Abstract: The invention consists of attaching or embedding a “TIRIS” transponder (or other RF or IR or barcode or other identifying device) physically into the center of the proposed DVD disk. Once a disk is input to a media player, the interrogation portion of the media player transmits an interrogation signal to the transponder located on the disk. Once empowered with the interrogation signal, the transponder accesses the predetermined address, code word, encryption algorithms, media type information, and copyright information from it's memory. Then the transponder transmits the address, the code word, encryption algorithms, media type information and copyright information to the interrogator, located within the media player, and the interrogator sends the transponder data stream to a conditional access management processor(CAMP).

Abstract: The present invention provides for a filter assembly (124) which includes a filter element (128) and a memory device (402). The memory device (402) allows for a record of the filter element's usage to be available at all times even if the filter assembly (124) is moved from one filtering system to another one. In another embodiment of the invention, the filter assembly (124) interacts with a filtering device such as air unit (130) which periodically updates the memory device (402) while the air unit (130) is operational. The air unit (130) also periodically checks to see if the filter assembly (124) has reached the end of its useful life. If so, the air unit provides an audible and/or visual alarm.

Abstract: The present invention helps derive accurate clock and carrier translation presets in the presence of noise and various line shapes. The invention provides an adaptive algorithm that optimizes the calculations of clock slew (.DELTA.T.sub.s) and frequency offset (.DELTA.f) over the specific line conditions encountered at each connection by choosing an optimal subset of the communication device's probing frequencies that minimizes the effect of line losses and noise.

Abstract: A compression/decompression method useful in communicating ideographic characters to communication devices. An ideographic character is represented by a compressed character codeword including information defining a structure type or layout of the character, together with primitive types that represent combinations of simple graphical elements. A character generator read-only memory (CGROM) (20) includes a compressed character codeword database (22) and a primitive type database (24). Character codes corresponding to a compressed character codeword are transmitted to a communication device (600), such as a selective call receiver. The communication device (600) includes a microprocessor/controller (50) that decompresses the compressed character codewords corresponding to the character codes based on the data stored in the character database (22) and the primitive type database (24).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for frequency synthesis replaces a conventional divide-by-N counter with a low-power binary ripple counter (108). The method and apparatus employs a difference comparison scheme (114) that provides arbitrarily precise channel spacing, and allows loop sample rate to be selected independent of channel spacing.

Abstract: An electronic device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a data terminal, a computer (particularly a portable computer) or a television (particularly a portable television), having a display (10) and a display driver (20). An ambient radiation sensor element (12) senses ambient radiation incident on the display; and an ambient radiation modulation measuring element (104) measures a frequency of modulation of ambient radiation sensed by the ambient modulation sensor element (12) The display driver (20) provides a display scanning signal to the display (10) at a frame rate synchronized to the modulation frequency of the ambient radiation.

Abstract: In a data communications system operating on a registered data channel and including an infrastructure 100 and a subscriber terminal 115, a method of making a channel exit decision at the subscriber terminal includes: sampling 201 the registered data channel for a time period, preferably a signal time period and a data time each of which may be an adaptable time period to obtain a plurality of quality values, preferably signal values and data quality values; comparing 203, 213 each of the plurality of quality values to a threshold; and initiating 225 an exit procedure, preferably including a quick scan for a possible data channel, when a first number of the plurality of quality values obtained during the time period does not satisfy the threshold.

Abstract: An interface port expansion device (302) allows for more than one terminal equipment (304, 306, 308 and 310) having embedded U-interface termination's to interface to the ISDN via the U interface. The port expansion device (302) can take the form of a separate stand-alone device or a circuit which is integrated into a terminal apparatus. The port expansion device (302) includes a plurality of local (secondary) U interface ports (314, 316, 318 and 324) for interconnecting the terminal equipment (304, 306, 308 and 310) and a network side U interface (312) for interconnection to the ISDN. In other aspects of the invention, methods for allowing a plurality of terminal equipment having embedded U-interface terminations to receive messages from and transmit messages to the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) via a single network side U-interface are described.

Abstract: In-phase (I) and quadrature-phase (Q) baseband signals (312, 314) are derived from a digitized signal (318) having a sampling rate. The digitized signal is band pass filtered (604) to produce a band passed signal (320), and the band passed signal is delayed (606) to produce a delayed band passed signal (322). The band passed signal and the delayed band passed signal are decimated (608) by a predetermined amount to produce, respectively, a decimated signal (328) and a decimated delayed signal (330). The decimated signal and the decimated delayed signal are low pass filtered (610) to produce, respectively, the I and Q baseband signals.

