Abstract: A transponder has a resonant RLC circuit with one or more electromagnetic energy storage components that vary in response to an externally applied modulating energy field. In addition to the externally modulating energy field, a base station transmits a carrier signal with a frequency essentially the same as the quiescent resonant frequency of the RLC circuit. As the component(s) vary, the resonant frequency of the RLC circuit changes, modulating the carrier signal with the external modulating energy field. Effects of the modulation are detected by the base station. Information (e.g., the presence of a tag) is obtained by receiving and demodulating the modulated signal at the base station. One or more of the circuit elements (e.g., different preferred embodiments of one or more capacitors, inductors, and resistors) can be varied (e.g. mechanically) to modulate the carrier signal.

Abstract: A radio pager capable of processing a received message to add information to the message, so that the user may easily see the message on a display. Hyphens or similar symbols are added to a received message signal consisting only of numerals to thereby make it easy to see as a telephone number. The message with such symbols appears on a display. The positions for inserting the symbols are stored in the pager beforehand.

Abstract: A controller for a nonblocking broadcast switching network comprising an input stage, an output stage, and a middle stage. The input stage has N.sub.1 or n.sub.1 r.sub.1 input ports and r.sub.1 switches, where n.sub.1 .gtoreq.2 and r.sub.1 .gtoreq.1 and are integers. The network also includes an output stage. The output stage has N.sub.2 or n.sub.2 r.sub.2 output ports and r.sub.2 switches, where n.sub.2 .gtoreq.2 and r.sub.1 .gtoreq.1 and are integers. There is also a middle stage. The middle stage has m switches, where ##EQU1## The m switches are in communication with the r.sub.1 switches and r.sub.2 switches. The middle stage of m switches has L inputs, where L.gtoreq.r.sub.1 and is an integer, and J outputs, where J.gtoreq.r.sub.2 and is an integer, corresponding to the n.sub.1 input ports and n.sub.2 output ports, x or fewer of the m switches, where 1.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and controlling an area comprising a controller for controlling system operational functions; at least one remote control transmitter for transmitting at least one system command to said controller in a code word having a fixed word and a hopping word therein; the fixed word having an identification code for selective control of the controller, the identification code programmed therein, and a channel code for issuing high and low security commands to the controller; a hopping algorithm for modifying the hopping code of the transmitter n-times in response to n-times activation of said transmitter and for modifying the hopping word m-times within the controller upon receipt of the code word m-times from said transmitter; and, a bypass mode for bypassing the code hopping algorithm and for controlling system functions in response to the controller receiving the low security command.

Abstract: In a radio display paging system, a transmitted paging signal either contains an optional confidential code and a message if the message is confidential or exclusively a non-confidential message. When the paging signal is received by a destination pager, the message contained in it is stored in a message memory. If the received signal contains a confidential code, a prompt is displayed for urging a user to enter a password, and the message in memory is scrambled. If the entered password is valid, the message in memory is descrambled and displayed.

Abstract: A system provides a user with proper information about a target exhibition object among many exhibition objects in exhibition facilities according to a user's request. The system has a database system for storing information about exhibition objects, a host computer, and at least one terminal. The host computer has a host transmitter/receiver unit and retrieves information from the database system according to the identification code of a given exhibition object. Each of the exhibition objects has a communication unit that returns an identification code in response to a request signal. The terminal has a terminal transmitter/receiver unit for communicating with the host computer, an operation switch for generating the request signal according to a user's operation, an object communication unit for transmitting the request signal to a target exhibition object and receiving an identification code therefrom, an information output unit for providing the user with information about the target, and a control unit.

Abstract: An audio video (AV) equipment system with a bus line including read-only-memory (ROM) that stores a plurality of predetermined system configurations of AV component devices. The system includes a bus line, a main controller an auxiliary controller, a memory, a display, a selector, and a clock. A SIP (system information pointer) memory temporarily stores a SIP which indicates any of the system configurations stored in the ROM. The SIP is finally stored in a non-volatile memory that retains data after removal of electric power.

Abstract: A method for providing assured communications in a two-way wireless communications system is disclosed. An instruction is constructed at a first device for wireless transmission to a second device where the instruction is received by the second device and ultimately seen by the user. The instruction is transmitted as an instruction signal. The second device alters the instruction signal and transmits it back in altered form to provide an indication that the instruction has been received by the second device. The user of the second device informs the operator of the first device that the instruction has been seen by the user by transmitting a further altered version of the instruction signal to the first device. The disclosed method assures the operator of the first device that instructions are being received and acknowledged in a timely manner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to implement a hybrid contention and polling protocol for a communications or computer network is disclosed.

Abstract: When a transmit station pages a pager which has the paging area of that transmit station as its local area, it pages using an address which is unique in that area. When a pager with another local area has moved into this paging area and is paged, it is paged using the area identification number of its local area and the address of its receiver. Each pager can therefore be paged in any given paging area without having to be given a separate address for each paging area.

