Abstract: A system is provided for exchanging information between a portable object, such as a key, and an exchange device, the latter being installed in a lock and transmitting a modulated carrier. The key comprises circuits for demodulating the modulated carrier received and restoring a first signal representative of the information transmitted by the exchange device, as well as processing circuits receiving the first signal and generating a second signal representative of the information to be transmitted. The second signal causes an impedance to vary suddenly so that the load seen by the exchange device varies and The information is thus transmitted thereto. The impedance is adapted in addition as a limiter. A clock signal is obtained, from the modulated carrier, by clipping, as well as a supply voltage by rectification and regulation.

Abstract: An environmental control system for the handicapped provides a user interface which is totally integrated and programmable. An audible nested control option selection structure organizes logically related tasks and subtasks together so the user can access the tasks and subtasks in a natural fashion--providing an easy to learn user interface that is user friendly, minimizes frustration in accomplishing desired tasks, and also minimizes the time required to perform even complex control operations. Enhanced user interface features, including time encoding of control switch functions and synthesized speech prompting, further increases ease of operation and functionality. Interaction between different control channels allows the user to perform different tasks simultaneously. Enhanced telephone line manipulation is provided, including off-line assembly of telephone numbers for dialing which can be stored and easily accessed by the user through the unified audible sub-menu structure.

Abstract: A selective call receiver comprises a receiver for receiving a signal, a processor for processing the received signal to detect an address code therein, a storage device for storing information representing at least one personalized alert signal, and a controller coupled to the storage device for presenting one of the personalized alert signals when an appropriate address code is detected.

Abstract: A keyless lock system for a vehicle includes a card for transmitting a radio signal, at least one onboard antenna for receiving the radio signal, and a control unit for allowing and preventing keyless lock and unlock operations in dependence on the existence or nonexistence of the card in a predetermined area near the antenna. The control unit monitors the position of of at least one monitored door, and produces a card warning signal each time the monitored door is closed if the card is absent in the vehicle.

Abstract: This improved paging system not only detects an omission of a message reception, but also acquires an unreceived message. When a normal paging request call is made from a public telephone network, the paging control unit adds to the received request a message counter including the called subscriber's number and then transmits an encoded paging signal which includes the received request. Further, a control unit stores the message data in a storage unit corresponding to a value of the counter of the called subscriber's number. The called pager detects an omission of a message reception through the received message counter value by comparing it with the message counter value of the last received message signal. A displayed message indicates an omission as well as the value of the omitted message. Thus, a call can be made through a public telephone network to request a repeated transmission.

Abstract: A communication network, such as an audiovisual system, on an automobile has a master unit and a plurality of slave units which are connected to a common communication bus. Each of the master and slave units is capable of successively issuing a plurality of command data through asynchronous transmission to another unit and returning acknowledgement data in response to the command data transmitted from another unit. The units add received command data to acknowledgement data when the acknowledgement data is to be returned. The command data includes first command data requiring acknowledgement data and second command data requiring no acknowledgement data. Each unit handles the first and second command data differently when the acknowledgement data is to be returned. When communication data is to be transmitted between the units, major classification data and subclassification data, depending on the contents of the communication data, are added to a leading portion of the communication data.

Abstract: A radio paging receiver having a primary power source, and outputs boosted by DC--DC converters as its secondary power sources. The radio paging receiver is provided with a first DC--DC converter which operates all the time or while the power source is on and a second DC--DC converter which operates intermittently to be active only when the load current is greater. The first DC--DC converter is so set as to be higher in source efficiency under light load and the second, as to normally operate even under heavy load. The first DC--DC converter supplies power to the circuits including a decoder in all the modes including the standby mode and the battery saving mode, both imposing only a light load. The second DC--DC converter intermittently operates to be active only in the heavy-load message data processing and message display modes, and supplies power to a CPU and an LCD signal processor in these modes.

Abstract: A security system to defeat eavesdropping in a broadcast environment has at least one transmitter and at least one receiver. The transmitter includes a transmitter memory for storing a plurality of signals in a given sequence and a marker for identifying in the transmitter memory particular ones of the signals as invalid, as well as a broadcast-transmitter for transmitting in sequence at least a portion of those signals of the transmitter memory not identified as invalid. The receiver includes a receiver memory for storing a plurality of signals in a given sequence, and a marker for identifying in the receiver memory particular ones of the signals as invalid, as well as a broadcast-receiver for receiving signals transmitted by the transmitter.

Abstract: Requestors for a busy port in a multi-port communication system are enqueued in wait chains. The connectivity of a crossbar switch is employed to store the wait chains. Elements of the wait chain are modified to provide the right connections; that is, a group of ports are connected by what may be regarded as a form of linked list but where the pointers are comprised of connections in the switch itself. These connections are used both for storing the list structure as well as passing information.

Abstract: An access control system combines card type keys or mechanical keys and lock cylinders with keyholder authentication, so that only the authorized keyholder or keyholders can use a key at an access control point. The access control point can be a door, gate, drawer, safe, safety deposit box, computer terminal or other situation wherein high security is desirable. In a preferred embodiment, the access control system includes a series of mechanical keys (or card type keys) having encoded data stored on the bottom edges of the keys. The encoded data may be in the form of a bar code or optical data storage, either directly formed onto the key or on a strip of plastic or other material bearing the encoded data, secured to the key. In one form of the invention, user authentication involves a biometric feature such as a fingerprint of the intended keyholder.