James W Engel

US Patent:

46460829, Feb 24, 1987

Filed:

Sep 14, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/651194

Inventors:

James R. Engel - Sleepy Hollow IL
Michael A. Stepien - Hoffman Estates IL
Keith J. Glidewell - Arlington Heights IL

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

G08B 522
G08B 2300
G08B 2600
H04Q 700

US Classification:

34082554

Abstract:

In a data message communication system, certain messages require a return acknowledgement signal. The present invention contemplates a method and means which are activated whenever an outbound message is received. Each portable unit which receives a message then monitors the outbound communication channel to determine if the inhibit signal is currently active. If the inhibit is not currently active, the particular unit will transmit its acknowledgement message immediately. If the inhibit signal is active, each portable unit will maintain a count of the number of outbound messages, addressed to other units requiring an acknowledgement, since that particular portable received its message. At the termination of the inhibit signal, each portable unit will pause for a period equivalent to the product of the acknowledgement message time slot multiplied by count of messages accumulated since the receipt of the particular portable units message. Each portable unit will then transmit an acknowledgement signal at the termination of its unique pause period.

US Patent:

52277755, Jul 13, 1993

Filed:

Mar 26, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/859231

Inventors:

Eugene J. Bruckert - Arlington Heights IL
James R. Engel - Sleepy Hollow IL

Assignee:

Motorola Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

H04Q 100

US Classification:

34082525

Abstract:

A method and means for controlling transmissions among a plurality of communication units is described that determines an inhibit state based upon an inhibit signal and information in a header preceding a coded message before allowing transmission. This inhibit state prevents all of the other remote units from transmitting while a prescribed remote unit transmits a coded message or an acknowledgment (ACK) so that collisions between messages and ACKs, or between one ACK and another, are avoided. Message-message collisions are substantially reduced since the method causes a remote unit to utilize a random delay before attempting a retry to send the message a second time. Hence, the method and arrangement better coordinates inbound transmissions to the base station so that collisions on the inbound channel to the base station are minimized.

US Patent:

46113347, Sep 9, 1986

Filed:

Aug 31, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/646337

Inventors:

James R. Engel - Sleepy Hollow IL
Eugene J. Bruckert - Arlington Heights IL
Stuart W. Thro - Cary IL

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

H04Q 700

US Classification:

375100

Abstract:

A radio data communications system is disclosed in which messages, normally lost to interference caused by independent remote units contending for the radio channel, may be salvaged. If a remote unit communicating a message to a fixed site is interrupted by a second remote unit having a stronger radio signal, the fixed site detects the increase of radio signal strength and activates a synchronization detector which responds to a synchronization data bit sequence which precedes each data message. If the synchronization sequence is detected, the remainder of the first remote data unit message is discarded and the message of the second remote data unit is processed.

US Patent:

47142758, Dec 22, 1987

Filed:

Oct 27, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/923764

Inventors:

James E. Engel - Lombard IL
Sidney Diamond - Chicago IL

Assignee:

Diamond Publishing - Niles IL

International Classification:

B42D 100
G09F 110
G02B 2722
G09B 1106

US Classification:

281 15R

Abstract:

An album includes a full color cover and a number of pages secured therein. Also secured within the album is a removable cardboard viewer including a tinted transparent filter. A flap is provided that serves as a handle for the viewer. The viewer also includes a tear away area containing a check list with numbers corresponding to each sticker that may be collected and secured in the album. Printed throughout the album pages are sequentially numbered boxes corresponding in size and number to full color, self adhesive stickers which are purchased separately from the album. A story line is also printed under a number of the designated boxes describing a story portrayed on the sticker. Printed within a number of these boxes is a photographic half tone image of the full color images on a corresponding sticker. All the photographic half tone images throughout the album are printed in a first color. Printed over all the half tone images in a second color is a patterned design which has the effect of camouflaging or obscuring the photographic half tone images.