Abstract: A wide area paging system is disclosed in which paging messages input to the system in one local area can be broadcast to a receiver in any other local area without necessarily broadcasting the message in all areas. A local area clearinghouse in each area stores resident subscriber data including current location and receiver serial number. This data is used to transfer messages over a data network to the correct clearinghouse. The system uses a TDM data protocol. The data is encoded and transmitted at a very high rate (e.g. , 19,000 baud) in short packets (256 bits/13 milliseconds) via stereo FM sidebands. Receivers are assigned to receive sequentially numbered time slots matching a portion of their address. The addresses of intended receivers are included in the data packets. Battery-powered receivers are deactivated between packets and reactivated in accordance with the sequential time slot number scheme to receive an incoming packet.

Abstract: Battery saving can be achieved in a selective call receiver (i.e. in a radio pager) by only periodically activating the receiver. The activation rate or time cycle of the receiver determines how often the receiver can receive messages and the amount of time between the periods when messages can be received. The present invention provides a selective call receiver which has variable cycle rates. A system includes a plurality of receivers, some of which have a first cycle rate and some of which have a second cycle rate.

Abstract: A dual communication mode system combines a point to point communications device with a television receiver and a video tape recorder. The result is a highly versatile and easily operated personal entertainment and communication center. The point to point communication device included in the personal communication and entertainment center can provide information to: (a) reset the center's time clock automatically if power to the center is interrupted or if the center clock must be synchronized to an accurate time; (b) program the personal entertainment and communication center from a remote location; (c) provide authorization signals to allow the personal entertainment and communication center to descramble coded signals received by the television receiver from a source such as a satellite or cable hookup; and (d) provide personal messages which can be recorded on the video tape recorder and displayed on the television screen.

Abstract: A radio paging network transmits non-paging data, such as facsimile images, to lap top computer receivers by formatting the data into a series of packets and interleaving these packets, on a space available basis, into the paging signal.

Abstract: A method for changing a characteristic of a material is provided. The characteristic of the material is determined by the nature of the bond coupling certain molecular components in the material. The material is exposed to electromagnetic energy having a frequency range related to the bond coupling two molecular components in the material. During the time the material is exposed to the electromagnetic energy, stress is applied to the material. As a result, the bond is broken and then subsequently a different bond is formed by the simultaneous application of the stress and the electromagnetic energy. The structure of the new bond is determined in part by the stress.

Abstract: A radio paging network transmits non-paging data, such as facsimile images, to lap top computer receivers by formatting the data into a series of packets and interleaving these packets, on a space available basis, into the paging signal.

Abstract: A wide area paging system is disclosed in which paging messages input to the system in one local area can be broadcast to a receiver in any other local area without necessarily broadcasting the message in all areas. A local area clearinghouse in each area stores resident subscriber data including current location and receiver serial number. This data is used to transfer messages over a data network to the correct clearinghouse. The system uses a TDM data protocol. The data is encoded and transmitted at a very high rate (e.g., 19,000 baud) in short packets (256 bits/13 milliseconds) via stereo FM sidebands. Receivers are assigned to receive sequentially numbered time slots matching a portion of their address. The addresses of intended receivers are included in the data packets. Battery-powered receivers are deactivated between packets and reactivated in accordance with the sequential time slot number scheme to receive an incoming packet.

Abstract: A local telephone/radio paging system includes a local paging system, a telephone, and a memory for indicating which telephone numbers are within the local area. When a telephone number is dialed, if the person dialed does not answer, the telephone switching equipment checks the memory to determine whether the dialed number is within the local paging area. If so, a local paging transmitter is activated, paging the person assigned to the unanswered phone. Such a paging transmitter may be included in each phone, or a single central local transmitter may be employed. The paging receivers desirably include alphanumeric displays and indicate the number of the telephone that originated the unanswered call, so that the person carrying the paging receiver may call back immediately.

Abstract: A radio paging network transmits non-paging data, such as facsimile images, to lap top computer receivers by formatting the data into a series of packets and interleaving these packets, on a space available basis, into the paging signal.

