Abstract: Scan code generation for portable personal computers (PCs) using a matrix keyboard operates to produce keyboard output scan codes corresponding to IBM.RTM. compatible PC/AT scan codes. Key numbers are assigned to one or the other of two classes (simple and complex). Two classes of scan code translation tables (simple and complex) are stored in memory, either ROM or internal RAM memory. Whenever a simple key is operated, the simple table is accessed. The complex scan code table is addressed, in accordance with a set of seven edit rules, utilized in conjunction with the state of operation of multiple keys on the keyboard, to determine the appropriate translation. All of the logic needed to generate the necessary scan codes is collapsed into a structured table-driven mechanism.

Abstract: A remote controller that has preset therein control signals of various formats/code systems in correspondence with different kinds of electronic equipment and of different manufacturers detects the control signal from another remote controller typically used with the electronic equipment, compares it with the preset data, selects a predetermined signal from the preset data and stores it in a memory for use in controlling the electronic equipment. Identifier codes may also be stored in the memory to save memory capacity. With only one input operation, all control signals in the same category, such as channel codes for a television, may be learned and stored in the memory in correspondence with the respective keys. Provision is made to determine whether the input control signal is in the form of a toggle code, thereby executing the learn function for control signals that include the toggle code.

Abstract: In a TRIE dictionary, it is to retrieve a character string including a wild card and a normal expression at high speed. By extract a substring of M characters from the start of a word character string of length L, making a backward TRIE having the end of the substring as a route node with the aid of the substring, deciding a prefix portion from a substring in which the number of input characters has been decided to be small, and retrieving an original TRIE, both the necessary cost of space (dictionary size) and the retrieval cost (retrieval time) are balanced.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus having two or more functions includes a nonvolatile store in which the identities of two or more keys are stored and two or more functions are classified into groups, each group being distinguished by two or more of the keys. A controller is coupled with the nonvolatile store and enables a function that is selected by operating a key, which function matches an identification number to be entered by a user.

Abstract: An antenna for programming a transponder in a partially shielded housing includes a non-metal spindle having a slot therein. The slot is adapted to receive the shielded housing containing the transponder. An exciter coil assembly is wound about the spindle so that the spindle positions the transponder relative to the exciter coil assembly so that the coil of the transponder antenna is coaxially aligned with the coil of the programming antenna.

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: A control console for a program-controlled machine tool consisting of a base, an ergonomically positioned control panel including a plurality of function keys, and a display screen. The control panel and the display screen are provided in a common control console housing. In a recess of the housing a plurality of separate control panels is provided, which can be alternatively positioned with respect to the control surface of the control console housing. The functional elements of those control panels are connectable to the associated elements in the control console via electric connectors.

Abstract: A method for parsing of a language defined by context free grammar includes the steps of extracting groups corresponding to words of a sentence in an order of word arrangement of the sentence, each of the groups being formed by a terminal symbol, a start-position number, and an end-position number of a corresponding one of the words; creating a state list by using the groups, the context free grammar, and an LR table derived from the context free grammar, the state list corresponding to position numbers indicating positions of the words and including state numbers indicating state of the parsing; and carrying out the parsing while creating the state list.

Abstract: On word starts, the system displays sets of very frequent words and attributes in locations which associate them with input actions. Possible attributes include letters, phonetic sounds, character strokes or parameters as appropriate for the language. Attributes inputted select word sets from a vocabulary which has N sets of a plurality of word sets in which the words of each set share a unique set of one to N attributes. The display presents accessed word sets which the user may search for wanted words. Vocabulary words include codes to select inflection sets when they are selected. For alphabetic languages, spelling rules and a store of modified word ends and inflection starts are used in the application of inflections. Selected words, with or without inflections, are outputted by input actions which may append `Space` or punctuation endings. User actions on keyboard and/or stroke sensing apparatus input attributes and select, inflect, and output words with endings.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) includes a regulator (102) for generating an operating voltage. The device (100) also includes at least one component (110) using the operating voltage and requiring a minimum input voltage for proper operation. The device (100) further includes a sensor (115) for sensing the minimum input voltage of the component (110) to produce a minimum operating voltage. Also included in the device (100) is a feedback circuit (116), responsive to the sensor (115), for feeding the minimum operating voltage to the regulator (102) whereby the regulator (102) alters the output voltage to the level of the minimum operating voltage.

Abstract: A method is described with the aid of which messages can be transmitted from batteryless transponders to interrogation devices. The interrogation devices are equipped with a receiving section and a transmitting section and as a request to transmit the message stored therein as reaction to an interrogation command rendered effective in the interrogation device said devices transmit an HF interrogation pulse with predetermined carrier frequency and predetermined carrier duration. In the transponder this HF interrogation pulse is utilized to generate a supply voltage. Each interrogation device checks as reaction to an interrogation command whether its receiving section (14) is receiving a signal with the carrier frequency.

