Abstract: A remote token based information acquisition system (100) operates generate the wireless request and delivery of information corresponding with a uniform resource locator. The system includes a personal messaging device (200) having a receiver (205) that receives a selective call message including a selective call address and a canned message representing the uniform resource locator. A microprocessor (207) operates to determine selection of the personal messaging device, decoding, storage, and presentation the canned message. A transmitter (204) coupled to the processor operates to send a reverse channel message requesting information corresponding with the uniform resource locator.

Abstract: A selective call device (130) having a receiver (204) that receives a selective call signal with an address (312), a formatting message (406), and a related message (408). A processor (214) correlates a recovered address with a predetermined address in the selective call device (130) and determines selection of the selective call device (130). A decoder (212) decodes the formatting message (406) and the related message (408) contained in the selective call signal in response to the processor (214) determining selection of the selective call device. An information display (228) presents at least a portion of the related message (408) in accordance with a format determined at least in part by the formatting message (406).

Abstract: A computer (100) for generating a mesh of a computer modeled, mechanical structure includes a data entry device (105) for receiving model data representative of a model and a hexahedron mesher (128) for automatically generating a mesh of the model using hexahedral elements. The hexahedron mesher (128) operates without user intervention other than an initial user-initiated command. The computer (100) also includes an analyzer (140) for performing finite element analysis on the mesh and a presentation device, such as a display (125), for presenting results of the finite element analysis.

Abstract: A data terminal, such as a personal digital assistant, personal computer, pager or other such device has a persistent memory (11), a non-persistent memory (12) including a memory item (15 or 16) and an indicator (17 or 18) indicating whether the memory item has been stored in the persistent memory. The data terminal has a power supply (29), a power fail detector (50) for detecting an imminent power failure in the power supply and a switching element (34) coupling the non-persistent memory (12) to the power supply. The switching element causes the power supply to supply power to the non-persistent memory when the indicator indicates that the second memory item has not been stored in the persistent memory and discontinues supply of power to the non-persistent memory when the power fail detector detects an imminent power failure and the indicator indicates that the second memory item has been stored in the persistent memory.

Abstract: A communication receiver (100) utilizing a synthesizer (143) employs a discrete-time phase locked loop which includes a reference oscillator (135), a phase error detector (202), a discrete-time analog computing element (206), an integrator (210), a controlled frequency generator (211, 212), and a frequency divider (214). The discrete-time analog computing element implements a discrete-time analog lead-lag network circuit. This circuit includes a clock and logic circuit (216), at least one discrete-time analog queuing element (218), and an analog computing engine (222). The queuing element (218) includes N analog signal lines, N analog storage lines, N control lines, and N.sup.2 controllable switches. Each controllable switch is coupled between each of the N analog signal lines and each of the N analog storage lines. In addition, N charge storage elements are coupled between each of the N analog storage lines and a common circuit node.

Abstract: A communication system has a hierarchical system of nodes organized into multiple node trees (800-806, 820-826, and 835), the communication system for completing calls between various ports (810, 812, 826) for interfacing to various transceivers (840). The method used in the hierarchical system is capable of tracking the location of the transceiver as it moves between ports and trees of the system while substantially reducing the size and modification of a data base for tracking the location of the transceiver. The communication system provides a method of linking root nodes (800, 820, 835) of various trees while providing for the advantages of a reduced amount of memory necessary for tracking transceiver movement through the system. The method allows establishment and growth of node trees in various geographic locations while providing for links between the root nodes of the trees.

Abstract: A paging system includes a plurality of paging receivers (14, 16), each paging receiver having a display (19) for presenting the at least a portion of a representation of graphic information which substantially resembles at least a portion of graphic information received from a facsimile unit (11). The paging system further includes a paging terminal (13) capable of receiving graphic information received from the facsimile unit (11) and transmitting the representation of graphic information to the paging receiver (16).

Abstract: A first portable selective call receiver (130) updates a record in a database in the first portable selective call receiver, and automatically creates a message packet (200) in response to the record updating, the message packet (200) including message data (204) comprising changes updated to the record. The first portable selective call receiver (130) then sends the message packet (200) to a central paging communication system (100). The central paging communication system (100) receives the message packet (200), couples destination address information with the message packet (200) to provide a message, and wireless transmits the message over a paging communication channel. A second portable selective call receiver (130) receives the message from the paging communication channel, and updates a record in a database in the second portable selective call receiver (130) with the message data (204) from the message packet (200) from the received message.

Abstract: A selective call messaging peripheral (100) capable of receiving at least one message and communicating it to an electronic information processing device (200) comprises a microcontroller (105) including a processor (106) for executing a microcode program that controls operation of the peripheral and a receiver (103) that operates to receive and demodulate an information signal to provide a recovered information signal including an address signal and the message. A correlator (109) compares the recovered address signal with a predetermined address and generates an address detection indicating selection of the peripheral.

Abstract: A messaging peripheral (100) includes a processor (106) for executing a microcode program that controls operation of the messaging peripheral (100), and a PCMCIA memory only interface (119) that allows communication of communication of at least one message and a user selectable password between an electronic information processing device (200) and the messaging peripheral (100). The PCMCIA memory only interface couples to a secure memory access interface that is controlled by the processor (106). The secure memory access interface (703) allows the electronic information processing device (200) to access the at least one message when a memory protection mode is selected and the processor (106) receives a user entered password and performs a correlation between the user entered password and the user selectable password.

