Abstract: The invention provides a key input device comprising a plurality of key tops 7 arranged on a surface of a main body case, each of the key tops 7 having a body 73 of transparent resin, the key body 73 being provided with a light blocking film 71 formed over a front surface thereof, the light blocking film 71 being partly cut out to form a light transmitting pattern 72 representing a character. LEDs 8 are arranged below the key tops 7. Each of the key tops 7 has a semitransparent screen 9 formed on a rear surface thereof in an area to be illuminated with LEDs 8 and extending only over a region opposed to the light transmitting pattern 72.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments of the present invention are used to permanently disable or destruct an RFID so that it is no longer possible to read some or all of the data encoded on the RFID tag. In one method for disabling data on a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, an RFID tag is identified and its identity is confirmed. Verification that a prerequisite event has occurred is obtained, occurrence of which is required prior to disablement of the data. A destruct instruction is transmitted to the RFID tag. The RFID tag verifies that the destruct instruction is valid and disables the data upon verifying validity of the destruct instruction. The tag may disable the data by erasing the data, disabling the data, auto-destructing, or performing any operation that makes the data unreadable.

Abstract: A remote controller, a remote controlled electronic device, a remote control system for an electronic device and a remote control method for an electronic device are provided. The remote controller outputs a control code corresponding to a device ID, a device ID setting/change command and an operation command with respect to one or more electronic devices input from a user. The electronic device receives the device ID and/or control code from the remote controller and stores the received device ID. A control unit of the electronic device determines whether to operate in response to a control code received from the remote controller by checking whether the received device ID matches with the stored device ID. An output unit of the electronic device displays the device ID and/or a function in operation.

Abstract: The present invention is a personal programmable universal remote control apparatus comprising an input module receptive of command sets operable to control devices. The apparatus further comprises an interface module receptive of manual input from a user, and an organization module operable to organize the command sets into groups based on the manual input. The apparatus further comprises an output module operable to communicate commands to the devices based on the groups. According to one aspect, the groups are operable to define operating conditions for interrelated devices based on at least one of user preference and intelligence regarding device interactions. According to another aspect, the groups are operable to define a command sequence operable to perform an action requiring one or more devices that involves use of multiple commands of the associated command sets.

Abstract: A sequential hydraulic well control system provides actuator selection and operation utilizing pressure applied to hydraulic lines in a sequence. In a disclosed embodiment, an actuation control device of a well control system includes multiple pistons, at least one of which is included in a latch for selectively permitting and preventing displacement of another of the pistons. When one of the pistons displaces in response to pressure applied sequentially to hydraulic inputs of the control device, an associated actuator is placed in fluid communication with the inputs.

Abstract: An electronic device with a force sensing key (200) has a switch (280), a first force sensing region (290) for acquiring a first force value, a second force sensing region (290) for acquiring a second force value, and a processor for determining a selected function for the key (200) based upon the first force value and the second force value when the switch (280) is activated. The first force sensing pad (290) and the second force sensing pad (290) use a partially resistive material (250) that exhibits a force-to-voltage response value. By forming the switch (280) as a dome (225) switch, the force sensing key (200) provides crisp tactile feedback to a user. The force sensing key (200) can be configured for a variety of applications and user preferences by varying the architecture of the actuator (270).

Abstract: An apparatus for reliably and easily controlling articles in custody, for example articles in a safe, has a storage unit lockable to keep the articles therein and unlockable to allow the articles to be taken out therefrom, an input unit to input biometric information for unlocking the storage unit, a registration unit to register biometric information in advance, a collator to collate the input biometric information with the registered biometric information, a controller to unlock the storage unit if the collation by the collator authenticates the input biometric information, and a recorder to record at least a person related to the authenticated biometric information in response to the unlocking of the storage unit.

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator system includes a power source, a controller in communication with the power source, a piezoelectric stack comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements disposed within a sleeve to define a chamber at one end of the sleeve, pressure accumulators in fluid communication with the chamber, a flow control valve in communication with the accumulators, and a hydraulic piston in fluid communication with the flow control valve. The communication between the power source and the controller may be electrical or photo communication, and the power source is preferably remotely located relative to the other elements of the hydraulic actuator system. The method for controlling a remotely located hydraulic actuator includes communicating a signal to the hydraulic actuator, pressurizing a hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic actuator, and directing the hydraulic fluid to a cylinder in the hydraulic actuator to bias a piston either into or away from the cylinder.

Abstract: A computer-based system permitting a visually impaired user to interact with tactile graphic-based interactive software applications is provided. The system includes a host computer having a data processor and a drive for running the interactive software applications and a pressure sensitive work pad. The work pad has X and Y pressure sensitive members disposed in a grid array for providing unique location output signals corresponding to each different location on the grid array. The work pad is operatively connected to the host computer and an overlay comprising a sheet is placed over an upper surface of the work pad. The overlay having a work space which bears tactile indicia which corresponds to a selected one of the interactive software applications and also includes a tactile graphical user interface (TGUI) formed thereon. The TGUI has a plurality of tactile control members which generate location output signals when pressed.

Abstract: An automatic meter reading system includes meter-reading devices attached to respective utility meters and a remote control center collecting measured commodity utilization from the meter-reading devices through a telephone network when a meter reading request signal is received from the remote control center. The meter-reading device includes a remote control center interface, a call control processing unit for extracting a call control signal from the meter reading request signal, a main control unit (MCU) for generating a CID control signal based on the call control signal, a caller ID (CID) decoder for decoding the meter reading request signal and extracting CID from a meter reading request signal based on the CID control signal from the MCU, a meter reader connected to the utility meter for reading commodity utilization measured by the utility meter under control of the MCU, and a memory for temporally storing the measured commodity utilization.

