Abstract: A virtual interface is provided which allows a user to navigate through a representation of a physical target area, such as an office, school or home environment. Using the virtual interface, a user can alter the configuration of a system which transmits information to users via peripheral or background auditory cues in response to physical actions of the users in the environments.

Abstract: If a received signal includes a message signal following the address of the pager concerned, a decoder section decodes the message signal and a control section stores it in a memory section together with a reception time. At this time, the control section judges whether the message signal includes a sender identification code or a consecutive transmission code. If either code exists, the control section stores it in the memory section together with the message. The control section reads message data from the memory section, and a display control section controls a display section to display the message. If the message includes a sender identification code or a continuous transmission code, the control section searches for messages to be displayed together with the current message from among the other messages stored in the memory section, and the display control section controls the display section to display the found messages en bloc.

Abstract: A remote control door entry system, which may be installed in a door jamb/frame, in the center frame post of a door assembly that has a side light glass unit, or centered in the edge of the stationary door of a double door arrangement. The slim design of the present invention contributes to its significant versatility.

Abstract: A remote-control vehicle lock-and-alarm system provides improved security against “code-grabber” devices used to detect and counterfeit the codes used by a vehicle lock-and-alarm system. Two sets of control codes are provided. One set of control codes that does not affect the security status of the lock-and-alarm system is transmitted over a maximum range, for the sake of convenience. The other set of control codes is used for critical security features which change the security status of the lock-and-alarm system and is transmitted over a much shorter range to prevent detection and counterfeiting of the control codes.

Abstract: An access control system includes a plurality of door control systems each associated with an access door and including a relay control for operating the access door and a transmitter for eliciting a radio response from a tag at the access door. The response includes a tag ID and an access door ID. A receiver is operable to receive radio responses from tags at a plurality of access doors. An access door controller is coupled to the receiver and operable to receive the tag ID and the access door ID included in each radio response received by the receiver. The access controller determines whether access by the tag at the access door is authorized and controls the relay door to permit authorized access.

Abstract: A user control interface is provided that is location dependent. Context control parameters are associated with location, and the user control interface is customized to the context within which the device is being operated. The control interface includes the presentation of context sensitive information and the communication of corresponding context sensitive user commands via the interface. The location determination is effected using any number of commonly available techniques, such as direct entry, infrared sensors and active badges for relative positioning, as well as the conventional absolute positioning devices such as LORAN and GPS. Preferably, the device communicates with a remote information source that provides the context sensitive control information. The remote information source may be a home network server, an Internet server, a public service network, or other communication network.

Abstract: In a method of notifying messages in a radio selective call receiver, a call which includes an identifier and a message is received. In a normal mode, arrival of the call is notified and the message of the call is displayed as a normal mode message, when the identifier of the call is same as that allocated to the receiver as a self identifier. An operation mode is automatically switched from the normal mode into an emergency mode when the identifier of the call is a common identifier and the message is a first predetermined message. In the emergency mode, arrival of the call is notified and the message of the call is displayed as an individual emergency message, when the identifier of the call is same as the self identifier. Also, in the emergency mode, arrival of the call is notified and the message of the call is displayed as a common emergency message, when the identifier of the call is same as the common identifier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing power consumption of a receiver is provided. The receiver may have an identification number and may receive a portion of a hailing message in a non-sequential manner. The portion may comprise a segment of a hailed identification number. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus for reducing power consumption may comprise a comparator to compare between the segment of the hailed identification number to a respective segment of the identification number of the receiver.

Abstract: In a method of using iris recognition to determine whether a person is authorised to pass a security check, the person is first identified by comparing a captured and digitised iris code with iris codes stored in a database of iris codes for authorised persons. Then, the iris code for an identified person is compared with all previously recorded iris codes for that person. If there is an exact match, the identified iris code is deemed irregular since the chances of obtaining an exact match are significantly low. As a result, either further identifying information is requested or access to resources or systems is denied to the person.

Abstract: Each of the vehicle keys issued for a vehicle can be selectively authorized and blocked. A lost or stolen vehicle key can thus be selectively blocked, in which the vehicle still remains usable with the other vehicle keys. For each vehicle key, a use authorization can be stipulated in the form of an admissible number of uses or use duration. A pager receiver is provided in the vehicle, via which the key authorization information fed from the central office can be received and sent to a control unit, preferably a drive-away blocking control unit.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a system and method for identifying and communicating with a plurality of transponders which are at the same time in the same interrogation field. The system is based on an interrogator which sends interrogation bursts in a periodical manner, and transponders which send the response back with a random delay related to the end-of-burst event. The system is primarily suitable for passive (no additional power supply) transponders, but can also be used for active transponders.

