Abstract: An active lock system includes wireless communication capability and information display and processing functions providing convenience, security and privacy protect usable as a secured lock and/or as a lock box for storing a key or code, permitting access to a locked premise. The lock system consists of a keyless lock device with a coded input control for locking and unlocking itself, a compartment for storing objects, a wireless communication device for receiving cell phone calls and performing identity verification, an information processing and display device for capturing, storing and displaying data, instructions, images, graphics, messages, advertisements and system operational information, and a handle for attaching the lock system to a property it protects and controls access. The communication device operates under cell phone communication standards and decodes dial tone signals whereas the information display offers data interaction, procedural instructions and ads.

Abstract: A method for operating a server includes receiving a page request for a web page from a client computer via the Internet, the web page including an icon, retrieving the web page from a storage of the server, sending the web page to the client computer via the Internet, receiving a request from the client computer to initiate a telephone call via the Internet in response to a selection of the icon on the web page, initiating a real-time communications channel between the client computer and the server via the Internet in response to the request, determining a telephone number in response to the request, using a voice modem, coupled to the server and to a telephone line, to dial the telephone number, receiving packets of voice data from the client computer from the Internet, reassembling the packets of voice data into a stream of digital voice data, converting the stream of digital voice data to a stream of analog voice data, outputting the stream of analog voice data to the voice modem, and outputting the stre

Abstract: A method for operating a server includes receiving a page request for a web page from a client computer via the Internet, the web page including an icon, retrieving the web page from a storage of the server, sending the web page to the client computer via the Internet, receiving a request from the client computer to initiate a telephone call via the Internet in response to a selection of the icon on the web page, initiating a real-time communications channel between the client computer and the server via the Internet in response to the request, determining a telephone number in response to the request, using a voice modem, coupled to the server and to a telephone line, to dial the telephone number, receiving packets of voice data from the client computer from the Internet, reassembling the packets of voice data into a stream of digital voice data, converting the stream of digital voice data to a stream of analog voice data, outputting the stream of analog voice data to the voice modem, and outputting the stre

Abstract: A method and a system for establishing a self-owned and self-managed network-based voice communication solution (VCS) for supporting business transactions and commerce applications over the communications network(s) including the Internet and PSTN. The voice communication solution is requested by a merchant or business entity at a computer connected to the Internet by providing (i) information needed for approval and (ii) system configuration for accepting the solution. Through a friendly interactive process with a web server and a solution server, the necessary software for voice communication is downloaded to a merchant's designated computer host, turning it to be a VCS server. Upon activation, the VCS server can support voice over IP (VOIP) communication and connect an incoming call to a telephone via PSTN or a PBX network. The VCS server can receive a VOIP call from anyone at anyplace via an Internet connected voice enabled computer.

Abstract: Methods for operating multimedia computers to provide e-commerce voice communication capability directly between any computer connected to a computer network such as the Internet and any telephone device connected to the PSTN are disclosed. A simple click and call method is enabled by employing call interface software and the standard communication protocol over the network. The e-commerce voice communication system (EVCS) represented by an e-commerce voice communication symbol on a web page which, upon clicking, launches the call interface program, initiates a real-time communication channel between the client computer and the receiving computer, dials the desired telephone number via a voice modem.

Abstract: A method and a system for establishing a self-owned and self-managed network-based voice communication solution (VCS) for supporting business transactions and commerce applications over the communications network(s) including the Internet and PSTN. The voice communication solution is requested by a merchant or business entity at a computer connected to the Internet by providing (i) information needed for approval and (ii) system configuration for accepting the solution. Through a friendly interactive process with a web server and a solution server, the necessary software for voice communication is downloaded to a merchant's designated computer host, turning it to be a VCS server. Upon activation, the VCS server can support voice over IP (VOIP) communication and connect an incoming call to a telephone via PSTN or a PBX network. The VCS server can receive a VOIP call from anyone at anyplace via an Internet connected voice enabled computer.

Abstract: A CRT touch screen having raster-generated light patterns at the viewing screen borders of a conventional CRT. Reflective surfaces proximal to the screen borders reflect the light patterns across the CRT surface to external photodetectors. Modulating the horizontal blanking signal or employing periodic non-reflective patterns on the reflective surfaces effects raster-generated light patterns having a unique time frequency higher than the vertical synch frequency, but lower than the horizontal synch frequency. A screen pointer blocks the lights patterns reflecting across the screen to two or more of the photodetectors. The blocking is time-relative to the CRT's horizontal and vertical synch signals. The photodetector outputs are bandpass filtered at the unique pattern frequency to suppress electromagnetic interference from the CRT's horizontal raster synch, the CRT's vertical synch and other electromagnetic and optical sources.