Abstract: Multiplexer (100) includes a plurality of resident network management protocol handlers (116, 118 and 120). The multiplexer user can select which one of the protocols to use from among the resident protocols to use for framing network management messages received or transmitted via network management port (134). This selection can be made without requiring new hardware or software modules to be installed, and without significant run-time overhead to select among several supported protocols. Upon receiving a request to update the currently used protocol handler (116, 118 and 120) a handler index (124) which is used to select a pointer to all of the resident protocols, causes the newly selected to be activated, and any new network protocol messages are transmitted and received using the standards for the new protocol.

Abstract: The disclosed communication unit functions to detect a signal by detecting the zero crossing of a current sample (and prior samples) and determining a sample value for each sample, and to determine an estimated bit value of a previous sample based on upper and lower node metrics. In the preferred embodiment a two-state decoder is used. Using prior sample values, the possible upper and lower node path distance metrics are first determined, then path difference metrics are determined for each node based on the path distance metrics. The difference metrics are then compared against a threshold, preferably zero, to determine the estimated bit value (or which surviving path to use) in decoding a prior sample.

Abstract: A radio device such as a radio modem having a radio shielding receptacle (10) with a base (16) and first and second sides (40, 42) and having side walls (14). A first circuit board (e.g. radio frequency circuit board 20) is mounted in the receptacle between the side walls, extending across the first side of the base. A second circuit board (e.g. logic circuit board 22) is mounted across the second side of the base such that the base of the receptacle separates the first and second circuit boards. A radio shielding housing (top assembly cover 26and bottom cover 38) surrounds the receptacle and the first and second circuit boards. In an aspect of the invention the device is dimensioned to conform to a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association standard and has an antenna connection (76). An elongate recess (74) extends between the two sides of the housing and the antenna connection is mounted within the recess.

Abstract: A fan support member (100) includes first (102) and second (104) cantilevered members extending from base member (116). In one embodiment, each of the cantilevered members (102 and 104) includes at least one retention member (106, 108, 110 and 112) which engage to corresponding recess locations (302, 304, 306 and 308) located on the fan (300). The cantilevered members (102 and 104) become loaded when a fan is placed between them causing them to press against the sides (312 and 314) of the fan (300) which helps keep the fan(300) securely attached. The fan support member (100) allows for quick attachment and removal of fan (300).

Abstract: A uni-directional fluid valve particularly for use as an exhalation valve for a filter mask comprises a flexible flap attached at one end to a concave portion of a seat. The mounting of the flap imparts to it a transverse curvature, stiffening the flap sufficiently for it to remain seated in the absence of a pressure differential across it even when orientated with the seat above the flap.

Abstract: An anti-theft security arrangement for the steering column of a motor vehicle includes a clutch which is adapted to resist turning of the steering up to a certain torque but thereafter to slip to avoid damage to the parts while still making control of the vehicle impractical. The clutch is arranged on a parallel axis to the steering column and is connected to the column through a high-ratio gear train comprising a gear wheel fast with the steering column and a pinion fast with the clutch. It is engaged and disengaged by sliding the assembly of clutch and pinion into and out of mesh with the other gear wheel. The clutch includes a rotatable shaft with teeth engaging between spring steel rods so as to turn in a series of discrete jerks if the limiting torque is exceeded.

Abstract: A filter mask has an eye shield comprising a sheet of flexible transparent material sealed to the mask along its lower edge. That edge of the eye shield material has one or more widthwise folds so that, while the upper edge of the mask can follow the contours over the nose and along the cheeks of a user the eye shield can adopt a more gentle curvature by relative compression of the folds where they pass over the nose and relative opening of the folds to each side. A comfortable fit can thereby be achieved without creasing of the eye shield and without detriment to the sealing of the mask against the user's face and the sealing of the eye shield to the mask.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of manufacturing a filter assembly having a filter frame member (402) and the filter assembly (500) produced thereby. The method includes the step of supporting a filter media (202) preferably using a pair of support members (102 and 204). The support members (102 and 204) hold the filter media in place and allow portions of the filter media (202) to be exposed around the media's periphery. Next, a filter support frame (402) is placed around and in proximity to the exposed filter media. The filter support frame (402) is then welded, preferably ultrasonically, to the exposed portions of the filter media. Once welded, the pleated filter assembly is removed from the support members (102 and 204).