Abstract: A remote convenience system (10) for remote control performance of a function includes a portable transceiver (14) and a controller transceiver (16). Preferably, the system (10) is for a vehicle (12), and the controller transceiver (16) is vehicle-based. The portable transceiver (14) is operable for remote control requests, and includes circuitry (42, 52, 54, and 60) for transmitting a function request signal (18) that contains a function request (C) and a security key (T.sub.1). Also, circuitry (42, 52, 54, and 60) of the portable transceiver (14) receives a response signal (36) that contains a new security key (T.sub.2), and updates to the new security key. The vehicle-based transceiver (16) includes circuitry (30, 74, 78, and 82) for processing valid function requests and for controlling performance of the requested function.

Abstract: A status of one or more subsystems positioned on one or more trailers is communicated to a tractor electrically and mechanically connected to the trailer. The status may be automatically supplied by the subsystem or may be requested either by the operator of the tractor/trailer combination or automatically by another subsystem on either the tractor or the trailer. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the status of a respective subsystem is superposed on the power bus. The status of the respective subsystem can then be determined from the spread spectrum data communications signal. Preferably, the status of the subsystem is indicated to an operator positioned on the tractor. A command for controlling a subsystem on a trailer can also be communicated from the tractor to the trailer over the power bus. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the command is produced on the power bus, and the subsystem is controlled based on the spread spectrum data communications signal.

Abstract: A remote control system for controlling an electronic device includes a remote controller and a remote control interface. The remote controller includes a memory for storing a plurality of control data respectively indicating the relationship between a plurality of control signals and functions of the electronic device corresponding to the plurality of control signals; a trigger signal transmitter for transmitting a trigger signal for causing the electronic device to transmit a response signal which is specific to the type of the electronic device; a receiver for receiving the response signal; and a control signal transmitter for selecting control data specific to the type of the electronic device from the plurality of control data based on the response signal, generating one of the control signals, and transmitting the generated control signal.

Abstract: An SAW identification or sensor configuration or ID tag operating with surface acoustic waves for information systems, includes acousto-electrically active components disposed in different acoustic tracks on a piezoelectric substrate. A diverter acoustically couples the components.

Abstract: When a cylinder is urged to displace a piston rod, and a pulse signal is inputted into a counter from an encoder, then the number of pulses of the pulse signal is counted by a counting section. A time-measuring section starts measurement for the elapsed time upon the start of operation of the cylinder. When the pulse signal is inputted, the elapsed time is reset. When the displacement of the piston rod is stopped, the pulse signal is not inputted. The elapsed time is increased to make coincidence with a predetermined preset time to output, to a control unit, a preset time elapse signal indicating this fact. At this time, the preset count value is compared with the count value of the pulse signal counted by the counting section. If the both are coincident with each other, a coincidence signal indicating this fact is outputted to the control unit. Accordingly, it is possible for the control unit to detect the stop of the cylinder and detect the displacement position of the piston rod at this time.

Abstract: A system and method for interrogating a passive acoustic transponder, producing a transponder signal having characteristic set of signal perturbations in response to an interrogation signal, comprising a signal generator, producing an interrogation signal having a plurality of differing frequencies; a receiver, for receiving the transponder signal; a mixer, for mixing the transponder signal with a signal corresponding to the interrogation signal, to produce a mixed output; an integrator, integrating the mixed output to define an integrated phase-response of the received transponder signal; and an analyzer, receiving a plurality of integrated phase-responses corresponding to the plurality of differing frequencies, for determining the characteristic set of signal perturbations of the passive acoustic transponder.

Abstract: A SCR (122) capable of communicating with a communications center (102) includes a RF receiver (304), a presentation circuit (313), and a processor (308). The processor is adapted to select an advertisement source from a plurality of advertisement sources (502), select an information service from a plurality of information services (504), cause the RF receiver to receive from the communications center advertisement information and a message originating from the information service (506), and cause the presentation circuit to present information to a user of the SCR representative of the message and advertisement information, and the information service and the advertisement source selected (508-534).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of assigning a unique device identification to an electronic device coupled into a communication architecture. Once coupled into the communication architecture a piece of globally unique identifying data is retrieved and utilized to generate a device identification which identification is then assigned to the device.

Abstract: Remote control system and method for preventing the mixing of signals from remote manipulation devices and consolidately operating controlled devices including the remote manipulation devices comprise controlled devices including a plurality of remote manipulation devices, an image input device, a monitor device and a record device, and a computer. The computer transmits a transmission permission signal for permitting the transmission of the remote manipulation device having an ID code through the controlled device, and the remote manipulation device having the coincident ID code responds to the reception of the transmission permission signal to transmit a control signal to the controlled device. The computer 107 interprets a control command from the control signal received through the controlled device and transmits the control command to the controlled device. The controlled device responds to the control command to execute it.

Abstract: A security interface device, such as a keypad, includes a proximity detector sensing a human approach and operating a light source to enhance illumination of the device in response to such approach. A timing device switches the illumination source off after the expiration of a predetermined time period and the proximity detector switches said illumination source on, or enhances the illumination, in response to the detection of movement in the vicinity of the pad. The proximity detector has a short range, and the range preferably does not intercept the floor or ceiling, to reduce triggering by pets, fans, ceiling lights and other non-human sources.

