Abstract: A method and apparatus reduces power consumption in a portable communication device (104) by predicting a user's location, movement and actions. The portable communication device (104) is powered by a battery (120) and includes a battery control (122) for decoupling portions of the communication device (104) from the battery. Historical records of control channel and call activity are maintained in memory (117) at the communication device (104). This data is used to predict calls. This permits the communication device (104) to conserve power in the battery (120) when no call activity is likely. The stored data is also used to predict what control channels should be scanned to search for a nearby base station (102). This permits the communication device (104) to scan a reduced number of control channels and reduces the time duration necessary for powering up the receiver (108) of the communication device (104).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for location of objects to facilitate retrieval, filing, security, inventory stock-keeping and the like. The methods and apparatus employ a tag element associated with each object-to-be-located, and interrogation system for searching one or more spatial regions for such tagged items, as well as mechanisms for identifying objects within the interrogated region.

Abstract: In a shell construction for a filter in a radio equipment having a body, the shell construction has at least one section which is a fixed part of the body, and is integral with the body.

Abstract: A digital compensation circuit for calibrating a sensor includes a serial communication circuit for receiving data relating to a plurality of parameters and a plurality of registers coupled to the serial communication circuit; one of plurality of registers for reading temperature information. The digital compensation circuit further includes a digital trim circuit for adjusting the temperature information in the one of plurality of registers to a predetermined value at an initial calibration temperature. Finally, the digital compensation circuit further includes means responsive to the digital trim circuit for measuring gain and offset at a predetermined value of the physical parameter being measured.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the risk of cellular phone loss, misplacement, and/or theft, the system including a wireless transmitter in a cell phone for intermittently sending security signals to a device (e.g. pager) to be worn by a user. The device includes an alarm which is actuated when either the strength or amplitude of the security signal(s) falls below a predetermined threshold or when such security signals are not received by the device (e.g. pager) for a predetermined period of time. Accordingly, the user is alerted to potential loss, misplacement, and/or theft of the cell phone.

Abstract: The invention discloses a security foil which covers a security module, wherein the security foil comprises a shielding from electromagnetic radiation from inside and outside. In a preferred embodiment the security foil comprises a metal lattice with defined lattice distances. The lattice distances can be used to change characteristics of the shielding from electromagnetic radiation, in particular the relevant spectra. The invention is especially applicable in electronic payment transactions. The invention permits effective and low-cost shielding of security modules against electromagnetic radiation from inside and outside. Additional time and labor is saved because existing components can be used.

Abstract: A method and system for determining flame characteristics in the time domain by analyzing the fluctuations of a time-domain output signal of a flame scanner monitoring a burner flame. A mean level (as well as maximum high and low levels) of the time-domain signal are determined during a predetermined time interval. Numerous intermediate levels are positioned between the mean level and the high and low levels. Several crossing numbers are obtained by counting how often the signal crosses the mean level and the intermediate levels during the time interval. These crossing numbers are plotted on a graph, wherein the crossing numbers are plotted against the relative distance between the levels. A curve is interpolated between the points thus obtained and an area under the curve is determined. The crossing numbers are normalized to the area to obtain normalized crossing numbers.

Abstract: A cellular communication system and mobile device in which the mobile device utilizes a single antenna to handle communications for two or more radios. Each radio is coupled to the antenna by an appropriate filter or the like which routes signals received in different frequency bands to the appropriate radio for processing. By using only one antenna to service multiple radios, problems associated with mutual coupling between multiple antennas can be eliminated. Also, use of a diversity antenna having left and right hand circularly polarized elements provides improved immunity to cross-polarization.

Abstract: A security system for monitoring movement of persons in a secured area including set openings which includes area and opening monitors, tag units and an alarm system. The tag unit has special end clamp members which securely clamp an attachment strap to a housing for attaching the unit to a person. Tampering with the connection creates an alarm state. The tag unit includes a dual transmitter continuously transmitting very low frequency (VLF) signal and transmitting a very high frequency (VHF or UHF) signal only if the tag unit is tampered with. The opening monitor includes VLF receivers responsive to a VLF signal and transmitting an alarm signal to an opening alarm system to prevent unauthorized exit. Authorized personnel have a deactivation unit for timed receiver disabling for moving the person through the opening. The UHF transmitter is activated upon unauthorized tampering with the attached tag.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for processing signals from infrared microwave and/or ultrasonic intrusion detectors is disclosed which allows the signal to be processed at different amplitude levels to recognize different signal characteristics. This capability to analyse the signal at different values allows further customizing of the system for particular applications and provides information useful in recognizing and dealing with unwanted signal changes typical of the environment which can affect the reliability of the alarm criteria and/or trouble condition criteria. An assessment of the environment in a preferred aspect allows customizing of the alarm criteria to take into account the operating environment of the particular sensor or sensors. The system also accommodates increasing the effect on certain portions of the signal when considering the net overall effect of the signal.

