Abstract: A radio paging receiver enables an user of the receiver later to see a received message even when an alert stopping operation or message confirmation operation is first executed in an environment too dark to see the received message. The receiver has a photosensor for detecting whether a display environment is light or dark. If the alert stopping operation is executed in the dark condition, the received message is stored in a memory as an unconfirmed message, so that the user later can see and read the received message in a light condition after a change of the environment. In addition, when the environment is changed from a dark condition to a light condition, if an unconfirmed message exists in the memory, the receiver alerts the user.

Abstract: An electronic combination lock is provided with and incorporates the enhanced feature of covert entry detection and notification. Whenever the bolt of an electronic lock provided with this enhancement is retracted to its withdrawn or unlocked position and whenever the lock has not received an authorized combination enabling the movement of the bolt, movement of the bolt is detected and the electronics of the lock is powered for a time sufficient to record an indication of the covert entry in its non-volatile memory. Upon normal operation at a subsequent time, the indication of covert entry is read from the non-volatile memory and a visual indication is displayed to the operator to inform the operator that covert entry has occurred.

Abstract: A process for operating a remote-controllable central locking installation of a vehicle by means of a transmitter, which can transmit coded signals--for example acoustically by means of ultrasound, optically by means of IR and/or by means of USW high-frequency waves--to a receiver fitted in or on the vehicle. An initialization is typically carried out before the actuation for the first time of the central locking installation, or a reinitialization is carried out before the next actuation of the same, to cancel the previous code, that is the code which can be used in future, or in the case of a changing code the relevant code set which can be used in future, being fixed for the first time or once again by the receiver being driven, for example by means of a special control code, into a state in which it can be (re)initialized. The receiver indicates that the receiver is ready for (re)initialization and/or after successful (re)initialization by means of an activation of the door locks.

Abstract: A communicating system has at least two air conditioning machines which are connected to a primary interface and a secondary interface, respectively. The primary interface is connected to a primary remote controller having a display. The secondary interface is connected to a secondary remote controller having a display and the primary interface. When the state of all air conditioning machines is to be changed by a command from the primary remote controller, firstly all displays are caused to display the now run mode of the air conditioning machines substantially at the same time. After that, the operating states of the air conditioning machines are a predetermined interval.

Abstract: A local call receiver or pager includes a circuit (3) for receiving and demodulating a call signal emitted by a central station and which contains synchronization code words, address code words and message code words. The circuit is connected to the pager energy source (16) through a switching circuit (3b) for cutting off the energy supply when it is not necessary to receive the call signal. The pager also includes a decoder (4) intended to control the switching circuit as a function of the analysis of the call signal synchronization code words. The analysis is effected bit-by-bit and the receiver circuit is disconnected as soon as the synchronization code word is recognized, in most cases following analysis of only a few bits of the code word. Application is in respect of pagers in which a satisfactory compromise must be obtained between dimensions and autonomy, as for instance in pagers combined with a timepiece to be worn on the wrist.

Abstract: A combination switch for performing various functions comprises a fixed substrate having an output contact assembly which has a common output contact and other output contacts which are electrically insulated from the common output contact. The switch also comprises a movable substrate having a switch contact assembly which has a common contact and other contacts which are electrically connected to the common contact. A switch lever is for moving the movable substrate with respect to the fixed substrate to shift the switch contact assembly relative to the output contact assembly, thereby selectively connecting the common output contact to the output contacts through the switch contact assembly to supply from the output contact assembly a pattern signal indicative of one of different conductive patterns. A processor judges, in response to the pattern signal, to which function the conductive pattern corresponds and producing an operational signal for performing the indicated function.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based door control unit includes a programmable, non-volatile-memory for storing door operating parameter values. A separate programming unit, arranged for connection to the door control unit, includes a second microprocessor, a keyboard and a display. The parameter values stored in the non-volatile memory can be read by the programming unit, and new values can be stored in the non-volatile memory using the programming unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus perform remote memory management in an acknowledge-back selective call communication system (100) comprising an infrastructure (102) and a selective call receiver (120). The infrastructure (102) transmits (904) a notification (406) of a pending message for the receiver (120). The receiver (120) reports (906) in response a memory value (414) specifying space available in a memory (322) for storing the pending message. The infrastructure (102) compares (908) the memory value (414) with the length of the pending message to see if sufficient memory space is available to store the pending message in the receiver (120). The infrastructure (102) controls further processing of the pending message based on the result of the comparison.

Abstract: One or more user accessible switches are provided by which the authorized user may fully or partially limit the computer's access to one or more of its peripheral devices. The switch inhibits power or control lines to the peripheral device, or enables the programming of access limits to the peripheral device, in a manner which cannot be overridden by the computer. This added level of control allows the user to control the computer's activities so that access to these peripheral devices is allowed only under secure conditions, so as to preclude alteration or destruction of data by unauthorized users or computer viruses. Methods are disclosed by which the switches can render peripheral devices totally inactive, or made to be temporarily read-only, write-only, or write-once in order to implement a number or security protocols for single or multi-user environments.