Abstract: A computing device receives page messages and performs functions based on the page message. The messages may be stored in a non-volatile memory. The functions may include security functions for portable computing applications.

Abstract: A portable computer is described that contains a circuit for receiving pages and performing security functions based on the received page. Once a page has been received by the portable computer, the computer's hard drive can be automatically reformatted, or the portable computer can be prevented from booting. In addition, the portable computer can be programmed to use a modem to automatically dial a security center and transmit security information such as the Caller ID Tag of the current telephone number.

Abstract: A radio paging receiver with a message display function according to the present invention can display and memorize two or more messages. The radio paging receiver with a message display function comprises a message control unit. The message control unit includes first and second character tables and a message memory. The first and second character tables are for displaying the messages with first and second character types, respectively. The messages stored in the message memory are displayed on the display window in either one of a multiple message display mode or a single message display mode. The message control unit displays the reception messages with the characters of either the first or second character type when the multiple message display mode is selected. When the single message display mode is selected, then only one of the messages is displayed on the window with the characters of the other of the first or second character type.

Abstract: Active switch matrix apparatus that is used in a satellite communications system that provides for reconfigurability of the communication channels of the communications system. The active switch matrix apparatus has redundan channels and components that provides for a high probability of success during the lifetime of the satellite. The active switch matrix apparatus is comprised of two switch matrices, one for each polarization (horizontal and vertical). Each of the switch matrices contains redundancy, including redundant paths through power dividers, power combiners and amplifiers to outputs of the apparatus. This is accomplished using a plurality of controllable switches 16 in the power dividers and a plurality of controllable output switches coupled to outputs of the amplifiers. Each of the switch matrices are coupled to redundant DC/DC converters and switch matrix controllers.

Abstract: A portable radio information terminal capable of operating at a plurality of phases to execute different functions. The terminal has a transition-request-input detecting section that detects an input signal generated by an input device in the course of an operation carried out within any current phase of the same plurality of phases to request an inter-phase transition, an inter-phase transition section that suspends the operation carried out at the current phase and executes a transition from the current phase to another phase determined by a result of detection output by the transition-request-input detecting section, and a phase-processing executing section for calling and displaying a screen of the phase transitioned to.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling access to or from a facility associated with providing services and/or sales of merchandise. The facility has an automatically operated, normally closed access gate and a scanner. Patrons may access the facility free of charge or at a discount by displaying an article of merchandise such that the scanner reads a bar code inscribed upon the merchandise. Data corresponding to the scanned bar code is compared to data entered into the memory of an automated data processing device. If that comparison results in establishing a correlation between data from the scanned merchandise and data entered into memory corresponding to merchandise for which a discount is accorded, then a control signal is generated and transmitted to the access gate. The access gate then opens and allows the patron submitting merchandise for scanning to enter or leave the facility.

Abstract: An insulated container for the consumption of hot or cold beverages with an integral remote controller capable of operating an entertainment center, television or other system.

Abstract: A personal computer provides security features enabling control over access to data retained in the computer. The computer is secured by having the system ROM provide a password at power-on to a security device which controls access to the secured features. Once a password has been downloaded to the security device, a Protect Resources command is issued to the security device. To gain access to the secured feature after boot-up, the user provides the correct password to the security device and waits for approval from the security device. Since the security device only verifies the password and does not divulge it, security of the system is enhanced. Once access to protected resources is no longer required, the computer issues another Protect Resources command to the security device to once more lock access to the protected resources.

Abstract: The system comprises a plurality of stationary sensors located in an array within certain physical areas. Each sensor comprises a plurality of antenna coils arranged in unique physical orientations and capable of transmitting radio frequency signals of differing phase. The RFID transponder includes an antenna which receives the signals generated by the antenna coils, and compares the phase of at least two of the signals to determined the relative position of the transponder. The antenna coils may emit two direction finding mode (DFM) signals in succession; the first signal with all antenna coils turned on, the second with a subset of the coils turned off. The spatial relationship of the transponder antenna and individual antenna coils precludes all of the signals in each sensor from being rejected by the transponder during emission of both the first and second DFM signal.