Patents Examined by John Giust
  • Patent number: 5367295
    Abstract: A mechanical key and lock cylinder with mechanical bittings include an electronic access control feature, with minimal modification and without affecting or interfering with the mechanical function of the key and cylinder. A small, low-profile memory cell is embedded in a recess or lateral hole through the key, with one cell terminal grounded to the key and the other having a contact extension. When the key is inserted into the keyway of the cylinder plug, the ground connection is made with the cylinder and the memory cell contact extension engages a spring-loaded contact of a connector unit which extends from the cylinder plug. An insulated wire carries the conductive path out of the lock cylinder. The key remains of very low profile, and the cylinder plug is modified only by a small longitudinal bore from front to rear. Existing mechanical locks and cylinders can easily be retrofitted with the electronic access control feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Security People, Inc.
    Inventors: Asil T. Gokcebay, Yucel K. Keskin
  • Patent number: 5355124
    Abstract: A wiring concentrator (160)for Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) networks employs only two PHY modules (182 and 184) for initialization of all attached stations (174, 176, 178, and 180). A bank of switches (204, 206, 208, and 210) initially switches one of the stations into full-duplex communication with one of the PHY modules (182), with which it performs the initialization process. The attached station (174, 176, 178, or 180) is then switched into a loop formed with the other PHY (184), in which loop the station remains in the active state that it reached as a result of the initialization process. The process is then repeated for each attached station. A separate PHY module thus is not required for every attached station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Digital Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Kochem, Peter Hayden
  • Patent number: 5355125
    Abstract: The present invention has an object of providing an electronic register with macro key function which can achieve various functions corresponding to seven kinds of codes including a mode check function in addition to a limited function of collectively performing a plurality of key processings existing on the keyboard. Seven kinds of codes, including the mode check code for checking the operation of the register, in addition to the key code on the keyboard, are set as macro key set data to the memory corresponding to the macro key on the keyboard. When any one of the seven kinds of code exists in the macro key set data which has been set corresponding to the macro key, processing of the operation mode corresponding to this code is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Fuyama
  • Patent number: 5355119
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling a signal device for energization by an electrical source. The apparatus includes circuitry for producing digital cycles on an output line wherein each digital cycle includes a sequence of pulses and spaces, each cycle having at least two pulses that differ in duration and at least two spaces that differ in duration. The apparatus also includes circuitry connected to the output line and responsive to the circuitry for producing the digital cycles for applying electrical energization from the electrical source to the signal device in accordance with the pulses in the digital cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Public Safety Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry S. Pearlman
  • Patent number: 5355126
    Abstract: An on-site selective call receiver interacts with a wide area selective call system to increase the probability of timely message reception by a selective call receiver capable of operating in either the wide area or the on-site selective call system. A frequency shifting signal is transmitted from the wide area system in response to addition of the selective call receiver to the on-site registry or automatic detection of entry of the selective call receiver into the on-site selective call system coverage area. The selective call receiver shifts to the wide area frequency in response to detecting that the receiver is out of range of the on-site system signal or in response to a signal transmitted by the on-site system in response to deletion of the receiver from the on-site registry or detection of the exit of the receiver from the on-site coverage area. The on-site system increases message throughput by interleaving data messages with voice messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard E. Nelson, Darrell A. Pfeffer, James A. Wright
  • Patent number: 5353020
    Abstract: An arrangement for monitoring operating parameters of vehicle pneumatic tires mounted on wheel rims is provided with sensors (58, 60) for selected operating parameters and with transmitting means comprising rim-side mounted rotor members (28) and bodywork-side mounted stator members (32) coupled thereto for transmitting the operating parameters detected by the sensors (58, 60) to an evaluating arrangement in the vehicle connected to the stator members (32). In an opening (20) of the wheel rim (10) in the region of the rim well (22) a measuring module (24) comprising two components (36, 38) detachably connected together is disposed. One of the components (36, 38) is mounted on the side facing the tire (14) and the other is mounted on the side of the rim well (22) remote from the tire (14). The sensors (58, 60) are mounted on one of the two components (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Josef Schurmann
  • Patent number: 5349341
    Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit for channel units in a digital loop carrier transmission system. Two registers include information related to the health of the channel units. One of the bits of a first register is the logical "OR" of the last four bits in the second register, thus permitting a reading of a single register to determine if any problems exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventor: Mark E. Hauschild
  • Patent number: 5337043
    Abstract: An access control system combines card type keys or mechanical keys and lock cylinders with keyholder authentication, so that only the authorized keyholder or keyholders can use a key at an access control point. The access control point can be a door, gate, drawer, safe, safety deposit box, computer terminal or other situation wherein high security is desirable. In a preferred embodiment, the access control system includes a series of mechanical keys (or card type keys) having encoded data stored on the bottom edges of the keys. The encoded data may be in the form of a bar code or optical data storage, either directly formed onto the key or on a strip of plastic or other material bearing the encoded data, secured to the key. In one form of the invention, user authentication involves a biometric feature such as a fingerprint of the intended keyholder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Security People, Inc.
