Abstract: A method of communication using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (“OFDM”) comprises generating bit streams (bn?(0,1),n=0,1, . . . ,K?1) and the corresponding sets of frequency domain carrier amplitudes (XO(k) to XN(k)), where k is the OFDM symbol number, modulated as OFDM symbols to be transmitted from a transmitter. Prefixes are inserted as guard intervals in the sample streams and the OFDM symbols are transmitted from the transmitter to a receiver. The receiver uses information from the prefixes to estimate the Channel Impulse Response (H(F)D) of the transmission channels and uses the estimated Channel Impulse Response (?(F)D) to demodulate the bit streams in the signals received. The prefixes (?k.co to ?k.cD?1) are deterministic and are known to the receiver as well as to the transmitter. Preferably, the prefixes (?k.co to ?k.cD?1) comprise a vector (PD) that is common to said symbols multiplied by at least one weighting factor (?k).

Abstract: A system and method to provide location signaling for service, such as a request for transport from a child to his or her parent(s) to be picked up from school, for example. A dedicated communication device has location capabilities and a control to request service for the bearer. At least one monitoring communication device, such as one for each parent, is operable to receive a location with a request for service and acknowledge same. A secure domain manager can be used to; receive the location and request service instruction, deliver the location and request service instruction to the monitoring device(s), obtain an acknowledgment from one monitoring device, and send the acknowledgment to the other monitoring devices and the bearer's communication device. Communication is only allowed between the bearer's device and monitoring devices. The location of the communication device can be tracked, and navigation can be provided thereto.

Abstract: A method for reducing current drain in a communication device includes a first step of detecting interference including intermodulation and crossmodulation products. A next step includes determining a frequency offset of the interference with reference to the operating receiver band. A next step includes measuring a power level of the interference. A next step includes calculating a receiver linearity required to achieve a desired signal-to-interference ratio. A next step includes adjusting the receiver linearity in order to achieve the desired signal-to-interference ratio. Optionally, the receiver dynamic range can be adjusted to suit the reduced signal swing due to the reduced linearity.

Abstract: A method of block puncturing for turbo code based incremental redundancy includes a first step (1200) of coding an input data stream into systematic bits and parity bits. A next step (1202) includes loading the systematic bits and parity bits into respective systematic and parity block interleavers in a column-wise manner. A next step (1204) includes selecting a predefined redundancy. A next step (1206) includes outputting bits from the block interleavers in a row-wise manner in accordance with the selected predefined redundancy.

Abstract: Closed loop wireless communication of signals using an adaptive transmit antenna array, in which multiple copies of signals to be transmitted by the transmit antenna array are produced with delays and weights that are functions of the multi-path transmission channel characteristics from the transmit antenna array to a receive antenna array of a receiver and are combined before transmission by the transmit antenna array. The delays and weights of the transmit copies for each transmit antenna element are functions of the respective multi-path transmission channel characteristics from that transmit antenna element to the receive antenna array such that the multi-path signal components propagated to each receiver element are received with distinguishable delays according to the propagation path. The receiver combines the received signal components from each receive antenna element with delays and weights that are respective functions of the multi-path transmission channels.

Abstract: A method for dynamically controlling audio signal gain in a communication device starts with determining a level of an input audio signal. The level is then mapped against a table of predetermined corresponding gain targets to determine an appropriate gain target for that level. The gain targets are then applied to the audio signal, which is then output. The invention is particularly suited to speakerphone operation in a communication device, wherein the gain targets provide compression, expansion or limiting so that distant speakers can be heard clearly.

Abstract: A method for providing synthesized speech using regular-pulse excitation includes a first step (300) of processing input speech to provide a residual excitation signal. A next step (302) includes defining important samples of the residual signal. Low frequency residual signals are particularly important. A next step (304) includes coding the important samples using regular-pulse excitation. A next step includes storing the important samples to random regular-pulse excitation grid positions in a memory using a first set of pseudorandomly generated numbers to assign the grid positions of each of the important samples. In this way, code rate for controlled, voice-only signals can be increased. This best applies to non-real time speech storage of voice tags, prompts and messaging.

Abstract: A system and method of providing service for a Telematics communication device includes a first step of providing a vehicular radiotelephone communication system including a cellular radiotelephone network for connecting the communication device with a service operator. The communication device includes a controller pre-programmed with a hotlined analog telephone number and a cleared digital telephone number if so equipped. A next step includes placing a call by the communication device using the hotlined analog telephone number. A next step includes determining whether the communication device has a service contract in place with the service operator, wherein if the communication device does not have a service contract, switching the call to a voice recording, and wherein if the communication device does have a service contract, providing service for the communication device.

Abstract: A method for reducing current drain in a communication device includes a first step of developing a history of readings of received signal strengths (RSS) of a neighboring broadcast control channel (BCCH). A next step includes monitoring a RSS of the neighboring channel during a wakeup period. A next step includes determining whether the RSS is substantially stable with respect to the history of readings. A next step includes skipping the monitoring of the RSS for at least one of the subsequent wakeup periods if the RSS is substantially stable with respect to the history of readings.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapidly providing activity on a vehicle network bus includes a node having a bus connection to the vehicle network bus. The node includes a Rapid Response Stack loaded with the predetermined message to respond to any network bus request before the application is up and running. A true stack is loaded with real messages from the application once it is booted up and running on the node, whereupon the application subsequently responds to network bus requests using the true stack instead of the Rapid Response Stack.

