Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus (160) comprising a common mode generator circuit (162) coupled to a current directing circuit adapted to provide current to a first write head connection node (170) and to a second write head connection node (172).

Abstract: A wireless communication system (100) having portable communication devices (102, 104, and 106) capable of establishing direct terminal (102)-to-terminal (104) communication (108 and 110) and indirect terminal (102)-to-terminal (104) communication (112, 118 and 114, 116) through another terminal (106) without having a fixed base station. A portable communication device (106) used as a terminal is capable functioning as a router for communication (112, 118 and 114, 116) between other portable devices (102 and 104) in the system. While functioning as a router, the portable device (106) is capable establishing and maintaining a separate direct communication (302 and 304) with another portable communication device (306). A wireless communication system(600) utilizing predetermined cell- and location-specific communication parameters (808) and non-repeating propagation patterns (1200) for portables communication devices in the system for establishing communications.

Abstract: A system (10) for dynamic process assignment among a plurality of devices (40) includes an initial coordinator (38), a requesting device (60), and a resource device (62). The initial coordinator (38) includes a list of available resources (56) for each device of the plurality of devices (40). The requesting device (60) requests the use of a desired resource. In response to the request from the requesting device (60), the initial coordinator (38) identifies an available resource associated with one of the plurality of devices (40) for use by the requesting device (60) as the desired resource.

Abstract: A wireless communication system (100) having portable communication devices (102, 104, and 106) capable of establishing direct terminal (102)-to-terminal (104) communication (108 and 110) and indirect terminal (102)-to-terminal (104) communication (112, 118 and 114, 116) through another terminal (106) without having a fixed base station. A portable communication device (106) used as a terminal is capable functioning as a router for communication (112, 118 and 114, 116) between other portable devices (102 and 104) in the system. While functioning as a router, the portable device (106) is capable establishing and maintaining a separate direct communication (302 and 304) with another portable communication device (306). A wireless communication system(600) utilizing predetermined cell- and location-specific communication parameters (808) and non-repeating propagation patterns (1200) for portables communication devices in the system for establishing communications.

Abstract: A method carried out at a transmitter (800), of limiting visual information that can be stored or transmitted captures a visual image (608). Whenever a control signal is detected (612) at the transmitter (800), at least a portion of the visual image is obscured (616) to produce an obscured visual image. This obscured image is then stored and/or transmitted (620). The image can be obscured by any number of techniques including replacement of the image with a substitute (718), blurring, distorting or reducing the resolution of the background (738), substitution of backgrounds (762) or removal of the background (778).

Abstract: A technique is used for providing additional information about a broadcast presentation that allows a user interested in the additional information to acquire it easily, using a selective call device or a television remote control device to easily acquire an information address during the broadcast when a prompt is presented during the broadcast. An advertiser can send the additional information over a wide area radio selective call communication system or can post it at a universal resource locator of a computer network. The information address is used to acquire the additional information. The information address can be stored, selected and deleted in the selective call device or remote control device. The prompt can be disabled or enabled manually or based on location.

Abstract: A method for organizing and displaying multiple calendars (200, 300, 400, and 500) from multiple devices (102, 104, 106, and 108) to give an appearance of a single user calendar (1100 and 1200) on a user's device is disclosed. Each calendar event having associated user category such as time (210), self (204), family (206), and work (208), is organized based on a display preference selected by a user. Desired calendar events organized based on the display preference are displayed (1100, 1200) on a selected device. Calendar events displayed have different visual attributes based on the corresponding associated users.

Abstract: A communication device (100) and method therefore for compensating an oscillator (146). The communication device (100) includes a receiver (110) for receiving message information transmitted on a predetermined channel (105), an oscillator (146) having a frequency of operation set by a controller (116) for enabling reception of the message information on the predetermined channel (105), and a decoder (114) for decoding the message information received, and for deriving there from messages and channel quality information. The controller (116) is responsive to the messages derived, for storing the same, and further responsive to the channel quality information derived for generating a compensation signal when the value of the channel quality information exceeds a predetermined value. The compensation signal that is generated by the controller (116) effects shifting of the frequency of operation of the oscillator (146) to center reception of the communication device (100) on the predetermined channel (105).

Abstract: A method carried out at a transmitter (800), of limiting visual information that can be stored or transmitted captures a visual image (608). Whenever a control signal is detected (612) at the transmitter (800), at least a portion of the visual image is obscured (616) to produce an obscured visual image. This obscured image is then stored and/or transmitted (620). The image can be obscured by any number of techniques including replacement of the image with a substitute (718), blurring, distorting or reducing the resolution of the background (738), substitution of backgrounds (762) or removal of the background (778).

Abstract: A method for managing a task list utilizes location-based filtering to generate a reminder to a user of a communication device to perform an outstanding task. The communication device is provided with information on an outstanding task associated with a particular site and at least one proximity parameter for triggering a reminder for performing the outstanding task at a particular site (420). The communication device obtains geographic location information for the particular site and obtains information on its current location (430, 440). The device determines whether it is located within an area in which the outstanding task can be completed, which area is defined by a boundary established based at least in part on the geographic location of the particular site, and on the proximity parameter specified (450).

