Abstract: A user configurable control device is particularly suitable for household devices such as remote control transmitters. A variety of function control elements in the form of keys are provided to the consumer who selects a desired set of the control elements. Each of the control elements has a unique pattern of projections molded into the bottom surface. These projections are in operative alignment with an array of membrane switches disposed on a switching substrate within the control device. The control device includes a front panel that is perforated with a pattern of slots. Each of the control elements has a pair of projecting tabs that look the element onto the control panel so that it is securely retained thereon, but may be released if desired. The projections on the bottom of the element extend through the slots in the front panel to the switching substrate below.

Abstract: A keypad configuration for an electronic device has a housing (180) with one or more push buttons (110) having centers (113), a maximum radius (115), and a maximum height (215). A specific area (118) surrounds each push button and has a minimum radius (129) that is at least five times as long as the maximum radius of the push button or at least three times as long as the maximum height of the push button. No additional push buttons are within this specific area. The size, height, and spacing of the push buttons provide a point contact sensation to a user's fingertip, which prevents a user from pressing more than one key at a time and provides space for alphanumeric labels beside each push button. This keypad configuration is particularly suited for portable electronic devices where a small keypad is desirable, such as cellular telephones.

Abstract: An assembly for transferring data comprises a measurement data acquisition unit in the form of a portable measuring device, a measurement data processing unit, and an auxiliary unit for transferring data between the acquisition unit and the processing unit. Contact-less coupling elements are operatively associated with the acquisition and auxiliary units respectively for transferring measurement data between the acquisition unit and the auxiliary unit by contact-less coupling. Data are transferred between the auxiliary unit and the processing unit. The auxiliary unit includes a connecting member for mechanically detachably connecting the auxiliary unit with the acquisition unit such that the contact-less coupling elements face one another at a predetermined spacing and such that the connected acquisition and auxiliary units together form a portable measuring device.

Abstract: A remote meter reading system (10) includes a group of meter interface units operable in an inactive state and periodically activated to monitor a communication channel for activity. Each meter interface unit (12) is responsive to communication signals from a meter reading device (15). The meter reading device (15) initiates communication with a first meter interface unit (12) selected from the group. The meter reading device (15) transmits to the first meter interface unit, a first message including a request for data. The meter reading device (15) then receives transmissions from the first meter interface unit (12) which are governed by a first transmission rule. The meter reading device (15) determines when at least a second meter interface unit (12) is operating in an active state, and transmits to the first meter interface unit (12), a second message including a specifier for a second transmission rule.

Abstract: A passive transponder including an antenna for receiving an input signal and transmitting an output and a memory for storing the data received by the transponder from an interrogator. The transponder can operate in either a read mode or a programming mode. The transponder includes an integrity circuit for indicating the integrity of the input signal, a monitoring circuit that monitors a characteristic of a host and an impedance modulator that prevents the overmodulation of the output signal.

Abstract: A translation memory for computer assisted translation based upon an aligned file having a number of source language text strings paired with target language text strings. A posting vector file includes a posting vector associated with each source language text string in the aligned file. Each posting vector includes a document identification number corresponding to a selected one of the source language text strings in the aligned file and a number of entropy weight values, each of the number of weight values corresponding to a unique letter n-gram that appears in the selected source language text string. Preferably, the translation memory further includes an inverted index comprising a listing of source language letter n-grams and a pointer to each of the posting vectors including an entry for the listed letter n-gram.

Abstract: The two channel remote control system activates the engine of an automobile and also activates predetermined accessories in the automobile such as a heater or an air-conditioner. A first paging system is activated by telephonic inputs originating from a user. This first paging system generates a start remote command. A first paging receiver is mounted in the automobile and receives the start remote paging command. The first paging receiver is acoustically or optically coupled to an audio receiver which is mounted in the automobile. The audio receiver, receiving the start remote command, triggers a controller circuit, a timing circuit, an ignition control circuit and a start motor circuit. The timing circuit generates periodic ignition trigger signals for the ignition control circuit. These trigger signals are generated a predetermined number of times. The timing circuit generates an ignition OFF signal after a predetermined period after receipt of the start remote command.

Abstract: An in-line roller skate includes a transducer portion capable of sensing the rotary movement of at least one wheel on the roller skate and transmitting information concerning the same to a receiver worn on a user's wrist. In the preferred embodiment, the transducer portion includes a magnet attached to one of the plurality of wheels and a sensor positioned in a shoe portion to detect the magnet and produce electrical pulses containing information corresponding to the angular velocity of the wheel. The transducer portion also includes a micro-controller, a transmitter and an antenna. The micro-controller creates a digital data stream containing information corresponding to the angular velocity of the wheel, which is then modulated onto a carrier wave produced by the transmitter. The transmitter transmits the coded signals to the receiver. The receiver demodulates the carrier wave, reproducing the digital data stream.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which allows for an electronic discussion group user to communicate with another user who speaks a different language. Machine translators and other software are incorporated to translate messages, thereby creating parallel discussion groups in different languages.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating with an electronic control module on an engine of a machine from a remote location is disclosed. The apparatus includes an electronic controller associated with a power supply on the electronic control module. A sensor is connected to the electronic controller for sensing an engine parameter indicative of the operating state of the engine. A communications interface for transmitting and receiving a communication signal is associated with the electronic controller. An ignition switch is connected to the power supply, such that when the ignition switch is in the off position, the electronic controller is powered down. The electronic controller is subsequently powered up if a communication signal is received from the remote location.

