Abstract: A single chip integrated data link control (IDLC) device provides full duplex data throughput and versatile protocol adaptation between variably configured time channels on a high speed TDM digital link (e.g. T-1 or T-3 line) and a host data processing system. The device can handle multiple channels of voice and varied protocol data traffic, and thereby is suited for use in primary rate ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) applications. Synchronous and asynchronous special purpose logic sections in the device respectively interface with the network and a bus extending to external processing systems. Logic in the synchronous section forms plural-stage receive and transmit processing pipelines relative to the network interface.

Abstract: In a computer system accessible via a keyboard--in which the keyboard and system are supposed to reset automatically in reaction to power outages or other disturbances lasting for longer than a first period of time, in which the keyboard and system are generally unaffected by power outages or other disturbances lasting for less than a second period of time less than said first period, and in which lockouts can occur during system power outages or other disturbances lasting for a time greater than said second period and less than said first period--an anti-lockout circuit is interposed between a DC low voltage output port of the system and a DC voltage input port of the keyboard. This circuit is powered by the low DC voltage appearing at said output port and operates in response to small changes in that voltage to switchably interrupt transfer of that voltage to the keyboard input port.

Abstract: An improved planar support structure for a planar of a personal computer system is comprised of an integral structure having a plurality of connector support frames. The planar support structure is interposed between the planar and a supporting structure and securely fastened to each. Each frame surrounds the perimeter of a corresponding connector of the expansion slots on the planar. Each frame supports a connector to prevent the connector from flexing the planar when an adapter board is inserted into the connector. Additional alignment pins associated with the planar support structure improve ease of assembly during construction of the system.

Abstract: A data processing system includes a planar board having a central processing unit (CPU), a main memory unit, and input/output (I/O) sockets or slots, each adapted to receive a selected one of a plurality of different and/or similar option cards. each card contains (or is connected to) and controls a respective peripheral device; and each card is pre-wired with an ID value corresponding to its card type. Software programmable option registers on each card store parameters such as designated default (or alternate) address information, priority levels, and other system resource parameters. A setup routine, during initial power-on, retrieves and stores the appropriate parameters in the I/O cards and also in slot positions in main memory, one position being assigned to each slot on the board. Each slot position is adapted to hold the parameters associated with the card inserted in its respective slot and the card ID value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting BIOS stored on a direct access storage device into a personnal computer system. The personal computer system comprises a system processor, a system planar, a random access main memory, a read only memory, a protection means and at least one direct access storage device. The read only memory includes a first portion of BIOS and data representing the type of system processor and system planar I/O configuration. The first portion of BIOS initializes the system and the direct access storage device, and resets the protection means in order to read in a master boot record into the random access memory from a protectable partition on the direct access storage device.

Abstract: An apparatus for electromagnetically shielding electronic equipment has a first and second spaced apart housing members having a gap between them. A rigid member having a plurality of openings is interposed between them. A spring member connected to the rigid member has a plurality of spring fingers extending through openings in the rigid member. A cover member has a cam which forces the first housing member against one side of the spring member to extend the spring finger into the second housing member in order to cause an electrical connection between the first and second housing members.

Abstract: A special purpose communications protocol processor (CPP) provides more efficient processing of layered communications protocols--e.g. SNA (Systems Network Architecture) and OSI (Open Systems Interconnection)--than contemporary general purpose processors, permitting hitherto unavailable operations relative to high speed communication links. The CPP contains special-purpose circuits dedicated to quick performance (e.g. single machine cycle execution) of functions needed to process header and frame information, such functions and information being of the sort repeatedly encountered in all protocol layers, and uses instructions architected to operate these circuits. The header processing functions given special treatment in this manner include priority branch determination functions, register bit reshaping (rearranging) functions, and instruction address processing functions.

Abstract: A device to aid an individual in putting on an elastic stocking. The device includes a member with a slidable surface. The member has a U-shaped portion on a front end extending into a flat base portion on the back end. The U-shaped portion has opposed side walls extending upwardly from a flat bottom base. A stocking is bunched up and slid over the front end and onto the side walls to form a cavity for inserting a first foot of the individual. The second foot exerts pressure on the flat base portion while the first foot slides along the flat base portion and into the stocking cavity. The stocking slides off the side walls and the front end as the first foot is slid forward. In the process the stocking is slid on the first foot of the individual.

Abstract: A system and method is described for synchronizing a paging receiver decoder to receive information in the form of digitally encoded signals. The digital signals include a synchronization signal followed by message data. The synchronization signal includes a first and second portion of the synchronization signal. The decoding means is synchronized to the first portion for generating a timing signal. The decoder then measures a phase relationship between the timing signal and the second portion of the synchronization signal. The timing signal generated by the decoder is adjusted according to the phase relationship to improve the decoding of the incoming information. In a second embodiment, a second synchronization signal is transmitted for statistically improving the accuracy of the timing signal.

