Abstract: Low data rate wireless electronic devices utilizing a hub- or star-based network topology, operational at ranges of thousands of meters. Remote end-devices may be such things as keypads, door latches, occupancy monitors, sprinkler controllers and other devices controlled or monitored in a campus or a collection of buildings. End-devices operate at intermediate ranges in RF congested areas and failure-intolerant situations through the use of discrete programmable channels. Each end-device carries a unique identifier and uses a common default initialization channel to accept an operational channel assignment from the hub, without a configuring or programming step at the end-device by an installing person. After assignment the end-device can utilize a low-power listening mode that avoids processor-awakening events due to orthogonality of the operational channels.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are hub-based wireless networks employing end-devices at intermediate wireless at ranges of thousands of meters, utilizing packets that include a preamble and a data payload. End-devices may be such things as keypads, door latches, occupancy monitors, sprinkler controllers and other devices controlled or monitored in a campus or a collection of buildings. A digital spread-spectrum frequency hopping rotation is used, wherein packet transmissions rotate through frequency sequences to spread radio-frequency emissions impact over a set of frequencies. A spectrum-impact-smoothed channel set is fashioned using sequences that each specify a unique preamble frequency relative to the other sequences and channels. The set is traversed as packets are transmitted, thereby distributing the focused radio-frequency emission impact of packets having long preambles over time.

Abstract: A method and system for extending the distance which a user can drag a cursor across a computer display device when using a touch sensitive pointing device as a relative cursor locating device. When such relative cursor locating devices are used the small perimeter size of the position sensing surface makes it inconvenient to carry out drag required functions. A border within the outer perimeter of the position sensing surface is defined and when a pointing object enters the border on the position sensing surface it is detected. It is then determined if the drag function is engaged for the cursor when the pointing object enters the border. If the drag function is engaged, the present invention holds the cursor at the location on the computer display while the user moves the pointing object to a new position on the position sensing surface from which position the user continues the dragging function to a desired end location on the computer display.