Abstract: A technique for processing at least one bad pixel occurring in an image sensing system is provided. Dynamic bad pixel detection is performed on a plurality of streaming pixels taking from at least one controlled image and value and coordinate information for each bad pixel is subsequently stored as stored bad pixel information. Thereafter, static bad pixel correction may be performed based on the stored bad pixel information. The stored bad pixel information may be verified based on histogram analysis performed on the plurality of streaming pixels. The technique for processing bad pixels in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in suitable circuitry or, more broadly, within devices incorporating image sensing systems.

Abstract: Within a wireless CDMA communication system (100), at least one dedicated inbound code (232, 332, 414-416) and at least one dedicated outbound code (234, 334, 418-420) are provided solely for use in providing group calls. Based on a dedicated inbound code, a subscriber unit transmits a group call signal (505) and a base transceiver system receives the group call signal (703). In turn, the base transceiver system retransmits the group call signal based on a dedicated outbound code (709). Alternatively, or in addition, the base transceiver system sends the group call signal, along with information regarding the dedicated inbound code, to a controller (705-706). Subscriber units can receive group code updates (502, 602) indicating the particular dedicated inbound and outbound codes to be used within a given site. In this manner, the communication system can provide group call functionality in a public system.

Abstract: A controller (120), in response to receiving a request for a group call (201) targeting a group (101), allocates at least one power adjustment channel to the group call (202) and sends identification of the at least one power adjustment channel to at least some of the subscriber units in the group (203). Using the at least one power adjustment channel, the controller also sends unique power adjustment information to each of the at least some subscriber units (204). Unique power adjustment channel access information is also sent to the subscriber units so that each subscriber unit can receive its own unique power adjustment information (503) and adjust its inbound transmission power (504) in response. In this manner, efficient reverse power control is provided for multiple subscriber units thereby facilitating group calls in CDMA systems.

Abstract: In a wireless communication system, session timers are separately maintained by a communication device (101) and a system controller (104). When a portion of outbound data is sent to a base station (102) for transmission to the communication device, the base station creates at least one transmission time stamp which is then sent to the system controller (203). If a session has not been previously established, the system controller uses the at least one transmission time stamp to establish a session and initiate a session timer (204). If a session has been previously established, the system controller uses the at least one transmission time stamp to determine whether to continue the current session timer (709). This applies to inbound data as well. Furthermore, session timers can also be synchronized to paging acknowledgments (305), channel information messages (503) or channel access messages (602). In this manner, session timers are more accurately synchronized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing broadcast group data within a communication system begins when a subscriber unit (28-32, 38-42) provides a data service message to a data gateway (12). The data service message includes identity of a subscriber unit, a data selection, and identity of at least one targeted host (e.g., a computer that stores the requested data) (22-26). Upon receiving the data service message, the data gateway (12) interprets it to determine whether the request is for an individual data broadcast or group data broadcast. When the data broadcast is for a group data broadcast, the data gateway temporarily stores the identity of the subscriber unit and the identity of the targeted host. Having done this, the data gateway (12) obtains the data from the targeted host and provides it to the requesting subscriber unit and other subscriber units that are currently involved in a group voice call with the requesting subscriber unit.

Abstract: At least one outbound channel quality metric (OCQM) is determined by a communication unit (220) based on a first number of samples per unit of time (301). When the at least one OCQM is favorable, subsequent OCQMs for that channel are determined based on a decreased number of samples per unit of time (305). When the at least one OCQM is unfavorable, subsequent OCQMs are determined based on an increased number of samples per unit of time (306). In an alternate embodiment, the number of samples per unit of time used to determine OCQMs is based on an apparent speed of the communication unit. In yet another embodiment, the number of sample per unit of time is based in part upon a difference between a serving site OCQM and a neighboring site OCQM. In this manner, current drain on a communication unit's battery is substantially reduced, thereby extending battery life.