Abstract: A wide area paging system is disclosed in which paging messages input to the system in one local area can be broadcast to a receiver in any other local area without necessarily broadcasting the message in all areas. A local area clearinghouse in each area stores resident subscriber data including current location and receiver serial number. This data is used to transfer messages over a data network to the correct clearing-house. The system uses a TDM data protocol. The data is encoded and transmitted at a very high rate (e.g., 19,000 baud) in short packets (256 bits/13 milliseconds) via stereo FM sidebands. Receivers are assigned to receive sequentially numbered time slots matching a portion of their address. The addresses of intended receivers are included in the data packets. Battery-powered receivers are deactivated between packets and reactivated in accordance with the sequential time slot number scheme to receive an incoming packet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting paging and absolute time information to, and receiving such information at, a remote portable electronic timepiece and pager unit during a short time slot assigned to the pager unit is disclosed. In the pager unit, an oscillator is coupled to a timer which produces a time display. These functions are constantly powered. The timer periodically causes power to be supplied to a receiver and message decoding components of the pager unit during a short time slot in which transmitted data is to be received. The receiver detects and reconstitutes a transmitted signal. The transmitted signal is processed through a decoder which extracts paging and time update data. If the paging data includes the pager unit's ID number, the unit indicates that a page has been received. The time update data extracted from the transmitted signal is used to synchronize a timer in the pager unit. The timer provides an accurate time indication for the watch function.

Abstract: A system and method to autodial a telephone number, employing (1) an electronic wristwatch which includes means for receiving radio paging messages and a memory for storing a database of predetermined multidigit telephone numbers and (2) a collapsible compact telephone handset, which does not have a dialing key pad. The electronic wristwatch and the handset includes short range transceivers so that a data communication link can be established between the electronic wristwatch and the handset. Circuitry is provided to transmit telephone numbers stored in or received by the electronic wristwatch to the telephone handset and to automatically dial such telephone numbers.

Abstract: The present invention is a dual communication mode sysem that combines a point to point communications device with a television receiver and a video tape recorder. The result is a highly versatile and easily operated personal entertainment and communication center. The point to point communication device included in the personal communication and entertainment center can provide information to: (a) reset the center's time clock automatically if power to the center is interrupted or if the center clock must be synchronized to an accurate time (b) program the personal entertainment and communication center from a remote location; (c) provide authorization signals to allow the personal entertainment and communication center to descramble coded signals received by the television receiver from a source such as a satellite or cable hookup; and (d) provide personal messages which can be recorded on the video tape recorder and displayed on the television screen.

Abstract: A wide area paging system is disclosed in which paging messages input to the system in one local area can be broadcast to a receiver in any other local area without necessarily broadcasting the message in all areas. A local area clearinghouse in each area stores resident subscriber data including current location and receiver serial number. This data is used to transfer messages over a data network to the correct clearinghouse. The system uses a TDM data protocol. The data is encoded and transmitted at a very high rate (e.g., 19,000 baud) in short packets (256 bits/13 milliseconds) via stereo FM sidebands. Receivers are assigned to receive sequentially numbered time slots matching a portion of their address. The addresses of intended receivers are included in the data packets. Battery-powered receivers are deactivated between packets and reactivated in accordance with the sequential time slot number scheme to receive an incoming packet.

Abstract: An electronic business telephone for the transmission and receipt of voice messages and digital data. The electronic telephone uses MOS/LSI circuitry to store and visually display telephone numbers or other numeric data and includes the capability of performing local arithmetic computation. In telephone mode, after keyboard entry the number to be dialed is stored and visually displayed for pre-dial verification in articulated format with the area code, prefix and suffix suitably spaced for ease of reading. If the number is busy, the displayed telephone number can be entered into a telephone memory and the memorized number subsequently recalled on demand for automatic redial. In data terminal mode, digital numeric information is displayed in non-articulated or compressed format for visual verification prior to transmission and is exchanged between any two electronic telephone systems, or through proper interfacing, from an electronic telephone to a remote computer.