    Inventor: Asil T. Gokcebay
  • Patent number: 5334908
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to new structures for a field emission cathode and processes for fabricating the same. The field emission is made of any material that is capable of emitting electrons under the influence of an electrical potential. The field emission cathode has several unique three dimensional structures. The basic structure comprises of a layer of material with cathode tips. For a more complex structure the cathode tip is preferably accurately aligned inside an extraction/control electrode structure, in preferably a vacuum environment. The structures of this invention can be fabricated to be connected to other similar field emission cathodes or to other electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Steven M. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 5329278
    Abstract: A computer keyboard includes a plurality of pairs of side by side keys, each pair of which is on opposite sides of a vertical plane lying between such keys. The keys are mounted for pivotal movement about respective first and second axes. The first key is located at one side of the plane and its pivotal axis is on the opposite side of such plane. The second key is located on the same side of the plane as the first axis and has its pivotal axis on the same side of the plane as the first key. The spacing between the axes is such that the keys have maximum vertical travel and minimal lateral travel. The keys have faces that are inclined toward the plane to form an upwardly concave pocket between the keys for the accommodation of a user's finger. A switch is activated by the first key and another switch is activated by the second key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Inventor: Michael L. Dombroski
  • Patent number: 5327122
    Abstract: The apparatus embodies an inquiry unit with a radio frequency emitter and an answering unit (transponder) with a frequency divider for the frequency of the emitter of the inquiry unit. The divided frequency is modulated with the data inside the transponder as a carrier frequency in a phase modulator for the transmission of the answer and the so modulated signal is delivered to a demodulator of the inquiry unit. In the demodulator, the original data sequence is recovered from the received phase modulated signal with the help of an unmodulated reference signal derived from the frequency transmitted by the inquiry unit itself, using an algorithm implemented by means of a digital signal processor, independently of the phase relationship between the phase modulated signal and the internal reference and with negligible delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Inventor: Massimo Casalegno
  • Patent number: 5323145
    Abstract: A master slave architecture includes a common power supply on a common distribution bus that is used by the master to provide a separate alarm power bus to all of the slaves for powering their individual alarm monitoring circuits for providing the capability to detect an open circuit or loss of power to the slave, and to eliminate hot signals which might otherwise result in CMOS latchup in the slaves; individual slaves having alarm conditions may be individually identified by using an alarm inventory bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Alcatel Network Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Marlin V. Simmering
  • Patent number: 5323144
    Abstract: A duplexed bus type network in which a main transmission line and a stand-by transmission line are interconnected by a repeater (30), a changeover switch (40) or a two-way amplifier, a modem at each station is duplexed and connected to the main transmission line and the stand-by transmission line, and, upon trouble in one modem (11A), only the relevant station is switched over to the modem (21A) belonging to the stand-by transmission line. When the main transmission line is broken, all the stations are simultaneously switched over to the stand-by transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Hitachi Cable Limited
    Inventors: Mitsuo Imai, Yasumasa Imai, Yasuo Suzuki, Teruaki Aoki
  • Patent number: 5311171
    Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit for storing and processing information in channel units servicing four channels in a digital loop carrier transmission system. Separate registers are provided for processing information related to different pairs of channels. However, one of the registers duplicates the information included in other register so that only a single register need to be addressed for a particular function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventor: Mark E. Hauschild
  • Patent number: 5309154
