Abstract: A system and method for a call receiving pager apparatus, system and method utilizing a dedicated switch for providing proprietary access, billing functions and other enhanced features is described. The system utilizes a subscriber apparatus having pager or radiotelephone functions whereby a caller may call the apparatus and gain direct two-way communication with the subscriber. The caller is billed for the communication. A call receiving pager apparatus, system and method which enables two-way text messaging as well as the storage, retrieval, and recall of telephone numbers making calls to the pager apparatus where the recalls are made by way of sending a data package to the stored caller number is described. The subscriber is unable to initiate any real time two-way communication with the outgoing connection.

Abstract: An arrangement (10) for remotely controlling convenience functions at a plurality of devices (35X–35Y) includes a plurality of device-based receivers (30X–30Y) and a plurality of portable transmitters (20A–20C). Each of the plurality of receivers (30X–30Y) include the capability of receiving a remote convenience function request signal and conveying a remote convenience function request message to a device operations system (38X or 38Y) for use in performing a remotely requested convenience function. Each of the plurality of transmitters (20A–20C) include capability of being configurable to be compatible with any of the plurality of receivers (30X–30Y) for outputting a remote convenience function request signal to cause remote control performance of a function at the respective device (35X or 35Y).

Abstract: A remote control for learning a macro routine of optical signals is provided. An optical receiver is arranged to receive optical signals from one or more original equipment remote controls. The optical receiver outputs electrical signals. A microprocessor receives the electrical signals from the optical receiver. A memory device stores the electrical signals from the optical receiver. An operator interface is electrically coupled to the microprocessor. The operator interface receives operator input to designate a macro routine of operator-selectable optical signals from the original equipment remote control. The microprocessor causes the electrical signals from the optical receiver that correspond to the operator-selectable optical signals from the original equipment remote control to be associated with the designated macro routine and stored in the memory device. Electrical signals associated with a macro designation are retrieved from the memory device and electrically coupled to an optical transmitter.

Abstract: A method for successively closing and opening a container fitted with a lock, wherein the lock furthermore comprises memory means, and wherein the container is locked at a loading location by carrying out the following steps: transmitting an identification code of the container to a central verification device via the communication means; transmitting a closing code to the memory means of the lock, via the communication means, by the central verification device; and closing the lock; and wherein the container is opened at an unloading location by carrying out the following steps: transmitting an identification code of the container to said central verification device via the communication means; transmitting an opening code to the memory means of the lock, via the communication means, by the central verification device; comparing the opening code with the closing code; and opening the lock.

Abstract: An anti-interference relay device has a receiving module and a transmitting module. The receiving module modulates a received IR signal from a remote controller and an identification (ID) code of the receiving module to an RF signal and then broadcasts the RF signal. When the RF signal is demodulated by the transmitting module, the demodulated ID code is compared with a preset ID code. If the two ID codes are matched, the demodulated IR signal is allowed to output to control an appliance, otherwise the IR signal is ignored.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a home entertainment system includes a television having one more peripheral electronic entertainment devices connected thereto. Also, the system includes a single remote control unit for controlling all of the system components. The television, the peripheral devices, and the remote control unit include respective memory slots with which a portable memory media can be engaged. Accordingly, the memory media can be engaged with the television or the peripheral devices so that control commands and user defined preferences are downloaded thereto. Thereafter, the memory can be engaged with the remote control unit so that the control commands and user defined preferences for each component are uploaded thereto. As intended by the present invention, the remote control unit includes a microprocessor for resolving any conflicting command codes or user defined preferences.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently querying and identifying multiple items on a communication channel are disclosed. The invention is well suited to use with radio frequency identification with interrogation devices and systems that identify radio frequency identification transponders. A depth-first tree traversal protocol algorithm, including commands and symbols, is used to more efficiently interrogate a plurality of transponders in a short amount of time.

Abstract: An inventory control system is described which includes anti-collision, radio frequency identification apparatus or tags affixed to each item of an inventory and including a unique code, an interrogator/reader that generates a field of sufficient range to activate each tag associated with each item of the inventory in communication with a computer. The computer includes a list comprising an identifier for each item in the inventory, the code for the tag associated with each item in the inventory and an item status where the status indicates whether the item is present or absent.

Abstract: This process relates to a vehicle equipped with a hands-free access system in which the vehicle is equipped with short-range antennas intended to send a signal to a tag. The latter is furnished on the one hand with a receiver for receiving the signals sent by the antennas of the vehicle and on the other hand a transmitter of longer range than the transmitting antennas of the vehicle so as to transmit signals in response to signals received from the vehicle.

Abstract: A control system for permitting voice control of at least one device by at least one user includes a transponder which outputs an electronic signal which includes an identification code; an electronic receiver for receiving electronic signal and downconverting the received signal to output the identification code; a microphone for receiving an audible signal spoken by a user; a memory for storing at least one voiceprint and a command instruction for controlling at least one function of the device; and a microprocessor for determining whether the identification code is valid and for analyzing the audible signal to determine whether it matches the voiceprint stored in memory. The microprocessor executes the command instruction to control the function of the device if a match has been found.