Abstract: In a system for transmitting digital information, transmitter operating parameters (503) are transmitted with other communication message information (501, 505, 507, 509, 511, 513, 515, and 517) to aid communications.

Abstract: A machine translation system having an idiom processing function is disclosed, which includes a keyboard for inputting a word sequence of a first language; a dictionary memory for storing therein idioms of the first language including at least two fixed portions and a variable portion interposed therebetween as headers and translated expressions in a second language corresponding to the respective headers; and a control processor for performing a registration process for newly or additionally registering a header of the first language and translated expressions in the second language corresponding to the header into the dictionary memory, a dictionary lookup process for retrieving a header corresponding to an idiom included in the word sequence of the first language input by means of the keyboard from the headers stored in the dictionary memory by comparing the word sequence of the first language with each of the headers, and an idiom processing process for normalizing an arrangement of fixed portions in a wo

Abstract: A transponder used in a remote identification system requiring an interrogator and a transponder. The transponder which is thin and compact includes a transmit/receive antenna which is thin for receiving an interrogating signal and a rewrite signal emitted from the interrogator, and for emitting a response signal towards the interrogator. There is a modulator/demodulator for modulating a signal according to a code inherent in the transponder to emit the same from the antenna as the response signal without newly applying energy to the interrogating signal, and for demodulating the rewrite signal. A controller for applying a modulating signal generated according to the inherent code to the modulator/demodulator and for storing a signal demodulated by the modulator/demodulator. A liquid crystal display is used for displaying data including bar codes which can be read by a bar code reader. The bar code can be rewritten.

Abstract: A controller that operates using two different processors is provided. Each processor performs certain predetermined functions. A control processor is responsible for switching AC power distribution and control, while a message processors is responsible for messaging. A polling scheme and arbitration logic prevent data transfers relating to these two processors from interfering with each other. A configurable interface allows many different types of appliances to attach to the system, and a serial multimode interface further enhances the configurability of the system.

Abstract: An automatic lighting controller applies a turn-off control signal to a gate controlled power switch for switching OFF lighting when a timer circuit determines that motion activity above a threshold level has not occurred within the controlled area during a prescribed interval. A counter produces a grace period count signal and a reset count signal, with the grace period count signal occurring within a predetermined sub-interval, for example, one count cycle prior to the reset count signal. The grace period count cycle (N-1) interval is adjustable, for example, from about 0.6 second (for test purposes) to about 14 seconds. The grace period count signal enables an audio transducer which provides an audible alert that the lights are about to be switched OFF automatically. A person in the controlled area can override the impending automatic shutoff simply by initiating some motion activity during the grace period.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unified grammar for a speech interpreter capable of real-time speech understanding for user applications running on a general purpose microprocessor-based computer. The speech interpreter includes a unified grammar (UG) compiler, a speech recognizer and a natural language (NL) processor. The UG compiler receives a common UG lexicon and unified grammar description, and generates harmonized speech recognition (SR) and NL grammars for the speech recognizer and natural language processor, respectively. The lexicon includes a plurality of UG word entries having predefined characteristics, i.e., features, while the UG description includes a plurality of complex UG rules which define grammatically allowable word sequences. The UG compiler converts the complex UG rules (complex UG rules include augmentations for constraining the UG rules) into permissible SR word sequences and SR simple rules (simple rules do not include any augmentation) for the SR grammar.

Abstract: A temperature sensor is mounted on the inside surface of a stationary race around which a rotatable race rotates. Electric signals from the temperature sensor are converted into acoustic signals. Without the use of any hard wires, the acoustic signals are received by an acoustic-electric transducer mounted on the outside surface of the bearing housing. These electric signals from the acoustic-electric transducer are frequency demodulated and converted into signals which indicate on a display panel the temperatures within the bearing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recognizing the topic structure of language. Language data is divided into simple sentences and a prominent noun portion (PNP) extracted from each. The simple sentences are divided into blocks of data dealing with a single subject. A starting point of at least one topic is detected and a topic introducing region of each topic is determined from block information and language data characteristics. A PNP satisfying a predetermined condition is chosen from the PNPs in each determined topic intro. region as the topic portion (TP) of the topic in the topic intro. region. A topic level indicating a depth of nesting of each topic and a topic scope indicating a region over which the topic continues is determined from the TP and sentences before and after the TP. Sub-topic intro. regions in the remaining area where no topic intro. regions are recognized are determined from block information and language data characteristics.

Abstract: A track ball mechanism is mounted on a cantilevered portion of a printed circuit board that is supported in a housing. A switch, mounted on the opposite side of the cantilevered portion of the printed circuit board, is operated when it engages a boss on the housing. The ball of the track ball mechanism is operated by a human digit in the usual manner and the switch is operated when pressure on the ball deflects the cantilevered portion of the printed circuit board which causes the switch to engage the boss. The boss is supported on a cantilevered portion of the housing which deflects under excessive loading to protect the switch and track ball mechanism.