Abstract: In one embodiment, a lidar system includes a wavelength-tunable light source configured to emit pulses of light, each emitted pulse of light having a particular wavelength of multiple different wavelengths. The lidar system also includes a scanner configured to scan the emitted pulses of light across a field of regard of the lidar system. The scanner includes (i) a beam deflector configured to angularly deflect each emitted pulse of light along a first scan axis according to the particular wavelength of the emitted pulse of light and (ii) a scan mirror configured to scan the emitted pulses of light along a second scan axis different from the first scan axis. The lidar system further includes a receiver configured to detect a received pulse of light that includes a portion of one of the emitted pulses of light scattered by a target located a distance from the lidar system.

Abstract: A method of using an intercom on a cordless telephone during an active call. The active call is put on hold while the intercom is in use. Once the call is re-activated, the intercom is shut off. This system may be designed for a cordless telephone with one handset or a plurality of handsets.

Abstract: A method of using an intercom on a cordless telephone during an active call. The active call is put on hold while the intercom is in use. Once the call is re-activated, the intercom is shut off. This system may be designed for a cordless telephone with one handset or a plurality of handsets.

Abstract: A method of using an intercom on a cordless telephone during an active call. The active call is put on hold while the intercom is in use. Once the call is re-activated, the intercom is shut off. This system may be designed for a cordless telephone with one handset or a plurality of handsets.

Abstract: The features and settings of wireless devices, such as cellular and cordless telephones, can be configured through the use of a user friendly web page, website, e-mail menu or the like. After a user has identified a wireless device or devices to configure, she then selects the features and settings she desires. The selected settings are then transmitted to the identified wireless device or devices. In this manner, wireless devices can be remotely configured and there is no need to repeat identical steps to configure multiple devices with the same configuration.

Abstract: A method of using an intercom on a cordless telephone during an active call. The active call is put on hold while the intercom is in use. Once the call is re-activated, the intercom is shut off. This system may be designed for a cordless telephone with one handset or a plurality of handsets.

Abstract: A method of using an intercom on a cordless telephone during an active call. The active call is put on hold while the intercom is in use. Once the call is re-activated, the intercom is shut off. This system may be designed for a cordless telephone with one handset or a plurality of handsets.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for monitoring a plurality of audio sources and switching from one to another of the audio sources in accordance with a stored program. An audio output device receives a signal from each of the portable electronic devices and selectively switches the contents of its output according to at least one preprogrammed user preference. The audio output device also automatically communicates with transceiver modules connected to local information systems, for example within a vehicle, office or shopping center. Based on programs stored in a storage device connected to the headset, the local information sources may be monitored and selected to interrupt other audio sources received by the headset when desired.

Abstract: A wireless piconet network device includes a GPS receiver to determine and provide earth coordinates to a gatekeeper of a wireless network so as to provide a level of security to wireless networks which requires accessing wireless devices to be within predefined boundary coordinates. The automatic restriction of access to a wireless network (e.g., a wireless local area network (LAN) such as a piconet network) by requiring a wireless network device to provide earth coordinates (e.g., GPS location information) as part of an establishment or maintenance of a connection to a wireless network, independent of a range of communication of any device in the wireless network. A wireless piconet network device outside of predetermined earth coordinates of a secured area (e.g., a building, a room in a building, a desk in a room in a building, etc.

Abstract: A wireless piconet network device includes a GPS receiver to determine and provide earth coordinates to a gatekeeper of a wireless network so as to provide a level of security to wireless networks which requires accessing wireless devices to be within predefined boundary coordinates. The automatic restriction of access to a wireless network (e.g., a wireless local area network (LAN) such as a piconet network) by requiring a wireless network device to provide earth coordinates (e.g., GPS location information) as part of an establishment or maintenance of a connection to a wireless network, independent of a range of communication of any device in the wireless network. A wireless piconet network device outside of predetermined earth coordinates of a secured area (e.g., a building, a room in a building, a desk in a room in a building, etc.

Abstract: A wireless piconet network device includes a GPS receiver to determine and provide earth coordinates to a gatekeeper of a wireless network so as to provide a level of security to wireless networks which requires accessing wireless devices to be within predefined boundary coordinates. The automatic restriction of access to a wireless network (e.g., a wireless local area network (LAN) such as a piconet network) by requiring a wireless network device to provide earth coordinates (e.g., GPS location information) as part of an establishment or maintenance of a connection to a wireless network, independent of a range of communication of any device in the wireless network. A wireless piconet network device outside of predetermined earth coordinates of a secured area (e.g., a building, a room in a building, a desk in a room in a building, etc.

Abstract: In one embodiment according to the invention, a cordless telephone comprises a base unit and a handset. An RF link between the base unit and the handset is adapted for use during a telephone conversation and for use as an intercom. When in an intercom mode, an incoming call is handled in a manner that does not automatically terminate the intercom mode in response to the incoming call. For example, call related information associated with the incoming call may be analyzed, and a decision to terminate the intercom mode may be based on the call related information. In an alternative example, call related information may be transmitted by the base unit to the handset, and the handset may be adapted to display at least a portion of the call related information, so that a user may elect whether to respond to the incoming call or to maintain the intercom.

