Abstract: A method in a communications receiver (20) for handling a selective call message comprises the steps of measuring a parameter of the selective call message (104, 116) and selecting whether to provide the selective call message to a display (118) or a communications port (106) in response to measuring the parameter of the selective call message (104, 116). The communications receiver (20) can function as either a pager or a radio frequency (RF) modem. A controller (66) determines the parameters of the message and operates the communications receiver (20) as a pager or as an RF modem in response to the parameters measured.

Abstract: A latch for affixing a clip (102) onto a housing (104)that encloses a portable electronic device. The latch, integrally molded with the clip (102), comprises a bar (208) disposed within an aperture (210) having a circumferential edge (212). The bar (208)includes a stub extrusion (214) that is disposed distally and perpendicularly at an unaffixed first end (216), and connects to the circumferential edge (212) at an affixed second end (218). Reinforcing the bar (208) and the stub extrusion (214)laterally on a first side (224)is a first flange (220). A second flange (222) reinforces the bar 208 laterally on a second side (226) that is opposite to the first side (224). The stub extrusion (214) affixes the clip to the housing by engaging a catch extrusion (110) and a slot (112) disposed on the housing (104).

Abstract: A selective call receiver (10) comprising a receiver circuit (100) having at least one radio frequency amplifier (112) and at least one mixer (114), a baud rate detector (102), a signal grader (104), and a gain controller (106). Coupling to the baud rate detector (102) to determine the signal quality of a selective call signal, the signal grader (104) collates the results of at least one baud rate detection with a plurality of predetermined criteria and assigns a signal grade to the selective call signal. The signal grader (104) then indicates the signal grade to the gain controller (106) which then sets the at least one radio frequency amplifier (112) and the at least one mixer (114) to operate with one of a plurality of selectable predetermined parameters including a gain setting and a mixer injection setting corresponding to the signal grade assigned to the selective call signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing utilization of a memory which stores messages received in a portable communication device "40". The memory full threshold for the memory "200" is adjustable. The amount of space available in the memory "200" is determined and is compared with the memory full threshold. If the amount of space available in the memory is less than the memory full threshold, an indication is made to the user, who can opt to delete a message in order to make room in the memory. When a new message is received, if the amount of space available in the memory is less than the size of the new message, a previously stored message is deleted in order to make space for the newly received message in the memory.

Abstract: A miniature vibrator (50) for a wrist (10) worn alerting device (20) such as a pager produces a rocking motion vibratory alert. The vibrator (50) has a pair of cantilevered piezoelectric resonant vibrators (62, 64, 66 and 72, 74, 76) which are driven by separate drivers (34, 38) at a frequency determined by a frequency generator (32) but at opposite phases because of an inverter (36). Since the vibrating masses (64, 74) move in opposite directions (200, 210), translational movement of the alerting device (20) is substantially eliminated and a resulting rocking motion produces an improved vibratory sensation on the wrist (10) of the user. Additionally, driving the resonant vibrators (62, 64, 66 and 72, 74, 76) at opposite phases results in reduced surge currents (150) on the battery (40).

Abstract: A differential direct current (DC) offset compensation circuit for providing DC offset compensation to a circuit device (110). The DC offset compensation circuit (100) comprises a differential integrator (120) and a summing network (130). The circuit device (110) is one of several types of devices, such as a DC coupled amplifier. The differential input (112) of the circuit device (110) is suitable for coupling to a differential input source (140) and the differential output (114) of the circuit device is suitable for connection to a load (150). The differential integrator (120) features a transconductance amplifier (18) at least one other amplifier (13), and a capacitor element (16) having a capacitance of C1. The summing network (130) sums the differential integrator output with the differential input signals of the differential input source (140) and cancels DC offsets of the differential input source (140) and the circuit device (110).

Abstract: A handset (24, 25) in a radio communication system (20) determines the quality of a channel (500 and 502) in response to an RSSI signal generated by a receiver (174) in combination with either an eye closure measurement (510) or a bit error rate detected by a CRC codeword in received digital information (502). The battery operated handset is also capable of conserving scanning power while operating in an area having high channel quality (520, 560, 566). The handset also has a method for determining the amount of handovers between base stations (21, 22, 23) by use of dual channel quality thresholds (582, 590) which require a higher quality threshold for establishing communication with a base station and a reduction in channel quality before a handover to a new base station.

Abstract: A paging system has a signal for transmitting a variable amount of messages to paging receivers. The signal has a synchronization signal, an address field, an information and a boundary signal indicative of the boundary between the address field and the information field. Each message has addresses which are included within the address field and may have message information which is included in the information field. The information field includes two portions, a first portion having a plurality of packets for holding a predetermined amount of information and a second portion for holding a variable amount of information. If the information associated with a message is less than the predetermined amount, the message information is stored in the first portion of the information field.

