Abstract: A sound output apparatus for a vehicle includes a sound input device, a sound signal generation section, a sound output device, a road-information acquisition section, and a specified-direction determination section. The sound input device collects sounds outside of the vehicle. The sound signal generation section generates an output signal based on the sounds outside of the vehicle collected. The sound output device outputs a sound to a vehicle interior of the vehicle based on the output signal generated. The road-information acquisition section acquires road information in proximity of the vehicle. The specified-direction determination section determines a specified direction which is previously associated with the road information. The sound signal generation section generates the output signal such that a direction of sound-image localization of a sound outputted by the sound output device accords with the specified direction determined by the specified-direction determination section.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for alerting persons of obstacles and/or approaching hazards are provided. Embodiments may include a warning system that includes a radio source configured to transmit a radio signal and a warning device. The warning device may include at least one vibration device, at least two receiver devices configured to receive the radio signal, and a processing device operably coupled to at least two receiver devices and at least one vibration device, wherein the processing device is configured to determine at least a direction and a distance to the radio source from the warning device and configured to transmit a vibration signal to at least one vibration device based upon the determined direction and distance to the radio source from the warning device.

Abstract: A method of informing a user of an identity of an input of a remote control device is presented. In the method, user activation of one of the inputs of the remote control device is detected. An audible signal associated with the activated input is determined. Each of the inputs of the remote control device is associated with a unique one of a plurality of audible signals. The audible signal associated with the activated input is produced to inform the user of the identity of that input.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for controlling the output level of an enunciator on a portable electronic device. In one embodiment, this is provided a portable electronic device, comprising: a microprocessor; an enunciator connected to the microprocessor configured to provide an enunciation in response to enunciation events, the enunciator having at least a first enunciation setting and a second enunciation setting; a sensor; a monitoring circuit connected to the sensor for providing a trigger signal in response to a notable movement of the portable electronic device; and an enunciator management module to: activate the enunciator at the first enunciation setting in response to an enunciation event; adjust the output of the enunciator to the second enunciation setting in response to a first trigger signal from the monitoring circuit; and re-activate the enunciator at the second enunciation setting.

Abstract: A wearable device is worn by a person participating in an event in which a plurality of other people are participating and wearing other wearable devices. The wearable device includes a request unit for transmitting a request signal to other wearable devices that are in a predetermined range, and receiving a response to the request signal from each of the other wearable devices, and a communication unit for determining, with use of the received responses, one or more of the other wearable devices to be a communication partner, and performing data communication with the determined one or more other wearable devices. The data received in the communication is data collected by the one or more other wearable devices determined to be communication partners, and the data is used as a profile component when creating a profile of the event.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for alerting persons of obstacles and/or approaching hazards are provided. Embodiments may include a warning system that includes a radio source configured to transmit a radio signal and a warning device. The warning device may include at least one vibration device, at least two receiver devices configured to receive the radio signal, and a processing device operably coupled to at least two receiver devices and at least one vibration device, wherein the processing device is configured to determine at least a direction and a distance to the radio source from the warning device and configured to transmit a vibration signal to at least one vibration device based upon the determined direction and distance to the radio source from the warning device.

Abstract: A system and method for canceling a message sent to a recipient prior to retrieval by the recipient. A telephone call is received by a network from a calling party who desires to cancel a message left for a recipient through an earlier call from the calling party to the recipient after termination of the earlier call. By mapping the calling party's automatic number identifier (ANI) with at least one call record, a voice mailbox of the recipient may be accessed to determine whether the message has been retrieved by the recipient. If the message is still pending, the calling party is provided with the option to cancel the message. Alternatively, the calling party provides the telephone number from where the earlier call originated to a network server, which looks up the ANI of the originating number and then maps the ANI of that number with the at least one call record to enable the cancellation procedure.

Abstract: A device and process for selectively communicating a digital audio message to a maritime vessel equipped with a Digital Selective Calling radio when the vessel is within a geographic area. The process involves steps of inputting geographical location information for a sensed maritime vessel to a computer processor; creating signal formatting instructions for a Geographical Area Call to the vessel that rings the vessel's radio, and then automatically tunes the radio to a clear frequency to receive a digital audio message; transmitting the signal to the vessel; and, transmitting the digital audio message to the vessel on the clear frequency. Optionally, the process includes a step of receiving input of frequency use data from a radio receiver/scanner to select a clear frequency to send the digital audio message. The device of the invention includes a computer readable medium storing instructions for implementing the process.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a system and method for controlling the output level of an enunciator on a portable electronic device. In the system, an enunciator management system for an electronic device is provided. The system comprises: an enunciator having a first enunciation level and a lower, second enunciation level; a sensor; a monitoring circuit connected to the sensor providing a trigger signal that registers a notable activation of the sensor; memory to store data relating to the first and the second enunciation levels for the enunciator and adjustment information for the enunciator for an application operating on the device; and an enunciator management module to initiate the enunciator at the first enunciation level and selectively activate the enunciator at the lower, second enunciation level depending on the adjustment information and the trigger signal from the monitoring circuit.