Abstract: Responsive to a received call request, a resource controller (105) assigns a first control channel to the call request (302). When there are no traffic channels available and there is at least one pending call request (303-304), it is determined whether there is a second control channel, combinable with the first control channel, available from a group of un-assigned control channels (305). Alternatively, it is determined whether the second control channel is available from a group of assigned control channels (308). The second control channel, when available, is assigned along with the first control channel as an additional traffic to one of the pending call requests (307).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a subscriber unit's use of a talk-around mode is accomplished when detection of a subscriber unit's selection, and subsequent deselection, of the talk-around mode occurs. Indications of the selection, and subsequent deselection, of the talk-around mode are provided to a monitoring entity (16). The monitoring entity (16) determines the subscriber unit's usage of the talk-around mode based on the indications. From the usage of the talk-around mode, an appropriate fee for such service can be obtained. Alternatively, the monitoring entity may be provided with usage information, which is used to establish the appropriate fee.

Abstract: In a wireless code-division multiple access (CDMA) system (100), a talkgroup (101) of subscriber units is provided. A sub-group (102) of subscriber units, forming a part of the talkgroup is assigned at least one inbound code (416-417). The entire talkgroup is assigned an outbound code (415). Members of the sub-group may simultaneously transmit voice information (410-411) using the at least one inbound code, which voice information is summed (412) and re-transmitted to the talkgroup using the outbound code. Subscriber units in the talkgroup, but not included in the sub-group, are allowed to transmit voice information only after requesting, and receiving, an additional inbound code.

Abstract: A terminating switching center (101-103) receives an initial address message from an originating switching center (101-103). Responsive to the initial address message, the terminating switching center establishes communications with a wireless unit (118-120). When a called party category corresponding to the wireless unit is compatible with a calling party category included in the initial address message, the terminating switching center instructs at least one terminating transcoder (121-123) to operate in a transparent mode. An answer message including the called party category is sent back to the originating switching center. When the calling and called party categories are compatible, the originating switching center instructs at least one originating transcoder (121-123) to operate in a transparent mode. Additionally, communication path identifiers are included in the messages exchanged.

Abstract: In a resource allocator (106), a reserved resource group comprising at least one communication resource is maintained for use in supporting non-queued services. When a request for the at least one non-queued service is received, a communication resource from the reserved resource group is allocated to the request (305). When the reserved resource group becomes depleted, at least one more communication resource is assigned to the reserved resource group with greater preference relative to allocation of communication resources to requests for at least one queued service (307). In a preferred embodiment, a communication resource is assigned to the reserved resource group prior to allocating resources to any queued service requests. Additionally, communication resources (200) having varying grades of service can be accommodated.

Abstract: A method of recovering a finite duration of N symbols of a digitally-modulated signal, wherein a received signal is sampled at a period T.sub.1, generating a batch of K.sub.1 samples, wherein K.sub.1 is chosen to be an integer multiple of the N symbols. The K.sub.1 time-domain samples are input to a discrete fourier transform (20) providing a first batch of K.sub.1 frequency-domain samples. The first batch of K.sub.1 frequency-domain samples are multiplied by a set of frequency-domain K.sub.1 complex gains to provide a second batch of K.sub.1 frequency-domain samples. The second batch of K.sub.1 frequency-domain samples are broken into K.sub.1 /N batches of N samples. The K.sub.1 /N batches are added, generating a single batch of N samples which is input to an inverse fast fourier transform (24) to obtain N time-domain samples.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an update method preference value (401) is determined as between a group update method and an individual update method for a wireless communication system (100). Also, a plurality of communication units are partitioned into at least one group, which at least one group is further partitioned into at least one subgroup (402). Once partitioned, a number of communication units in the at least one subgroup is determined (403) and, along with the update method preference value, is applied to a predetermined function to select an update method (404). The update method is used to update a communication unit parameter in communication units included in the at least one subgroup (405). Using this method, the update of communication unit parameters can be achieved automatically through the use of group and individual updates.

