3com Corporation

Other

Megahertz Corporation

U.S. Robotics Mobile Communications Corp.

U.S. Robotice Mobile Communications Corp.

Tim Urry Price

Thomas A Johnson

David D Oliphant

John P Evans

Rick D Giles

Jon A Nelson

Rich Erekson

Charles Eric Posey

Scott W Rupp

Ryan A Kunz

Steven Lo Forte

Stephen C Aldous

Carlos A Rios

Mark L Gray

Timothy W Aldridge

Patrick A Tucker

Thomas M Wheeler

Paul Fulton

Randy C Rollins

Jeff Allen Harrell

Steven C Aldous

Nathan A Mueller

Paul Nagel

Daniel Paul Petersen

Aaron Littlefield

A method and system capable of playing different audio signals in different nodes of a small environment. The system is comprised of a number of nodes, which may be rooms of a house or hotel, or offices of a business. Each node has at least one audio speaker. The system further comprises an audio signal distribution device, which is connected to the nodes and delivers audio signals to the nodes. The audio signal distribution device further comprises a storage device for storing the audio signals. At least one of the nodes has a control interface for selecting the audio signals to be transferred to the nodes. In this fashion, each node is capable of playing a different audio signal than any other node is playing concurrently.

Method and system for allowing multiple nodes in a small environment to play audio signals independent of other nodes

The present invention enables a traditional analog telephone to be used with VoIP applications. For example, the user could connect their standard 900 MHz telephone to this invention, establish a VoIP call and enjoy the freedom of movement their cordless telephone provides. The preferred embodiment of the present invention minimizes overhead to the host computer via a dual CODEC modem that incorporates a DSP capable of simultaneous communication with the two CODEC modules. This architecture facilitates a latency and communication overhead reduction as the analog voice signals effectively &ldquo;stream&rdquo; from the first CODEC to the second CODEC.

Voice-over-IP interface for standard household telephone

A communications device and method of operating the communications device are provided. The communications device includes a housing having a first edge portion. A display device is attached to a display device support member. The display support member is slidably attached to the housing to allow the display device to be positioned in an extended position beyond the first edge portion of the housing for viewing the display device when the communications device is in use and a retracted position within the housing when the communications device is not in use.

Communications device having retractable display means

A novel line-current protection circuit for detecting excessive line current from a telephone line and protecting line interface circuitry from the excessive line current is presented. The protection circuit is adapted to detect when an excessive current is present on the tip and ring lines indicative of the misconnection of the modem or other line interface device with a telephone network that presents an incompatible interface standard. The preferred embodiment appreciates the multimode hold current specifications throughout the world and evaluates the connection of the line interface circuit with a telephone line to determine the compatibility therewith. When excessive line current is detected, the line-protection circuit switches the vulnerable line interface out of the circuit. When compatible line current levels are detected, the present invention reconfigures the configurable hold circuit into its original operating (e.g., non-testing) state for call processing.

Line current protection circuit and method for linear and nonlinear hold circuit

A computing environment in which a plurality of portable computers use a spread spectrum communications link to wirelessly communicate with and receive input from a plurality of peripheral devices. In a preferred embodiment, one or more portable or laptop computers each have a PCMCIA card. The PCMCIA card has an RF transreceiver that sends and receives spread spectrum signals, where each spread spectrum signal identifies and makes a demand upon a peripheral device. The spread spectrum signals from the transreceiver on each PCMCIA card are received by a transreceiver on a docking station that is interfaced to one or more peripheral devices. The docking station 'de-spreads' the spectrum signals and then directs the same to the particular interfaced peripheral device identified in the signal. A similar process is followed in transmitting a spread spectrum signal from one of the interfaced devices to a particular laptop computer.

Wireless multiple function PC card

A power management circuit for use in a terminal interface device such as a modem which converts available line side power into usable power for use by the terminal interface device to activate a variety of line status indicators. These line status indicators signaling the off-hook status of the terminal interface device, low line side power, or the presence of excessive line current. The line status indicators draw power from the available line side power without placing a burden on the attached digital device or its power source. Certain line status indicators utilize flasher/oscillator circuits to increase the functionality of the line status indicators by providing a frequency based pulse to more accurately describe the operating environment of the circuit. The power management circuit is additionally comprised of a voltage regulator which, when a terminal interface device becomes operational, is enabled and regulates available voltage and current into usable power as available from the interfacing communication network. The preferred embodiment of the power management circuit is further comprised of a programmable hold current sink which enables a terminal interface device incorporating the power management circuit to be compatible with multiple communication networks having diverse hold current specifications.

Method and system for line status indicators using line side power

The present invention is directed to a novel system and method for connecting and interfacing a communications device, such as a modem, to a two-wire telephone line via a telephone base set (e.g., PBX or PBX-like), thereby allowing for data communications on the telephone line. The modem and the telephone base are interconnected by way of an interface adapter. Interface circuitry present within the interface adapter converts the digital interface (e.g., a wireless or cellular interface) into a PBX-compatible interface for interaction with a PBX phone base set. The interface adapter allows a modem that has a digital peripheral interface such as a cellular interface to communicate with a PBX base using the existing cellular interface. In a preferred embodiment, the system also includes a cable detector circuit that allows the modem to automatically detect when it is connected to a telephone base by way of the interface adapter.

