Abstract: A backlight control method and apparatus adapted for use in, for example, aircraft passenger entertainment systems are described. The apparatus includes a present brightness/pre-determined brightness and comparator, and a brightness controller which limits present brightness to a selected level in a system deployed in a discrete space (such as a passenger cabin) having a plurality of displays. The method includes steps of comparing present brightness and predetermined brightness and generating one or more control signals to control backlight brightness based on the comparison to provide more uniform brightness in a display system including many displays co-located in a common space.

Abstract: A telephone includes a telephone body, a handset and a telephone network line hold mechanism. The telephone body includes a handset cradle on which the handset is placed, a plurality of operation buttons and the like. The telephone is placed in the offhook state when the user lifts the handset from the handset cradle and placed in the on-hook state when the user places the handset on the handset cradle. The telephone network line hold mechanism is energized when the user places the handset on the telephone body at its position in which the offhook state of the telephone is retained.

Abstract: A device for correction of negative differential coma error in convergence free deflection yokes. The deflection yoke encloses a portion of a cathode ray tube, including a portion of the cathode ray tube neck, and includes: a separator around which is wound a horizontal deflection coil for providing a horizontal magnetic deflection field; a core around which is wound a vertical deflection coil for providing a vertical magnetic deflection field, the core partially encircling the separator; and a rear cover which attaches the deflection yoke to the cathode ray tube, the rear cover being disposed around the neck of the cathode ray tube and having a first side facing the direction of the screen of the cathode ray tube and resting against a rear end of the separator.

Abstract: A neural network designed to recognize a particular character is supplied with initial tap weights for a first hidden node which are an image of the character to be recognized. The additive inverse of this set of weights is used as the tap weights for a second hidden node. A third node, if used, is initialized with random noise. The network is then trained with back propagation.

Abstract: An antenna assembly according to the present invention has a rod antenna movable between a retracted position and an extended position, a helical antenna having a plurality of helical portions which are electrically separated from one another. The rod antenna extends through the inside of the helical antenna when the rod antenna is in the extended position and the rod antenna is removed from the inside of the helical antenna when the rod antenna is in the retracted position. The antenna assembly also includes connecting metal piece for electrically connecting the plurality of helical portions when the rod antenna is in the retracted position so that the plurality of helical portions become operable as a single helical antenna.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for updating a memory in a Compact Disc changer. Information identifying discs stored in a CD changer is stored in a memory. The memory is updated when a CD is loaded which does not have identifying features which are recognized by the CD changer. Updating is carried out via a modem connection to a remote database. The database can be stored locally in a local database residing in a personal computer where the database can be queried to locate desired tracks and can be used to facilitate control of the compact disc changer by providing a simplified interface for building a play list and the like.

Abstract: A system for controlling distribution of sound in a multi-channel sound system such as a "surround sound" system in a movie theater. Control signals are used to steer, or distribute, portions of the sound signal between designated speakers. In a preferred embodiment the control signals are provided with the sound signals, themselves, and are separated from the sound signals by using a pilot signal or signals.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a graphical user interface which displays a window on a display where the window comprises plural pages. Only one of the pages can be displayed at one time and each of the pages has at least one icon therein selectable by a user to carry out a function corresponding thereto. The graphical user interface also displays miniature windows simultaneously with the window being displayed on the display. Each of the miniature windows corresponds to each of the pages of the window and each of the miniature windows has miniature icons therein. The number of the miniature icons in each of the miniature windows is equal to the number of the icons included in a corresponding page of the window.

Abstract: A neural network is used to recognize characters from a character set. Based upon the character recognized, a smaller neural network is used for verification of the character recognized. The smaller neural network is trained to recognize only a single character of the set and provides a "yes" or "no" type verification of correct identification of the character.

Abstract: A latch is disclosed for securing a television monitor for an aircraft video system in a horizontal position, wherein the monitor is rotatable between the horizontal position and a downward position suitable for passenger viewing. The latch includes a solenoid having a hinged element. The hinged element may be rotated to a closed position wherein the hinged element is in a vertical orientation. The hinged element may also be rotated to an open position wherein the hinged element is rotated away from the vertical orientation. Further, the hinged element includes a cutout having a reverse L-shaped configuration and a first mating surface. In addition, a notch is formed in a bezel for the monitor. The notch includes a second mating surface wherein when the hinged element is in the open position and the monitor is in the horizontal position, the second mating surface rests upon the first mating surface thereby securing the monitor in the horizontal position.

Abstract: A wire harness for a holding a plurality of wires in a cabinet having a front section and a rear section is disclosed, wherein the front section includes a first inner wall and the rear section includes a second inner wall. The harness includes a first vertical flange extending downward from the first inner wall, wherein the flange includes a slit extending through a first end of the flange and terminating before a second end of the flange to form upper and lower rib elements. Further, the slit forms an opening in the first end for receiving the wires into the slit. The harness further includes a shoulder element having a second vertical flange and a horizontal flange, wherein the second vertical flange extends downward from the second inner wall and is separated from the first vertical flange by an offset distance.