Abstract: An electronic meter that is capable of handling an analog cellular phone or radio modem under the meter cover provides significant improvements in the thermal management and power handling that is associated with a circuit switched wireless device. The electronic meter comprises a power supply capable of delivering the transmitter power plus the associated losses due to transmitter efficiency. It is desirable to deliver the high power over a wide range of AC input voltages (typically from about 90 to 530 VAC). The meter packaging allows the power supply and the analog cellular modem to operate in an enclosed metering package without exceeding the operating temperatures of the electronic components. The packaging adapts to increased steady state (idle) conditions as well as increased transmit conditions.

Abstract: A downhole telemetry system having a surface transceiver, a cable, and a downhole transceiver coupled to the surface transceiver via the cable. The surface transceiver isolates an uplink signal from a combined uplink/downlink signal on the cable using time-domain signal cancellation. The downhole transceiver isolates a downlink signal from the combined uplink/downlink signal using time-domain signal cancellation. In the surface transceiver, the time-domain signal cancellation may be performed by running the combined uplink/downlink signal through a coil of a transformer while running a copy of the downlink signal through an opposite coil of the transformer. Likewise, in the downhole transceiver, the time-domain signal cancellation may be performed by running the combined uplink/signal through a coil of a transformer while running a copy of the uplink signal through an opposite coil of the transformer.

Abstract: A mud pulser controlled by a field applied to an electroactive fluid. The electroactive fluid is employed to act as a rapid-response brake to slow or interrupt the rotation of a mud motor or mud siren, thus creating pressure pulses in a circulating fluid. In certain embodiments, the electroactive fluid is used as a direct brake acting on a shaft rotating in a volume of electroactive fluid where the shaft is coupled to the mud motor or siren. The application of a field to the electroactive fluid impedes the rotation of the shaft, thus slowing the mud motor and creating a pressure pulse in the circulating fluid. In another embodiment, a Moineau pump circulating an electroactive fluid is coupled to the mud motor. The application of a field to the electroactive fluid slows the rotation of the pump, thus slowing the mud motor and creating a pressure pulse in the circulating fluid.

Abstract: This invention is a photosite which allows access from a cell phone to provide user-friendlier services. The photosite creates an ID (S6501) and creates a character string Str from the ID by combining numerals and alphabetical characters by using a storage unit which stores buttons 0 to 9 of the cell phone and the number of alphabetical characters assigned to the respective buttons in correspondence with each other (S6502–S6507). In this case, a character string is created such that any two consecutive characters are assigned to different keys.

Abstract: A drill pipe forms an acoustic transmission channel for data to be transmitted from a downhole transceiver to a surface transceiver. By positioning a first low frequency acoustic attenuator between a drill bit and the downhole transceiver, acoustic noise generated by the drill bit is attenuated. Similarly, by positioning the surface transceiver between the top of the drill pipe and a second low frequency acoustic attenuator, acoustic noise generated by surface equipment is attenuated. In this manner, the first and second low frequency acoustic attenuators serve as terminators for the acoustic transmission channel.

Abstract: A controlling apparatus for programming extended code of keyboard and a method for the same. The keyboard receives an extended code processing command and judges the extended code processing command to be used for enabling a second key code or disabling a second key code of the key. The keyboard also receives key code setting parameters. The keyboard has a mode selection key to toggle the keyboard between a standard key code mode and an extended key code mode. Therefore, all keys on the keyboard can be assigned with new extended code or disabled for the new extended code to broaden the function thereof.

Abstract: A barrier movement operator system having a receiver for receiving, learning and responding to transmitted rolling code access codes. The barrier movement operator provides a method and apparatus for learning valid security codes by a security code receiver comprising receiving a first previously learned security code and beginning a learn mode operation in response thereto, within a predetermined period of time, receiving a second security code, having a predetermined relationship to the first security code; and storing a representation of the second security code as a valid security code.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inductive transmitter for transmitting measurement data and electrical energy between two components (1, 2) that move in relation to each other, having at least one primary (3, 5) and at least one secondary transmitter component (4, 6). There is one transmitter (3, 4) for transmitting measurement data and one transmitter (5, 6) for transmitting electrical energy, with the primary (3, 5) and secondary (4, 6) transmitter components being disposed in separate chambers (7, 8) that are magnetically shielded from each other to a large extent. The chambers (7, 8) are formed on the components by concentric, radial metal walls of the chamber elements (1, 2), with the concentric walls extending into each other in such a way that they form chambers (7, 8) situated radially one behind the other.

Abstract: A keyboard with elevated keys for a notebook computer. The keys of the keyboard are elevated when the notebook computer is opened, and can be depressed when the flat display is closed. The keyboard has keys movably connected to the foundation sheet through scissors-type linking mechanisms. A plurality of guiding sheets is movably disposed on a foundation sheet and has hooks and tracks. Each of the tracks is parallel to a first direction. A sliding member is movably disposed on the foundation sheet and has protrusions extending into each of the tracks. When the sliding member moves in the first direction, the protrusions move the guiding sheets from a first position to a second position. The hooks of the guiding sheets sequentially press the scissors-type linking mechanism of each key to depress the keys of the keyboard from elevated position to depressed position.

Abstract: A method for transmitting and receiving messages in a home appliance networking system, wherein a first home appliance connected to a network appends a unique message identification number to a header of a message and transmits the resulting message to a second home appliance connected to the network. Messages transmitted and received among a plurality of home appliances can be distinguished from one another, resulting in a reduction in message transfer errors. Moreover, as needed, a group code corresponding to a specific group of home appliances may be appended to a transmitter message for control of the specific group so that the home appliances can be conveniently and efficiently controlled at one time.