Abstract: A selective call receiver (100) for facilitating storage and presentation of a received selective call message. A microcontroller (105) executes a microcode program that controls operation of the selective call receiver (100). Received messages are stored by a memory manager (119) in a memory (115) coupled to the microcontroller (105). The memory manager (115) allocates and deallocates memory blocks, each block corresponding to a memory storage area (504) capable of storing at least a portion of the received message. The memory manager (119) also maintains a dynamic list (505) representing used and unused memory slots, the list being initialized in response to receipt of a database configuration message (301, 302) and updated in response to subsequent received selective call messages.

Abstract: Method for alternate circuiting of a data stream. In the prior art, the switch status of a switchover means was controlled by what is referred to as an activation means. This has the disadvantage that a faulty control of the switchover means can occur given outage of the activation means. In order to avoid this, the switchover signal output from the activation means to the switchover means is provided such that the switchover means can automatically implement the alternate circuiting given outage of the activation means.

Abstract: A network includes a network control center which stores network management software capable of supporting user-composed programs for automatically managing apparatus at remote sites, each apparatus including a microprocessor, memory and input/output devices interconnected by a bus, connected to remote site equipment. The network control center includes a single partitioned memory device, or various memory devices. A master site memory section stores a master site listing of all of the remote sites. A master function memory section stores a master function listing of all possible functions to be executed by the apparatus at each site. In managing the network of apparatus, a user composes a listing of plural sites selected from the master site listing and a listing of functions for each site from the master function listing, which are stored in a correlated listing memory section.

Abstract: A system for generating and substituting tokens for frequently used phrases within the information portion of messages comprises a central control terminal (140) and a selective call receiver (160). The central control terminal (140) includes a dynamic token generator for generating a set of most frequently used phrases having uniquely associated tokens therewith, the token generator accumulating and analyzing a number of the information portion of messages received at the central control terminal (140) intended for transmission to one or more selective call receivers to derive the set of most frequently used phrases, a most frequently used phrase storage memory for storing within the central control terminal the generated set of most frequently used phrases and associated tokens, and a most frequently used phrase downloading device for transmitting via a radio frequency transmitted message the generated set of most frequently used phrases and associated tokens to the one or more selective call receivers.

Abstract: A flat screen cathode ray tube is self supporting of a phosphor coated glass face place in that a multiplicity of support points or lines of support extend from an addressing grid structure to contact the inside surface of the face plate between pixels. A cathode or back plate is similarly supported against the addressing structure. The addressing structure itself is formed of a series of ceramic plates or layers, assembled in an unfired state wherein the ceramic and/or glass materials are held together with a plastic binder and are flexible and easily handled. A matrix of very small holes is formed in each plate, one hole for each of the R, G and B components of each pixel in a color display.

Abstract: Color selection means for color display tubes is provided comprising a curved mask and a rectangular frame supporting the mask, which frame comprises four parts. To realize a light and nevertheless rigid frame construction, at least two oppositely located frame parts are formed by folded pipes which each have a re-entrant wall with an edge following a curved path. The mask is clamped onto these edges so that the curvature of the edges determines the curvature of the mask.

Abstract: To protect a niobium tube (9) forming a current supply lead through a thrh-opening (14) in an end plug (10) in a ceramic discharge vessel against attack by halides or condensed sodium, the through-opening is formed in two portions, of different diameters. The outer portion (16), remote from the discharge vessel, has a diameter which is matched to the diameter of the tube (9), leaving only a capillary between the plug opening and the tube; the second, inner portion (17) is narrower than the first one, that is, outer portion, and surrounds the shaft of the electrode by a sufficient distance to permit expansion of the electrode, typically of tungsten, under operating conditions, without cracking the plug by forced engagement with the wall of the inner portion (17) of the aperture. A sealing glass, melt-sealed into the capillary of the outer portion, seals the niobium tube.

Abstract: A fluorescent display device includes a substrate having a pattern display thereon, at least one pair of conductive bases, the bases being separated by a predetermined interval and facing each other in parallel on the substrate, the conductive bases each having at least one pair of position-setting holes perpendicular to the substrate; and at least one pair of supporters, each of which includes a fixing portion having at least one pair of position-setting holes corresponding to the position-setting holes of one of the bases, and a supporting portion extending from said fixing portion, one of the position-setting holes in each of the supporters being a slot. The slots correspond to a hole in a supporter so that it is unnecessary for the base specifications to be changed even in the event of variation of the intervals between the position-setting holes in the supporters.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) includes a housing (222), a circuit supporting substrate (604, 605) within the housing (222) and mechanically coupled thereto, and electronic circuitry (606, 607, 608, 609, 610) mechanically coupled to the circuit supporting substrate (604, 605). A battery retainer (601) is located within the housing (222), and is mechanically coupled to the housing (222) for positioning and securing a battery (603) and preventing the transmission of mechanical shock between the battery (603) and nearby mechanical elements (240, 242, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610). The battery retainer includes at least one integrally molded user actuated switch (602) for controlling an operating function of the electronic device (100).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhanced electronic mail distribution which permits expeditious distribution of electronic mail documents to multiple host systems and/or external networks via a single host agent. A distributed data processing system having multiple host systems and/or external networks permits electronic mail documents to be distributed from local networks to nodes within various host systems or networks by establishing a host agent reference table at selected host agents within the local network. Each host agent reference table includes an identification of selected destination nodes associated with an identified host agent for those nodes. A referral to the host agent reference table may then be utilized to determine the appropriate host agent for an electronic document destined for a selected node. Thereafter, existing interprocess local network communications may be utilized to communicate the electronic document to the appropriate host agent.

