Abstract: A wireless, peer-to-peer, capability addressable network (22) is disclosed. The network (22) accommodates any number of peers (20). Network connections are formed based upon proximity between peers (20) and upon a needs and capabilities evaluation (82). Wireless communications occur at a sufficiently low power to form a detection zone (28) of less than about five meters for many peers (20).

Abstract: A selective call unit (SCU) (122) is used for receiving a sequence of interspersed message fragments (FIG. 4) belonging to a plurality of messages transmitted by a messaging system. The SCU (122) receives a message length command from the messaging system indicating a total message length of a message pending transmission from the messaging system. Each message fragment includes a message portion of the plurality of messages and information indicating the length of the message fragment. The SCU (122) then determines whether there is sufficient memory available for receiving the message according to the message length command. The SCU (122) reserves memory space equivalent to the total message length when the total message length is equal to or less than available memory space, and disallows reception of the message when the total message length is greater than available memory space.

Abstract: Bits are allocated to short-term repetition information for unvoiced input signals. Stated differently, more bits are allocated for pitch information during unvoiced input speech than in the prior art. The improved method and apparatus in an encoder (300) and decoder (700) result in improved consistency of amplitude pulses compared to prior art methods which indicates improved stability due to increased search resolution. Also, the improved method and apparatus result in higher energy compared to prior art methods which indicates that the synthesized waveform matches the target waveform more closely, resulting in a higher fixed codebook (FCB) gain.

Abstract: A linear envelope tracking radio frequency (RF) power amplifier having an adaptive analog signal processing circuit. The amplifier outputs a voltage which is sampled by the adaptive analog signal processing circuit. The adaptive analog signal processing circuit generates an error signal which varies the linearity of the power amplifier. In one embodiment, the error signal controls a modulator which in turn controls the supply voltage to the power amplifier. In another embodiment, the control signal varies a controller which in turn varies a load placed on the power amplifier. The load in turn varies in linearity of the amplifier.

Abstract: A wireless communication device capable of communicating with a local wireless network within a predetermined communication range. If the wireless communication device experiences interference, a low battery or movement outside of the predetermined communication range, the wireless communication device checks to see if a bandwidth, a data rate or a priority can be altered to complete the communication between the wireless communication device and the wireless network.

Abstract: A group selected from a plurality of portable subscriber units (122) is defined (402), and a plurality of locations corresponding to members of the group are identified (404) by a controller (112) in cooperation with a base station and the group members. The controller determines (406) from the plurality of locations at least one distance between selected ones of the members, and sends (408) a notification when the at least one distance satisfies a predetermined set of rules.

Abstract: A circuit and method for personalizing an electronic device (20) through a personal area network (22). Electron devices (20) have transceivers (38) for transmitting a self-initiated message that includes an identification code of the electronic device. Transceivers (38) are also capable of receiving a self-initiated message sent from other electronic devices. The received message causes a response message to be transmitted in response to the identification code in the self-initiated message. Communication between two electron devices (20′ and 20″) is established when the devices are determined to be compatible. The application of the electronic device is configured based on the response message and data is displayed by the electronic device based on the application.

Abstract: A tracking apparatus includes a tracked object interrogator which produces a tracked object identifier output. The tracking apparatus also includes a location interrogator which produces an apparatus location output. The apparatus further includes an alarm which enunciates for a predetermined combination of the apparatus location output and the tracked object identifier output.

Abstract: A signal converter circuit (10) includes an analog to digital converter (14) for converting an input analog signal into a digital signal. The circuit (10) also includes a DAC 16 with segment shuffler for shuffling the digital signal segments output by the analog to digital converter (14) to improve linearity of the converted digital signal. In addition, a shuffle controller (24) connected to the DAC (16) is for adaptively turning the shuffler of DAC (16) on and off based on a parameter, such as amplitude, of the input analog signal. The adaptive segment shuffling enables a lower performance data converter to be used in devices requiring a high dynamic range for converting signals over a wide range of signal amplitudes.

Abstract: In a wireless communication system (100) affinity groups to which a mobile station (114) belongs are identified (504). Historical affinity strengths between the mobile station and the affinity groups are then determined (506). For each of a plurality of communication resources (102) serving members of the affinity groups, a total affinity strength between the mobile station and the members served by the communication resource is calculated (508). The mobile station is then assigned (522) to the communication resource having a highest total affinity strength with the mobile station.