Abstract: An etiquette controller (112) in a transmitter (14) in a first radio frequency (RF) communications system (10) enables radio frequency communications in a frequency bandwidth shared with heterogeneous RF communication systems (15). The etiquette controller (112) monitors the first RF signals in an isochronous frequency channel in a sub-band of the shared frequency bandwidth to determine whether (124) a frequency channel is free or whether (130, 136) the frequency channel comprises a communication channel which is free. In addition, the etiquette controller (112) causes the RF transceiver (102) to transmit (148) a channel relinquishment signal, monitors (150) the isochronous frequency channel for a predetermined monitoring time, and determines (152) whether the isochronous frequency channel is then free for the channel access.

Abstract: A selective call receiver (100) for facilitating storage and presentation of a received selective call message. A microcontroller (105) executes a microcode program that controls operation of the selective call receiver (100). Received messages are stored by a memory manager (119) in a memory (115) coupled to the microcontroller (105). The memory manager (115) allocates and deallocates memory blocks, each block corresponding to a memory storage area (504) capable of storing at least a portion of the received message. The memory manager (119) also maintains a dynamic list (505) representing used and unused memory slots, the list being initialized in response to receipt of a database configuration message (301, 302) and updated in response to subsequent received selective call messages.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) includes a housing (222), a circuit supporting substrate (604, 605) within the housing (222) and mechanically coupled thereto, and electronic circuitry (606, 607, 608, 609, 610) mechanically coupled to the circuit supporting substrate (604, 605). A battery retainer (601) is located within the housing (222), and is mechanically coupled to the housing (222) for positioning and securing a battery (603) and preventing the transmission of mechanical shock between the battery (603) and nearby mechanical elements (240, 242, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610). The battery retainer includes at least one integrally molded user actuated switch (602) for controlling an operating function of the electronic device (100).

Abstract: A selective call receiver (100) includes a phase lock loop frequency synthesizer having a programmable output frequency signal (414) responsive to a control current signal (417). The phase lock loop frequency synthesizer includes a programmable gain current multiplier (412), a gain of which is determined by a control word selected such that a loop gain of the synthesizer remains relatively constant over a predetermined operating domain of a programmable output frequency signal (417). The current multiplier generates (412) the control current signal (417) by subtracting a reference current (415) from a limited current (416), thus bounding a range of the control current signal (417) within a maximum value of substantially the reference current (415) and a minimum value of the difference between the reference current (415) and the limited current (416).

Abstract: A radio modem (100) having application software (128) stored therein receives upgrade information via over-the-air selective call messaging. The upgrade information comprises upgrade installation information and upgrade data. A microprocessor (108) compiles the upgrade installation information and operates to upgrade the application software (128) in accordance with the upgrade installation information and in response to the upgrade data. Likewise, application software in the computer (302) can be upgraded by over-the-air transmission of upgrade information to the radio modem (100).

Abstract: An electronic information processing device (300) capable of communicating a message to a paging terminal (112) uses an input device (309) to enter the message, select a messaging subscriber and their corresponding selective call address identifier, and schedule communication of the message to the paging terminal (112) for transmission to at least one selective call receiver corresponding to the selected messaging subscriber. The device uses a micro-controller (301) including at least one electronic memory (304, 305, 306) and a processor (303), to execute a program that controls operation of the device (300), maintain a registry of messaging subscribers (400) in the memory (304, 305, 306), and implement a real-time calendar for effecting communication of a selective call address identifier and corresponding message to the paging terminal (112) via a data port (308) in response to a scheduled communication of the message.

Abstract: A cascode amplifier circuit including an input mirroring transistor (401) that generates a first output current (403) in response to the input signal. A diode connected transistor (404) generates a control bias proportional to the first output current. A cascode connected transistor output stage (405) includes a common source transistor (406) coupled to the input signal and the input mirroring transistor (401) for establishing an output current (407) in the cascode connected transistor output stage. A common gate transistor (408) is coupled to the diode connected transistor (404) and the common source transistor (406) for isolating the common source transistor (406) from any change in an output voltage present at an output terminal (409) of the common gate transistor (408) while operating to control the output currently(407) in response to the control bias.

Abstract: A portable paging system communicates a paging message including a first portion having at least a selective call address (406) and a first activation code (407), and a second portion having a first segment (409) of an audio portion, to a selective call receiver (300). In the portable paging system, an input device (104) prompts an originator to request an extension of the second portion of the paging message, the extension including at least a second segment (410) of the audio portion. Upon receiving an affirmative talk time extension request from the originator, and if extending the second portion of the paging message does not exceed a predetermined number of extension requests or a predetermined total broadcast time allocated for the second portion of the paging message, a paging terminal controller (210) extends the second portion of the paging message.

Abstract: An electronic device (300) has a housing (301) forming a cavity that enshrouds a circuit supporting substrate (302) having at least one electrical contact (303) coupled to a conductor (304). The conductor (304) couples an electrical signal between the electrical contact (303) and electronic circuitry (305) associated with the circuit supporting substrate (302). An aperture (306) in the housing (301) provides access to the at least one electrical contact (303). An articulable cover (307) contiguous to a surface (310) of the housing (310) blocks the aperture (306) when the electronic device (300) is disengaged from a peripheral device (308).