Abstract: A locking system which is operated with card keys and the locking system is generally provided for a door lock of a guest room in a hotel. The locking system requires no time piece, and a card key including an IC memory can be used many times without illegal use of the key such as forgery or alteration of the key or illegal use by taking the key back intentionally. In the locking system, first and second identification codes have been set in the IC memory. A lock permits an unlocking operation when the first identification code read from the IC memory is coincident with a third identification code preset in the lock. In case of the first and third identification codes different from each other, when the second identification code has been stored in the IC memory, the first and third identification codes are replaced by the second identification code so that the first and third identification codes coincide with each other, and the second identification code is erased from the IC memory.

Abstract: Electronic security system for controlling access to an automotive vehicle. The security system includes a computer system having a processor subsystem connected to selectively enable or disable an ignition system of the automobile and a memory subsystem having ignition, valet and reprogramming key codes and first, second and third validation codes stored therein. To control access to the vehicle, an encoded signal containing a device code and an authorization code is propagated to the processor subsystem where the codes are compared to the ignition key, valet key, reprogramming key and validation codes. If the propagated device and authorization codes match the ignition key and first validation codes, the processor subsystem enables the ignition system for a pre-selected time period. If the propagated device and authorization codes match the valet key and second validation codes, the processor subsystem enables the ignition system.

Abstract: A switching network including a plurality of nodes, one node connected to a product of different electronic product groups on display. Each node includes a satellite node microprocessor and a cooperating product selector switch for selectively actuating said cooperating connected electronic product. An indicator lamp is also provided at each node. Illumination of the lamp indicates an operating condition of the electronic product connected to the node. Further, each node includes an address memory to identify the node and the connected electronic product. The satellite node microprocessors of each node are operatively connected by a bus to a central control unit. The central control unit includes a host microprocessor for supervising all network functions and product selectors for actuating selected electronic products connected to the nodes.

Abstract: An audiovisual system allows a plurality of audiovisual devices to be interconnected for convenient operation from a single set of function keys. The system includes a first AV device and other connected AV devices connected so as to bidirectionally transfer data. Control data from connected devices are read by a CPU of the first device and written to a RAM memory portion of the first device. When a function key of the first device is operated, a connected device is operated according to the control data read therefrom and stored in the first device. A memory card incorporating control data for the external devices may further be accessed by the first AV device for reading control data for the external devices. A particular function key may control as many functions as there are connected devices in the AV system.

Abstract: A personal radio paging receiver includes a radio section, a control section, a DC/DC converter, and a secondary battery. The radio section receives/demodulates an external radio signal and outputs a POCSAG signal. The control section divides the POCSAG signal into a first sync signal portion and a second batch signal portion, and outputs a control signal during a period of the first portion. The DC/DC converter operates for only a period during which the control signal is received. The secondary battery supplies power to the control section in synchronism with the second portion. The DC/DC converter is supplied to charge the second battery.

Abstract: A substantially transparent housing (202) for an electronic device (100) is capable of enclosing at least one component (502, 504). The enclosed at least one component (502, 504) can be visible from the outside of the housing (202). The housing (202) includes an outer surface (701) and an inner surface (702). A portion of the inner surface (703) is textured to provide a translucent surface. A portion of the outer surface (704) overlaps the textured portion of the inner surface (703). The overlapping portion of the outer surface (704) has opaque marks (602). The opaque marks (602) provide information visible from the outside of the housing (202). A method is also provided for applying the opaque marks (602) to the housing (202).

Abstract: An apparatus useful in the configuration of communication network. The present invention provides for improved apparatus and techniques for configuration of network nodes. In particular, what is described is a device which may be coupled with each node of a network. When coupled to a node, the device and node cooperate in allowing communication of information identifying the node and the node type to the device. The node identification and type information may then be utilized to reliably complete configuration of a network.

Abstract: A channel allocation mechanism especially useful in a trunked communication system that can accommodate both voice and data signals, and that operates in true trunked manner to efficiently utilize spectral resources.

Abstract: A radio modem (100) having application software (128) stored therein receives upgrade information via over-the-air selective call messaging. The upgrade information comprises upgrade installation information and upgrade data. A microprocessor (108) compiles the upgrade installation information and operates to upgrade the application software (128) in accordance with the upgrade installation information and in response to the upgrade data. Likewise, application software in the computer (302) can be upgraded by over-the-air transmission of upgrade information to the radio modem (100).

Abstract: An improved gas discharge trigger for a pseudogap cold cathode thyratron. Electrical trigger pulses are capacitively coupled through the vacuum envelope wall (16) causing a gas discharge adjacent to the rear of the hollow cathode (26). Coupling apertures (12) between the trigger discharge region and the hollow cathode allow ionization to propagate into the rear of the hollow cathode and trigger the pseudogap from a non conducting to conducting state.