Abstract: A communication device including a power key located on an outer surface of the housing which may provide multiple functions, but is resistant to initiation of undesired handset functions. Control circuitry within the communication device may be configured to ignore any actuation of the power key with a duration less than a determined time period. The control circuitry performs a first function if the power key is depressed for a first duration, and performs a second function when the power key is depressed for a second duration. For example, depression of the power key for a short period of time may silence and incoming call alert, whereas depression of the power key for a longer period of time will turn the communication device on or off.

Abstract: A wireless telephone (200) has a power supply (102), which supplies power to a counter (104), a processor (106), a wireless modem (108), and a transceiver (110). The transceiver (110) communicates with the outside world through an antenna (112). The processor exchanges signals with a clock-calendar (114). When the telephone is in power-conservation mode, the processor opens a switch (216) between the power supply and the transceiver and modem. A second switch (218) is interposed between the power supply (102) and the processor (106), and is under the control of the counter (204). Thus, in power-conservation mode, only the counter draws power. Power-conservation mode (302) may be exited by external command (304), a signal from the clock-calendar (306), or an attempt to place an outgoing call (308).

Abstract: A wireless communication device (100) includes a manual input device (120, 122), a key lock memory (108), and a key lock processor (104). The processor (104) accesses user-programmable parameters stored in the memory (108) that define conditions for automatically disabling and also enabling commands to be issued from the manual input device (120, 122). When the processor (104) determines that the disabling condition has been met, the manual input device (120, 122) is automatically disabled, and will remain disabled until the enabling condition is met. The wireless communication device (100) may further include a timer (130) to measure elapsed time, and a display (124) to show a label indicating the status of the manual input device (120, 122). The manual input device (120, 122) of the wireless communication device (100) may be either, or both, a conventional keypad (120) or a dual-function rotatable switch (122).

Abstract: A method for communicating between a mobile transceiver in a multistory building and a wireless communication network external to the building, the building including alternating even and odd floors and having a near side and a far side, the method including dividing a plurality of slave transceivers into a main sub-group of slave transceivers and a diversity sub-group of slave transceivers, the transceivers being operative to transmit signals of a type which are conveyed over the wireless communication network.

Abstract: A keypad that produces a voltage level indicative of a key pressed and a touch panel that produces a voltage level indicative of a location on the touch panel that has been pressed are both coupled to the input of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). A processor, coupled to the output of the ADC, reads the ADC output.

Abstract: A counter for synthesizing clock signals with minimal jitter. The inventive counter has a first counter stage; a look-ahead circuit input connected to said first counter stage; and a selection circuit for choosing between an output of said first counter stage and an output of said look-ahead circuit as an output of said counter. In the specific embodiment, the first counter stage is adapted to receive a first clock signal having a frequency of N cycles per second and output a second clock signal having a frequency of M cycles per second. The first counter stage includes an accumulator having a rollover point at which an instantaneous count thereof exceeds the value of N−M. The look-ahead circuit determines for a present clock cycle the rollover point for a preceding clock cycle. The look-ahead circuit is a second counter stage adapted to ascertain whether the rising edge or the trailing edge of the second clock signal is closer to the rollover point and output an indication with respect thereto.

Abstract: A system (36, 38) for accurately matching a phone call to a corresponding entry in an electronic phonebook (40) adapted for use with a telephone (10). The system (36, 38) includes a first mechanism (38) for identifying the phone call and providing a phone number in response thereto. A second mechanism (38) determines a home area code associated with the phone. A third mechanism (38) employs the home area code and the phone number to accurately match the phone call to a corresponding entry in the electronic phonebook (40) whether or not entries in the electronic phonebook (40) contain area codes. In a specific embodiment, the first mechanism (38) includes a mechanism (38) for identifying the phone call as an incoming or outgoing call. A caller identification system (38) identifies incoming calls and provides the phone number in response thereto. Another mechanism (38) stores an outgoing number dialed by the user and provides the outgoing number as the phone number in response thereto.

Abstract: A banner for a communication device that changes according to the current date is provided. The banner is displayed (13) during standby mode of operation of the communication device. The system for dynamically displaying the banner includes a calendar (21) which has a number of dates. Each of the number of dates has a unique message associated with it. The system also includes software (22a) that compares the current date with the number of dates from the calendar (21). The software (22a) then determines whether the current date matches one of the number of dates from the calendar (21). The display screen (23) of the communication device displays the unique message if the current date matches one of the number of dates from the calendar (21). If the current date does not match one of the number of dates from the calendar (21), the display screen (23) of the communication device displays a default message (14).

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing a user interface within a phone that responds to a limited vocabulary of user trained voice commands. The interface allows users to perform all phone handset dialing functions using voice commands. Additionally, users will be able to create and modify entries within a voice recognition phonebook, whereby a number within the voice recognition phonebook can be called by saying the name associated with the number. The user interface provides a combination of voice and LCD displayed user prompts and responses to voice input. The interface responds to user voice commands and performs the command functions based upon matches to previously user trained voice command vocabulary words stored in memory.