Abstract: Anti-theft protection system for a motor vehicle, and a method for operating an anti-theft protection system. The anti-theft protection system has a transmitting and receiving unit in the motor vehicle, which transmits radar signals modulated over a broad bandwidth and then waits for echo signals. A code transmitter, which receives a radar signal, for its part sends back an additionally modulated and coded signal. An evaluation unit analyses all the received echo signals firstly for authorization of the code transmitter and secondly in order to determine the distance between the code transmitter and the transmitting and receiving unit.

Abstract: A key chain rechargeable device which is recharged when a key is inserted into a matching lock. In accordance with one embodiment, the key includes two electrical contacts or is separated into two electrically isolated portions. The two electrical contacts or portions of the key contact mating contacts in the matching lock only when the key is inserted therein. In another embodiment, inductive coupling is used when the key chain rechargeable device is proximate to a matching lock of a key associated therewith. A charging circuit may be integrated in the key chain rechargeable device or in the external device associated with the lock. The key chain rechargeable device may be, e.g., a wireless device such as a BLUETOOTH™ network device, pager, a security alarm enable/disable device, garage door opener, or a keyless entry remote. In a preferred embodiment, the key relates to a vehicle ignition key, and the key chain rechargeable device is recharged during operation of a vehicle.

Abstract: A first device operates at a first hopping frequency during a first period of time and operates at a second hopping frequency during a second period of time. A second device operates at the first hopping frequency and communicates with the first device during the first period of time. A third device operates at the second hopping frequency and communicates with the first device during the second period of time. The second period of time may be a contention-free period during which time the second device may not communicate with the first device.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a door lock of a vehicle having an automatic door locking circuit includes a signal sensor and a removable control unit that is responsive to the signal sensor. The removable control unit generates a door lock state change signal when the signal sensor receives a signal having a first predetermined code value. A first controllable switch that is responsive to the removable control unit is removably couplable to the automatic door locking circuit. The first controllable switch is able to override the automatic door locking circuit so that when the door lock state change signal is asserted, the controllable switch applies power to the automatic door locking circuit, thereby causing a change of state of the door lock.

Abstract: An arbitration process sets the connections to be made between ingress and egress ports of a crossbar switch of a data switching system. A weight parameter is used for each pair of ingress and egress ports. Connection requests are generated indicating ingress ports to be connected to egress ports. A selection is made among conflicting connection requests, to produce a connection proposal for each egress port. Any connection request for which respective weighting parameter is zero is not selected. When one of the connection requests is realised, the weight parameter corresponding to this connection is decreased by one. All the weight parameters for a given egress port are re-set to default values in the case that there are no connection requests for that egress port with non-zero weights.

Abstract: A controller has a unit that stores therein a password specified by a user for each home electric appliance connected to a home network; a unit that, when a home-electric-appliance operation-request message is received, determines whether the message entry location is inside or outside the home; a unit that sends a password request message if it is determined as a result of the determination that the message entry location is outside the home; and a unit that, upon receiving a password in response to the request, determines if the received password matches the password of the controlled home electric appliance that is stored. The controller executes the operation of the home electric appliance connected to the home network only when the passwords match, thus preventing an unauthorized user outside the home from operating the home electric appliances at home.

Abstract: A Write Broadcast system and method uses a base station to write sent data to all or some selected number (sub group) of tags in a base station field simultaneously. By unselecting the tags that have been successfully written to, and requesting a response from the remaining tags in the field (or sub group), the system determines, by receiving a response to the request, that there are tags in the field (sub group) that were unsuccessfully written to. Another Write Broadcast signal is sent to these tags. The system is useful for quickly (simultaneously) “stamping” information on the tag memory of a large number of tags in the field of the base station.

Abstract: The existing paging infrastructure is used to send commands to operate remotely-located electronic or mechanical devices. A paging message containing one or more pre-set commands, trigger signals, or command strings is received by a paging receiver into an optional signal buffer which provides the received message to a message compare function. The message compare matches each component of the message to a set of one or more allowed commands and sends at least one signal or command that causes the action specified by the received message contents to take place at the target device. The command may be a signal for triggering an electronic or mechanical action, or may be a command that causes an operation to be performed in a software-controlled component of the target device. An alternate embodiment allows responses generated by the system and/or the target device to be forwarded back to the initiator via a two-way paging transceiver.

Abstract: A method of unlocking an electronic lock capable of saving a labor by unmanning a system on the side of an object to be unlocked and increasing a security, comprising the step of unlocking by using a radio and a plurality of identification codes, wherein a cashbox (10) transmits ID=A as ID1, a first electronic lock device (20) transmits ID=B as ID2 when receiving ID=A as ID, a second electronic lock device (30) transmits ID=C as ID3 when receiving ID=B as ID, and the cashbox (10) performs an unlocking operation when receiving ID=C as ID.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of using a control unit to control an electronic lock on a safe comprising the steps of providing (402) an electronic lock for the safe, receiving (404) signals at the electronic lock from the computer, and controlling (406) the safe in response to the signals. An apparatus for controlling an electronic lock on a safe comprising an electronic lock (305) incorporated in a safe an input/output port (110) coupled to the electronic lock for receiving signals from a control unit (120), and a control signal received at the input/output port for opening the safe.