Abstract: A customer vehicle management system includes fob devices that each include a customer portion and a key portion, that are separable and may be magnetically interlocked with a charging and communication link between them. The system provides dynamic association of fob customer portions, fob key portions and docking units housed within a cabinet. Customer portions are deployed to a customer (driver) who may later request retrieval of a vehicle the keys of which were left with an operator (valet). Vehicle requests are made through a wireless link. A communications and management module within a fob and key storage cabinet receives the request signal and activates an indicator on a docking unit associated with the customer portion and where an associated key portion is docked. The operator may then retrieve vehicle keys associated with the customer portion from which the request was made.

Abstract: An autonomous system of at least four transceivers located at fixed positions on a campus are networked to each other. Persons on the campus carries a fob or other transmitter. Each transceiver has a clock synchronized in time by a GPS satellite time signal. A location processor knows the fixed locations of the transceivers. When activated, each fob (of unknown location) transmits a unique alert signal. Each transceiver receives the alert signal. Based on time of receipt and known information, the location processor calculates a distance relative to each transceiver at which the fob is located to determine the location of the fob.

Abstract: A system and method for providing communications within an airfield between an aircraft component located upon an aircraft and an airport data network. A control computer is used to select an optimal antenna substation from a plurality of antenna substations disposed about the airfield for the aircraft component to communicate with. The selection is based in part upon position information including the directional heading of the aircraft, determined using a suitable position detecting system, such as a Global Positioning System or a multi-lateration system, and in part upon the loading (i.e., RF traffic) being experienced by each antenna array.

Abstract: A portable light device is capable of generating light that is substantially uniformly distributed at its surface. The light device includes a housing having at least a translucent portion formed of a translucent material A first light source is disposed within the housing and is adapted to generate light. A first optical structure is positioned to direct at least a portion of the light from the first light source toward the housing translucent portion, and a second optical structure is positioned between the first light source and the housing translucent portion, the second optical structure being adapted to diffuse at least a portion of the light for uniform distribution across the housing translucent portion.

Abstract: A decorative light system includes a base and a portable light device capable of communicating with each other to generate a light show. The system includes a base defining a receptacle and including a microcontroller, a transceiver operably coupled to the microcontroller and adapted to generate a control signal, a first power source operably coupled to the microcontroller, and a user interface operably coupled to the microcontroller and including at least one switch for activating the microcontroller.

Abstract: A system and method for providing communications within an airfield between an aircraft component located upon an aircraft and an airport data network. A control computer is used to select an optimal antenna substation from a plurality of antenna substations disposed about the airfield for the aircraft component to communicate with. The selection is based in part upon position information including the directional heading of the aircraft, determined using a suitable position detecting system, such as a Global Positioning System or a multi-lateration system, and in part upon the loading (i.e., RF traffic) being experienced by each antenna array.

Abstract: A receiver and antenna drive gear unit provide optimal mechanical and electrical pointing of the antenna dish at each of the satellite orbiting in geo-synchronous fashion above the equator, the receiver having the capability of calculating and initially pointing the antenna dish at each of the satellites, and then providing peaking routines under operator control to maximize signal strength. The antenna drive gear unit utilizes a separate motor for each of the azimuth and elevational directions and utilizes circular ring gears and a spur gear to drive the antenna, thereby providing much more accurate and repeatable monitoring and positioning of the antenna unit over extended usage.

Abstract: A satellite TV or cable video receiver includes a decoder for decoding information embedded in a broadcasted TV program which can be utilized to permit an operator to select the program for viewing only, or viewing and the preparation of a copy of the program. In an alternate embodiment, the operator may also select and the receiver permit the preparation of a copy inhibited tape. With this receiver, first run movies may be displayed on a tape or view basis without destroying the after-market for the film.

Abstract: A polarity switch for connection between a dual antenna system and a satellite television receiver to permit multiple receivers to simultaneously receive channels of different polarity includes a pin diode switch and input circuitry to decode the standard receiver signal previously used to rotate the antenna feed of a single feed antenna.

Abstract: A satellite television reception only receiver includes a programmable microprocessor which has a communications link for communicating between a plurality of receivers connected in a multiple receiver installation. An antenna is connected to only one receiver in the network, and it controls operation of the antenna, and the information relating to the antenna is transmitted to the other receivers to update them. The microprocessor further provides a means to programmably restrict access to particular satellites or transponders on satellites at each individual receiver, and vary the particular transponders or satellites restricted from receiver to receiver.

Abstract: An improved polarity switch for connection between a dual antenna system and a satellite television reception system has a first embodiment which utilizes a pin diode switch between the dual antenna system and each of a plurality of receivers to permit use of the receiver to select one of the two antenna feeds for decoding and display at that television set. A second embodiment is also disclosed which utilizes an electromechanical relay to isolate the antenna feeds from each receiver.