Abstract: An alerting device for a paging receiver for generating vibration motion in the paging receiver housing. The alerting means comprises an electric motor, an eccentric weight, and a linking means. The electric motor is activated in response to an alert signal for rotating a driving shaft. The driving shaft is coupled to the eccentric weight by the linking means for rotating the eccentric weight. The linking means includes a driving means and a receiving means such that rotary motion is transmitted from the shaft to the eccentric weight while preventing transmission of vibration motion from the eccentric weight to the shaft. The eccentric weight is mechanically attached to the housing for transmitting the vibration motion directly to the housing without passing the vibration motion through the electric motor.

Abstract: A carrying case for a portable radio is provided which includes an attachment structure for attaching the case to the radio user. The carrying case includes a two position sound deflector which, at the option of the user, is situated in a first position to deflect sound upward toward the user's ears or which is situated in a second position for protecting the controls of the radio from the environment.

Abstract: A paging simulcast station remote control system decoder. The paging system decoder responds to signals generated in accordance with a predetermined signalling scheme comprising a series of tones and timed pauses. The decoder is also responsive to user programmable switches which provide station function tone and sector information. The paging system decoder then selectively deactivates a paging simulcast transmitter in response to signals received through a conventional paging communication link.

Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer such as a piezoelectric element transducer includes an output mode for generating an alert signal and an input mode for generating a switching signal. The transducer comprises an actuating means, such as a pushbutton, a resilient member, such as a snap action dome, a housing and a piezoelectric element. In the output mode, voltage is supplied to the piezoelectric element to generate mechanical vibrations which are converted to acoustical energy by a resonant cavity and port in the housing. In the input mode, manual pressure on the pushbutton forces the dome, being interposed between the pushbutton and piezoelectric element to collapse and deform the piezoelectric element. In response, the piezoelectric element generates an electrical signal. A voltage sensing circuit senses the electrical signal and generates an input signal.

Abstract: A paging station remote control system decoder is described. The paging system decoder is responsive to signals generated in accordance to a signalling scheme comprising a series of tones and timed pauses generated by a paging system encoder. The paging system decoder then causes a paging transmitter station to key in an analog or binary modulation mode or to switch from one mode to another without first dekeying the paging transmitter.

Abstract: In system capable of self turn-off, a circuit arrangement for providing a controlled turn-off includes a detecting circuit for detecting actuation of a turn-off switch, thereby providing a turn-off authorization signal. A turn-off protection circuit is coupled to the detecting circuit and a controller is coupled to the turn-off protect circuit and the detecting circuit. The controller disables the turn-off protect circuit when the turn-off authorization is received and present. The controller generates a turn-off signal for powering the system down after the turn-off protect circuit has been disabled.

Abstract: A paging station remote control system capable of providing analog or binary modulation modes is described. Control of the paging base station is effected through a signalling scheme comprising a combination of tones and timed pauses generated in response to control signals supplied either manually or by a paging terminal. The paging system is capable of transitions between binary and analog modulation modes without first dekeying the paging transmitter.

Abstract: An improved synchronization system for use with simulcast transmission systems is described. The invention provides a method and means for keeping the information signals for adjacent transmitters in the system in synchronization. This invention utilizes a centrally located master transmitter and control unit and a plurality of secondary transmitters disposed in an annular fashion around the master transmitter. In operation, the innermost annular band is synchronized to the master transmitter, while the remainder of the system is disabled. The next adjacent annular band is then synchronized to the innermost annular ring. The process is repeated until every annular band in the system is synchronized.

Abstract: A paging simulcast station remote control system encoder is described. The paging system encoder generates signals in accordance with a predetermined signalling scheme comprising a series of tones and timed pauses and generated in response to control signals supplied either manually and or by a paging terminal. The paging system encoder provides control signals which instruct a paging transmitter to transmit a subsequent paging signal or to inhibit transmission until instructed to do otherwise. The paging encoder can generate signals to individually control as many as 30 individual simulcast transmission remote stations through an existing paging RF link.

Abstract: A logic circuit is provided in a multifunction selective call receiver operating in a time sequential zone batched message communication system to prevent repeated alerts of the same message. A single lockout timer is reset by the first detection of a message function signal, and further alerts for that function are disabled for a time interval which may be extended by additional message function detects corresponding to other functions.

Abstract: A radio paging test system for testing the sensitivity of a radio receiver which receives a group of transmitted signals from a transmitter. Each transmitted signal in the group of transmitted signals is detected ad then compared to a reference signal to determine the degree of similarity between the reference signal and the detected signal. Each detected signal is classified either as a missed page, a non-page or a decoded page depending on the degree of similarity between the detected signal and the reference signal. In one mode of operation the classification of each detected signal is indicated by a classification signal which may be utilized to activate an alert such as a transducer or LED. Each classification signal may be directed to a computer input for analysis. In another mode of operation the classification signals are further analyzed to determine if the pager sensitivity is above, below or at a predetermined level. An alert indicating the pager sensitivity is then generated.