Abstract: An instant message communication system (100) provides notification of one or more events (180). The instant message communication system (100) includes a server (110). The server (110) includes a server memory (160) for storing a plurality of screen names (280). Each of the plurality of screen names (280) represents one or more events (180). The server (110) further includes a server processor (150) coupled to the server memory (160), wherein the server processor (150) is programmed to activate at least one of the plurality of screen names (280) in response to the presence of one or more events (180) represented by at least one of the plurality of screen names (280).

Abstract: An online communication system (10) is comprised of a plurality of session clients (12) including a first session client (18) and a second session client (20), and a plurality of online servers (14). The online communication system (10) provides continuity of an online session (80) between the plurality of session clients (12). The first session client (18) participates in the online session (80) including accumulating a plurality of session information (182) for the online session (80). The first session client (18) transfers the plurality of session information (182) to the second session client (20), and the second session client (20) thereafter participates in the online session (80) using the plurality of session information (182).

Abstract: A communication system (10) comprises a plurality of clients (12) including a first client (18) and a second client (20). Within the communication system (10), continuity of one or more of a plurality of broadcast events (14) is provided between the plurality of clients (12). The first client (18) monitors a broadcast event (34). Thereafter, the second client (20) launches monitoring of the broadcast event (34) in response to an occurrence associated with the broadcast event (34).

Abstract: A technique is used in a selective call communication system (100) and in a broadcast communication system (106) to provide additional information about a broadcast to a selective call device (111). A broadcast receiver (109) receives a broadcast that includes a prompt (220), such as a FLEX™ logo, and an information address signal (305), such as an inaudible portion of the sound portion of the broadcast. The prompt indicates that additional information is available in a message to be transmitted by the selective call communication system. The selective call device receives the information address signal when activated to do so in response to the prompt. The selective call device receives and decodes an information address from the information address signal and uses it to recover the message at a protocol position indicated by the information address. The additional information is then recovered from the message.

Abstract: A communication device such as pager (100) includes a real-time clock circuit (118). The real-time clock circuit keeps track of both the pager's home time zone information (402) and the pager's current time zone information (404). While the pager user is operating within his home area, the pager's home time zone information (402) and the current or local time zone information (404) will be the same. If the user however travels away from his home system's time zone, the real-time clock circuit adjusts the current time zone information (404) to reflect the time zone the user is currently operating in. The user can set alarms which reference either the home time zone information (402) or the current time zone information (404). This allows for more user flexibility on how the alarm conditions are to operate.

Abstract: A technique is used for providing additional information about a broadcast presentation that allows a user interested in the additional information to acquire it easily, using a selective call device or a television remote control device to easily acquire an information address during the broadcast when a prompt is presented during the broadcast. An advertiser can send the additional information over a wide area radio selective call communication system or can post it at a universal resource locator of a computer network. The information address is used to acquire the additional information. The information address can be stored, selected and deleted in the selective call device or remote control device. The prompt can be disabled or enabled manually or based on location.

Abstract: A messaging communication system (10) includes a plurality of messaging clients (12). A first messaging client (14) establishes a first communication connection (16) operating using a plurality of client data (25). The first messaging client (14) transfers the plurality of client data (25) to a second messaging client (20). The second messaging client (20) establishes a second communication connection (22) operating using the plurality of client data (25).

Abstract: A system (10) for dynamic process assignment among a plurality of devices (40) includes an initial coordinator (38), a requesting device (60), and a resource device (62). The initial coordinator (38) includes a list of available resources (56) for each device of the plurality of devices (40). The requesting device (60) requests the use of a desired resource. In response to the request from the requesting device (60), the initial coordinator (38) identifies an available resource associated with one of the plurality of devices (40) for use by the requesting device (60) as the desired resource.

Abstract: A technique is used for providing additional information about a broadcast presentation that allows a user interested in the additional information to acquire it easily, using a selective call device or a television remote control device to easily acquire an information address during the broadcast when a prompt is presented during the broadcast. An advertiser can send the additional information over a wide area radio selective call communication system or can post it at a universal resource locator of a computer network. The information address is used to acquire the additional information. The information address can be stored, selected and deleted in the selective call device or remote control device. The prompt can be disabled or enabled manually or based on location.

Abstract: A technique is used for providing additional information about a broadcast presentation that allows a user interested in the additional information to acquire it easily, using a selective call device or a television remote control device to easily acquire an information address during the broadcast when a prompt is presented during the broadcast. An advertiser can send the additional information over a wide area radio selective call communication system or can post it at a universal resource locator of a computer network. The information address is used to acquire the additional information. The information address can be stored, selected and deleted in the selective call device or remote control device. The prompt can be disabled or enabled manually or based on location.