Abstract: A bidirectional control/supervisory system for transmitting control signals from a controller to devices and transmitting supervisory signals from sensors monitoring the devices to the controller through a common transmission line. A transmission/reception control circuit generates a timing signal and a supply voltage of constant level, and converts the voltage into clock pulses having voltage levels differing from the supply voltage. The clock pulses are outputted to the common transmission line under the timing of the timing signals.

Abstract: A terminal equipment control system which controls the operation state of multiple terminals having data communication with master equipment. A control signal of a specified duration is output from the master equipment to each of a plurality of multiple terminals, and the duration of the each control signal is measured by a measuring device provided in each terminal such that the current operation state of each terminal is changed when the measurement by the measuring device becomes equal to or larger than the specified duration.

Abstract: Each of first and second cases has a portable size and provides an operation portion, disposed at least on its inner surface, for setting operation conditions of an appliance to be controlled. A movable joint connects the first and second cases to form a book type case which can be freely opened/closed while the operation portions oppose each other. A transmitter is disposed in the movable joint and radio-transmits transmission data representing the set operation conditions of the appliance.

Abstract: A method of storing received messages in a selective call receiver comprising the steps of transferring the address of a previously received message from one of a predetermined number of slots, and storing a new message address in the predetermined slot. The previously received message address is transferred automatically into a history file when the slots are occupied and a new message is received, or the previously received message address may be transferred manually into a personal file for retention of important information.

Abstract: A scheduling mechanism is provided for controlling when the arbitration circuit of a node sharing a CSMA communication medium is to start CSMA arbitration for access to the communication medium once the node has a message ready for transmission, the scheduling mechanism delaying the arbitration circuit from seeking access if total transmission activity on the communication medium exceeds a total use threshold value and transmission activity of the node exceeds a local use threshold value, and otherwise permitting the arbitration circuit to seek access to the communication medium by arbitration in accordance with a priority value assigned to the node.

Abstract: Indicator apparatus used for recovery of skiers buried by avalanches, includes cooperating transmitters and receivers carried by skiers and by search and rescue personnel. The indicator device carried by a skier is actively powered and is combined to form a single unit with a ski pass.

Abstract: A paging system transmits consecutively numbered page messages to receivers. Receivers detect missing page messages by interrogation of received page message numbers, and a missing page message is indicated by a gap in received page message numbers. However, page messages may be separated by long time intervals and a gap in received message numbers can not be detected until a subsequent page message is received. To more immediately detect a missing page message, a sequence message generated by the paging system provides a last transmitted page message number to receivers during otherwise unused portions of the transmission bandwidth. The receivers can thereby detect missing page messages without waiting until receiving a subsequent page message and without depleting the transmission bandwidth resource.

Abstract: A paging system using synchronized transmission protocol and remote pagers active during monitor intervals to receive data transmitted during corresponding message intervals is provided with adaptive on-off radio receiver control for reducing monitor interval duration to conserve battery power and for centering message intervals within corresponding monitor intervals to increase message reliability. The adaptive on-off control is a function of a recent history of timing errors and thereby accounts for environmental conditions.

Abstract: A sleep timer function for consumer electronics equipment automatically turns off the equipment after a predetermined time interval. During the final two minutes of the sleep time interval, the sleep timer circuitry gradually decreases the volume or provides a visual indication that automatic turn off is imminent. The reception of any modulated infrared (IR) signal, transmitted from any source, during the timer period is interpreted by the sleep timer function controller as an indication that the use is still awake. In response, the controller resets the count of the sleep timer to the maximum period, thus deferring the automatic turn off of the equipment.

Abstract: A method for authentication by an external medium of a portable object such as a standardized credit card coupled to this medium. The portable object (2) calculates a result (R) which is at least a function of a secret key (S) and of a variable datum (E). This result (R) is sampled by the external medium (1), which compares it with a reference result (RO). This result (RO) is changed in a random manner, by being replaced by a new result (RO) calculated by a portable object (2) which has been authenticated based on the preceding reference result.