System and method for interfacing a modem's digital interface to a PBX telephone

A retractable antenna system is disclosed that enables electronic devices to engage in wireless communication. A preferred embodiment includes a retractable antenna disposed within a cavity in the electronic device and an actuating mechanism for selectively extending and retracting the antenna from within the cavity. The antenna system is preferably disposed within the housing of a communications card such as a PC Card. The retractable antenna may be rigid or flexible, and may be a single piece design or telescopic. The antenna system may also include two or more retractable antennas, a light source attached to the antenna, a control mechanism used to determine antenna functionality based on the positioning of the antenna, and the retractable antenna may be connected modular portion of the communication card.

Retractable antenna for electronic devices

An integrated modular plug receptacle package is disclosed wherein one or more modular plug receptacles, or jacks, are defined by bringing two or more PC cards into operable communication, such as within the card slot cavity of a portable computer, for instance. Each PC card has formed on a posterior edge thereof one or more modular jack portions. The jack portions on one card coordinate with complimentary jack portions on the other card(s) to form an integrated modular jack to which may be connected a modular plug, such as an RJ series connector. In addition to PC cards, various electronic device components may have formed on a surface thereof modular jack portions enabling them to be operably connected to a similarly equipped component, thereby also defining a modular connector.

Modular plug receptacles defined by multiple electronic components

A retractable platform allows communication to be established with an electronic device, such as a computer expansion card. The retractable platform is preferably slidably attached to the electronic device and retractable platform includes a wireless interface that allows the communication between the platform and the electronic device to be established. The wireless interface may use an optical coupling, inductive coupling, capacitive coupling or other suitable wireless or non-mechanical interface to allow communication between the retractable platform and the electronic device. Advantageously, the retractable platform can be removed and replaced, which virtually eliminates breakage, and it allows the platform to be easily repaired, replaced, upgraded, and the like. The retractable platform can also include electronic circuitry and other suitable components that process or condition the incoming and outgoing signal.

Retractable platform with wireless electrical interface

Methods, systems, and computer program products for monitoring and controlling automation equipment. The present invention uses a modem's processing and memory resources to interpret and translate data and commands associated with automation equipment. When receiving data from the automation equipment, the modem interprets the data using its own processing power and stores the interpreted results in its own memory for subsequent retrieval. Commands for control are translated into a compatible format by the modem and then transmitted to the automation equipment. The present invention also allows for remote access through the modem for both monitoring and controlling without requiring any host interaction. A modem according to the present invention further provides for its host to operate in a mode of reduced processing and power consumption while the modem continues to monitor and control automation equipment.

Method and system for monitoring and controlling automation equipment by modem

A visual feedback system for providing information to a user regarding aspects such as the status and operation of the systems and components of one or more electronic devices. The visual feedback system is preferably employed in the context of a PC card and includes one or more light sources, preferably light emitting diodes, configured for electrical communication with the electronic circuitry by which the functionality of the PC card is implemented so that certain events that occur with respect to the status and operation of the PC card cause the light source to emit light. The emitted light is received by a light reflecting member that, preferably, substantially encloses the light source and reflects the received light in a manner and form consistent with a desired application. The reflected light is then directed, by virtue of the geometry of the light reflecting member, to one or more predetermined locations, one of which is preferably proximate to the receptacle of a connector included in the PC card. Thus, light emitted by the light source is correlated with operations performed by, and/or in conjunction with the PC card, and is then directed to a location visible to a user thereby enabling the user to ascertain information regarding aspects such as the status and operation of various electronic systems and components of, or relating to, PC card ( ).

Visual feedback system for electronic device

A digital access arrangement for (i) isolating downstream components from twisted pair copper wire and (ii) separating upstream and downstream communications channels. The line isolation is performed with relatively small, lightweight components, such as an optical isolation unit for example, and can be operated with signals modulated at relatively high frequencies and having relatively high data rates and amplitudes.

Methods and apparatus for terminating a line and supporting the asymmetric digital subscriber line protocol

A jack for facilitating an electrical communication between a media plug and an electrical apparatus includes a low profile slide plate having an aperture extending therethrough. The aperture is configured to receive a media plug. A contact pin projects from the slide plate into alignment with the aperture and is configured to engage the media plug in electrical communication when the media plus is received within the aperture. Mounted on the slide plate is a pair of spaced apart first and second fuse contacts. The fuse contacts are configured to receive and retain a fuse disposed therebetween. The first fuse contact is disposed in electrical communication with the contact pin. The second fuse contact is configured for electrical coupling with the electrical apparatus. In one embodiment, the first and second fuse contacts are disposed within a fuse slot formed on the slide plate. The slide plate can be configured for either permanent or removable attachment to the electrical apparatus.

Media jack with external fuse access

An extendable/retractable media connector for extending from an electronic device such as a PCMCIA type-III card or other electronic device. The connector includes a slidable extendable/retractable frame having an aperture therein for physically receiving a media plug. The aperture further includes electrical contacts for operably mating with complementary contacts on the media plug. The connector further includes a rotatable electrical interface between the fime, a portion of which may be physically attached to the frame in the form of electrical tracks, which provides commutator-like electrical coupling between the electrical contacts in the aperture and electronic circuitry within the electronic device or card. The connector provides rotational freedom to the media connector and any accompanying cabling while coupled with the connector and further facilitates various angles of insertion of the media plug into the connector for user convenience and ease of attachment.

Growing community of inventors

Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Tim Urry Price