Abstract: A transponding tag (14) and method for responding with a unique code signal (18) when it receives an interrogation signal (16). The tag (14) waits a random duration before responding to avoid interference with response code signals (18) from other tags (14). The tag (14) includes two antennae (22, 24) formed on opposing sides of a dielectric planar substrate (20). A protective coating (52) and printed indicia (72) overlie the antennae. An electrical circuit (34), decoupling capacitor (44) and inductive pickup coil (46) are embedded within the substrate (20). The electrical circuit (34) and capacitor (44) reside between the antennae (22, 24) to receive RF shielding from the antennae and to reduce thickness of the tag (14). A capacitance exists between the antennae (22, 24). This capacitance stores DC electrical energy for the electrical circuit (34). The tag (14) is programmed through a modulated magnetic field detected at the inductive pickup coil (46).

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 security system for the containment of at least one firearm in a repository. The security system operates in conjunction with an alarm system adapted to generate a signal upon the emergency or unauthorized opening of the repository indicative of access to and possible removal of the firearm contained therein. An alarm system which generates a signal at a remote location is indicative as to whether the firearm in the repository has been accessed and/or removed either in an intended manner or under emergency and/or duress conditions. Also disclosed is a particular pushbutton lock mechanism suitable for use with a security system of the type disclosed herein.

Abstract: In a communication system having a plurality of air interfaces, one of the air interfaces is assigned for use for a desired communication by transmitting a message, having a list of air interface capabilities of the subscriber, from the subscriber to a base (12). A list of air interface capabilities of the base is then compared, at a controller, with the list from the subscriber (14). A compatible air interface, or list of compatible air interfaces, is generated by the controller and provided to the base (15, 31). The base will then direct the subscriber to access the communication system utilizing a compatible air interface (18, 35).

Abstract: A central arbiter uses priority generators to determine which resource on a shared bus has priority in accessing the bus. Each resource has a corresponding priority generator. Each priority generator has a counter having inputs and outputs. A starting value is provided at the inputs and the priority value is obtained from the outputs. Each priority generator has a comparator that compares the outputs of a counter with a modulo number of the counters, N. The priority generators provide a combination of fixed priority and round robin arbitration schemes. By selecting the value of N relative to the number of resources, the rate of round robin access relative to fixed priority access can be set.

Abstract: Processing of dispatch calls in a multi-site communication system begins when a source communication unit initiates a request for a dispatch call. The request is routed to a controller which assigns a controlled device to support the request. In addition, the controller identifies the destination communication units, which site each of the destination units are in, and what controlled devices are needed to support the dispatch call. Having identified the controlled devices, the controller assigns all of the controlled devices needed the same temporary network address. With all the controlled devices having the same temporary network address, the controlled device assigned to support the request can transmit the messages generated by the source communication unit to other controlled devices using the temporary network address. Thus only one representation of a message produced by the source communication unit is transmitted from the assigned controlled device.

Abstract: In an m-of-n computer system, timer signals (TA, TB, TC) are fed as interrupt requests (IA, IB, IC) to modules (BGA, BGB, BGC) allocated to the individual computers and from there to the majority elements (MA, MB, MC), which release appropriate interrupts (INT2A, INT2B, INT2C) to the corresponding computer when the m-of-n condition is adhered to. To be able to recognize, after one computer (for example MCA) has failed, when interrupt requests (IB) of another computer (for example MCB) fail to appear, each remaining operational computer (MCB, MCC) initiates troubleshoot testing programs in larger time intervals. This is achieved by performing OR-gating operations on certain timer signals. Switching through the interrupt requests via the majority elements requires much less time than does a corresponding software-comparison operation and results in only a very slight base load for the computer system during the processing of interrupts.

Abstract: Anti-theft device for hoisting or striking a flag or the like (6) along a support structure, in particular a vertical pole (2), with of a halyard (8) interacting with a drive pulley (18) mounted at the upper part of this pole and one end of which links (33) to the upper corner of the flag. In this device the axle (19) of the drive pulley is rotationally controlled, in the direction which rolls up the halyard to hoist the flag or unrolls it to strike the latter, by a reduction motor (21) powered by an electrical energy source (15), controlled via a control circuit from a receiver (25) sensitive to radiation, which is preferably encoded, originating from a transmitter (9) situated remotely.

Abstract: A method and apparatus allows a user to selectively store (604) a portion of a received message in a selective call receiver (100). The selective call receiver (100) includes first and second memory elements (118) for storing the received message and the portion thereof, respectively. The second memory element has a plurality of partitions (122, 124, 126, 128) corresponding to a plurality of file types. The user defines (FIG. 5) the portion of the received message stored in the first memory element, which portion is to be stored in the second memory element, and then selects (602) one of the plurality of partitions (122, 124, 126, 128) for storing the defined portion of the received message. The defined portion of the received message is then stored (604) in the selected one of the plurality of partitions (122, 124, 126, 128).