Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for a lane assist system that prepares the vehicle to move from a current lane to an adjacent lane. The lane assist system includes a sensor for detecting a vehicle in an adjacent lane and an electronic control unit connected to the sensor. The electronic control unit is configured to determine that the vehicle intends to move from a current lane to the adjacent lane and, in response, controls operations of an automatic transmission of the vehicle to prepare the vehicle for a lane change based on a calculated time duration for the adjacent vehicle to reach the vehicle. The electronic control unit can be further configured to command one or more indicators to be displayed at an indicator display located at a side-view mirror of the vehicle based on the determination and the calculated time duration for the adjacent vehicle to reach the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods to process many power line-down reports. A number of power line-down reports are received from different devices operated by users that specify the location of its device. Based on locations of devices sending the reports, a related set of power line-down reports is determined that likely report a particular power line-down condition. Based on those locations and power line location information, a location of the particular power line-down condition is determined that is a location of a power line that is closest to all locations in the related reports. Based on the related set of reports, a consolidated power line-down report is created with data associated with the particular power line-down condition. The consolidated power line-down report is reported to a power grid trouble report system.

Abstract: Systems and methods to process many power line-down reports. A number of power line-down reports are received from different devices operated by users that specify the location of its device. Based on locations of devices sending the reports, a related set of power line-down reports is determined that likely report a particular power line-down condition. Based on those locations and power line location information, a location of the particular power line-down condition is determined that is a location of a power line that is closest to all locations in the related reports. Based on the related set of reports, a consolidated power line-down report is created with data associated with the particular power line-down condition. The consolidated power line-down report is reported to a power grid trouble report system.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to allow retrieval of voice messages deleted from the voice message memory of a voice messaging system. A voice messaging system such as a telephone answering device includes a deleted voice message memory for storing voice messages deleted from the voice message memory. The deleted voice messages stored in the deleted voice message memory are retrievable by the user for review subject to rules for permanent deletion of the deleted voice messages (e.g., after a period of time, when the deleted voice message memory approaches capacity, periodically, etc.).

Abstract: Apparatus and method to allow retrieval of voice messages deleted from the voice message memory of a voice messaging system. A voice messaging system such as a telephone answering device includes a deleted voice message memory for storing voice messages deleted from the voice message memory. The deleted voice messages stored in the deleted voice message memory are retrievable by the user for review subject to rules for permanent deletion of the deleted voice messages (e.g., after a period of time, when the deleted voice message memory approaches capacity, periodically, etc.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to allow retrieval of voice messages deleted from the voice message memory of a voice messaging system. A voice messaging system such as a telephone answering device includes a deleted voice message memory for storing voice messages deleted from the voice message memory. The deleted voice messages stored in the deleted voice message memory are retrievable by the user for review subject to rules for permanent deletion of the deleted voice messages (e.g., after a period of time, when the deleted voice message memory approaches capacity, periodically, etc.).

Abstract: Apparatus and method to allow retrieval of voice messages deleted from the voice message memory of a voice messaging system. A voice messaging system such as a telephone answering device includes a deleted voice message memory for storing voice messages deleted from the voice message memory. The deleted voice messages stored in the deleted voice message memory are retrievable by the user for review subject to rules for permanent deletion of the deleted voice messages (e.g., after a period of time, when the deleted voice message memory approaches capacity, periodically, etc.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to allow retrieval of voice messages deleted from the voice message memory of a voice messaging system. A voice messaging system such as a telephone answering device includes a deleted voice message memory for storing voice messages deleted from the voice message memory. The deleted voice messages stored in the deleted voice message memory are retrievable by the user for review subject to rules for permanent deletion of the deleted voice messages (e.g., after a period of time, when the deleted voice message memory approaches capacity, periodically, etc.).

Abstract: Apparatus and processes to provide notification to a remote user upon the occurrence of a qualifying event determined by a voice messaging system based on logged call related information, e.g., Caller ID information. A return call data directory table is maintained associating predetermined events based on logged call related information with a telephone number to be called in the event of the satisfaction of a designated event. Designated events may include a predetermined number of calls from a particular caller within a predetermined range of time or days, or a total number of calls from any caller within a predetermined range of time. An auto dialing calling module automatically dials a designated or default telephone number to notify the user of the satisfaction of the designated event.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes to allow voice messages to be individually and/or separately secured by a caller for playback only by an intended person or persons. The voice messages are separately secured with security information contained in a header associated with each voice message. The caller may be authorized to secure a voice message either by inputting a pre-determined authorization security code using their keypad, or based on call related information received with respect to the incoming call. The user, upon attempt to access a separately secured voice message, is prompted for input of an appropriate authorized security code to allow the access to proceed. Without proper access, a user is allowed to access (e.g., playback, delete, etc.) only non-secured voice messages.

