Motorola Corporation

Other

James Francis Goedken

Terrance J Goedken

Thomas Stuart Recht

Charles J Malek

Richard Lee Hammon

Michael H Pittelkow

Thomas S Recht

Michael Henry Pittelkow

Michael C Aulert

Methods and apparatus for facilitating information exchange between an information requestor and one or more information custodians via a network are provided. The information requestor creates an information request message and sends it to the apparatus. The apparatus then determines an appropriate information custodian based on predetermined categories and other information. Subsequently, the apparatus sends an answer request message to that information custodian. The information custodian replies to the answer request message with either an intermediate answer message or a reroute message. When an intermediate answer message is received, the apparatus sends a final answer message to the information requester. Optionally, the apparatus records some or all of the messages for subsequent retrieval.

Apparatus and methods for electronic information exchange

A method for recovering from a reset in a microprocessor includes steps of evaluating a predetermined pattern in a volatile memory (102), determining the type of reset which occurred depending upon whether the predetermined pattern is intact (103); and initializing the memory depending upon the type of reset. In particular, all locations in the memory will be initialized if a 'power on' reset occurs (107) and initializing only selected portions of the memory if a 'static' or 'cradled' reset has occurred (104). If a static or cradled reset has occurred, all locations of the memory are initialized except those locations including state information to allow normal operation of the microprocessor. That is, the operation of the microprocessor based device can be restored without interruption after the reset.

Reset recovery in a microprocessor controlled device

A telephone apparatus includes a phone jack arrangement (299) providing an interface to land lines from the central office and other telephone apparatuses. Phone jack arrangement (299) comprises a phone jack (306) having inner conductors (420, 422) coupled to outer conductors (406, 408) of a phone jack (304), and outer conductors (424, 426) coupled to inner conductors (402, 404) of phone jack (304). Condition detectors (232, 234) detect whether phone lines of phone line circuitry (270) are connected to land lines, and microprocessor (212) may operate the telephone apparatus or configure base station user interface (126) accordingly. A two-line operating mode may select one of the phone lines for operating use upon detection of a predetermined condition from condition detectors (232, 234) or ring detectors (246, 248). Thus, a multi-line telephone apparatus operates flexibly according to different phone line connections.

Method of and apparatus for controlling operation of a multi-line

A method of operating a multi-line telephone apparatus includes, when a phone line switch (140) is actuated, taking a phone line off-hook when the line is on-hook and bringing the phone line on-hook when the line is off-hook. When the phone line is off-hook and a hold switch (164) is actuated, a hold condition is placed on the phone line when the line is not on hold and removed when the line is on hold. When a phone call is established on a first phone line and a conference switch (160) is actuated, a second phone line is brought off-hook and a conference call connection is established. A common conventional method of making a conference call, which includes actuations of hold switch (164) and phone line switches (140, 142), is retained.

Method of controlling operation of a multi-line telephone apparatus

A method provide delays during memory dialing by automatically inserting pause characters within the dialing sequence based upon the user's entry of the dialing sequence. The method establishes a time-out period (64) when storing dialing sequences, and adds a pause character (66) to the dialing sequence if the time-out has expired. The method also determines whether any digit keys have been selected (68) to be stored in the sequence. Finally, the method monitors the tip and ring line of a standard telephone line to detect a far end ringing signal (76) and insert a special pause character (78). The special pause character will provide a delay until a far end pickup is detected during automatic dialing. Also, a circuit includes a keypad (20) for selecting digits to be stored; a control circuit (18) for detecting a delay between the selection of digits and generating a first pause signal in response; and a digital signal processor (30) for detecting a far end ringing signal to generate a second pause signal; and a memory device (26) for storing said digits and pause signals.

Circuit and method for automatic memory dialing

A method for designating messages allows individual messages to be designated as 'read' if (i) the message has been played for a predetermined amount of time (150) or (ii) the replay of the message is completed (154). After a playback session, messages designated as 'read' can be designated as 'old' (102). Because of the queuing capability of the digital answering machine (142), stored messages can be replayed in any order, or a portion of a message can be conveniently replayed to determine whether the message should be replayed in full. As a result, new messages (i.e., messages which have not been designated as 'read') can be located anywhere in the sequence of recorded messages. Such a function of the present invention allows a user to preview messages to selectively listen to messages, while maintaining a designation as 'new' for any message in the sequence which has not been replayed in full or at least for a predetermined period of time. A user has the option of playing back all messages (92), or only those messages designated as 'new' (98).

Method for designating recorded messages

A method and apparatus for detecting the state of charge of a battery during charging or discharging thereof. Voltage levels across the battery are measured during battery charging or discharging, and compared with preset values representative of a normal battery characteristic charge or discharge curve. The normal charge or discharge curve is modified responsive particular battery characteristics indicated by measured battery voltage levels, and, preferably, also responsive to measured battery temperature levels to form a modified normal battery charge or discharge curve. The modified normal battery charge or discharge curve is divided into curve portions defined by voltage levels and rates of changes of the voltage levels. Each curve portion defines a particular state of charge of the battery. Measured voltage levels and rates of changes thereof may then be associated with a modified normal battery charge or discharge curve portion and a particular state of charge or discharge curve portion and a particular state of charge defined thereby.

Method and apparatus for detecting the state of charge of a battery

A battery charging system for a multi-cell battery charger operative to apply a charging current to one or more battery packs, each comprised of one or more battery cells. Initiation of application of a fast charging current is permitted only when the voltage levels taken across output terminals of a battery pack positioned at the battery charger, and the ambient temperature of such battery pack, is within desired ranges. After initiation of application of the fast charging current, the ranges of voltage and ambient temperature levels within which application the fast charging current is permitted are expanded to prevent termination of application of the fast charging current responsive to transient changes of the temperature and voltage levels.

Battery charging system

A system and associated method for fast charging a battery. The current level of a fast charging curent supplied to a battery for the charging thereof is monitored. When the charging current falls below a predetermined level for a certain proportion of a time period, fast charging of the battery is terminated.

A battery charging system for determining battery charge states of batteries positioned to be charged by a battery charger. A fast charging current is supplied for short intervals to each of the batteries during a charge state determination period. After the end of the charge state determination period, the battery charge states of each of the batteries is determined. The determined battery charge states may be utilized to form a battery charging priority sequence for sequentially charging the batteries.

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Arlington Heights, IL, United States of America

James Francis Goedken