Abstract: A communication system (10) for use in a vehicle occupant restraint system (12). A central controller (14) is connected to a plurality of restraint devices (16) by a power and communication conductor (20). A signal function (28), via a voltage modulator (30), of the central controller (14) sequentially outputs voltage modulation messages to the restraint devices (16) on the conductor (20). The application sequence of the voltage modulation messages corresponds to a predetermined sequence of the restraint devices (16). A signal function (40), via a current draw modulator (42), in each of the restraint devices (16) outputs current modulation messages to the central controller (14) on the conductor (20). The application of the current modulation message from each respective restraint device (16) coincides with the outputting of a voltage modulation message from the central controller (14) to another specified one of the restraint devices.

Abstract: A pager includes a receiving circuit for receiving a transmitted paging signal including a calling signal and a message which includes character codes; a display having a predetermined character display area; a first storing circuit for storing the message when the calling signal indicates this pager; a setting circuit responsive to a manual operation for setting position data indicative of a position of one of the character codes in the message; a second storing circuit for storing the position data in response to the setting circuit; and a displaying circuit for reading a portion of the message including the portion of character codes from the storing circuit in accordance with the position data from the second storing circuit and displaying the portion of character codes on the display. In addition to storing the position data, a target subject data may be stored to search the position of a message to be displayed.

Abstract: A modulated backscatter communication system (e.g., an Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) system) includes a central node (e.g., a ceiling node) and one or more remote nodes (e.g., ESL tags). The central node transmits a downlink radio signal which is reflectively modulated at a remote node to produce a modulated reflected radio signal. At the remote node, a precise-frequency subcarrier signal is modulated with an uplink information signal to produce a modulated signal which is used to produce the modulated reflected radio signal. At the central node, the modulated reflected radio signal is received, detected and narrowband filtered to obtain the modulated subcarrier signal which is then demodulated to obtain the uplink information signal, with great immunity to close to carrier downlink radio noise and fluorescent light backscatter interference.

Abstract: A transmitting unit of a wireless security system having randomized successive ("rolling") verification codes transmits a different synchronization code each time that the transmitter unit is powered up. After power up, a pseudo-random value is generated by a pseudo-random number generator. The pseudo-random value is at least in part dependent upon a manipulation of a manually-operable switch of the transmitting unit. The pseudo-random value is incorporated into the first synchronization code transmitted after the first power up. If power to the transmitting unit is then interrupted and then resupplied, for example by removing and then replacing a battery, then the pseudo-random number generator generates another pseudo-random value, the value again depending at least in part upon a manipulation of the manually-operable switch. The pseudo-random value is then incorporated into the first synchronization code transmitted after the second power up.

Abstract: A paging transceiver and method for selectively paging provides a page to a paging transceiver but does not automatically provide an associated message. The paging transceiver receives the page and alerts the user that information is waiting and provides an identifier for the information. The user can then download or otherwise act on the information at a time and at a place convenient to the user. The paging system conserves air time and the paging transceiver conserves memory by not automatically receiving the associated information. The paging transceiver can receive transmissions during off-peak hours and has a timer which can be programmed so that information is delivered at a desired time. The paging transceiver allows a user to erase information stored at the paging transceiver and corresponding information stored at a remote system. When information is erased, the paging transceiver preferably keeps the identifier in memory and does not write over the message.

Abstract: Large scale, multi-stage switching networks for selectively routing electrical signals from a plurality of inputs to one or more of a plurality of outputs. In one embodiment, the network is comprised of first and second banks of switching matrices. The matrices within each bank are further grouped into primary, secondary, and tertiary stages. Each input circuit is interconnected to a respective input of one of the primary matrices within each bank, and each output circuit is interconnected to a respective output of one of the tertiary matrices within each bank. However, the input and output interconnections for the first and second banks are made in a significantly different fashion. A sequential, distributive connection is used inputs/outputs of the first bank, and a non-repetitive, distributive connection is used for inputs/outputs of the second bank. Non-repetitive, distributive interconnections are also provided between the primary/secondary stages, and between the secondary/tertiary stages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a radio paging message in portable terminal, which is capable of receiving a message, where the terminal apparatus comprises a memory and a touch panel which includes an indicator at a fixed site. The method comprises: receiving the radio paging message; interrupting a current operation in response to the reception of the message, storing the received message in the memory, recording that the stored message is not read, and resuming the interrupted operation; accessing the memory and controlling the indicator to periodically flicker with the presence of the unread data; and reading and displaying the corresponding data with the detection of an indicator touch responding to the indicator flickering, and controlling the indicator to cease flickering in accordance with the detection of the indicator touch.

Abstract: An improved portable terminal system is described employing linked data files to present related information on a configurable display device. The portable terminal uses a machine coded reader to read machine coded data on an item and to register such information in a corresponding collection file. The system retrieves associated data files and presents such files in the form of a link if such information is determined to be non-essential. Thus, non-essential data may be presented as optional available data which may be accessed with a simple election command.

Abstract: An enabling device for a motor vehicle having an electronic ignition system and a passive anti-theft system includes an engine control circuit controlling the electronic ignition system of the motor vehicle, a passive anti-theft control circuit electrically connected to the engine control circuit for controlling the passive anti-theft system, and a latch electrically connected to the passive anti-theft control circuit to selectively enable the electronic ignition system.

Abstract: A method of informing a finder of a paging receiver of its location and its owner's telephone number includes registering the owner's telephone number in a memory of the paging receiver; and when the paging receiver is misplaced or otherwise lost, calling the paging receiver so as to generate an audible speaker alarm and to provide a visual display of the owner's telephone number for informing the finder of the misplaced paging receiver of the location and the owner's telephone number.