    Abstract: A selective call receiver (30) for receiving selective call signals in a universal synchronization code operating mode receives signals having the conventional POCSAG sync code and signals having dual sync codes and decodes the signals appropriately to recover personal and information services messages. Whether the receiver (30) is operating in a conventional POCSAG system or a dual sync code system, the receiver (30) conserves battery power by activating the high battery draining receiver circuit (34) only during frames (106) of the signal (100) wherein personal message addresses or database information is likely to appear. The frames (106) where the personal message addresses are likely to appear and where the database information appear are indicated by a frame byte stored in a memory (48) with the corresponding address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyung T. Mun, Charles J. Ganucheau, Jr., Leonard E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5293161
    Abstract: A selective call receiver (100) comprises a receiver (104) for receiving a message and a vibrator (116) capable of vibrating at a selected one of at least two selectable frequencies for alerting a user of a received message. The vibrator (116) also has a selector (120) or a tuning element (130) for varying the frequency of the vibrator (116).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. MacDonald, Jeffrey S. King
  • Patent number: 5287034
    Abstract: A vacuum envelop is formed of at least a flat and rectangular faceplate 21 on which a fluorescent screen is formed, a side wall 22 extending in a direction, which is substantially perpendicular to the faceplate 21, from a peripheral portion of the faceplate, and a rearplate 23 opposing to the faceplate 21. A plurality of rod-shaped support members 31 whose top end portions are wedge-shaped are arranged between the faceplate 21 and the rearplate 23, and a ratio t/P is set to 0.05 or more where t is a thickness of the faceplate and P is an interval between adjacent support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Eiji Kamohara, Takashi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 5285166
    Abstract: A method of extracting a strong, charged particle beam, that is, a large current from an accelerator, and an accelerator capable of carrying out the method utilizes charged particles which are extracted from the accelerator. The equilibrium orbit of charged particles in one of a bending magnet and a magnet having multipole components greater than sextuple components, is shifted by a constituent element of the accelerator other than these magnets, to change the tune of charged particles. The adjustment of this tune based upon the shift of the equilibrium orbit in the above magnet for extracting charged particles, can keep the gradient of orbit of the extracted beam substantially constant. Accordingly, beam extraction is readily controlled, and a large current can be extracted from the accelerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Director General of National Institute of Radiological Sciences
    Inventors: Kazuo Hiramoto, Masatsugu Nishi, Akifumi Itano
  • Patent number: 5252977
    Abstract: A digital architecture for a pulse generator includes a triggerable voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) with two alternative sources of frequency control voltage, an internal DAC or a phase frequency comparison with an external timebase. In a top octave of operation, the output of the triggerable VCO is used to produce output pulses whose edge locations are then adjusted by small digital increments or "slivers" and very small analog increments or "verniers". In lower octaves of operation, the contents of a pattern RAM serve to frequency divide the triggerable VCO output frequency by powers of two. The RAM contents are converted to a serial bit stream that imposes the coarse pulse width and period as an integral number of top octave periods, or quanta. The edge locations are then adjusted with slivers and verniers, as in the top octave. Automatic calibration facilities are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Lueker, John Hengeveld, Brad Needham, Burt Price, Jim Schlegel, Mehrab Sedeh
  • Patent number: 5252968
    Abstract: An apparatus for optical encoding. An electrical input circuitry is provided for providing a pulsed electrical input signal. A light source circuitry is connected to the pulsed electrical input circuitry for utilizing the pulsed electrical input signal to produce pulses of light. Light collecting and electrical conducting circuitry is provided and synchronized with the light source circuitry. The light collecting and electrical conducting means is positioned in relation to the light source circuitry for receiving and being responsive to light produced by the pulsed light source circuitry. An electrical output signal is produced, indicating such a response. Positionable light interrupting circuitry is provided for opening and closing the optical path of light being transmitted from the light source circuitry to the light collecting and electrical conducting circuitry. The opening and closing affects the electrical output signal, the resulting pulsed electrical output signal for use in encoding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Donovan