Abstract: A method and provides for transmitting a time reference throughout a residence or other facility for use by appliances operating within the facility. A time reference is received from the headend of a cable television (CATV) system at the subscriber converter and is retransmitted to set the internal clock timers of residential appliances throughout the house. The time reference is received by the CATV converter, then encoded and modulated for transmission on the residential AC wiring system which also carries AC power to all of the appliances in the house. Individual appliances receive the encoded time reference from the AC power line, demodulate the received signal and use the received time reference to set its internal clock timer. In such manner, a residential appliance does not need to have its internal clock set by the consumer.

Abstract: An electronic message transmission system including at least one transmission apparatus of the electronic message and a plurality of message receivers of the same wherein the electronic message is transmitted according to a predetermined transmission path connecting message receivers. A transmission state of the electronic message is memorized and up-dated in a memory and thereby, an addresser of the electronic message is able to know the state of the message transmission by referring to the contents of the memory. In another message transmission system, deputy confirmors are registered together with confirmors in respective message receivers and each deputy confirmor processes the transmitted message in place of the relevant confirmor if the confirmor is absent.

Abstract: A cursor movement control key and electronic keyboard for a computer having a video display incorporates a force-sensitive resistor having a junction resistance which varies inversely with pressure applied thereto. The external key cap engages an actuator which bears against the force-sensitive resistor. The actuator has a plurality of four pads which bear against respective electrode regions of the force-sensitive resistor. The pads are positioned at the 0.degree., 90.degree., 180.degree., and 270.degree. positions. The actuator mounts relative to a keyboard mounting plate. At least one of the actuator and mounting plate include opposed lateral projections which engage relative to the other of the actuator and mounting plate to both, a) retain the actuator to the mounting plate, and yet b) allow clearance for tilting movement of the actuator relative to the mounting plate.

Abstract: A multisite network switch for a series of RF digital trunked radio transceivers and dispatcher consoles. The switch establishes audio communications between different sites and various dispatcher consoles. The multisite switch has a distributed architecture in which each node of the switch is supported by a microprocessor controlled card. These nodes perform all of the logical functions of the switch. When the switch is booted-up or reset, each node executes a dynamic address generation algorithm to select a unique address and resolve any address conflicts with other nodes.

Abstract: A keyboard mounted in connection with a circuit board (2) includes a light source (3). A key (1) of the keyboard comprises a key cap (4) and a body part (5) located between the key cap (4) and the circuit board (2). The body part (5) diffusively transmits light. The light source (3) is arranged to conduct light into the body part (5) and to illuminate the key (1). A photoelectric member (6) is mounted on the circuit board (2) under the key (1) and at a distance from the light source (3). There is further arranged a light barrier (7) in connection with the circuit board (2) or with which key (1), the barrier is arranged to shield the photoelectric member (6) from the light of the light source (3) coming from the body part (5) when the key is depressed. The decrease in light provides an electric change (1) in the photoelectric member (6) indicating a depression of the key.

Abstract: A keypad monitor implemented in an integrated circuit monitors the closure of a plurality of keypad switches coupled to input terminals of the integrated circuit. The keypad monitor is operative in a first mode for monitoring a first number of the input terminals and a second mode for monitoring a lesser number of input terminals. When in the second mode, the unmonitored input terminals are converted for a use not related to keypad monitoring.

Abstract: A paging apparatus with a time information generating circuit comprises a combination switch having multiple switch positions in different operation directions, so that a time setting mode is set when a predetermined first operation is performed by the combination switch, and a paging mode is set other operations are performed. When a predetermined second operation is performed with the time setting mode set, time information measured by the time information generating circuit is replaced with time information input by the second operation. Even in the time setting mode, it is checked if a call is made to the apparatus. When there is such a call, a user is informed of this event without ignoring the occurrence of the call.

Abstract: A device for the bi-directional transmission of data between a master system and a slave system uses a single transmission antenna and a single reception antenna each tuned to the same frequency; the master system comprises first data transmission circuits for transmitting first data to the slave system by modulating an electromagnetic signal at the frequency; detection circuits for detecting, during the transmission of the electromagnetic signal, variations in electrical characteristics of the master system induced by a modulation of the impedance of the slave system as a function of second data to be transmitted from the slave system to the master system; and restoring circuits for restoring the second data on the basis of the detected variations; and the slave system comprises reception circuits connected to the reception antenna for restoring the first data; a rectifier circuit connected across the reception antenna for rectifying an electrical signal induced in the reception antenna by the electromagneti

Abstract: A data input/output system comprises a mounting portion on which a data memory card having data input keys is mounted freely detachably. The mounting portion having an opening through which keys on a mounted card can be operated positions the mounted card using a simple configuration so that the data memory card and the main unit can transfer signals accurately.

Abstract: A conformal telemetry package comprises a complete system including sensors, data acquisition components, a controller, RF transmitter, antenna and battery. The package is approximate 0.1 inch thick and is flexible and capable of conformable mounting to a curved surface. This package includes a printed circuit antenna such as a microstrip patch antenna. The bottom of the package is coated with an adhesive permitting the system to be mounted on surfaces such as the leading edge of an air foil. The package is kept thin and flexible by using multiple layers of flexible dielectric such as Teflon and extremely high levels of circuit integration.

Abstract: An input system including a resistance film touch panel and a pushed position detecting device for detecting two-dimensional coordinates of a pushed position of a touch panel based on surface resistance values of resistance films, the system comprising a pair of insulating base layers opposed to each other with a certain distance therebetween; a spacer provided between the insulating base layers for keeping the layers apart but for allowing the layers to approach each other when an external force is applied to one of the layers; a first resistance film extended in first and second directions and provided on an inner surface of one of the layers, the first and second directions crossing each other perpendicularly and the first resistance film having outer connecting electrodes on both ends thereof along the second direction; and a plurality of second resistance films provided on an inner surface of the other of the layers, the second resistance films each being a lengthy strip extended in a direction crossing