Abstract: A universal smart remote control includes intelligence software and algorithms that have been programmed into the remote control's microprocessor memory, and a large display which is used to prompt the user to take certain actions. The remote control provides guidance to the user in setting up and operating the various components of his or her entertainment system, and asks the user non-technical questions that are understandable to the user.

Abstract: A universal smart remote control includes intelligence software and algorithms that have been programmed into the remote control's microprocessor memory, and a large display which is used to prompt the user to take certain actions. The remote control provides guidance to the user in setting up and operating the various components of his or her entertainment system, and asks the user non-technical questions that are understandable to the user.

Abstract: At a telephone subscriber's premises, call identification apparatus is used to determine whether incoming calls are intended for a primary telephone station or for a secondary telephone station. The call identification apparatus monitors electrical signals present on a telephone line after the call has been answered by one of the secondary telephone stations in search of a predetermined identificattion signal. In response to the presence of the identification signal from an originating source, the apparatus disconnects all secondary stations from the telephone line, terminates the incoming call by hanging up, and dials a predetermined telephone number. After dialing the predetermined number, an authentication procedure is invoked which requires that the dialed station transmit a security code to the apparatus. If the dialed station incorrectly transmits the security code more than N times, the call is terminated.

Abstract: A monolithic pressure sensitive silicon integrated circuit is formed by first providing a localized etch-stop layer on one surface of the silicon chip, then growing successive epitaxial layers of opposite conductivity types over this surface. In the upper of the two layers, there is formed a bridge of four piezoresistors overlying the periphery of the etch-stop layer and the conditioning circuitry for amplifying the output of the bridge including both lateral and vertical junction transistors. The back surface of the chip is etched anisotropically to form a cavity that leaves a thin diaphragm underlying the bridge of the four piezoresistors.

Abstract: A monolithic pressure sensitive silicon integrated circuit is formed by first providing a localized etch-stop layer on one surface of the silicon chip, then growing successive epitaxial layers of opposite conductivity types over this surface. In the upper of the two layers, there is formed a bridge of four piezoresistors overlying the periphery of the etch-stop layer and the conditioning circuitry for amplifying the output of the bridge including both lateral and vertical junction transistors. The back surface of the chip is etched anisotropically to form a cavity that leaves a thin diaphragm underlying the bridge of the four piezoresistors.

Abstract: A microprocessor-controlled antenna positioning system for automatically steering a rotatable antenna in the direction of a source of radiated signals is disclosed. The present invention, which is particularly adapted for use in a television receiver or a subscription television receiver (STV) decoder, automatically seeks the best signal when a new channel or frequency is selected, remembers that preferred antenna position, and will return to it whenever that channel or frequency is subsequently selected. A large number of desired antenna headings may be stored in memory for subsequent use and the computer-selected antenna heading may be modified to avoid TV ghosts or to select a second station on the same channel. The system determines optimum antenna direction by sweeping the antenna through a full 360.degree. circle, keeping track of the width of receivable signal lobes.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing the synchronization (sync) signal provided to a second video display generating a second video signal for the precise overlay thereon of a first video signal from a first video display having a relatively unstable sync signal is disclosed. The stable sync signal is generated by providing the multiplied unstable sync signal to a phase lock loop synthesizer in generating a higher multiple frequency signal which is synchronous with and phase locked with a sync signal of the first video signal and has a frequency which is an integral multiple of the horizontal active line period. The frequency of this signal is an integral multiple of the number of pixels, or dots, per active horizontal scan line of the second video display. By synchronizing the horizontal scan signal of a second video display with this high frequency signal, an integral number of pixels per horizontal scan line is provided.