another paging network system coverage area or the first paging network system terminal forwards the paging message to a predesignated alternate paging network system terminal.

Abstract: Input frames TAR, TARB of each of two diversity digital channels, shifted randomly in time, are applied to respective variable delay memories, which in turn provide in-phase frames on the selection terminals of an output switch. An error masking circuit, including an error detector having various levels of error gravity, and a priority encoder for comparing errors between the two channels and an R-S flip-flop, is connected between each input terminal and a switch control terminal. The better quality frame of the two digital channels is selected and provided as the output signal of the dynamic switching circuitry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a commander apparatus in which control data is stored in recording media in correspondence to various switches on the commander, and the recording media are detachably enclosed in the main body of the commander. The remote commander main body comprises a receiver for receiving command signals that are supplied from the outside; a control unit for storing the control data which is obtained by demodulating the command signals supplied from the outside in correspondence to the key switches of the recording media, and interfaces for coupling the recording media with the remote commander main body. The user stores the control data in the recording media on the basis of a desired key arrangement, so that an original key arrangement according to the user can be realized. The operating efficiency can be improved without increasing the number of keys on the commander.

Abstract: A selective calling receiver includes a decoder having a reference clock oscillator and a CPU having a CPU operating clock oscillator. The decoder includes a timing control circuit for generating a timing signal in synchronism with a synchronizing signal contained in a POCSAG signal and a BCH error correcting circuit for extracting a message code from the POCSAG signal. If the CPU is supplied with a message code from the decoder when no timing signal is inputted from the decoder, the CPU stores the message code in RAM in the CPU or a buffer memory area of external RAM connected to the CPU. In this case, the CPU operates with a first clock signal generated by the reference clock oscillator.

Abstract: An individual selective call receiving device including a receiver unit has an intermittent receiving unit for intermittently operating the receiver unit in association with a group of a calling number assigned to the device. A collating unit sequentially collates a received synchronizing code sequence with a code sequence of a predetermined synchronizing code pattern, and sequentially collates a received selective calling code sequence with a code sequence of a predetermined selecting calling code pattern. A counter sequentially counts a number of error bits resultant from each of the collations. An intermittent operation control unit controls the intermittent receiving unit when a numeric value counted by the counter becomes equal to a preset threshold value, thereby turning the power of the receiver unit off.

Abstract: An apparatus suitable for implementation in synchronous manufacturing systems includes operator stations, a request panel and an acknowledge panel. The operator stations are coupled to the request panel and send request signals to the request panel. The request panel converts the request signals from the operator stations to serial data and transmits that data in a data burst to the acknowledge panel at a remote location in the plant. The acknowledge panel signals the data requests to an operator at the acknowledge panel. Push buttons at the acknowledge panel provide acknowledge signals to the acknowledge panel, which converts the acknowledge signals to serial data and transmits that data in a data burst to the request panel. The request panel transmits the data it receives to the operator stations.

Abstract: A stowing system with adjacent lockers comprising a portable device allowing to dialogue with a control and operating device associated with a group of lockers through the medium of a wireless preferably infrared radiation connection so as to enable a system-running person to perform particular functions the system being applicable in left-luggage locker appliances used in particular in railway stations and/or airport terminals.

Abstract: A system activating and analyzing the biometric data from a plurality of biometrically-oriented personal identification devices at intermittent intervals selectively allows or prevents continued use of a particular protected system or device by a particular individual. The system is a continuous biometric authentication matrix which can employ any number of any variety of biometric personal identification devices including thumbscan, digital photo, voiceprints, fingerprints, and so on. The system acts as a continuously functioning "gate" between a system to be protected and a prospective user. A prospective user's biometric data is stored for reference. When the prospective user attempts to use the protected system or device, he or she must interface with the system, which then compares the prospective user's biometric data to the reference data.

Abstract: Pulses of a carrier signal supplied to an input circuit of a codable electronic device, e.g. a transponder tag, are divided by a chain to provide a logic signal, the value of which depends on the length of the pulse, the logic signal only being entered into a data store upon termination of the pulse. The logic signal is entered by a reset signal from output of the input circuit.

Abstract: A data communications network having a number of servers and a number of service providers employs an improved protocol for translating service names to network addresses. A server sends a multi-cast message to all service providers requesting a service needed by one of the user terminals connected to this server. In the request, the service is identified by function, rather than by address. Any node which provides this service, receiving the request and able to reply, sends a reply message immediately to the server. The reply message identifies the node (service provider) by network address, so a transaction with this provider can be initiated by the server immediately. If the service provider cannot reply, a third party node can send a reply to identify the provider by address. If the server does not receive a reply from either the provider or a third party, then a cache of network addresses of services most recently used by the server is searched for this particular service.

Abstract: A solid state switch matrix for developing a high current, high voltage output power pulse in response to a small signal input pulse includes a plurality of solid state switch modules and a controller. Each of the modules has a small signal input, a large signal input and an output. The modules are arranged in rows and in columns such that modules in each of the rows are connected in parallel and modules in each of the columns are connected in series. The controller has an input to which the input pulse is applied and develops a switching pulse for application to the small signal input of each of the modules in response to the input pulse. Each of the modules becomes conductive between its large signal input and its output in response to said switching pulse.

Abstract: A switch includes a housing (36) which retains an elastomeric actuating member (38) having an actuating portion (46) and a contact portion (37). The contact portion (37) deforms in a first direction (52) in response to a force exerted on the actuating portion (46) in a second substantially different direction (e.g. orthogonal thereto)(48). The housing (36) comprises a rigid member in contact with a side of the elastomeric actuating member (38) opposite the actuating portion (46) on which the force is exerted.

Abstract: A selective call receiver, such as a pager, has a real-time clock and is capable of determining the response of the receiver to a message in accordance with a status associated with that message. The selective call receiver can also change the status at a selected time or if a characteristic of the message matches a predetermined characteristic. Additionally the selective call receiver may choose from a plurality of priorities a priority of a received message in order to determine if a message stored in the memory of the selective call receiver will be deleted by the received message. The selective call receiver is further capable of determining the type of data decoded by an address with respect to the time of day.