Abstract: A cathodoluminescent lamp in the form of a vacuum diode or triode uses a self-supporting YAG crystal as the light emitter. The crystal shape can be selected (spherical, slab, bar) for desired effect and light trapping is turned to advantage by selectively coating the crystal surface to provide for preferential light emission.

Abstract: In contrast to existing light addressed light valves for projection displays which use a homogeneous CdS or Se photoconductive layer as the control element for a liquid crystal cell, a silicon photo-diode array is disclosed which makes an effective control element capable of applying a spatially varying AC voltage across a liquid crystal light valve. Writing may be done with a miniature CRT in an optical or electron excitation mode. It is shown that for a video mode the ratio of diode capacitance to liquid crystal cell capacitance associated with the diode, and the frequency of the applied square wave voltage, define the buildup or decay time of the liquid crystal cell voltage. Thus, the frequency of the applied AC voltage can be used to control sensitivity and transient response and there is no lag. The dynamic range of the cell voltage is shown to depend on the ratio of diode capacitance to liquid crystal cell capacitance.

Abstract: A fiber optic light pen has been adapted for high resolution use with an interactive display of a computer system. The body of the light pen, which is adapted to be hand held, includes a slightly movable tip for engaging a display screen. When so engaged, a screen sensor within the body signals to the computer system that the pen is in contact with the screen. A principal fiber optic element or conduit within the pen body collects light emitted by the screen without the use of any imaging optics and a two-threshold light detector responding to two different amplitude levels of collected light permits separate and high resolution determination of the vertical and horizontal positions of the light pen with respect to the screen.

Abstract: Words input to an information processing system character-by-character are given unique unitary representations independent of alphanumeric content and order. A user selects a particular vocabulary set containing the unique unitary representations of each word in the vocabulary set. When a word is input into the system, it is matched with its unique unitary representation. This representation is provided to storage and output devices in the system. It is also utilized in text transmission. Words not found in the preselected vocabulary set are encoded character-by-character. Vocabulary sets may be chosen so as to minimize the occurrence of this last event.

Abstract: A flat storage cathode ray tube with enhanced brightness is described. A mesh collector and a dielectric storage site array form an integral part of a silicon wafer. The silicon wafer includes thereon an addressable array of field effect transistors having a field effect transistor associated with a dielectric storage site in the storage site array for controlling a writing of the dielectric storage site. The addressable array of transistors works in cooperation with a flooding electron gun to effect selective writing of the storage site array. The enhanced brightness cathode ray tube may be adapted for use in a projection display.

Abstract: Improved zinc silicate phosphor particles are made by using silicic acid particles in the range from 0.7 to 10 micrometers coated with Mn.sub.2 O.sub.3 .multidot.xH.sub.2 O and then a layer of ZnO particles about an order of magnitude smaller which are fired to form the phosphors. The particle size is held within the range preferred and preferably is even narrower. The particles are not milled or mechanically crushed. Instead, the ZnO powder prevents agglomeration during firing. Baths are provided for formation of the particles prior to firing. Brightness and persistance are improved over conventional phosphors.

Abstract: A series of solid solutions in the systems Zn.sub.2 SiO.sub.4 -Zn.sub.2 M.sup.+3.sub..5 M.sup.+5.sub..5 O.sub.4, is synthesized by practice of this disclosure. Solid reaction technique is used where M.sup.+3 and M.sup.+5 signify ions from Groups III and V of the periodic table.Large increases in the efficiency compared to the prior art P1 phosphor (Zn.sub.2 SiO.sub.4 :Mn) are achieved by substituting various combinations of Group III and V oxides for SiO.sub.2, e.g., Al and P to provide Zn.sub.2-y Mn.sub.y Si.sub.1-2x Al.sub.x P.sub.x O.sub.4. The photoluminescence efficiency of the phosphors of this disclosure exhibit strong dependence on the III-V substitution concentration, x, having highest efficiency for the approximate range of x=0.25% to 1.5%.

Abstract: A multistable or memory electron beam addressed electroluminescent display panel is provided. The display panel is electron beam activated in the presence of an A. C. field, without the need of prior art flood guns. The panel may be activated or switched by direct electron beam activation of an electroluminescent film or by electron beam induced light radiation from a cathodoluminescent layer or from an insulating layer.