Abstract: A control panel is disclosed for a monitor having a cabinet. The control panel includes a cover having a top flange and a front flange, wherein the top flange includes a plurality of apertures and first resilient clips and the front flange includes a plurality of second resilient clips and a translucent section adapted for transmitting infrared light. The cover further includes a button module having resilient buttons and a plurality of third resilient clips, wherein each of the buttons extend through an associated aperture and are adapted to enable operation of selected functions of the monitor. In addition, the cover includes an emitter having light emitting elements for emitting infrared light, wherein the emitter is removably secured to the top cover by the third resilient clips such that the light emitting elements are positioned adjacent the translucent section.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a remote alert from a clock radio to a user at a predetermined time without disturbing others around him. The clock radio is preferably a superheterodyne receiver and includes an alert signal circuit for providing radio frequency alert signals at a predetermined alarm time and a radio frequency transceiver for receiving broadcast radio frequency signals and for transmitting radio frequency signals including the broadcast radio frequency signals and the radio frequency alert signals. A timing circuit in the clock radio includes a coincidence detecting circuit which detects the coincidence between the time of day and the predetermined alarm time, and causes the alert signal circuit to provide an alert signal to the radio frequency transceiver for transmission to a selected wireless remote alert device at the predetermined time.

Abstract: A portable telephone for communicating with a base station connected to a telephone network has a communication control unit for controlling communication through the base station, a memory for storing control information for each area in which the telephone can be operated, together with a code of each area, and wherein the communication control unit includes a discriminator for discriminating the area code included in a control signal which is transmitted from the base station. The control information for the area of the area code which the discriminator has discriminated is read from the memory so that the communication control unit can make the corresponding communication control in accordance with the control information.

Abstract: An optical pick-up apparatus includes a light source, an objective lens, a beam splitter, a detector, a first optical compensating device and a second optical compensating device. The objective lens converges a light beam emitted from the light source at one point on an optical axis. The beam splitter separates the light beam emitted from the light source from a returning light reflected on an optical disc. The detector detects the returning light separated from the light beam emitted from the light source. The first optical compensating device has a convex aspherical surface represented by X.alpha.R.sup.4 and is located on an optical path where the light beam is emitted from the light source. The second optical compensating device has a concave aspherical surface represented by +.alpha.R.sup.4 and is located on an optical path where the light beam is emitted from the light source.

Abstract: A transient improvement circuit is disclosed for cathode ray tube (CRT) amplifiers with automatic kinescope bias feedback circuits. An NPN transistor and a PNP transistor are provided, each having a collector, an emitter and a base. A video input signal is applied to the base of the NPN transistor. A first collector resistor is connected between the collector of the NPN transistor and a power supply voltage, the collector of the NPN transistor also being connected to the base of the PNP transistor. A first emitter resistor is connected between the emitter of the NPN transistor and ground, and the first emitter resistor has, connected in parallel therewith, a filter capacitor and a second emitter resistor connected in series with the filter capacitor.

Abstract: A portable telephone includes a main body of the telephone, a transducer (preferably an earphone) contained in the main body so that it can be removed therefrom, a cord connecting the transducer and the main body, and a switching mechanism. The portable telephone further comprises transmitting means and a transmission/reception circuit. In one embodiment of the present invention, the switching mechanism switches between an off-hook state and an on-hook state in conjunction with the removing and containing of the transducer from and into the main body of the telephone preferably through the delivery or taking up of the cord from and into the main body of the telephone. In a second embodiment, the portable telephone further includes a hinged lid which is rotatably supported to close an opening provided in the main body.

Abstract: A two-way voice messaging terminal for communicating with a receiving terminal which may or may not be capable of reproducing a voice message transmitted from the voice messaging terminal. A voice message is digitally encoded and stored in a memory. A receiving terminal selection unit connected to the first memory preferably allows for the selection of the receiving terminal(s) to which the voice message is to be transmitted. The receiving terminal selection unit then receives the stored, digitally encoded voice message and determines whether the selected receiving terminal(s) is(are) capable of reproducing the voice message. If the receiving terminal(s) can reproduce the voice message, the voice message is transmitted to the selected receiving terminal(s). If the terminal(s) is(are) not capable of reproducing the voice message, the voice message is converted into a text message in a speech-to-text converter in the voice messaging terminal and then transmitted to the selected receiving terminal(s).

Abstract: A remote receiving system and apparatus for alerting a mobile communications device user of an incoming call. The remote receiving apparatus is portable and receives a coded radiofrequency signal, including a first preselected identification code, transmitted from the mobile communications device, such transmission occurring upon receipt of the incoming call in the mobile communications device.