Abstract: A voice alarm system, coupled to a fire monitoring system responds to received wireless signals. The signals can be emitted by a portable wireless control unit that can be carried or worn by first responders.

Abstract: Techniques for providing a dynamic alert indication to a user of a signal receiving device. One technique includes the steps of processing a signal transmitted from a signal transmitting device to determine at least one mode to be associated with an alert indication, wherein the processing step includes the step of accessing a look-up table containing information associated with a user of the signal receiving device to determine the at least one mode to be associated with the alert indication; and alerting the user of the signal receiving device via the alert indication that the signal has been received by the signal receiving device.

Abstract: A robot apparatus having a robot and a controller for controlling the robot. The apparatus has a diagnosing computer connected to the controller and acquiring a state quantity of the robot. An analyzing computer is provided remotely from the robot and has a control parameter adjuster for adjusting a control parameter of the robot, and a communicating function of connecting the computers. The state quantity is transmitted to the analyzing computer by the communicating function and a control parameter of the robot is obtained based on the state quantity. The control parameter is transmitted to the controller through the diagnosing computer to control the robot.

Abstract: A system for the automated conversion of light signals to audio.

Abstract: A curtailment module is disclosed for enabling an energy provider to send a request to curtail energy use to a user. The curtailment module includes an interface for electronic communications with a temperature control device. A paging module is used to receive the request from the energy provider through a paging network. The curtailment module also includes a processor in electronic communication with the paging module for receiving the request from the paging module. Memory is also included and is in electronic communication with the processor for storing a curtailment message and history data. The curtailment module also includes a sound component in electronic communication with the processor for outputting an audio verification. A code generator is stored in the memory and executable by the processor to generate a verification code using the curtailment message and the history data as inputs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for associating a command with an event at a first device, communicating the command to a second device when the event occurs and causing an action at the second device depending on the command.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for paging from a pagor to a pager is disclosed. In one step, a page is sent wirelessly to the pager and received from the pagor. After determining that the pagee has not responded to the page for a predetermined time period, the page is converted to a message and a message-waiting indicator is activated.

Abstract: A medical system that allows a medical device to be controlled by one of two input devices. The input devices may be consoles that contain handles and a screen. The medical devices may include robotic arms and instruments used to perform a medical procedure. The system may include an arbitrator that determines which console has priority to control one or more of the robotic arms/instruments.

Abstract: A portable paging system for responsive signaling between a first person and a second person. The portable paging system includes a housing. The housing has a top side, a bottom side and peripheral wall integrally coupled to the bottom and top sides and extending therebetween such that the housing is generally hollow. A microprocessor is adapted to receive a transmitted signal and illuminate a light. The microprocessor is securely mounted in the housing. A light is securely mounted to the top side of the housing. The light is electrically coupled to the microprocessor. A receiver receiving a transmitted signal is positioned in the housing and operationally coupled to the microprocessor. A transmitting device selectively transmits a signal to the receiver over a distance of less than one mile.

Abstract: Simplified data message terminals and data communicating voice terminals are described for providing additional functionality in a facility using a wireless data communication system. The simplified data message terminals provide message and paging communication to employees or customers in a simplified terminal configuration using the existing data communication system. By performing voice to data and data to voice conversions, the same system provides voice communication without interruption of data communication services.

Abstract: A display lighting apparatus is disclosed, that comprises a first storing means for storing date information, a second storing means for storing color information correlated with the date information, a displaying means for displaying information, a lighting means for lighting said displaying means, and a controlling means for searching said first storing means for input date information, and when desired date information is obtained, reading color information correlated with the date information from said second storing means, and causing said lighting means to light corresponding to the color information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile set integrating a memory efficient data storage system for the real time recording of voice conversations, data transmission and the like. The data recorder has the capacity to selectively choose the most relevant time frames of a conversation for recording, while discarding time frames that only occupy additional space in memory without holding any conversational data. The invention executes a series of logic steps on each signal including a voice activity detector step, frame comparison step, and sequential recording step. A mobile set having a modified architecture for performing the methods of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and device are configured to generate alerts that are varied based upon whether an incoming communication is perceived to be mode (i.e., a non-urgency mode), with different tactile-based patterns being dependent upon the selection of the mode. That is, the patterns of the alerts for providing notification of urgent communications are distinguishable from the patterns of alerts for providing notification of non-urgent communications. In the preferred embodiment, the communications device allows a user to assign particular vibrational patterns to specific sources of incoming communications, so that the vibration pattern identifies the urgency pattern and the original source of the communication. In the pager application, the pager may be configured by a user to uniquely associate a particular callback number with a first alert that is used when the pager is in the urgency mode and a second alert that is used when the pager is in the normal mode.

