Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus (100) that can include a first housing (110) and a second housing (120) rotationally coupled to the first housing where the second housing rotates with respect to the first housing about an axis of rotation (170). The apparatus can also include an optical transmitter (130) coupled to the first housing where the optical transmitter can be configured to transmit light. The apparatus can further include a lightguide (140) including a first lightguide end (144) substantially at the axis of rotation where the lightguide can include a second lightguide end (142) located at a distance from the axis of rotation where the second lightguide end is optically coupled to the optical transmitter. The apparatus can additionally include an optical receiver (135) coupled to the second housing at the axis of rotation where the optical receiver can also be optically coupled to the lightguide at the first lightguide end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing data connections between multiple networks is provided. A portable, electronic device 300, such as a mobile telephone, includes a communication module 303 configured to initiate the data connection by transmitting an initiation request. The device 300 establishes the data connection, which may be a packet data protocol-context data connection in a general packet radio service environment, by transmitting an initiation request that includes a network identifier such as access point name to obtain an Internet protocol address. Upon determining available network channels suitable for establishment of the network connection, a processing module 304 selects a corresponding network identifier from a look-up table 305 of network identifiers and corresponding networks. The communication module 303 then transmits the data connection initiation request having the selected network identifier so as to establish a switched packet data connection with the selected network.

Abstract: A communication controller and a method is provided for synchronizing a wireless communication device and a wireless communication network having two or more transmit antennas, which support transmit diversity. A reference signal is received from the wireless communication network via each one of a pair of the two or more transmit antennas. A preferred phase offset is then determined for the pair of transmit antennas, and then transmitted to the wireless communication network. Further adjustments of the requested phase and amplitude of the communications transmitted using the pair of transmit antennas are suspended, until further transmissions are received from the wireless communication network via the corresponding transmit antennas, which can be decoded in accordance with the preferred phase offset or a timer has elapsed corresponding to the maximum time needed for the wireless communication network to receive the preferred phase offset and synchronize to the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a broadcast channel signal, a wireless communication device and method for transmitting broadcast channel information, where an invariant subportion of a variant portion of the broadcast channel information is separated from the variant subportion of the variant portion and combined with the invariant portion, and encoded separately from the variant subportion. Both encoded portions are transmitted and decoded by a wireless communication device, which uses subsequent transmissions of the broadcast channel information to assist in the decoding in the event the broadcast channel information for a particular transmission frame of a transmission interval cannot be decoded.

Abstract: A system and method to securely create, distribute, install and execute selected features of software on wireless devices combines three different types of licenses, a validation license, a digital rights management (DRM) license, and a feature license with a software application. Each of these three licenses work independent of each other, where the validation license helps prevent malicious code from executing on wireless devices, the DRM license prevents unauthorized copying of the software application and the feature license securely enables or disables specific features of the software application. The system also allows a wireless device to unwrap a DRM protected software application, to validate the software application, to enforce DRM usage rules and to execute selected features of the software application.

Abstract: An optical communication system (200) for transmitting light between a first housing (102) and a second housing (104) of a device (100) is provided. The first housing and the second housing are adapted to move relative to one another between a plurality of usage positions. The optical communication system includes a first optical communication element (202), a second optical communication element (204), and an optical waveguide (206). The first optical communication element is capable of emitting light and can be coupled to one of the first and second housing. The second optical communication element is capable of receiving the light and can be coupled to the housing to which the first optical communication element is not coupled. The optical waveguide is capable of conveying the light emitted by the first to the second optical communication element. The second optical communication element can substantially encompass a locus of the output light.

Abstract: A bus interface and corresponding method is provided for conveying communication signals supporting multiple modes, where at least two of the modes have distinct operational communication signal levels. The bus interface is adapted to convert the communication signals between communication signals having distinct signal levels, and communication signals having compatible signal levels. Where in at least some instances, the conveyed communication signals are converted from communication signals having distinct signal levels to communication signals having compatible signal levels, and then back to communication signals having distinct signal levels, after the communication signals having compatible signal levels are transmitted and received via one or more associated communication paths.

Abstract: A method (20) of orthogonal frequency-division multiplex (OFDM) communication via a plurality of subchannels (30) within a noncontiguous wideband channel (24) is provided. The method (20) determines an SNR for each of the subchannels (30). The method (20) then designates a subchannel (30) as clear (93) when its SNR is greater than a least-SNR threshold (70), as impeded (95) when its SNR is less than the least-SNR threshold and greater than an SNR-evaluation threshold, and as obstructed (111) when its SNR is less than both the least-SNR and the SNR-evaluation thresholds. The method (20) then transmits OFDM data (34) so that each of the clear subchannels receives the OFDM data (34) at a maximum subchannel signal level (40), each of the impeded subchannels receives the OFDM data (34) at an intermediate subchannel signal level (42), and each of the obstructed subchannels receives the OFDM data (34) at zero subchannel signal level (44).

