Abstract: A method of terminating iteration calculations in the decoding of a received convolutionally coded signal includes a first step of providing a turbo decoder with a first and second recursion processors connected in an iterative loop. Each processor has an associated extrinsic input and output. A next step includes cross-correlating the input and output of at least one of the processors to provide a cross-correlation value at each iteration. A next step includes terminating the iterations when the measure of the cross-correlation value index exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An internet radio for portable applications and uses such as in an automobile enables remotely configuring a wireless communication device comprising the steps of remotely configuring a format for providing content on said wireless communication device for a first user; remotely configuring a second format for providing content on said wireless communication device for a second user; receiving configuration data representing said format for said first user and said format for said second user from a remote network; and providing selected content from content downloaded from said network. Customized information is also communicated to the radio such as stock quotes, travel information, advertising, and e-mail. Onboard global positioning allows for channel updating by location, traffic information, geographic advertising and available similar content.

Abstract: A method for power resource management in a portable communication device includes a first step (200) of defining power profiles of a plurality of operational modes of the communication device. A next step (202) includes calculating available power. A next step (204) includes inputting operating parameters of a selected operational mode. A next step (206) includes predicting whether there is sufficient power to operate the selected mode before entry therein, such that, if there is insufficient power, restricting (208) operation of one of the operational modes before entry into the selected mode, thereby preemptively preventing problems that can occur when power becomes exhausted in a portable device.

Abstract: A antenna apparatus for an electronic device having a clam-shell movable housing includes an antenna element that serves as the mechanical spring for a hinge assembly of the clam-shell housing as well as an antenna element resonant at an operating frequency of the electronic device. The antenna element is electrically coupling to a receiver of the electronic device and is also mechanically pre-loaded to the hinge assembly to mechanically rotate a movable portion of the clamshell housing away from a main housing portion.

Abstract: A navigation system (20) having a service center (24) and a navigation unit (22) and a method of transmitting data to reduce the complexity of the navigation unit (22) and minimize the transmitted data. The navigation unit (22) transmits (202) a current location (or starting point (102)) and a desired destination (or destination point (104)). The service center (24) receives (204) the starting point and the destination point and selects (206) a route (100) between the two points. The service center (24) then generates (210, 212, 214) and transmits (216) data associated with a plurality of points on the selected route (100). These points may include items such as preparation points (140, 142, 144, 146), warning points (130, 132, 134, 136), instruction points (120, 122, 124, 126) and confirmation points (150, 152, 154, 156, 160, 162, 164, 166).

Abstract: A method of synchronizing enablement of a common clock for a main and a second processor in an electronic device having a low-power mode includes a first step of completing a communication activity by the main processor. A next step includes monitoring a clock enable signal from the second processor. A next step includes comparing the timing of the second processor with the known timing of the main processor if the second processor does not have the clock enabled in the monitoring step. A next step includes calculating the the timing needed to synchronize the clock enablement by the second processor to that of the main processor. A next step includes powering up and powering down the second processor under control by the main processor to synchronize the periodic timing of the second processor to that of the main processor.

Abstract: An electronic control module (20) comprising a housing (30), a printed circuit board (40), and a rigidizer (50). The housing (30) has an opening or window (34) for a removable connector (22). The printed circuit board (40) has a first side (42), a second side (44), and a plurality of contact pads (46). The first side (42) of the board (40) is used to retain components and circuitry. The plurality of contact pads (46) is positioned on the first side (42) of the printed circuit board (40). The rigidizer (50) is attached to the second side (44) of the printed circuit board (40) and provides structural backing for the printed circuit board (40) to compensate for any pressure induced to the first side (42) of the printed circuit board (40) by the removable connector (22). The window (34) in the housing (30) is positioned adjacent to the plurality of contact pads (46) on the first side (42) of the printed circuit board (40) to provide a single opening to each of the contact pads (46).

Abstract: A method of converting text to speech in a communication device includes providing a code table containing coded speech parameters. Next steps include inputting a text message into a communication device, and dividing the text message into phonics. A next step includes mapping each of the phonics against the code table to find the coded speech parameters corresponding to each of the phonics. A next step includes processing the coded speech parameters corresponding to each of the phonics to provide an audio signal. In this way, text can be mapped directly to a vocoder table without intermediate translation steps.

Abstract: A holster for a telecommunication device includes a self-contained power source for driving an alert and a detector. The detector detects the presence and unseating of an telecommunication device that is insertable into the holster. The alert is coupled to the detector and is operable to alert to a user when the telecommunication device is removed from the holster. In this way the user is warned of the imminent loss or theft of the communication device.

Abstract: A fault detection system for determining whether a fault exists with a rotating element of a vehicle. The system includes a transducer, a diagnosis sampler, a sensor, and a controller. The transducer may be a microphone located in the vehicle for converting sounds to an electrical signal. The electrical signal includes a noise component generated from the rotating element. The diagnosis sampler is connected to the transducer and provides a sample of the electrical signal from the transducer to the controller. The sensor obtains data relating to the rotating element. The controller has functional aspects such as a synchronous resample, a spectrum analysis, and a fault detect. The synchronous resample has the capability of synchronizing the sample of the electrical signal with the data from the sensor to form a synchronized envelope.

