Abstract: An apparatus (500) for generating first and second output signals having predetermined frequency shifts relative to a frequency provided by a reference signal is included in a system comprising a phase-locked loop (206) coupled to the reference signal for generating the first and second output signals. The apparatus (500) includes pulse deletion circuitry (204) coupled to the reference signal and the phase-locked loop (206) for deleting pulses from the reference signal at a first deletion rate to generate the first output signal and for deleting pulses from the reference signal at a second deletion rate to generate the second output signal.

Abstract: An omnidirectional antenna (100) includes a resonator (102) and a ground plane (104).

Abstract: A radio frequency communication system is coupled to a telephone network having automatic number identification (ANI) capabilities for communication thereover. The radio frequency communication system includes at least one relocateable base station (115) which shares a radio frequency channel with stationary communication devices for communicating over predetermined geographic areas. The radio frequency communication system further includes a service center (125) which, in response to a call from a base station (115), receives from the telephone network information indicative of at least a portion of a telephone number from which the base station (115) is calling. The service center (125) determines therefrom whether the base station (115) is located within any of the predetermined geographic areas.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) comprises a circuit carrying substrate (300) having an electronic circuit pattern (301) formed thereon, at least one component (302) having leads (304) for electrically coupling the at least one component (302) to the electronic circuit pattern (301) formed on the circuit carrying substrate (300), and a thermoplastic coating (200, 200') for covering the leads (304) of the at least one component (302) to insulate the leads (304) thereof.

Abstract: An electronic device (605) for presenting data comprises a display (600) having at least first and second segments (705, 710) comprising, respectively, first and second pluralities of rows, wherein at least one overlapping row (637) is included in both the first and second segments (705, 710). A first driving circuit (650) coupled to the display (600) drives, during a first set of time periods, the first plurality of rows with a first set of orthonormal functions, including a first at least one modified orthonormal function for driving the at least one overlapping row (637), and a second driving circuit (652) coupled to the display (600) drives, during a second set of time periods, the second plurality of rows with a second set of orthonormal functions, including a second at least one modified orthonormal function for driving the at least one overlapping row (637).

Abstract: A method for configuring the presentation of received messages comprises the steps of user selectably defining (302) a period of time during which a visual representation of messages received during the period of time will be visually presented, and receiving (304) the messages during the period of time. During the period of time, a further step includes presenting (306) information about the messages received during the period of time on a standby information display. A still further step includes presenting (306) information about messages received during a subsequent period of time on the standby information display after expiration of the period of time.

Abstract: A return loss meter (100) for base stations comprises a first transceiver (10) having a first transmitter (12), a first receiver (22 and 30), and a first antenna (20), a second transceiver (50) having a second transmitter (52), a second receiver (62 and 70), and a second antenna (60), wherein the first transceiver and the second transceiver are cross-coupled using at least one directional coupler (16) capable of being switched. The return loss meter includes a device for measuring reflected and transmitted power of the first antenna via a first directional coupler (16) capable of being switched and via a device (74) capable of measuring received signal strength at the second receiver and a device for measuring reflected and transmitted power of the second antenna via a second directional coupler (56) capable of being switched and via a device (34) capable of measuring received signal strength at the first receiver.

Abstract: A radio receiver (40) for receiving an RF signal comprises receiving circuitry (42) for receiving and demodulating the RF signal and a microcomputer (44) coupled to the receiving circuitry (42) for enabling and disabling the receiving circuitry (42) at predetermined times. The radio receiver (40) further comprises an expansion chip (68) coupled to and controlled by the microcomputer (44) for communicating therewith to further process the RF signal. Communication between the microcomputer (44) and the expansion chip (68) occurs at a first speed when the receiving circuitry (42) is enabled and at a second speed faster than the first speed when the receiving circuitry (42) is disabled.

Abstract: A low profile antenna system comprises a frame having front and side surfaces for enclosing a printed circuit board supporting a receiver, the front surface of the frame including a first conductive plate, an isolated portion thereof, which couples to the printed circuit board and forms a first portion of a loop antenna. A conductor is coupled to the printed circuit board and forms a second portion of the loop antenna. A second conductive plate is coupled to the frame and forms a rear surface of the frame to completely enclose the printed circuit board. The second conductive plate is capacitively coupled to the conductor thereby enhancing the sensitivity of the loop antenna.

