Abstract: A heterodyne receiver includes a tuner to select a frequency of a received signal and a converter to change the frequency of the received signal to an intermediate frequency. A single-pole/double throw switch has an input coupled to an output of the converter, a first output connected to a first band-pass filter and a second output connected to an amplifier. A second band-pass filter is coupled to an output of the amplifier, and a demodulator is coupled to an output of the second band-pass filter to produce an output signal and a characteristics signal. A logic circuit is coupled to receive the characteristics signal and for by-passing the first band-pass filter if the characteristics signal is less than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A personal identification device for use with a mobile telephone in a wireless communications network includes an connector mated to a connector of the mobile telephone normally used for a hands-free kit or a data port. In a typical application, a user of the mobile telephone calls a server. The server sends a first telephone signal to the personal identification device. The device responds with a second telephone signal, designed to simulate voice or data activity, depending on the type of connector that is used. The simulated voice activity is structured in such a way as to cause the radio signal transmitted by the mobile telephone to go on and off in response to the simulated voice activity. A nearby receiver can detect the on/off pattern. The on/off pattern is designed to convey a unique identification code.

Abstract: A network enables remote users to communicate with, and to control a variety of devices whose only electrical connection is to a power line network. In hybrid networks, communications between different network domains is only available if proper message mapping is done. Message mapping leads to the determination of correct frame conversion based on the specifications of protocols identifying different networks. This invention comprises a method that does bi-directional conversion between application level information entered into the remote access device by the user and related physical layer power line communications frames.

Abstract: A method for receiving a digital signal and compensating for signal skew and circuit unbalance oversamples a data segment of the digital signal, detects transitions in the oversampled data, tallies transitions for phases of the oversampled data, selects as an output phase a next phase that is offset from a phase that has the most transitions being more than a predetermined number of transitions for a predetermined number of data segments of the digital signal, and outputs bits of the oversampled data corresponding to the output phase selected. A circuit for performing the method includes a transition counter and corresponding decision logic.

Abstract: A method adapts a signal transmitted by a mobile telephone. Simulated telephone activity to be transmitted as a radio signal by the mobile telephone is generated in a hands-free kit to be plugged into a voice or data connector of the mobile telephone. The mobile telephone transmits the simulated telephone activity as a radio signal. The radio signal is detected by an antenna of the hands-free kit. The detected radio signal is then used to adjust the simulated telephone activity as it is being generated. The adjusting can alter the timing and amplitude of the simulated telephone activity to conform to an air interface standard of the radio signal.

Abstract: A personal identification device for use with a mobile telephone in a wireless communications network includes an connector mated to a connector of the mobile telephone normally used for a hands-free kit or a data port. In a typical application, a user of the mobile telephone calls a server. The server sends a first telephone signal to the personal identification device. The device responds with a second telephone signal, designed to simulate voice or data activity, depending on the type of connector that is used. The simulated voice activity is structured in such a way as to cause the radio signal transmitted by the mobile telephone to go on and off in response to the simulated voice activity. A nearby receiver can detect the on/off pattern. The on/off pattern is designed to convey a unique identification code.

Abstract: A heterodyne receiver includes a tuner to select a frequency of a received signal and a converter to change the frequency of the received signal to an intermediate frequency. A single-pole/double throw switch has an input coupled to an output of the converter, a first output connected to a first band-pass filter and a second output connected to an amplifier. A second band-pass filter is coupled to an output of the amplifier, and a demodulator is coupled to an output of the second band-pass filter to produce an output signal and a characteristics signal. A logic circuit is coupled to receive the characteristics signal and for by-passing the first band-pass filter if the characteristics signal is less than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A network enables remote users to communicate with, and to control a variety of devices whose only electrical connection is to a power line network. In hybrid networks, communications between different network domains is only available if proper message mapping is done. Message mapping leads to the determination of correct frame conversion based on the specifications of protocols identifying different networks. This invention comprises a method that does bi-directional conversion between application level information entered into the remote access device by the user and related physical layer power line communications frames.

Abstract: A first mixer outputs a TV signal of a first intermediate frequency (the first IF) by up-converting an input signal. A second mixer outputs a TV signal of the second intermediate frequency (the second IF) by down-converting the TV signal of the first IF. The second IF is chosen to be different and below the conventional intermediate frequency used by single super-heterodyne analog TV tuners. By choosing a sufficiently low second IF, the passband signal can be directly sampled by an analog to digital converter after being filtered by a low pass filter. Thus, a digital television broadcast receiver tuner is achieved which can be used with a direct passband sampling type digital demodulator.

Abstract: To provide a picture intermediate frequency circuit capable of preventing the occurrence of intermodulation beats in a strong electrical field, without affecting in any way the original picture signal. A picture intermediate frequency signal output from the tuner 2 is supplied to a pre-amplifier 5 via an adjacent sound trap circuit 4, and picture trap circuits 11 and 12, both of which are connected in series. Trap circuits 11 and 12 have an attenuation point in the upper and lower frequency components, respectively, equivalent to the frequency difference of the adjacent picture signal frequency with respect to the picture intermediate frequency signal, and trap the .+-.6 MHz frequency components of the picture intermediate frequency signal. This allows the trap circuits 11 and 12 to remove unnecessary adjacent picture signals before they reach the pre-amplifier 5.

Abstract: A video circuit provided with corrective control data generator which generates respective control data for correcting and controlling the brightness and/or saturation of the picture displayed on a display unit in accordance with the average brightness level of the luminance signal separated from the video signal. The brightness and/or saturation of the picture are thus corrected and controlled on the basis of the corrective control data.