Abstract: A multi-frequency antenna apparatus includes an open-ended slot antenna (20) operable at high frequencies, cascaded in series with a antenna element (22) operable at low frequencies, results in two distinct antennas fed by a single excitation port (33). A U-shaped conductive strip (21) defining the slot antenna (20) has a ground connection (37) at one end near the open-ended side of the slot antenna (20) and a virtual feed point (30) on the other end coupled to the antenna element (22). The electrical length from the ground connection (37) to the feed point is about ¼ of a wavelength of the first frequency creating a virtual open at the feed point (30).

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for sensing size and location of a vehicle occupant includes a conductor (110) that is electrically coupled to a voltage signal generator (612) and disposed within the seat of the vehicle. The conductor generates a periodic electric field (124). A plurality of sensor electrostatic antennas (120) is disposed adjacent the roof and is capable of sensing at least a portion of the electric field (124). A detection circuit (624) determines the size and location of a vehicle occupant based upon an amount of the electric field (124) incident on each sensor electrostatic antenna (120).

Abstract: A method (50) for correcting oscillator frequency error in GPS signal acquisition includes a first step (52) of receiving at least one broadcasted GPS signal. A next step (54) includes estimating a plurality of Doppler offsets. A next step (56) includes correlating the signal to produce a Doppler modulation for each of the plurality of Doppler estimates. A next step (58) includes calculating a magnitude separation of peak and null states of each modulation. A next step (60) includes searching the peak and null separation to finding the Doppler estimate producing the largest magnitude separation in peak and null states. The found Doppler estimate defines a frequency error estimate for the at least one broadcasted GPS signal, which will be common across all satellites.

Abstract: An adaptive antenna system having a counterpoise conductor contained within a housing of a communication device and located distally from such surfaces of the housing that can be held by or placed in proximity to a user or external objects which detune the counterpoise. A tuning circuit is coupled between the counterpoise conductor and a ground. The tuning circuit is operable to adapt the resonant frequency of the counterpoise conductor to divert operational RF currents away from the ground located in proximity the user or external objects and onto the counterpoise conductor.

Abstract: A communication circuit places two communication terminals in high-impedance states, senses voltages at the two communication terminals, and determines a communication mode based on the voltages. Thereafter, the communication circuit communicates in the communication mode using the two communication terminals. The circuit is capable of communicating via the two communication terminals in any of a Serial Communications Interface (SCI) communication protocol and a Controller Area Network (CAN) communication protocol.

Abstract: A method for power control in spread spectrum communication systems includes a first step of providing multiplexed registers coupled to a control circuit and controlled by a TPC-derived control. One register containing an increased power control value and the other register a decreased power control value. A next step includes measuring a transmit power. A next step includes precalculating an increased and decreased power control value using the measured transmit power. Next steps includes comparing precalculated power control values to those previously stored in the registers, and writing only those changed values to their corresponding registers. A next step is receiving TPC information, followed by determining the requested power change from the TPC information, wherein if the information for the next slot is the same as for the current slot, writing the associated precalculated value to the next register to be selected.

Abstract: A wireless speaker apparatus for a radio communication device includes a receiver front end to receive two RF carrier signals with audio information. A tunable filter circuit provides a low side and high side frequency response slope to slope demodulate the carrier frequencies to provide respective amplitude modulated output signals. A control signal tunes a center frequency of the tunable filter circuit to center one of the low or high side frequency response slopes near its associated carrier frequency while decentering the other frequency response slope from its carrier frequency so as to favor demodulation of the former modulated output signals over the latter. An audio back end converts the amplitude modulated output signals to audio. This same simple apparatus can be used for either left or right channel audio signals depending on the control signal.

Abstract: A portable keyboard apparatus includes a set of movable parallel linkages connected at joints and configured to expand and collapse. A plurality of button assemblies, including associated actuators and contacts, is coupled to the parallel linkages, preferably at corresponding joints of the linkages. A plurality of electrical connections are configured to electrically couple the contacts of each button assembly actuator to the at least one input/output port.

Abstract: An antenna adapted to operate in multiple frequency bands includes a first conductive loop element having a commonly driven electrical connection at both ends. The first conductive element is resonant at a first frequency. An electrical feed point is located at the commonly driven electrical connection of the first conductive element. A second conductive element includes a straight portion and a helical portion. The straight portion being is coupled to the electrical feed point and the helical portion being is located distally from the feed point. The second conductive element being resonant at a second frequency. This commonly driven loop provides for a wider bandwidth and allows for a more compact multi-band antenna.

Abstract: A balanced antenna system for a communication device includes a balanced transmission line electromagnetically coupled to a transceiver of the device. A symmetrical dipole antenna element is operable at a first frequency driven by the balanced transmission line. A symmetrical loop antenna shares portions of the dipole antenna element and is operable at a second frequency driven by the transmission line. Preferably, the antenna system is disposed within a flip portion of the device housing.