Abstract: A method and apparatus defines (302) a time period Ps following a completion of a demand for one of heating and cooling, the time period sufficient to allow a sensed room temperature Tr measured (309) by a thermostat (500) to stabilize after the completion of the demand; and records (310) an evaluation temperature Te equal to the sensed room temperature measured at an end of the time period. The method and apparatus determines (318, 320, 324, 326), at a future time after recording the evaluation temperature, whether to allow an automatic changeover between heating and cooling modes, based upon a comparison of the evaluation temperature and the sensed room temperature measured at the future time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus defines (302) a time period Ps following a completion of a demand for one of heating and cooling the time period sufficient to allow a sensed room temperature Tr measured (309) by a thermostat (500) to stabilize after the completion of the demand; and records (310) an evaluation temperature Te equal to the sensed room temperature measured at an end of the time period. The method and apparatus determines (318, 320, 324, 326), at a future time after recording the evaluation temperature, whether to allow an automatic changeover between heating and cooling modes, based upon a comparison of the evaluation temperature and the sensed room temperature measured at the future time.

Abstract: A wireless communication system conducts (402) communications between a fixed portion (102) of the wireless communication system and a portable subscriber unit (122) carried by a user; and records (404) a relevant aspect of the communications, thereby producing recorded information. The system determines (405) a current time of day and a current position of the user and makes (406) a comparison of the recorded information with the current time of day and the current position of the user to determine whether an alert is necessary, and generates (412) the alert when the comparison determines the alert is necessary.

Abstract: A subscriber unit (122) in a wireless messaging system records (404) a message sequence number corresponding to a message received, and an indication of whether the subscriber unit acknowledged the message. Upon registration with a two-way portion (104) of the wireless messaging system, the subscriber unit reports (532, 526), to the two-way portion, information of a type selected from (a) missing message sequence numbers, and (b) message sequence numbers corresponding to messages received and not acknowledged, the type selected (524) being that which generates a smaller amount of inbound traffic.

Abstract: A location is determined (402) at which a subscriber unit (122, 300) communicating with a first wireless system is positioned. A distance between the location and a second wireless system preferred by the subscriber unit is calculated (404), and, based upon the distance, it is decided (408) whether the subscriber unit will scan for a signal from the second wireless system.

Abstract: A subscriber unit (100) of a messaging system initiates (226) a reminder alarm action. The user generates (210) an intended message to be sent as an inbound message with a user interface (114). The processing system (106) of the subscriber unit (100) evaluates (214) a characteristic of the intended message, and initiates (226) the reminder alarm action in response to the evaluating (214) step. The processing system (106) and the coupled transmitter transmit (228, 242) the inbound message.

Abstract: A fixed portion (102) of a radio messaging system schedules (602) an inbound message to be transmitted at a first scheduled time on a channel from a portable subscriber unit (122). The channel is monitored (604) at the first scheduled time to receive the inbound message, utilizing a beamforming technique. In response to failing to achieve adequate reception of the inbound message at the first scheduled time, the fixed portion reschedules (608) the inbound message to be transmitted at a second scheduled time, and remonitors (610) the channel at the second scheduled time to receive the inbound message, utilizing an omnidirectional technique.

Abstract: A radio communication system (100) synchronizes multiple data streams associated with a network of transmitters (102) while maintaining full user traffic. The transmitters transmit (901) a first portion of the user traffic in a simulcast mode during a first time interval, (104) and transmit (903) a second portion of the user traffic in a non-simulcast mode during a second time interval. A monitor receiver (104) is coupled to the transmitters by radio signals for monitoring (905) the second portion of the user traffic transmitted from selected transmitters to determine transmission delays. A controller (108) is coupled to the monitor receiver for adjusting (907) the data streams to equalize the transmission delays (303).