Abstract: A system and method for independently downloading a main program and optional features into a set of storage locations of a wireless communication device uses a memory to store the main program and a set of selected optional features. An identification element associated with one in the set of selected optional features enables the main program to interact with the one in the set of selected optional features. A programmer programs the selected optional feature programs into the memory by locating a storage location in the memory. An indicator indicates when the set of selected optional features has been stored in the memory. The memory can further contain a linking element and a pointer to identify storage locations in the memory. The invention allows the set of selected optional features to be stored after the main program is stored in the memory.

Abstract: A novel and improved circuit and method for amplifying an input signal. The circuit includes an amplifier circuit having an input for receiving the input signal, and an amplifier control circuit, coupled to the amplifier circuit, for varying a supply power and a device periphery of the amplifier circuit in response to an amplitude envelope of the input signal. In this manner, the amplifier control circuit can control the linearity and the efficiency of the amplifier circuit using the characteristics of the input signal itself, without relying on any external processing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamic temperature compensation and pilot stage searcher selection in a mobile unit of a CDMA wireless communication link. Temperature values and measured pilot frequencies are stored in a Temperature Compensation Table and a Temperature Array. The dynamically updated frequency values maintained in the Temperature Compensation Table and Temperature Array are used to determine the searcher stage to be used in pilot signal acquisition. Both the Temperature Compensation Table and the Temperature Array (TA) are updated every 30 seconds after the mobile unit has acquired a pilot signal. The values in the Temperature Array correspond only to values measured during the current phone power on cycle. If the mobile unit loses acquisition with a pilot signal and must reacquire, the acquisition software examines the TA values to determine whether or not the current temperature is saved in the TA.

Abstract: A telephone (202) includes a microphone (204), earphone (206), keypad (208), and display unit (210). The keypad (208) is the preferred user interface for entry of a telephone number into the telephone so that the telephone may call it. However, a voice recognition device (212) may be attached to the microphone with similar effect. The telephone includes a list (214) of stored telephone numbers, which may be added onto the list in any convenient way. As digits are entered into the phone through the user interface (208, 212), a comparator (216) compares the resulting partially entered number with the numbers on the list. When the comparison demonstrates some pre-established association between the numbers, then the stored number is displayed on the display unit (210). If the user selects (310) one of the displayed numbers (perhaps with scrolling), the number is called (312). If not, the next digit is entered.

Abstract: A method of designing a network results in a network with an efficient addressing scheme which allows for filters to perform a simple logical operation. The process begins by arranging a plurality of nodes connected by a plurality of bi-directional links in a tree topology. Each node is assigned a range of consecutive flow process addresses such that each packet carried in a first direction on one of the bi-directional links has an address within the range A<X<B and each packet carried in a second direction on the same bi-directional link has an address within the range {overscore (A<X<B)}.

Abstract: A voice controlled foreign language translator implemented in a device such that a user can speak a phrase in the user's native language and the translator will repeat the phrase in the foreign language. The user is provided a collection of predetermined foreign phrases. The phrases are stored in a device memory. Each individual phrase is accessible by the user. If speaker dependent voice recognition is implemented, the user must train the device to correlate the native language phrase with the foreign language phrase prior to using the translation feature. Voice recognition software operating on a digital processor within the device processes the user voice input. Once the user has trained the device it can be used in translation mode. In translation mode the user speaks one of the pre-trained native language phrases and the device, using voice recognition, outputs the corresponding foreign phrase. The output is typically played on a loudspeaker in the device.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel and improved technique for decoding technique with particular application to turbo, or iterative, coding techniques. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a system for decoding includes a channel deinterleaver RAM for storing a block of symbol estimates, a set of S state metric calculators. Each state metric calculator is for generating a set of state metric calculations and a set of S+1 window RAMs, wherein, S of said S+1 window RAMs provide symbol estimates to said S state metric calculators. A remaining window RAM receives symbol estimates from said channel deinterleaver RAM.

Abstract: A flip cover and hinge operate as a rotary switch to select the mode of operation of a communications device. Multiple contacts are located on the sides of the inner surface of the flip cover and a single contact is located on each side of the body of the communications device. Each contact located on the sides of the inner surface of the flip cover represents a different mode of operation for the communications device. As the flip cover rotates from a closure position to its final position as a stand, the mode of operation of the communications device changes as the contact from the body of the communications device connects with one of the contacts on the flip cover. Three modes of operation are presently implemented: the KEYPAD mode, the SMARTPHONE mode, and the SPEAKERPHONE mode.

Abstract: A detection circuit that detects the open and close state of a flip cover of a communications device. The detection circuit includes a resistive network and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). When the flip cover is in the closed position, the circuit detects a unique resistive value through a set of contacts. This voltage level is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal via the ADC for input into a microprocessor. When the flip cover is in the open position, the contacts are broken, thus, disabling the detection of the unique resistive value. The resulting voltage level is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal via the ADC for input into a microprocessor. Software, programmed within the microprocessor, enables the communications device to operate in the appropriate mode according to the detection of the open/close state of the flip cover.

Abstract: Corrections to a coarse position estimate of the pseudorange receiving device are made based upon knowledge of the amount of error present in inaccurate information (e.g., the old Almanac and/or Ephemeris) used to estimate the coarse position.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the size and center of a search for global positioning system (GPS) satellites. The system and method uses information taken from a wireless communication device for which the location is sought. The information includes determinations as to what communication base stations are local to the wireless communication device and how far away each such base station is from the wireless communication system.