Abstract: A system for the remote monitoring of in-home self-medication to assure compliance with prescribed dosage schedules. The system comprises at least one subscriber home medication station which interfaces with a communications link and a remote central monitoring station also interfaced with the link and operative to receive and analyze messages transmitted by the home medication station. The preferred home medication station embodiment transmits messages to the central station over the communications link each time the home medication station is accessed for a dosage of medication. Central station computer means verify receipt of such signals within each subscriber's uniquely scheduled dosage time windows, and alert an operator to take appropriate action if a dosage schedule error is detected.

Abstract: A theme parsing system that determines the thematic context of input discourse is disclosed. Each word used in a language carries thematic information that conveys the importance of the meaning and content of the discourse. The theme parsing system discriminates words and phrases of the input discourse, identifying the type of importance or meaning, the impact on different parts of the discourse, and the overall contribution to the content of the discourse. The thematic conext of the discourse is determined in accordance with predetermined theme assessment criteria that is a function of the strategic importance of the discriminated words. The predetermined thematic assessment criteria defines which of the discriminated words are to be selected for each thematic analysis unit.

Abstract: A secure entry system makes use of radio transmissions to communicate with locks, keys, and related components throughout the system. The radio transmissions can be made using a paging system, a cellular telephone system, or any other RF carrier. Some embodiments employ a cellular telephone in lieu of an electronic key. Others integrate a paging receiver within an electronic key to provide a unit with dual functionality. The system is illustrated with reference to exemplary applications in the industrial site security, real estate lockbox, and transportation fields.

Abstract: A smart structure comprising a rotatable shaft, and a sensor integrated with the shaft, a resonant detector circuit integrated with the structure for detecting a sensor output, and an external exciter circuit; the detector circuit having first coil means and the exciter circuit having second coil means magnetically coupled to the first coil means when aligned across a gap; and control means exterior the shaft for producing an output that corresponds to the sensor output compensated for the gap.

Abstract: A temperature transmitter in a process control system includes a temperature sensor which senses temperature and provides a sensor output related to sensed temperature. An analog-to-digital converter coupled to the sensor output provides a digitized output related to the sensor output. A microprocessor receives the digitized output, compensates the digitized output and provides a temperature output. Comparison circuitry compares the sensor output to a first threshold and provides an inhibit signal to the microprocessor if the sensor is outside of the first threshold.

Abstract: A transducer and interrogator device is disclosed in which the interrogator provides power and information to the transducer via a magnetic field. The transducer is a passive actuator device that includes an inductive pickup coil that, when subjected to the interrogator's magnetic field, powers the passive actuator and an external electrical device. The magnetic field produced by the interrogator can be modulated in such a manner as to provide identification, commands, or other information to the passive actuator without substantially reducing the power transferred to the passive actuator. Modulation can be by amplitude, phase, frequency, pulse width, or pulse position. An antiphase magnetic field can also be generated to cancel far field radiation. The passive actuator can include a logic circuit to demodulate any received data from the interrogator via the magnetic field, which data can be used to control the operation of the external device.

Abstract: A portable device (10) for selective message recordation and playback and scheduling includes a portable unit (11) and an optional homebase station (12). Portable unit (11) includes a housing (15), unit controller (20), tactile input mechanism (40), audio processor (60) and video processor (80). Portable unit (11) allows textual, audible and visual message inputs and their selective playback based on time or other preselected textual, audible or visual stimulus. A selectively detachable stylus (51) may be removed to engage a touch panel (50) for making operational selections and entering information. Optional homebase station (12) may include a variety of features for supporting and supplementing those of handheld unit (11), such as a floppy drive (112) message memory, input keys (114), a battery charging circuit (115) and an external communication circuit (117).

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and controlling a complex construction installation from a local or remote location. Each of the functional components of the installation have slave processors associated therewith. The slave processors are coupled to a master and additional processing unit. A communication system for each of the functional components connects all of the functional elements within the components and enables a two way data communication between the master and additional processors and the communication systems. A single control unit coupled to the communication system enables the local, off-line monitoring and controlling of the installation. A remote decentralized routing station coupled to the communication system enables the remote, on-line monitoring and controlling of the installation.

Abstract: A portable computer (40) has an integrated motherboard/keyboard/housing assembly (48) wherein the keys (50) are disposed through the motherboard (54) to contact a keyboard circuit (56) on the upper surface of the bottom layer of the main housing(44). During a keystroke, the key travels within a hole (52) in the motherboard (54), which also acts as a guide to the key. Accordingly, weight and height associated with separate assemblies is greatly reduced.

Abstract: An integrated manual control input device is provided for use in a computer system having a graphical user interface. The device comprises a keyboard unit having a plurality of keys, a pointing actuator mounted to the keyboard between preselected ones of the keys for engagement by a user's index finger, at least one click button assembly pivotably mounted to the keyboard unit adjacent the keys and a normally open momentary switch beneath the click button assembly. The click button assembly has a button moveable downwardly by a user's thumb to select an ON state and subsequently releasable to select an OFF state. The button is also moveable downwardly and slidable laterally in a rearward direction to select a locked ON state to facilitate a drag operation.