Abstract: A radio receiver receives information on a radio carrier and switches portions of the receiver (12, 14, 18) OFF and ON at a rate greater than the bandwidth of the information, thereby reducing the power consumed by the radio receiver. A signal quality detector (42) determines the amount of distortion introduced by the switching and controls a duty cycle modulator (44) in order to maximize the OFF time while maintaining adequate signal quality. If receiving a data transmission, a synchronizer (46) may be used to synchronize the switching to the bit timing. A transmission gate (24) and capacitor (26) holds the input of filter (32) constant while portions of the receiver are OFF or generating transients due to being switched ON.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (70) is soldered to a printed circuit board (200) by first depositing flux (116) on bumps (75) of the integrated circuit. Solder (214) is deposited upon the bumps (75), and the integrated circuits is (70) placed in contact with pads (210) on the printed circuit board (200). After reflow, a solder joint (230) electrically and mechanically attaches the integrated circuit (70) to the printed circuit board (200).Alternatively, the solder tipped (214) bumps (75) may be placed in contact with a non-adhering flat plane (300) such as glass during the heating process. After reflow, each bump has a flat portion (350), and the flat portions of all the bumps form a plane (400) which further facilitates attaching the integrated circuit (70) to the printed circuit board (200).

Abstract: A differential transconductance amplifier consisting of a bipolar differential amplifier (110) and an active load circuit (120) for the bipolar differential amplifier (110). The transconductance amplifier is suitable for driving a load (130). The active load circuit (120) comprises a bipolar differential amplifier (140), a metal-oxide-silicon (MOS) amplifier (150), and a resistor R1. The active load circuit (120) generates active load currents IAL1 and IAL2. The output of the transconductance amplifier are the differential output currents I1 and I2 which are supplied to the load (130). Differential output currents I1 and I2 are the sum of the currents into the nodes between the bipolar amplifier circuit (110) and the active load circuit (120). The gain of the transconductance amplifier is controlled by a current source that biases the differential amplifier (110).

Abstract: An etiquette controller (112) in a transmitter (14) in a first radio frequency (RF) communications system (10) enables radio frequency communications in a frequency bandwidth shared with heterogeneous RF communication systems (15). The etiquette controller (112) monitors the first RF signals in an isochronous frequency channel in a sub-band of the shared frequency bandwidth to determine whether (124) a frequency channel is free or whether (130, 136) the frequency channel comprises a communication channel which is free. In addition, the etiquette controller (112) causes the RF transceiver (102) to transmit (148) a channel relinquishment signal, monitors (150) the isochronous frequency channel for a predetermined monitoring time, and determines (152) whether the isochronous frequency channel is then free for the channel access.

Abstract: An antenna has a quarter wave resonant strip (10) and first and second parasitically excited strips (12 and 14) resonant at a lower and upper frequency, respectively, of the antenna bandwidth. The strips (10, 12 and 14) have trim tabs (20, 22 and 24) for adjusting the resonant frequency of each strip. The location of a feed (30) is set to provide a desired impedance match for use by a radio (60) such as a pager. A ground plane (40) provides a grounding for the strips (10, 12 and 14) and inhibits undesirable radio frequency interaction between the radio (60) and the strips (10, 12 and 14).

Abstract: A method is provided for signalling wherein one or more of a group of selective call receivers periodically synchronize to a portion of a received signal and determine whether an indicator indicating the presence of information for any of the group of selective call receivers reside within the received signal. If so, the selective call receivers determine whether other portions of the received signal contain information designated for them. Otherwise, if the indicator is not present, the selective call receivers conserve an energy source.

Abstract: In a device having a primary battery 10, a first voltage multiplier 20 is used to power digital electrical circuits 40 from the primary battery, and a second voltage multiplier 100-136 is used to recharge a backup battery 50 from the primary battery. The backup battery is charged to a voltage greater than the voltage generated by the first voltage multiplier. Methods of controlling the second voltage multiplier reduce its interference in measurement of device parameters, and reduce the power consumed from the primary battery.

Abstract: A portable information display device such as a pager (20) has a plurality of operating modes and a corresponding plurality of menu items (40, 140). A symbol (40, 142) corresponding each menu item is displayed on a display (22) in a sequence determined by a priority (46) of the menu item. The priority (46) of each menu item (40, 140) is determined in response to either a frequency of selection of the corresponding operating mode (44), or a default value assigned to the menu item (42, 142) or both.

Abstract: An electronic device (300) has a housing (301) forming a cavity that enshrouds a circuit supporting substrate (302) having at least one electrical contact (303) coupled to a conductor (304). The conductor (304) couples an electrical signal between the electrical contact (303) and electronic circuitry (305) associated with the circuit supporting substrate (302). An aperture (306) in the housing (301) provides access to the at least one electrical contact (303). An articulable cover (307) contiguous to a surface (310) of the housing (310) blocks the aperture (306) when the electronic device (300) is disengaged from a peripheral device (308).