Abstract: A method of transmitting an electronic message with a musical attachment including encoding music into characters having a length equal to seven bits. Each character represents one of a note, a note extension or a command. Further, pitch changes and duration changes are made in a single character. The encoded music can be attached to an alphanumeric electronic message and transmitted with the attached encoded music.

Abstract: A wireless tag (102) is mechanically attached to a product. The wireless tag includes a product freshness detector (204) and a communicator (208) coupled to the product freshness detector for communicating the freshness to a user. The wireless tag also includes a wireless power supply (202) coupled to the product freshness detector and coupled to the communicator for powering the wireless tag from a wireless energy source. A reader (104) powers the wireless tag and includes a transmitter (702) for generating wireless energy for powering the wireless tag. The reader also includes a user interface (708) for providing control of the reader by the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing the electrical characteristics of an antenna in a communications system includes first and second conductive portions separated by a slot. Circuit elements are coupled between the first and second conductive portions, the circuit elements being operably controlled by a bias current to control flow of RF current within the first and second conductive elements, wherein the path of the RF current is directed to be in substantially different locations within the first and second conductive elements.

Abstract: A method for bonding (905) to a device (901, 902). The method includes a step of transmitting a beacon message (2500). The method also includes steps of (i) selecting a beacon opcode (2501), (ii) selecting an identifier (2512), (iii) selecting an identifier type (2514), (iii) selecting an identifier address (2516), composing the beacon opcode (2501), the identifier (2512), the identifier type (2514) and the identifier address (2516) into the beacon message (2500). The method also includes a step of receiving, in response to the transmitting step, a make bond message (2530).

Abstract: A first master transceiver (102) of a first wireless network monitors (602) neighboring wireless networks to discover a strongest interfering master transceiver in one of the neighboring wireless networks. The first master transceiver then time-aligns (604) hop intervals of the first master transceiver with the hop intervals of the strongest interfering master transceiver to ensure that a transmission of the strongest interfering master transceiver during each hop interval used by the strongest interfering master transceiver cannot interfere with the transmission of the first master transceiver during more than one hop interval of the first master transceiver, thereby minimizing the probability of self-interference between the first wireless network and the one of the neighboring wireless networks.

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 multi-level registration control system for a photolithography process includes a photolithography device that prints first, second and third layers on a wafer. A first overlay mark defines overlay errors in a first direction between the first and third layer. The first overlay mark also defines overlay errors between the second and third layers. An overlay measurement device measures the overlay errors and generates an overlay signal. A feedback controller is connected to the overlay measurement device and the photolithography device. The feedback controller receives the overlay error signal and generates and transmits an alignment correction signal to the photolithography device. The first overlay mark is a box-in-box overlay mark or a frame-in-frame overlay mark. By providing a single overlay mark to align three layers, the multi-layer overlay control system reduces scribe grid area and saves useful silicone surface area.

Abstract: A CDMA communication system (400) includes a plurality of base stations (410, 420 and 430) transmitting at least a corresponding plurality of pilot signals. A mobile station (401) in a coverage area of the system (400) receives at least one of the plurality of pilot signals and transmits a Pilot Strength Measurement Message that includes a Neighbor Set of a list of a plurality of candidate pilots for a and-off routine. A method and apparatus for determining the Neighbor Set includes finding a location of the mobile station (401) in the coverage area of system (400) and determining the list of plurality of candidate pilots in the Neighbor Set according to the location of the mobile station (401).

Abstract: A communications unit (10) with a packet subdivider operable on a data packet (200) and an error detecting code generator. An acknowledgement message (NAK) is generated including error detecting code corresponding to packet portions (210-204) from the packet subdivider, thereby requesting retransmission of packet portions. At an originating unit (100) an error detection code is computed for each portion. The computed second error detection code for each sub-portion is compared with the received first error detection code for that portion. Portions for which corresponding error detection codes do not match are identified as bad portions and are retransmitted (220).

Abstract: A media switching apparatus automatically switches a user device between wired and wireless service mediums of communications networks. The switching apparatus includes a protocol stack having a network layer, a logical link control, a first set of lower layers specific to a wired service medium and a second set of lower layers specific to a wireless service medium. A selector is responsive to the availability of a wired service medium for selecting the first set of lower layers and is further responsive to the non-availability of a wired service medium and the availability of a wireless service medium for selecting the second set of lower layers.