Abstract: A modem speaker is activated and deactivated based on a user modifiable schedule. The user stores schedule information in a schedule table, the schedule information describing a modem setting and a time for that setting to take effect. An automatic scheduler programs either the system clock or a clock device associated with the modem with the interrupts. When each interrupt issues, it generates a modem control command to turn the modem speaker either on or off by controlling whether or not audio signals are sent to the speaker. Alternatively, each time the modem is accessed, the automatic scheduler checks the schedule to see if audio signals should be provided to the speaker. A user may override the automatic scheduler at any time. By using the scheduler, a user can identify time periods when the modem speaker is deactivated without having to remember to turn off the speaker, and have the speaker activated during all other periods with having to remember to turn the speaker back on.

Abstract: An electronic mail system and method which allows an originating user to customize text for a specific recipient in a multiple recipient electronic mail system. The system recognizes embedded processing codes based on a code specific to each recipient's message. Upon recognizing the embedded processing codes, the system and method generates separate, properly formatted electronic mail messages for each recipient.

Abstract: A ring-ordered dynamically reconfigurable computer network utilizing an existing communications system. The network comprises a plurality of nodes. Each node is coupled to the existing communications system by two data channels and a control channel. The network is established by each data channel of each node connecting operably to a data channel of another node. All the nodes are ordered in a ring. The control channel of each node is operably connected to the switch of the existing communications system. The network also comprises a network manager to establish the network, facilitate communication among the nodes, and dynamically reconfigure the network without disturbing communication among the nodes. Optionally, each node connects to the network only when it actually needs to communicate with another node.

Abstract: A computer system typically includes a central computer and several peripherals, such as a mouse and a printer, which communicate with the computer via a communications channel known as a serial bus. The serial bus may also supply a limited amount of power to some peripherals. Unfortunately, the power limit compels high-power peripherals to include independent power supplies, an arrangement which increase their complexity and cost. Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention provides a bus-powered peripheral that includes a controller, a rechargeable battery, and a voltage regulator or recharge circuit. The recharge circuit monitors data on a serial bus, recharges the battery during inactive periods, and allows the battery to supplement bus power during active periods, thereby overcoming the power limit of the serial bus.

Abstract: An input device for a computer detects movement of an object, such as a finger, within a selected field of space, and across the boundaries of the selected space. The input device is used to input commands into a computer, such as to control movement of a cursor over a display device or to mark certain portions of information displayed on the computer monitor. Directional transducers receive reflections of transmitted energy from an object in the field, and provide signals to an interpreter which maps the signals to control movement of the cursor or other device on the computer monitor. The input device includes an interpreter for detecting movements within the selected input space. Certain or selected detected movements within or through the input space are interpreted as input commands for controlling aspects of the computer.

Abstract: A computer system typically includes a central computer and several peripherals, such as a mouse and a printer, which communicate with the computer via a communications channel known as a serial bus. The serial bus may also supply a limited amount of power to some peripherals. Unfortunately, the power limit compels high-power peripherals to include independent power supplies, an arrangement which increase their complexity and cost. Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention provides a bus-powered peripheral that includes a controller, a rechargeable battery, and a voltage regulator or recharge circuit. The recharge circuit monitors data on a serial bus, recharges the battery during inactive periods, and allows the battery to supplement bus power during active periods, thereby overcoming the power limit of the serial bus.

Abstract: The automatic detection of plain-old telephone system (POTS) lines. A line-type detector detects the particular type of communications line and preferably correspondingly configures a communications device, depending on whether POTS was detected or not. The detection is preferably accomplished by detecting the two dial tone frequencies present in a POTS line.

Abstract: A wired modem normally plugs directly into a computer and connects to a telephone system by wired connection to a wall jack. This same modem can be used in a wireless configuration by plugging it into a single-module base station unit located near the wall jack and containing a baseband-to-wireless transceiver. A single module remote station plugs into the computer in place of the modem, and contains another baseband-to-wireless transceiver for communicating wireless data with the base station. The base and remote stations duplicate very little of the functionality performed by the modem, making the modem easily replaceable in either wired or wireless configurations.

Abstract: An external modem providing for the increased throughput of a serial device of a computer by de-multiplexing data over a pair of physical serial channels of the computer in a predetermined manner is disclosed. A communications port allows for communicatively coupling the computer to an external communications system, such as ISDN. A driver de-multiplexes data received from the logical serial device for transmission over the pair of physical serial channels. A controller then receives the data from the pair of serial channels for transmission over an existing communications system. Communication throughput from the computer to the existing communications system therefore exceeds the maximum throughput of a particular serial channel. The controller also is capable of receiving data from the external communications system for transmission over the pair of serial channels, the driver also capable of multiplexing the data received from the pair of serial channels for transmission over the logical serial device.

Abstract: A dual tape drive system is described for accepting either a digital data tape cartridge for data backup or a standard audio cassette tape for audio play and record. A single dual purpose tape head may be utilized for interfacing with both digital data tape cartridges and audio cassette tapes. In an alternative embodiment of the dual tape drive system, separate tape heads may be utilized such that an "audio" head is dedicated to cassette tapes while a "data" head is dedicated to digital tape cartridges. The dual tape drive system may exist as a stand alone device or may be integrated into a computer system whereby the tape drive is controlled through a keyboard operatively coupled to the computer system.

Abstract: A lightning detection system implemented via a modem or a soundcard is described. The modem is either internally or externally coupled to a communication or computer device. The modem uses one of the unused wires present in the four wire telephone cord that plugs into the modem as an antenna. A digital signal processor (DSP) internal to the modem is configured to function as an AM detector wherein the received signals are processed for determination of a potentially damaging lightning storm. The modem generates an interrupt request based upon the results of the DSP. The interrupt request notifies the communication or computer device which in turn is programmed via a software application to notify the user, such as displaying a warning message on a display device or in initiating a power down sequence.

Abstract: A polynomial expansion network of a plurality of nodes, each node capable of communicating with the other nodes through a communications system. The network has an originating node that sends a message for ultimate receipt by a subset of nodes in a polynomial expansion manner. The network also has a first and a second receiving node, each of which receives the message from the originating node. The first and second receiving nodes also receive a unique list of other nodes to which the message has not yet been sent. The polynomial expansion manner can be optimized such that each node sends the message to no more than a predetermined number of other nodes to which the message has not yet been sent, or such that, before each node receives the message, the message passes through no more than a predetermined number of other nodes.