Abstract: A system for the remote measurement of the protection ground associated with an electrical system, and which employs a telephone line for the transmission of the control signals and the results of the measurement. The system includes a centralized ground measuring device (1) having two reference grounds (11, 12) which are connected to the soil, a line selector (2) and remote actuators (3) which also include two ground terminals which are connected to the soil and which may be located near the region in which the measurement is required.

Abstract: An ergonomic keyboard entry system (100) is provided. The system (100) includes a base (200) on which is provided a set of first control keys (120) for assigning an output function selected by simultaneously operating one of a plurality of multifunction character keys. In particular, alphabetic character output functions are selected utilizing one of a set of first character keys (220), the particular assignment of alphabetic characters to the particular character keys (222, 224, 226, 228 and 230) being made to provide QWERTY compatibility. Each of the sets of keys (120, 220) are irregularly arranged on the base (200) to be located under the fingertips of a user's bent hands. Further, each of the sets of keys (120, 220) are configured about respective axes (276, 286 and 278, 288), the two axes being disposed at different angles with respect to a horizontal reference, permitting a miniaturized keyboard to be implemented with full size keys.

Abstract: An ergonomic control apparatus is provided for producing signals in response to human feedback to control aircraft, land vehicles, computers, video games and the like. The ergonomic control apparatus includes a control stick interconnected to a slidable attachment means, pivotal attachment means and rotatable collar. The slidable attachment means includes first and second signal means for producing first and second signals in response to forward and rearward movement of the control stick from a neutral stick position. The pivotal attachment means includes third and fourth signal means for producing third and fourth sets of signals in response to forward and rearward inclination of the control stick. The rotatable collar may be manually rotated about the longitudinal axis of the control stick in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions from a neutral collar position.

Abstract: A remote push-to-talk (PTT) button for use on motorcycles with two-way radios and public address systems. The remote PTT enables the rider to use both the radio and public address systems from the helmet-mounted microphone while driving the motorcycle.

Abstract: An antipiliferage tag comprising a soft-magnetic thin film (100) for use as an active element in an electronic article surveillance (E.A.S.) system. The film (100) has an easy axis (102) with a particular direction. The tag has been folded along at least one folding line (104) so that the tag comprises at least two layers which at least partially overlap with each other. The folding line (104) forms an oblique angle different from zero with the direction of the easy axis (102) so that the direction of the easy axis (102) in one layer is different from the direction of the easy axis (106) in another layer. In this way an antipiliferage tag which is insensitive to its orientation in a detection gate of an E.A.S. system is obtained.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing transmission TDMA frames in a mobile satellite communication system are disclosed herein. The method of synchronizing a transmitted frame timing in a mobile satellite communication system comprises the steps of broadcasting a frame timing offset from a satellite to a mobile terminal having a timer, receiving the frame timing offset information transmitted by the satellite in the mobile terminal, and adjusting the timer in the mobile terminal based on the timing offset information.

Abstract: A multiplexing arrangement for an electronic article surveillance and identification system interconnects a transmitter and a plurality of antennas. The transmitter has first and second terminals and each of the antennas includes an antenna coil. The multiplexing arrangement includes a step down transformer that has a primary winding connected across the first and second terminals of the transmitter, and also has a second winding. A first winding is positioned for inductively coupling with the antenna coil of a first antenna and a second winding is positioned for inductively coupling with the antenna coil of a second antenna. The multiplexing arrangement also includes a first switch and wiring that forms a series loop connection including the first winding, the second winding, the first switch and the secondary winding of the transformer. The first switch is arranged to selectively open-circuit the series loop connection.

Abstract: A vehicle signaling method and device for alerting drivers approaching from a rear of the vehicle including at least one light emitting signal arranged on an element of the vehicle facing rearward, a velocity measurement sensor for measuring an absolute velocity of the vehicle and a control unit coupled to the velocity measurement sensor for determining if the measured absolute velocity is greater than a threshold velocity. In one embodiment, there is a manual light activation unit which is connected to the control unit and the light emitting signal(s). The manual light activation unit is controlled by the control unit to enable the light emitting signal(s) to be activated only if the measured absolute velocity is less than the threshold velocity.

Abstract: An alarming wire lock includes an alarm circuit provided in the wire lock having a self-retractable wire wound in the lock casing and outwardly pulled to lock a thing by fastening the wire on the thing, whereby upon cutting of the wire or upon vibration of the thing, the alarm circuit will be actuated for sounding for safety warning.

Abstract: Ordinary alarm conditions are escalated into a critical alarm condition by first accumulating the ordinary alarm conditions. Upon each ordinary alarm condition, a number of previously accumulated alarm conditions are deleted in accordance with the elapsed time since the last alarm condition. When the number of accumulated alarm conditions (less those deleted) exceeds a threshold, a critical alarm condition is then generated.