Abstract: A pick and place machine (30) having morphing vacuum tip (10) comprises a chamber (24) having a sealed first port (25), a filter (22) on a second port (27), and a vacuum (12) on a third port (23), a needle (28) pierced through the sealed first port and through the filter on the second port, wherein a vacuum (14) is placed on the portion of the needle piercing through the sealed first port. Finally, the morphing vacuum tip additionally comprises a non-porous bag (18) having a plurality of fine particles (16) within the bag and an external portion of the bag surrounding a periphery of a portion of the needle pierced through the filter on the second port, the non-porous bag having an open portion being exposed to an external side of the filter on the second port of the chamber, wherein the vacuum on the third port sucks air out of the non-porous bag and the filter prevents the plurality of fine particles from entering the chamber.

Abstract: A power amplifier is described, such as an amplifier employing closed loop feedback (e.g. Cartesian feedback) as well as a radio transmitter incorporating such an amplifier. The amplifier circuit has an amplifier control loop and a loop closing element (18, 107) for selectively opening and closing the control loop in response to a loop closing signal (40). One or more gain elements (30, 31, 32, 33, 101, 102, 110, 111) external to the control loop is adjusted responsive to the loop closing signal so as to maintain approximately constant gain between the input and the output of the amplifier during opening and closing of the loop, Because the gain adjustment is carried out external to the loop, any negative impact on the phase shift or phase stability is reduced or eliminated, and the circuit can be designed with reduced phase margin and greater simplicity.

Abstract: A front lighted liquid crystal display assembly (10) comprises a liquid crystal display (22) and a substantially clear lens (11) mounted above the liquid crystal display. The clear lens has a portion with a stair step configuration (18). The assembly further comprises a light pipe (14) integrally coupled to the substantially clear lens for substantially transmitting a light (12) through the light pipe and into and through the stair step configuration.

Abstract: A radio having two architectural platforms integrated in one integrated circuit (IC). A synthesizer controller (312) selects between an offset local oscillator (LO) synthesizer (318) and a second LO synthesizer (316) to provide a common architecture for either an Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) or Time Division Duplex (TDD) system design while providing isolation between the two frequency sources. An offset LO signal (319) is translated to an isolated LO signal 310 and combined with a main LO signal (322) to provide the FDD platform. A second LO signal (314) is translated into the isolated LO signal 310 and combined with the main LO signal (322) to provide the TDD platform. The second LO synthesizer signal (314) is common to both systems in the receive mode.

Abstract: An electronic device having operational parameters comprises a receiver (11) for receiving a signal and a microprocessor (12) for monitoring (21) the status of the operational parameters. An output device (15) presents (31) a voice message when the status of one of the operational parameters exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A radio receiver (110) can be coupled to first and second external devices (345) for communication therewith. A method in the radio receiver (110) for processing and forwarding received messages comprises the steps of determining a number of errors included in a first message and determining that the first external device (345) is coupled to the radio receiver (110). The method further comprises the step of comparing the number of errors included in the first message to a first value associated with the first external device (345) in response to determining that the first external device (345) is coupled to the radio receiver (110). Thereafter, the first message is provided to the first external device (345) when the number of errors included in the first message is less than the first value.

Abstract: A battery powered device (100) utilizing a rechargeable battery (135) comprises a ball bearing (300) having a first diameter for receiving a current and a housing (200) having an opening (405) formed therethrough in which the ball bearing (300) is situated, wherein the opening (405) has a second diameter of less than the first diameter. The battery powered device (100) further comprises a spring (305) situated in the opening (405) in contact with the ball bearing (300) and a spring cap (310) fastened to the housing (200) for forcibly holding the spring (305) in contact with the ball bearing (300). A conductive element is coupled between the spring and the rechargeable battery such that the current received by the ball bearing (300) is supplied to the rechargeable battery (135) via the spring (310).

Abstract: According to the present invention, a screen printer (200) selectively applies solder paste to multiple types of printed circuit boards. The screen printer (200) includes mobile placement equipment (210), which receives and transports the boards, and application equipment, which includes first and second stencils (225), frames for holding the stencils (225) in fixed positions, and an applicator (415) for applying solder paste to a board through either the first or second stencil (225). A controller (215) determines the type of a board received by the mobile placement equipment (210), then, when the board is of a first type, directs the mobile placement equipment (210) to a location aligned with the first stencil. When the board is of a second type, the mobile placement equipment (210) is directed to a location aligned with the second stencil.

Abstract: A holster (10) for a selective call receiver having a liquid crystal display comprises a plastic housing (12) for removably retaining the selective call receiver and a substantially clear lens (14) integrally formed in the plastic housing providing protection to the display and allowing a user of the portable communication product to view the liquid crystal display while the selective call receiver is retained within the holster.