Abstract: System and method for controlling incoming acoustic signals at a portable accessory communication system provides improved management of noise levels. A plurality of acoustic microphone arrays (120), formed of pairs of acoustic microphones, and a single vibration microphone (130) are enabled by pressing a push-to-talk (PTT) button (108). An audio signal is input to the acoustic microphone arrays and a vibration signal is input to the single vibration microphone. The audio signal is detected and compared to the vibration signal to determine a high noise environment. The single vibration microphone (130) controls beam formation of the acoustic microphone arrays in high noise environments based on predetermined noise thresholds being exceeded and selecting an optimum acoustic microphone pair from the arrays to direct a null targeted at the noise source.

Abstract: Improved connectivity between a portable communication device and an accessory is provided through the configuration of a USB type interface. Independent control of a mission-critical subsystem and auxiliary subsystems allow for mission-critical audio and push-to-talk (PTT) to be maintained even in the event of a fault condition within the system. The configurability aspect of the interface allows for additional mission-critical input features to be configured into independent mission-critical subsystems.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operation of a remote speaker microphone over an expanded temperature range. By monitoring a temperature of the communication device, a temperature sensitive microprocessor can be disabled above a predetermined extreme temperature, thereby allowing control of an audio path of the communication device to be modified. Microphone and speaker signals of the communication device can be switched or rerouted to an electronic path capable of operating above the predetermined extreme temperature for expanded operation while previous microprocessor controlled digital and analog audio circuits are shut down.

Abstract: A method of exchanging data between an electronic device and an external accessory. In one example, the method includes receiving, at an interface of the electronic device, a connector of the external accessory. The method also includes transmitting, via a first pin of the interface, data between the external accessory and the electronic device, and interrupting, with an electronic processor of the electronic device, data transmission between the external accessory and the electronic device via the first pin of the interface. The method further includes while data transmission is interrupted, detecting, via the first pin of the interface, an activation of a talk actuator, and activating, via the electronic processor, a transmitter in response to detecting the activation of the talk actuator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operation of a remote speaker microphone over an expanded temperature range. By monitoring a temperature of the communication device, a temperature sensitive microprocessor can be disabled above a predetermined extreme temperature, thereby allowing control of an audio path of the communication device to be modified. Microphone and speaker signals of the communication device can be switched or rerouted to an electronic path capable of operating above the predetermined extreme temperature for expanded operation while previous microprocessor controlled digital and analog audio circuits are shut down.

Abstract: A portable electronic device including a battery coupled to an accessory circuit, a battery monitoring circuit coupled to the battery, and a processor connected to the battery monitoring circuit and the accessory circuit. The battery monitoring circuit determines an output current of the battery, and the processor receives an indication of the output current. The processor determines, based on the indication of the output current of the battery, a power characteristic of the accessory circuit, and control a power that is to be provided to the accessory circuit based on the power characteristic of the accessory circuit.

Abstract: A communication system (100) formed of a portable radio (102) and radio accessory (106) is provided in which the accessory (106) provides emergency strobe and flashlight modes, the flashlight mode further providing a low battery indicator. Strategic control of lighting triggers and patterns allows for a single high intensity LED (132) to be used for both emergency strobe and flashlight modes, with minimized impact on battery life.

Abstract: A portable communication system (100) comprises a portable radio (102) and a radio accessory (106) coupled through an interface cable (108). The interface cable (108) provides an electronic interface for remote access to radio functions at the radio accessory (106). The interface cable (108) further provides a temperature sensor (110) integrated therein for monitoring environmental conditions external to the portable communication system. The portable communication system (100) generates user notifications indicating extreme temperature conditions. Notifications of extreme temperature conditions may also transmitted from the portable communication system (100) to other radios, such as a land mobile radio (120), dispatch center (130), or other radio (140) operating within a communications network.

Abstract: A portable communication system (100) comprises a portable radio (102) and a radio accessory (106) coupled through an interface cable (108). The interface cable (108) provides an electronic interface for remote access to radio functions at the radio accessory (106). The interface cable (108) further provides a temperature sensor (110) integrated therein for monitoring environmental conditions external to the portable communication system. The portable communication system (100) generates user notifications indicating extreme temperature conditions. Notifications of extreme temperature conditions may also transmitted from the portable communication system (100) to other radios, such as a land mobile radio (120), dispatch center (130), or other radio (140) operating within a communications network.

Abstract: A communication system (100) formed of a portable radio (102) and radio accessory (106) is provided in which the accessory (106) provides emergency strobe and flashlight modes, the flashlight mode further providing a low battery indicator. Strategic control of lighting triggers and patterns allows for a single high intensity LED (132) to be used for both emergency strobe and flashlight modes, with minimized impact on battery life.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a forward error correction code is applied to a group of data packets to create a coded group of packets by supplementing a set of parity packets for each group of data packets. The data packets of a first group of packets and a set of parity packets corresponding to the data packets are transmitted. If an acknowledgement is received, sending of additional packets is ceased. If an acknowledgment is not received, parity bits continue to be transmitted.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a forward error correction code is applied to a group of data packets to create a coded group of packets by supplementing a set of parity packets for each group of data packets. The data packets of a first group of packets and a set of parity packets corresponding to the data packets are transmitted. If an acknowledgement is received, sending of additional packets is ceased. If an acknowledgment is not received, parity bits continue to be transmitted.