Abstract: A signalling system providing communications between a controller and a remote unit in a network element is provided. The signalling system comprises a first communication module associated with the controller, a second communication module associated with the remote unit and a communication link for the first and second communication modules. The first communication module generates a command signal and a downstream monitoring signal for the remote unit. The second communication module receives the command signal and the downstream monitoring signal and generates the status signal and the upstream monitoring signal. The communication link carries the signals. The first communication module monitors for receipt of the upstream monitoring signal and the status signal and determines status of the communication link and the remote unit utilizing results of monitoring for the receipt of the upstream monitoring signal, the status signal and the command signal.

Abstract: A power management system and associated method therefore includes a plurality of local wireless energy control units at remote sites for controlling power delivery to customer loads, and a central station with a wireless transmitter for broadcasting commands to the wireless energy control units. The wireless energy control units each comprise a bank of switches for controlling power delivery to electrical loads at each local site. The controllable switches preferably have a deformable bimetal member controlled by a heated coil for engaging and disengaging electrical contacts. Each wireless energy control unit is capable of being pre-configured so as to specify the order or priority in which electrical loads are disengaged, in response to commands to reduce power consumption received from the central station. The central station may issue power reduction commands according to different priority levels or alert stages.

Abstract: A new apparatus for reading keyboard-commands of a portable computer comprises a shift register, a keyboard-matrix circuit, a filter, a buffer, an address generator, a mapping device, a comparator, and an output device. The shift register is for outputting a plurality of scan-input signals and a reference signal. The keyboard-matrix circuit is for outputting a scan-output signal according to the scan-input signals. The keyboard-matrix circuit includes a plurality of nodes corresponded to the keyboard buttons, respectively. The filter is for filtering the noise of the scan-output signal. The buffer is for further stabilizing the filter signal. The address generator is for reading the location of the node corresponding to the button being pressed. The mapping device is for outputting a mapping signal corresponding to the button being pressed. The comparator is for outputting a comparing signal, which represents the command corresponded to the pressed button.

Abstract: A device conserves energy while engaging in wireless data communications. The device determines (705) whether it has ceased data communication for a first period of time. The device then selectively powers down (725) components in the device when the device has ceased communication for the first period of time.

Abstract: A security system for control access of multiple users to a selected area combines rotating electronic security code or equivalent technology with an automatic self-learning receiver. The first transmitter is “learned” by the receiver manually, but subsequent transmitters are learned without the need for actuating the conventional “manual learn” mode of the receiver. Instead, by simply sending the transmit signal twice within a fixed time period, users of the subsequent transmitters use “self-learning” circuitry (interposed between conventional transmitter and receiver technology) in a way that is relatively transparent to the user. Other aspects of conventional systems are provided, such as separate control via computer or otherwise of an authorized list of uniquely-identified transmitters. In alternative embodiments, even the first transmitter/controller can be programmed into the receiver (such as at the time of manufacturing or installing the system).

Abstract: In a vehicle having a door, the door having a closed position, a partially open position, and a fully open position, a system for proximity opening of the door includes a remote transmitter, a controller, an actuator, and a switch. The remote transmitter may be for transmitting a wireless first vehicle access signal. The controller may be for receiving the wireless first vehicle access signal and generating a control signal in response thereto. The actuator may be in communication with the controller, the actuator operative to move the door from the closed position to the partially open position in response to the control signal. The switch may be on the door, the switch exposed by movement of the door from the closed position to the partially open position and configured to present a second vehicle access signal when manually activated, the second vehicle access signal for use in moving the door from the partially open position to the fully open position.

Abstract: A remote control device for use with a plurality of devices has an exterior surface having a plurality of sides. Button groups are located on at least two sides of the plurality of sides. Each button group comprises at least one device button. A device button controls a device, indicates the status of a device, or both. At least one button group on the first side is duplicated on the second side. The remote control device also includes a cover that may be used to the button groups on one side of the remote control device when the button groups on the other side are being used. In one embodiment of the invention, the button group on the second side includes a power button, channel selection buttons and volume control buttons.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a home appliance network is disclosed, in which a home server is established at low cost so that an external user can easily control the operation of home appliances within home. The apparatus for controlling a home appliance network having at least one or more home appliances includes an external communication means for inputting a predetermined operation control command to control the operation of the home appliances by externally accessing a home page of a corresponding communication service provider through an Internet, a radio communication network for transmitting the operation control command input to the home page through the external communication means in a radio type, and an internal communication means located within home, for controlling the operation of the corresponding home appliance of the home appliance network to correspond to the operation control command transmitted in a radio type through the radio communication network.

Abstract: A method of giving the user information on the operation of a portable device, and a portable device. In the method, an event that concerns the operation of the device and interests the user is detected by the control means of the device. If at least one silent alarm pattern producing a tactile sensation in the user is attached to the event, the user is given abstract information on the operation of the device by using at least one silent alarm pattern implemented with the alarm device and sensed by the user. Various alarm patterns differ from one another such that at least one alarm pattern characteristic sensed by the user varies. The characteristic can be the alarm pattern frequency, amplitude, changing rate of the amplitude, changing rate of the frequency or duration of the alarm pattern. One way to perform a silent alarm is vibration. The user interface is particularly intended for users with impaired hearing and/or vision.