Abstract: A radio communication system, such as a cellular telephone system, in which the cellular telephones have a ring silenced mode of operation. A user of the system can remotely cause the telephone to exit the ringing silenced mode in case the telephone is misplaced and needs to be located by causing the telephone to ring and then listening for the ringing. The feature is also useful for disabling ring silenced mode when there is an emergency need to contact the owner of the telephone.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for receiving Type II CID data in an environment containing multiple off-hook cordless telephones, all being fitted for receiving CID data, and all residing on the same subscriber line. This is achieved by coordinating the sending, receiving, and acknowledging (i.e., handshaking) of muting control signals within a cordless link between a designated master telephone unit and designated slave telephone extensions.

Abstract: A voice messaging system and method includes a voice recorder/playback device to store a plurality of voice messages associated with a respective plurality of incoming calls. A receiver receives call related information associated with each of the respective plurality of incoming calls. A controller is provided to organize the plurality of voice messages for playback by the voice recorder/playback device based on pre-stored groupings of expected call related information irrespective of an order in which voice messages are stored. In one aspect the pre-stored groupings relate to various priority levels for playback sequencing. In another aspect the pre-stored groupings relate to a specific voice mailbox or bin to receive the voice message. In yet another aspect, voice recognition techniques may be utilized to query the voice messaging system, either locally or remotely, for voice messages grouped in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Abstract: Intelligent memory devices allow for the transfer of data between two or more electronic devices, such as digital signal processors and microcontrollers. The memory devices may be designed as dual port memory devices capable of sending/receiving synchronous, serial data. The use of serial data reduces the pin count of the memory devices and those connected to it. The memory devices also utilize a dedicated pair of data bits and memory pointers to carry out management of the memory and data transfers allowing connected devices to reduce the amount of processing time spent on such matters.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes common hardware and software routines already present in most digital telephone devices, e.g., a DTMF detector; to download data over a telephone line to a digital telephone device. Each symbol of a numeric system, e.g., a hexadecimal system, used to represent the data is associated with a DTMF tone pair. The DTMF tone pair is downloaded from a data source such as a manufacturer of the digital telephone device, to the digital telephone device using a telephone line. Other tones may be used to provide control signals between the data source and the digital telephone device. Thus, using common and inexpensive routines in a typical digital telephone device, the expense of a modem or other conventional data communication device is not necessary to receive data.

Abstract: In one embodiment according to the invention, a method is provided for handling a flash-hook signal from a telephone engaged in a first telephone call with a first distant party when a second telephone call with a second distant party is in a hold status. The method includes the steps of placing the first telephone call with the first distant party in the hold status, connecting the second telephone call, and providing a Caller ID indication to the telephone. In an alternative embodiment, a telephone according to the invention includes a flash-hook, and a Caller ID display. The telephone is adapted to display Caller ID data associated with a first call, and to be updated upon connection of a second call, in response to activation of the flash-hook, to display Caller ID data associated with the second call.

Abstract: A silence compression system that improves data compression in a digital speech storage device, such as a digital telephone answering machine, without undue clipping of voice signals. Instead of employing only real-time compression, the inventive silence system analyzes and compresses or re-compresses digital speech samples stored previously, when the voice messaging system is off-line or otherwise in a low priority state. A method of silence compression comprises receiving real-time speech samples, storing the same in memory, and analyzing the stored speech samples at a later time to determine thresholds for periods of silence. The periods of silence are then compressed, and the silence compressed voice message is restored in memory. In this fashion, the processor is not required to make a silence period determination on-the-fly simultaneous with encoding and compression of the real-time voice message, and thus is not subjected to heavy processor loads typically encountered in real time.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a digital voice recognition processor with a non-volatile flash memory unit as the primary storage medium utilizes a wandering buffer scheme to reduce the number of memory writes performed to any portion of the flash memory unit during training and recognition operations, thereby reducing the incidence of the flash burnout effect.

Abstract: A serially addressable non-volatile storage device, specifically flash memory, is usable for recording digitally compressed audio by providing a software-controlled serial interface between a digital signal processor (DSP) and the storage device, and by storing sampled audio in a sample buffer, encoding and compressing the data, and directing it to an output buffer, and transferring the encoded and compressed data in uniformly-sized blocks to an alternate one of at least two flash buffers in the storage device. While one of the flash buffers is receiving encoded data, the other is used to store its contents in the flash memory in the background, thereby permitting uninterrupted data flow.

Abstract: A lift-turn valve and actuator mechanism incorporating a valve plug and slip assembly that is movable with both axial and rotatable components of movement during opening and closing. Rotational movement is accomplished during lifting by cooperative relationship between opposed cam grooves defined in valve stem means and a pair of opposed rotatable cam follower elements that are supported by an actuator housing. The actuator housing is a fabricated structure incorporating threaded structure for receiving replaceable cam follower bearing mechanisms. The cam follower elements cooperate with the opposed cam grooves to provide efficient balanced force transfer through the valve actuator mechanism.