Abstract: In a modulator (300), a symbol weight determiner (301) determines a scaling factor (310) for at least one symbol (308). An integrator (303) and a complex symbol generator (305) operate to produce at least one complex symbol (314) based on the at least one symbol. The scaling factor (310) is used to scale the at least one complex symbol. In one embodiment, a scaler (307) comprises a gain-modifiable amplifier (609) and, in a second embodiment, the scaler comprises a gain-modifiable filter (809). When such a modulator is incorporated into an RF communication device (600, 800), the energy used to transmit any given symbol can be varied according to the relative importance of that symbol. Additionally, the overall received sensitivity of a communication, at a given signal strength, can be improved.

Abstract: A template instruction is sent to a communication unit (101), either by a supervisor communication unit (112) or a communication resource controller (108). The template instruction includes a template (205), an enforcement level indication (206), and a supervisor communication unit address (207). The communication unit configures itself to operate in a first mode of operation specified by the template, and attempts to operate the communication unit in a second mode of operation that conflicts with the first mode of operation are detected. Based on the enforcement level specified, a predetermined course of action is effected by the communication unit.

Abstract: In an improved diversity repeater (200), a plurality of frame sets (213) corresponding to a message are received by a time stamper (202) such that frames within each frame set are time stamped. An arrival time differentiator (204) determines arrival time differentials (217) for each frame set based on time stamps. An averager (206) averages the arrival time differentials together. The resulting averaged arrival time differentials (219) are used by a voting window determiner to determine a new voting window (221). The new voting window is used to perform voting on frame sets corresponding to a subsequent message.

Abstract: A router (200) comprising a router controller (203) coupled to a packet-switched interface (202) and a circuit-switched timedivision multiplexed interface (204) allows framed packet-data to be conveyed through a circuit-switched system, Inbound address information (208) included with inbound framed packet-data (207) is used by the router controller to route inbound packets (209) to associated inbound time slots (211). Conversely, the router controller determines outbound address information (218) for outbound packets (216) based on identifications (214) of associated outbound time slots (213). Such a router can be incorporated into a communication system 700. Sites (701-702) that transceive framed packet-data are coupled to a circuit-switched digital cross-connect switch (705) via the routers. A system controller (706) controls the circuit-switched digital cross-connect switch such that the associated inbound time slots are broadcast to at least the associated outbound time slots.

Abstract: A digital voice message, including a continuously embedded portable identification code, is transmitted by a portable communication unit (105) to a mobile communication unit (104) and to broadcast units (101-103). Based on the portable identification code, the mobile communication unit determines that it is associated with the portable communication unit. If, after a first predetermined period of time has elapsed, the mobile communication unit determines that the digital voice message is not being re-transmitted, in real time, by a broadcast unit (101), mobile repeater is enabled by the mobile communication unit and the digital voice message is re-transmitted as a mobile repeated message, thereby effectively extending the transmitting range of the portable communication unit.

Abstract: In a wireless communication system (100), a communication unit parameter is sent to a plurality of communication units (105-108) during a first period of time using either a group update method or an individual update method (401). A first set of communication units that did not receive the communication unit parameter is determined (402) and, during a second period of time, the communication unit parameter is sent to the first set of communication units using only the individual update method (403). During the second period of time, the communication unit parameter is sent based on primary and/or secondary regions of operation for each communication unit and also upon detection of update opportunities. This process can be repeated for any number of communication unit parameters (404). Using this method, updates of communication unit parameters have a high likelihood of being successfully and efficiently performed.

Abstract: Network access delays are minimized by using affiliation messages to pre-establish communications in a wireless communication network (100). In a first embodiment, connections between a site and a multicast server are not pre-assigned. A controller (102), upon receiving an affiliation message from a site (104), establishes connections between the site and a multicast server (111), the connections being uniquely associated with a talkgroup/site affiliation indicated by the affiliation message. In a second embodiment, connections between the site and the multicast server are pre-arranged. Thus, responsive to the affiliation message received from the site, the controller informs the multicast server that a talkgroup is affiliated with the site. Regardless of whether the first or second embodiment is used, the multicast server routes packetized information corresponding to the talkgroup to those sites with which the talkgroup is affiliated.