Abstract: A control system for an actuator used to actuate a device. A receiver in the control system receives different transmitter identifiers from multiple transmitters. A central processor coupled to the receiver uses a received transmitter identifier as the address of a memory location. If the control system is set to a write mode when the transmitter identifier is received, a valid bit is set in the addressed memory location to indicate that the transmitter identifier is valid. If the control system is set to read mode when the transmitter identifier is received, the addressed memory location is examined to determine if a valid bit has been set. If the valid bit has been set, the central processor transmits a signal for actuating the device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a tamper event in an electrical power metering apparatus having power distribution and power service conductors connected to jaw contacts in a socket housing, the jaw contacts receiving blade terminals of an electrical service meter apparatus. A tamper event signature is detected based on a time relationship between separation of the ground circuit between the electrical power metering apparatus and the socket and the separation of at least one of the power distribution and power service blade terminals from the socket jaw contacts due to removal of the electrical service apparatus from the socket.

Abstract: A home electronics system enabling rapid execution of remote control of controlled devices includes a home server, a cellular phone connected to the home server via a public line network, and devices to be controlled controlled in response to a signal from the home server. When the user selects via cellular phone an area, a state or a type of the devices to, the home server creates an image of the current state information showing the state of the devices for transmitting to the cellular phone.

Abstract: An identification apparatus comprising an array of retractable conductive pins on a base component placed onto a primary device and in communication therewith. A set of shaped identifiers have a plurality of holes through which respective pins on the array of retractable pins pass, each identifier being uniquely configured with at least one distinct location containing a conductive plug or ‘cap’ fitted therein which blocks the passage therethrough of that particular pin thereby forcing said pin to retract into the base component to block further use of that pin by subsequently placed identifiers. Each retractable pin is in individual communication with the primary device such that, once one or more identifiers have been placed onto the pin array, the primary device can thereafter identify the placed identifiers so as to subsequently perform certain functions or other desired operations based on the type, configuration, and/or number of identifiers placed thereon.

Abstract: An Internet based personal tracking system for tracking the position of a portable location unit by a remote user comprising a web host connected to the Internet having a computer storage medium, a portable location unit having a processor for receiving geo-position information, and generating geo-position data representing the position of said location unit, a transceiver included in said location unit for transmitting said position signal to said web host in response to a call signal being received from said web host, a power supply for supplying power to said processor and said transceiver; and a computer program residing on said web host having an input module for receiving a tracking request signal from the remote user via the Internet, a processing module for processing said tracking request signal, and a communication module for initializing communication with said location unit in response to tracking said request signal, and a location module for outputting said call signal to said location unit and

Abstract: Plural security units are coupled to plural control units through a communication line including transmission and response lines. Each control unit detects data collision on the transmission line to avoid the data collision. Re-transmission interval is independently assigned to each control unit. If the command to or from a security unit in charge of this control unit is received, the control unit rewrites the conditional data of the security unit in accordance with the detected command. The control (security) unit further includes a transmission (response) line monitoring portion, so that bi-directional communication is provided in addition of the response (transmission) line monitoring portion. Address data is classified to provide all unit communication, a group communication, and independent communications.

Abstract: A keyless access control device and method for a vehicle having a door and a door handle includes transmitting a code from a transceiver while a cover covers the door handle to prevent a user from actuating the door handle. A transponder of the user transmits an answer to the transceiver upon receipt of the code. The answer is checked to conduct a preliminary verification of whether the user is authorized to access the vehicle. The cover uncovers the door handle if the preliminary verification indicates that the user is authorized to access the vehicle. A bidirectional question and answer dialog takes place between the transceiver and the transponder to conduct a final verification of whether the user is authorized to access the vehicle upon the user actuating the door handle. The door is unlocked if the final verification is indicative of the user having access to the vehicle.

Abstract: In the access control system, a code transmitter-end transceiver unit and a vehicle-end transceiver unit emit signals approximately synchronously on approximately the same carrier frequency. As a result of superimposition, a new code signal arises and its code information item is compared with an expected set point code information item. When there is correspondence, an enable signal for locking or unlocking or releasing the immobilizer is generated. The synchronous transmission/reception makes illegitimate monitoring more difficult.

Abstract: A system for implementing a method for initializing and binding ballasts is disclosed. The system comprises a remote control having a master controller and the ballasts each having a slave controller. The master controller and the slave controllers are operated to implement routines whereby the master controller generates a clock sequence of a plurality of clock cycles, and the slave controllers randomly generate addresses and direct a transmission of signals indicative of the generated random addresses to the master controller during corresponding clock cycles. In response thereto, the master controller assigns network addresses corresponding to the random addresses as indicated by the corresponding clock cycles. The master controller and the slave controllers are further operated to implement routines for verifying the assigned network addresses and routines for binding each network address to a command of the remote control.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring data from a logging tool to a surface computer that involves attaching a stand-alone data dump device to the logging tool after the logging tool has gathered data about downhole parameters. After attaching the data dump device, data contained in a memory of the logging tool is copied to a memory of the data dump device. In one embodiment, once data copying between the logging tool and data dump device is complete, the data dump device is disconnected from the logging tool and connected to a surface computer which reads the data previously copied to the data dump device. A second embodiment of the data dump device has a radio frequency communication link between the surface computer and the data dump device to allow a wireless communication between the surface computer and the data dump device and/or logging tool.

Abstract: A remote control device is configured to select predetermined content prior to providing the remote control device to a media consumer, and provided to the media consumer such that the media consumer associates the remote control device with the predetermined content. In one embodiment, the remote control device is configured to select at least one predetermined content and has a form that identifies the predetermined content for the media consumer.