Abstract: A home or office is remotely monitored by an authorized caller using wireless piconet networks between personal wireless piconet identifier devices worn or carried by particular persons and a remotely accessible access monitor base unit. Persons are monitored by an authorized remote person using a personal wireless piconet identifying device. Each personal wireless piconet identifying device includes a unique code serving as a personal identifier. An access monitoring base unit (e.g., a cordless telephone) includes a piconet network front end which establishes a piconet or scatternet network connection with a wireless piconet entrance/exit monitor, which in turn establishes temporary wireless piconet networks with the personal wireless piconet identifying units. A properly authorized caller may remotely access the access monitor base unit, enter a suitably secure access code, and request and download desired information from the piconet participant database, either in digital or audible form.

Abstract: An Audio Caller ID service is provided which permits the calling party to speak a real time audio message that can be received and played by the called party's Caller ID equipment while his telephone equipment remains in the “on-hook” state. A calling party which has Audio Caller ID (ACID) service would speak a short audio message before dialing the called party. That message is converted to digital form, optionally compressed, and transferred to the called party in a manner similar to conventional Caller ID information. The called party's Caller ID equipment operates in the conventional manner, except that the received Audio Caller ID signal is recognized as an audio signal. At the site of the called party, a decoder is provided to convert the digital signal to an analog audio signal, and this analog signal is provided to a speaker, which plays back the calling party's audio message.

Abstract: A voice messaging system such as a telephone answering device which allows a calling party to bypass the ring signal and substantially immediately allow the calling party to leave a voice message. To activate the no ring signal access to the telephone answering device, the calling party preferably enters a control sequence prior to entering the telephone number of the called party to signal the appropriate central office to signal the telephone line of the called party that the ring signal is to be bypassed. The central office includes an appropriate ring signal bypass request detection module adapted to detect a request for no ring signal from a calling party. In the disclosed embodiment, the calling party signals the central office using an appropriate sequence of DTMF tones, e.g., ‘*77’, and the central office in turn signals the telephone line using a non-ring signal, e.g., a line reversal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an application layer function outside the BLUETOOTH protocol which associates a BLUETOOTH unique address, i.e., the 48-bit unique BD_ADDR address, with a short passcode or PIN which is associated with a particular type of BLUETOOTH device in a particular piconet. The passcode or PIN can be pre-determined by the manufacturer of the BLUETOOTH device, or can be input and defined by the user. Upon installation in a piconet, in one embodiment shown and described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a user can be asked to manually input a particular passcode or PIN into a relevant piconet device, and an inquiry can be broadcast to all communicating piconet devices and only those other piconet devices having a matching passcode or PIN associated therewith can automatically forward their respective 48-bit unique BD_ADDR addresses to the inquiring piconet device.

Abstract: Confidential information is protected from unauthorized or accidental disclosure by requiring a successful comparison of near end and far end passwords prior to a facsimile transmission of the confidential information.

Abstract: A voice messaging system includes an input device to accept a destination electronic messaging address, a voice-to-text converter to convert or transcribe a received voice message into a converted text message, and a processor to operate an electronic messaging program and to prepare the text message for automatic electronic transmission to the destination electronic messaging address. A method is also provided to convert a voice message into a text message and to transmit the same to a destination electronic messaging address. The method includes inputting a destination electronic messaging address. A received voice message is converted or transcribed into a text message and prepared as a text file. The prepared text file is automatically transmitted to the destination electronic messaging address. A log file including the text of the voice messages may be maintained with updates at a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A wireless piconet network device includes a GPS receiver to determine and provide earth coordinates to a gatekeeper of a wireless network so as to provide a level of security to wireless networks which requires accessing wireless devices to be within predefined boundary coordinates. The automatic restriction of access to a wireless network (e.g., a wireless local area network (LAN) such as a piconet network) by requiring a wireless network device to provide earth coordinates (e.g., GPS location information) as part of an establishment or maintenance of a connection to a wireless network, independent of a range of communication of any device in the wireless network. A wireless piconet network device outside of predetermined earth coordinates of a secured area (e.g., a building, a room in a building, a desk in a room in a building, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to perform a real-time drift correction of a remote handset's local oscillator in a digital cordless telephone. The remote handset begins in a standby (sniff) mode. The remote handset periodically wakes from a sleep mode and goes into a normal link verification mode. Once in the link verification mode, the remote handset enters a time division duplexing (TDD) mode and attempts to establish a link with a base unit based on the timing of the TDD data frame. After the remote handset establishes a link with the base unit, the remote handset requests a security word from the base unit. Upon receiving the requested security word, the remote handset determines if the requested security word matches a security word of the remote handset. The remote handset implements a software frequency adjustment of its local oscillator. Once per frame, the remote handset enters a timing recovery state where the current state of the frame is compared with a previous state.