Abstract:
A portable device (10) for selective message recordation and playback and scheduling includes a portable unit (11) and an optional homebase station (12). Portable unit (11) includes a housing (15), unit controller (20), tactile input mechanism (40), audio processor (60) and video processor (80). Portable unit (11) allows textual, audible and visual message inputs and their selective playback based on time or other preselected textual, audible or visual stimulus. A selectively detachable stylus (51) may be removed to engage a touch panel (50) for making operational selections and entering information. Optional homebase station (12) may include a variety of features for supporting and supplementing those of handheld unit (11), such as a floppy drive (112) message memory, input keys (114), a battery charging circuit (115) and an external communication circuit (117).
Abstract:
A cache memory system with a secondary cache integrated with a direct mapped primary cache in a single structure preferably constructed on a VLSI chip. The secondary cache uses the same output data bitlines, sense amplifiers, and bus drivers as the direct mapped cache. In a first machine cycle, input address tags are simultaneously compared to tag bits in the primary cache and the secondary cache. If the comparison results in a miss in the primary cache and a hit in the secondary cache, the secondary cache data is fed to the microprocessor in the next machine cycle, precluding the need for a main memory access. Thus, allowing data to be read directly from the secondary cache without using an extra machine cycle to load it first into the direct cache. The secondary cache comprises a miss cache which is loaded from main memory with data missing from the primary cache in the first machine cycle. Alternatively, the secondary cache comprises a victim cache which is loaded with a line of the primary cache which is replaced after loading missed data from main memory.
Abstract:
A grip held and grip operable data entry device for data collection by an operator having a hand includes a narrow grip unit for entry of data and a housing extension for carrying certain components that would otherwise have to be carried within grip unit, allowing grip unit to be narrow for comfortable and secure gripping without elimination of any desired functionality. Grip unit includes main housing having a first side and a second side, the first housing grasped by the operator's hand with the thumb extending along the first side and the middle finger engaging the second side. A housing extension extends from and is carried by main housing behind the operator's thumb such that operator support for holding device is furnished by the operator's thumb and the operator's middle finger acting upon the first side and the second side of main housing, leaving the index finger free to engage and disengage a pushbutton. Grip unit eliminates or minimizes operator stress and fatigue, permits holster-type carrier operation, includes at least one automatic identification mechanism such as scanner module, provides full functionality and allows keypad entry in handheld and table-top orientation.
Abstract:
An electronic terminal of the type employing a card reading device mounted within the interior thereof accessible through an input port formed in a wall of the terminal. A shield formed of an elastomeric material is mounted adjacent the input port of the card reader to prevent the entrance of debris into the interior of the terminal. The shield provides at least two opposing movable overlapping flaps extending over the card reader input port. The flaps are readily flexible to allow a card to slide therebetween, and automatically flex back to an overlapping closed position when the card is withdrawn. Locator pins and mating holes are provided in said flaps to assure a consistent return to the closed and sealed position. In one embodiment, the shield is made from two half sections which may be either separated or connected via a flexible bridge. In another embodiment, end inserts are provided between said half sections which may also be separate members or attached to said half sections via corresponding flexible bridges.
Abstract:
A handheld, portable device (10) for processing point of sale transactions includes a housing (20), a magnetic card reader (40) for reading credit card information, the reader (40) carried within the housing (20) substantially adjacent to the first end (23) of the housing (20), a numeric keyboard (50) and an alphabetic keyboard (60) for entering customer information, and a barcode scanner (70) for scanning product identification information, the barcode scanner (70) carried within the housing (20) substantially adjacent to a second end (24) of the housing (20). Also included is a display (80) for displaying selected information, a printer (90) for printing a customer receipt, a communications assembly (110) for furnishing the information needed to obtain transaction approval, and a processor (130) for receiving the information, and controlling the display (80), the printer (90) and the communications assembly (110). Device (10) furnishes all functions necessary to facilitate and complete a point of sale credit card transaction. The housing (20) configuration allows handsfree operation for most functions. The arrangement of components within device (10) provides a uniform distribution of weight and makes supporting device (10) with one hand comfortable and relatively effortless.
Abstract:
This is a method and associated apparatus for accurately and quickly estimating the amplitude, frequency and phase of a signal of interest. The method comprises the steps of, inputting the signal of interest; generating a reference signal with adjustable amplitude, frequency and phase at an output thereof; mixing the signal of interest with the reference signal and a signal 90.degree. out of phase with the reference signal to provide a pair of quadrature sample signals comprising respectively a difference between the signal of interest and the reference signal and a difference between the signal of interest and the signal 90.degree. out of phase with the reference signal; using the pair of quadrature sample signals to compute estimates of the amplitude, frequency, and phase of an error signal comprising the difference between the signal of interest and the reference signal employing a least squares estimation; adjusting the amplitude, frequency, and phase of the reference signal from the numerically controlled oscillator in a manner which drives the error signal towards zero; and, outputting the estimates of the amplitude, frequency, and phase of the error signal in combination with the reference signal to produce a best estimate of the amplitude, frequency, and phase of the signal of interest. The preferred method includes the step of providing the error signal as a real time confidence measure as to accuracy of the estimates wherein the closer the error signal is to zero, the higher the probability that the estimates are accurate. A matrix in the estimation algorithm provides an estimate of the variance of the estimation error.
Abstract:
A hand held data entry apparatus wherein a main body portion is formed to be held in one hand while data is entered through a keyboard by the fingers of the other hand. An optical scanning head is mechanically and electrically connected to the main body portion through an arrangement which permits the optical scanning head to be connected to the main body portion in more than one relative position. The scanning head sensor is pointed in a direction such that when the device is held in one hand the other hand may be utilized for entering data through the keyboard and at the same time the scanning head is directed toward the surface to be scanned, without need to reposition the main body portion.
Abstract:
Various embodiments described herein are directed to methods and systems for blind mode adaptive equalizer system to recover complex valued data symbols from the signal transmitted over time-varying dispersive diversity wireless channels. For example, various embodiments may utilize an architecture comprised of a bank of estimation units, a normalizing gain estimator, a DSP unit and a feedback shift register providing the equalizer feedback state vector. The estimation unit may be further comprised of a multiplicity of adaptive algorithms providing various filtered estimates of the data symbol to the DSP unit or providing the joint estimate of the transmitted data symbol.
Abstract:
A blind mode adaptive equalizer system to recover the in general complex valued data symbols from the signal transmitted over time-varying dispersive wireless channels is disclosed comprising an adaptive communication receiver for the demodulation and detection of digitally modulated signals received over wireless communication channels exhibiting multipath and fading, the receiver comprising an RF front end, an RF to complex baseband converter, a band limiting matched filter, a channel gain normalizer, a blind mode adaptive equalizer with hierarchical structure, an initial data segment recovery circuit, a differential decoder, a complex baseband to data bit mapper, and an error correction code decoder and de-interleaver.