Abstract: A radio selective calling receiver which can continuously display a specified message during call-waiting state. The radio selective calling receiver has a RAM for storing messages, an LCD (liquid crystal display) and a CPU (central processing unit). The CPU causes a received message to be stored in the RAM, causes the received message to be displayed on the LCD from the time of receiving the message until a prescribed auto-reset time has elapsed, halts message display and transits to a normal call-waiting state after passage of the auto-reset time, and if a message stored in the RAM contains a predetermined specified character string such as "--", causes the message containing the specified character string to be displayed on the LCD during the call-waiting state.

Abstract: A remote access system remotely accesses one or more electronic locks from a locally placed computer. The computer includes a key receptacle electrically coupled to the computer. The key receptacle allows ingress of a key, whereupon insertion of the key and login permission granted allows access of the computer to an electronic lock via a communication channel. The electronic lock is mechanically, electrically and functionally connected to activate and deactivate a locking mechanism of a lockable device. According to one arrangement, the computer is connected to the electronic lock via the communication channel to allow the user remote login to the electronic lock. The user located remote from the lock may therefore operate the lock from the remote location.

Abstract: A multi-stage interconnection network includes the use of switches in the first stage that have parallel path seeking capabilities. With these switches, a directed flash-flood can be instigated from any one node wherein multiple paths through the network to a designated destination node are tried in parallel in an attempt to find a connection path therebetween. The switches in the first and second stages are interconnected such that each switch in the first stage is connected with every possible priority level to the switches of the second stage. The parallel path seeking switches and network are further configured to test for rejection of the flash-flood by monitoring all connections in combination.

Abstract: A programmable activation system for the timed locking/unlocking of a security installation includes at least one activation module (10a, 10b) for unlocking an opening element (4) and apparatus for controlling the module to program a time value corresponding to the precise moment where the activation module (10a, 10b) will cause the unlocking of the opening element. The control apparatus includes at least one remote control element (30) constituting a mobile detachable or detached part from the activation module (10a, 10b) which constitutes a fixed part of the installation, these parts including communicating interfaces for the transmission of information, one of the two parts, mobile or fixed, including at least its own exclusive and unique identification code (IDC, IDD), which is transmitted to the other part and memories therein by memories (54, 56) arranged for systematically supplying a traceability of the programming in association with the identification code.

Abstract: A radio frequency manager (12) for choosing a selective call protocol among a plurality of selective call protocols comprises a memory (13) for storing historical data on messages previously sent, the historical data comprising for each protocol an airtime efficiency rating, a latency measurement, and a message queue profile and another memory (15) for storing pending messages, each of the pending messages having current information comprising at least an associated priority, synchronization requirement, and an allowable transmission time for sending the pending messages.

Abstract: In a system wherein a plurality of electronic apparatuses are connected by a communication control bus for communication between those electronic apparatuses, each of the electronic apparatuses selects an input apparatus by sending an inquiry to all other apparatuses in the system to determine whether they can output data, displays the apparatuses which respond that output is possible as candidate input apparatuses, and selects the input apparatus from among the candidate input apparatuses. For an electronic apparatus which can not output data, the reason for such inability to output data can be displayed at either the apparatus incapable of outputting data or the apparatus which is to select an input apparatus. Input apparatus selection can be also performed using a list made up of still images created from the image data supplied by candidate input apparatuses.

Abstract: An RF control system characterized by the use of remotely located low profile radio frequency antennas which are concealed in conventionally appearing valve boxes or similar housings. The system includes a central control station, including a central RF transmitter, and a plurality of remote station, each including an RF receiver and antenna. A preferred remote station includes a valve box or similar housing of the type intended to be at least partially buried in the earth. The housing has a peripheral wall defining an access opening and a removable cover for bridging the opening. A directional discontinuity ring radiator (DDRR) antenna is physically mounted in the valve box housing on the interior side of the cover and is connected to a receiver, preferably also physically mounted on the cover.

Abstract: An electronic patient tracking system for use in a hospital, particularly a hospital emergency room facility. A plurality of patient tracking modules are provided, each of which includes a multi-character display for indicating patient name and patient complaint as well as an indicator of attending physician and nurse. Illuminated color coded switches are used to indicate the placement of orders for work to be done. The system provides automatic timeouts if the order is not completed, as evidenced by subsequent operation of the switch, within a predetermined period of time and changes the lamp status to an alarm condition, such as flashing with a particular cadence. The system allows local entry of data and setting of order indicators as well as the control of these elements from a host computer system of the hospital in which the device is used.

Abstract: Status changes made on first pager (130 and 530) are wirelessly communicated to an infrastructure (110 and 510) which communicates the status changes to other pagers (150 and 550) so that the other pagers make corresponding status changes. Thus, a user's status changes made on one pager are automatically made on the user's other pagers. Status changes include changes to received messages, alarm times, alert thresholds, and key word alerts.

Abstract: Operation of a plurality of electronic devices is synchronized. The plurality of devices include a master unit and a plurality of other units, and the master unit transmits a synchronizing signal to at least one of the other units at predetermined intervals. Each of at least two of the other units detects whether a synchronizing signal is received at the respective unit within a predetermined period of time. If not, the respective unit changes from a slave mode of operation to a master mode of operation. Contention between the two or more potential back-up master units is resolved based on priority in a daisy-chain arrangement or by providing different time-out watch-dog periods for the potential back-up devices.