Abstract: Smart card security is enhanced by making the smart card a two-piece device. Both parts of the smart card contain copies of user data and a processor, which executes program instructions stored in the smart card half so as to give each part of the two-part smart card security and intelligence. Both parts must be in communication with each other for the data in either card to be accessible and useable. By separating the two pieces, data compromise is virtually impossible.

Abstract: A method for reducing interference in a desired signal in a GSM communication system uses a finite-impulse-response filter for alternate linear equalization. The method includes a first step (300) of inputting a burst of data of a received waveform including interference from a channel of the communication system. A next step (302) includes training the finite-impulse-response filter with a set of symbols of specific quadrature phase, known a priori, in the burst of data of the received waveform. For example known real only and imaginary only symbols are alternatively selected from a midamble of the data burst. A next step (304) includes operating on the received waveform with the finite-impulse-response filter to alternately linearly equalize the burst of data to provide an estimate of the desired signal.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments may relate to vehicle (10) having a control system (12) located within the vehicle (10). The control system (12) may include a processor (26) and a wake-up circuit (46) coupled to the processor (26). The processor (26) may utilize a program (34) during a standby mode of operation. The program (34) is configured to provide a voltage to the wake-up circuit (46) for a first time period (T1) once an interrupt is received by the processor (26). Then, the program (34) may monitor the wake-up circuit (46) for a second time period (T2). If a response of the wake-up circuit (46) exceeds at least one of a plurality of predetermined limits, then the program (34) may recalibrate the wake-up circuit (46).

Abstract: A keypad apparatus includes a printed circuit (110) configured for a keypad. Dome actuators (108) are placed on top of the printed circuit. A backlight (106) with apertures (103) is placed over the dome actuators such that the dome actuators rest entirely within their associated apertures. This assembly is covered with a retainer (104) placed on top of the backlight to form a flat-profile keypad that can be used on an exterior of a phone housing (112). The retainer can be labeled to define the key functions, or a preferred replaceable key label (102) can be placed over the retainer. This provides an integral assembly with key labels that are easily customized.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring belt wear or tread wear of a tire includes at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) tag with unique identification embedded in the belt or tread of the tire at one or more wear points. An RF tag reader periodically monitoring signals from the at least one RFID tag. If the RF tag reader fails to obtain any signals from the at least one RFID tag, indicating a destroyed RFID tag, the user can be warned about a wear problem of that belt or tire. RFID tags can be distributed at different depths of the tire(s), or across the tread at the same depth, of the tire(s) to determine different wear problems. The same RFID tag can also be used for inventory tracking purposes.

Abstract: A sensor system for protecting a door of a vehicle from damage includes an electronic sensor operable to detect when an object external to the vehicle is within close proximity to the door of the vehicle. The sensor system provides a signal indicative of the proximity of the external object. The sensor system also includes a blocking hinge mechanism coupled with the signal. The hinge mechanism blocks the opening of the door beyond a distance wherein the vehicle door would strike the object.

Abstract: The amount of interference to communications in Time Division Duplexing (TDD) mode between a TDD mobile and a TDD base station from a mobile operating in Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) mode that is located near to the TDD base station can be reduced by passing information regarding the interfering FDD signal to the TDD base station, where it is processed and subtracted from the received TDD signal, which includes the interference, so as to obtain the pure TDD signal, as required. Either the FDD data (22), or an FDD signal (23) regenerated from the FDD data or simply the received FDD signal (21) can be passed (24) to the TDD base station. The TDD base station can regenerate an FDD signal, if required, which is then filtered (25) using TDD filters and normalized by correlating (26) and scaling (27) the filtered FDD signal to a received TDD signal. The normalized FDD signal is then subtracted (28) from the received TDD signal to reduce the interference.

Abstract: A proportional force input apparatus for an electronic device includes a mechanism operable by a user of the electronic device, such as a stylus inserted into a spring-loaded socket of the device. The mechanism provides a tactile feedback to the user proportional to a force applied by the user. A variable strength sensor detects the force applied by the user to the mechanism and converts this to an electrical signal proportional to the force applied by the user. A processor operates to input the electric signal from the variable strength sensor and provide force information to an application running on the electronic device. Optionally, a second sensor can detect rotation of the stylus. As a result, a stylus can be used to provide vector information to an application such as a game.

Abstract: A communication device and method for providing progressive alert indications includes a first step of storing at least one alert indication in the communication device. The alert indication can include ring tones, vibrations, and lights. A next step includes detecting an incoming call to the communication device. A next step includes generating a progression of alert indications wherein each alert indication in the progression is different from the previous alert indication. The progression can include escalating loudness, repetitions, vibrations, lighting, or provide different ring tones. A next step includes terminating the progressive alert indications upon reaching a predefined maximum number of alerts and repeating the last alert indication for all subsequent alert indications.

Abstract: A system for selectively attenuating light from a source of light, such as the sun, to a person's eyes in a vehicle. The system includes an electro-optical element (10) interposed between the source of light (16) and the person's eyes (14). The element (10) has pixels (18) that are operable to individually attenuate (38) light passing therethrough. A navigation system (28) determines a location and direction of travel of the vehicle. A memory (24) contains a general location for the person's eyes within the vehicle. Information (32) is made available for determining a position of the source of light. A controller (24) operates to determine those pixels of the elements that are calculated (38) to be between the person's eyes and the source of light, and to reduce the light transmittivity of those pixels (38) to attenuate the light from the source (16) to the person's eyes (14).