Abstract: An optical communication system is provided for conveying signals between multiple housing elements of a device, where respective optical detectors and optical light sources interact via a light guide associated with each communication path, where an optical signal produced by the optical light source and received by the optical detector travels a path where at least a first light redirection unit redirects the optical signal between an angle in which the optical signal travels along at least a portion of the length of the light guide, and an angle which allows the optical signal to exit the light guide. In at least some instances, the multiple housing elements correspond to at least a pair of housing elements that are incorporated as part of a communication device having a slider configuration. In some of the same or still further instances, one or more of the light redirection units are diffractive optical elements. In some instances, one or more of the light redirection units are reflectors.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for intradevice communication in a mobile communication device having a display. A method includes providing a supply signal and superimposing a data signal onto the supply signal. The method further includes driving a light source with the supply signal and the superimposed data signal to produce light to illuminate the display. Also included is sensing the light illuminating the display with an optical sensor, which is coupled to a receiver circuit, and then distinguishing the data signal from the sensed light with the receiver circuit. An image is formed on the display using the data signal distinguished with the receiver circuit.

Abstract: An optical communication coupling system (206) for use in a device is provided. The optical communication coupling system (206) includes an optical fiber (208) and a clip connector (302). The optical fiber (208) is capable of conveying light between a first optical communication element (202) and a second optical communication element (204). The clip connector (302) is capable of receiving the optical fiber (208) and altering it to create an access point, which allows for a transfer of light between the optical fiber (208) and one of the first optical communication element (202) and the second optical communication element (204).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing paging related delays between a mobile station and a base station is provided, which includes the use of a fractional slot cycle index. A first value for the slot cycle index, which is equal to an integer value less than a desired fractional slot cycle index value, is selected for use during a period of time corresponding to a determined proportion of a reduced slot cycle period, and a second value for the slot cycle index, which is equal to an integer value greater than a desired fractional slot cycle index value, is selected for use during a period of time corresponding to a remaining portion of the reduced slot cycle period.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for confirming the identity of a user, where the confirmation is made using biometric data. The system includes an internal speaker having an audio port, which is positioned within the ear of the user, and is adapted for producing a signal having one or more frequencies. The system further includes an internal microphone having an audio port, which is positioned within the ear of the user, and is adapted for detecting a resulting signal including the signal produced by the internal speaker and any corresponding signal reflections. A determination is then made as to whether the resulting signal detected by the internal microphone matches the corresponding predetermined expected signal, based upon a prestored hearing profile.

Abstract: A circuit substrate, which supports optically and electrically conveyed signals, and method for forming the same are provided. The circuit substrate includes a substrate upon which one or more electrically conductive traces are formed, where the electrically conductive traces have areas of isolation between adjacent ones of the electrically conductive traces. The circuit substrate further includes one or more optical waveguides, where the one or more optical waveguides are in the same plane as the one or more electrically conductive traces. The optical waveguides are formed using an optically transmissive material, which is deposited in the areas of isolation between the electrical traces.

Abstract: A message alert system is useful for a communication device (10) having a display (12) and a processor (30). The message alert system includes a computer-readable medium (32) and a routine stored in the computer-readable medium (32) and configured for execution by the processor (30). The routine includes a first routine that receives a message having a message type, and a second routine that generates a display item (40) for the display (12) of the communication device (10) in accordance with the message type such that the display item (40) comprises information indicative of the message type of the received message and whether further messages of the message type have been received by the communication device (10). The routine may further includes a memory check routine that determines whether storing the message in the computer-readable medium (32) would result in exceeding a predetermined amount of the capacity of the computer-readable medium (32).

Abstract: A latch mechanism for a window includes a main housing, a bolt, and a spring. The bolt is substantially located within the housing and is biased by the spring into an extended position. In the extended position, an end of the bolt extends into a side jamb of a frame of the window. The end of the bolt has a protrusion which projects in the direction of travel of a window sash within the window frame and is engageable with a pocket brace located in the side jamb.

Abstract: A sound system assembly for use in a hand held device is provided. The sound system assembly includes a pair of transducers, and a corresponding pair of manifolds, which redirect the sound produced by the transducers away from the front or back surface of the device toward respective side facings of the hand held device. By redirecting the sound produced by the transducers, the apparent source of each audio source, corresponding to the respective opening in each of the sides of the hand held device through which the sound waves exit the device, is displaced further apart horizontally.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining registration information for multiple communication areas within a network is provided. For a particular mobile subscriber, information associated with at least some prior registrations are retained, and in some instances are re-used upon re-entry into a communication area in which the mobile subscriber was previously located. The retention of registration information for multiple communication areas is managed as the default, without requiring additional signaling associated with each registration.

Abstract: An audible command can be utilized to both permit identification of the speaker and to permit subsequent actions that comprise a corresponding response to the audible command when the identity of the speaker correlates with that of a previously authorized individual. Such identification can be supplemented with other identification mechanisms. Hierarchical levels of permission can be utilized, with or without confidence level thresholds, to further protect the device against unauthorized access and/or manipulation.

Abstract: A method is provided for on-demand communications in a communication network with support for a plurality of communication units participating in a common communication, which includes multiple signal initiators, each supplying a signal, which are virtually simultaneously conveyed as part of the common communication. At least one example of an on-demand communication includes push to talk. Additionally, a signal initiator is provided, which is adapted to support on-demand communications in a multi-signal initiator environment.