Abstract: A selective call receiver 10 requires an access authorization code prior to presenting selected messages and to override a lockout mode.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing communication of information between a truck tractor and trailer via existing truck wiring. At least one transmitter is located in each trailer for generating a unique identification signal representative of trailer identification information corresponding to the trailer in which the transmitter is located, modulating the identification signal, and providing the modulated identification on an existing truck power bus coupling the tractor and trailer. A receiver is located in the tractor for receiving each modulated identification signal on the power bus, demodulating each modulated identification signal and providing each demodulated identification signal to a mobile communications terminal located in the tractor for transmission to a central facility. The system may further include the transmission of trailer status or load status information by the transmitter to the receiver in a similar manner as the identification information.

Abstract: Control systems including control circuitry and optional communications systems for operating a slding power-operated member of an automotive vehicle. A powered sliding door in an automotive vehicle, such as a van, moves along a predetermined path of travel between a closed position and a fully open position relative to the body of the vehicle. Such a sliding door may be provided with one or more electrically-operated actuators for performing functions associated with the door, such as power opening and closing the door, power unlatching the door, power locking and unlocking the door, and power clamping, and unclamping the door in a soft or low-momentum manner. The invention is directed toward improved control systems and circuitry for operating such power-sliding door systems. One such control system employs a wireless communications link between the door and body, which is preferably implemented using radio frequency communication signals containing digitally encoded control signals.

Abstract: A communication system including a master station, a plurality of slave stations each for communicating with the master station, a two-way transmission line connecting the master station and the plurality of slave stations. Each of the slave stations sends a request for further communication with the master station, to the master station when its own slave station is allowed to communicate with the master station and its own slave station has the above request. The master station detects the request for further communication with the master station in a signal sent from a slave station, and memorizes the slave station from which the request for further communication with the master station is detected, until an allowance signal is sent to the slave station from the master station corresponding to the memorizing of the slave station.

Abstract: A pneumatically-controlled, user-operated switch interface which allows a physically disabled person to operate electronic equipment such as a computer, television, video cassette recorder and a remote control includes apparatus providing at least one airway passage; first switching circuitry for producing a plurality of switching signals and having at least one pneumatuc switch responsive to air pressure in the at least one airway passage; second switching circuitry settable in first and second switch positions for selectively connecting each of the plurality of switching signals to selected inputs of the electronic equipment as the electrical input signals, and user-activated apparatus for setting the second switching circuitry in the first and second switch positions. The switch interface can operate a plurality of computer input devices to allow a physically handicapped person to use commercially available software packages.

Abstract: An acknowledge-back pager receives an address signal positioned within a group of address signals. Following reception of the address signal, first and second acknowledge signals are transmitted as determined at least in part by the received address signal's position in the group of address signals, such that, the first and second acknowledge signals are not simultaneously transmitted.

Abstract: A method for transferring data through a network of intelligent control stations (S1-S14) uses decentralized control techniques and associates the intelligent stations (S1-S14) with an addressing scheme which defines a hypercube.

Abstract: A paging system comprises a base station and a number of pagers. The base station transmits calling-number data and message data in the form of radio signals. The message data contains selection-code data. Each pager indicates that the pager is being called, in accordance with the message data, when the calling-number data is identical to the calling-number data already stored in the pager. The pager comprises a calling-number data momory, a selection-code memory, a comparator, and an alarm device. When the calling-number data transmitted from the base station is identical to the calling-number data stored in the calling-number data memory, the comparator compares the selection-code contained in the message data, with the selection-code stored in the selection-code memory. When the comparator determines that the selection-code transmitted from the base station is identical to the selection-code stored in the selection-code memory, the alarm device is activated to indicate that the pager is being called.

Abstract: Messages received by a selective call receiver are stored in source files with a user allocated number of message storage slots in response to a message source signal indicating the source of the message. Messages are retrieved utilizing the source files facilitating message location in large memories. Source files are retrieved on a priority basis which is a function of a predetermined priority associated with each source file and the status of messages stored therein.

Abstract: A keyboard (2) has two transverse arrays of conductors (R0-R13, C0-C7) defining a number of rows and columns of cross-points at each of which a key is positioned whereby depression of a key causes the conductors at the corresponding cross-points to be electrically connected. A scanning device (1) connected to each of the conductors and adapted during a scanning operation to apply a high or low potential to all the conductors of the two arrays and subsequently sequentially to apply a potential of the opposite type to each conductor of one array and to monitor the potential of the conductors of the other array such that if the potential of a conductor of the other array changes, this indicates that the key at the corresponding cross-point is depressed.