Abstract: The method entails assigning each letter in an alphabet a musical note, converting words in a message into the musical notes and then using the musical notes to communicate the message to another human being. Different instruments are used to play the musical notes. One specific use of the method is as a programmable telephone ringer device which has a receiver for receiving an incoming call and a decoder, connected to the receiver for decoding the incoming call into a plurality of digits. These digits are matched against a lookup table by a tone generating means and a corresponding output signal is produced. The output signal is then sent to a speaker to alert a user that an incoming call has been received. The user can distinguish between incoming calls based on the pattern of sounds.

Abstract: A pager having customized page alert for customizing messages when a page is received. The pager having customized page alert includes a housing having a substantially rectangular configuration. The housing has a top surface and a bottom surface, a peripheral wall extending between a periphery of the top surface and a periphery of the bottom surface. The peripheral wall, the top surface and the bottom surface define an interior space of the housing. A display screen is coupled to the top surface of the housing. The display screen is for displaying a visual representation signal. A speaker and a microphone are mounted within the interior space of the housing. A receiving means is operationally coupled to a processing means. The receiving means is adapted for receiving the signal from the tower. The receiving means and the processing means are mounted within the interior space of the housing. The processing means is operationally coupled to the display screen.

Abstract: A communication apparatus allowing easy setting operation of alerting mode and a high degree of flexibility in setting an alerting mode. A character-scale table contains scale note data associated with each of numeric characters. One of a first alerting mode and a second alerting mode can be selected by a user. The first alerting mode provides an alerting pattern which is determined by referring to the character-scale table depending on the source identification number. The second alerting mode provides a preset alerting pattern. When the incoming call does not include the source identification number, an alerting device operates in the second alerting mode. When the incoming call includes the source identification number, the alerting device operates in a selected one of the first alerting mode and the second alerting mode.

Abstract: A method for receiving and processing an incoming message in a wireless messaging terminal is disclosed. In particular, the method includes providing a receiver which receives the message and a memory for storing the message. The method further includes matching the message with a pre-recorded voice prompt stored in the memory and retrieving the voice prompt from the memory. In addition, the method includes playing the voice prompt as an audible alert signal through an audio output device.

Abstract: A point-to-point communications device (SS) which is capable of generating melodic alerts, each alert being generated using numeric data in a received message. The device includes a controller (36) programmed with an algorithm for dividing the digits in a decoded message into one or two digit fields. One digit fields are used respectively to determine the tempo (t) and the number of times (p) a sequence of notes is played and two digit fields are used to select notes.

Abstract: A voice paging system includes a computer for receiving an electronically transmitted text message and controlling the voice paging system, a text-to-voice converter for converting the text message to a voiced message, a transmitter for transmitting the voiced message in a wireless manner, and a voice pager unit for receiving the transmitted voiced message and broadcasting the voiced message.

Abstract: A foldable communication device (10) with a housing having two portions (11,12) pivotably mounted to each other to allow relative movement therebetween. This relative movement is about an axis (13) and enabled by mounting portion (11) to two mounts (14,15) of portion (12). Device (10) has a transceiver (17) housed in the housing, an alert transducer (18) associated with transceiver (17) to provide an audible alert at a predetermined volume when a communication call for device (10) is received by transceiver (17) and a controller (19) coupled to transducer (18). In response to the relative movement of portions (11,12), controller (19) reduces the volume of the audible alert without the communication call being answered.

Abstract: In a communication terminal equipment and in a method of controlling call incoming, unnecessary noises in a period from the start of an alert sound to carrying out of the next operation can be reduced. When a predetermined operation is effected under the condition that an alert sound is ringing, the alert sound is stopped or the volume of the alert sound is reduced at least over a duration of call incoming. Thus, such a fear that persons in the surroundings may be troubled by the continuous ringing of the alert sound can be remarkably reduced. Further, since the situation that a power supply is cut off forcibly during all origination can be avoided, the fear that a person on the call origination side may be given an unpleasant feeling can be eliminated.