Abstract: A fixed system receiver (107) operates in a synchronization mode which is one of a synchronous mode and an asynchronous mode. A system controller (102) transmits a response command which includes a preamble indicator corresponding to the synchronization mode of the fixed system receiver (107). A selective call radio (106) receives and decodes the preamble indicator and generates a response message data unit (312). The synchronous header data packet (660) is preceded by a synchronizing packet (650) when the preamble indicator indicates the asynchronous mode and is not preceded by the synchronizing packet (650) when the preamble indicator indicates the synchronous mode. The selective call radio (106) transmits the response message data unit (312). The fixed system receiver (107) acquires symbol recovery timing and synchronizes to data packet boundaries of the response message data unit (312), using the synchronizing packet (650) when included.

Abstract: A radio communication system (100) includes a system controller (102) for encoding data information to generate data messages which have periodic error protection at one or more burst error frequencies. The system controller (102) transmits one or more of the data messages to at least two transmitters (103) for simultaneous transmission of the one or more data messages. The first and second transmitters (103) have radio carrier frequencies which are offset by an offset frequency which is substantially equivalent to one of the one or more burst error frequencies. A selective call receiver (106) receives and decodes a radio signal including a data message having periodic burst errors at the offset frequency and wherein the data message includes encoding which provides substantial periodic burst error protection at the offset frequency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is for use in a radio communication system (100) for delivering a message from a system controller (102) to a selective call device. In the system controller (102) the method includes the steps of generating a first message intended for the selective call device (106), changing a delivery state of the first message to undelivered after the first message has been transmitted at least once from the system controller (102), and storing the first message in the system controller (102) when the delivery state is changed to undelivered. In the selective call device the method includes the steps of determining that the first message is stored in the system controller (102) and presenting user with information which indicates that an undeliverable message is being stored by the system controller (102) in response to determining that the first message (102) is stored in the system controller (102).

Abstract: A data processing system (10) for providing memory access to a memory (18). The memory (18) includes a memory array (43) having a plurality of memory cells arranged in rows and columns and an address decoder (42) for accessing a memory cell (44) of the memory array (43) in response to decoding an address signal. Precharge logic (49) coupled to the memory array (43) and the address decoder (42) enables, in a high performance mode, all columns of the memory array (43) prior to accessing the memory cell (44). In a low power mode, the precharge logic (49) enables only selected columns of the memory array (43) prior to accessing the memory cell (44).

Abstract: A method and apparatus (400) manages a current data symbol received by a receiver (122) in a frame of data of a time diversity communication system (102, 104). A symbol counter (402) counts a signal (404) from a symbol clock synchronized to the frame of data to provide a count of the current data symbol, and a bit line translator (416) maps a current address from the count. A conditional processor (434) derives a selected memory address from the current address. Then, based upon the current address, a comparator (424) makes a choice among (a) storing the current data symbol in a memory at the selected memory address, (b) merging the current data symbol with an earlier received data symbol stored at the selected memory address during an earlier frame of data, and (c) ignoring the current data symbol.

Abstract: A portable electronic device holster (105) includes an AC voltage convertor (115) having at least two AC prongs (102) extending therefrom. The AC voltage convertor (115) is captured within the holster (105) and can be extended and retracted. When a portable electronic device is inserted in the portable electronic device holster (105), the AC voltage convertor (115) is extended, and the at least two AC prongs (120) are inserted into a standard AC power socket, a voltage down convertor circuit (405) within the AC voltage convertor (115) generates a down converted voltage which is coupled to the portable electronic device. Alternatively, an AC voltage convertor (615) slidably attaches to a portable electronic device and generates a down converted voltage which is coupled to the portable electronic device when AC prongs (120) extending from the AC voltage converter (615) are inserted into a standard AC power socket.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for compressing a plurality of voice signals within a voice communication resource (see FIG. 6) having a given bandwidth within a voice communication system (100). The method comprises the steps of subchanneling the voice communication resource into a plurality of subchannels (441, 442, 443), placing a pair of the plurality of voice signals (401, 402) on a subchannel (441); modulating the pair of the plurality of voice signals (401, 402) about a pilot signal (581) within the subchannel (441) using single sideband modulation; and compressing the time of each of the voice signals (401, 402) within the plurality of subchannels (441, 442, 443), wherein these step provide a compressed voice signal.

Abstract: A data receiver (110) for processing multiple signals includes a receiving circuit (120) for demodulating at least first and second signals and a selector (125) coupled to the receiving circuit (120) for comparing the at least first and second signals to estimated peak and valley values. The selector (125) generates error values associated with the at least first and second signals and selects a data symbol associated with one of the estimated peak and valley values based on the error values. A timing circuit (140, 150) activates the selector (125) at predetermined times, and a controller (140) coupled to the selector (125) and the timing circuit (140, 150) recovers information in accordance with the data symbol and other data symbols.

Abstract: A method and apparatus select a receive frequency of a receiver (400) in a system having coverage areas divided into zones. A primary scan list is stored in the receiver (400) and contains coverage area identification parameters. The list is initially ordered from a most frequented coverage area at the top to a least frequented coverage area at the bottom. The parameters can include a coverage area identifier and a zone identifier, and at least one corresponding frequency identifier. A frequency identifier is chosen (604) from the top of the list and the receiver (400) is tuned to the receive frequency identified thereby. Baud rate detection is performed (608) and, in response to finding a predetermined baud rate, a received coverage area identifier and/or a received zone identifier is decoded (612). If the received identifier matches a corresponding parameter stored in the receiver, the receiver (400) is locked (904) to a signal on the receive frequency.

Abstract: A distributed SS7 call terminating processor (102) for processing calls received over an SS7 network (105) includes a set of N simultaneously active digital channel interfaces (DCIs) (121) sharing a common signaling point code. The set of DCIs (121) receives common channel signaling messages. Each of the N simultaneously active DCIs (258) includes an SS7 message transfer part level one (MTPL1) physical layer (259) coupled on a one to one basis to a common channel signaling link (110), an SS7 message transfer part level two (MTPL2) link layer (256) and an SS7 message transfer part level three (MTPL3) network layer (253) having the common signaling point code. An operation and maintenance controller (108) includes a configuration function (315) that configures each SS7 MTPL3 network layer (253) in the set of N simultaneously active DCIs (121) to have the common signaling point code.

Abstract: Method and apparatus in a selective call system for storing received messages in at least one receiving unit having memory and for processing a command to validate memory (358) when the receiving unit is idle, or the receiving unit is processing received messages, or when a central control unit is waiting for acknowledgement of a previously sent message. The method further includes detection of a corrupted memory (360), followed by erasure of the received messages (362) stored in memory and transmitting a "failed memory" acknowledgment signal (366). The method further comprises a step of receiving a reproduction of all of the received messages (370) erased by the receiving unit, or a reproduction of the most recently sent message, or a reproduction of the previously sent message for which the central control unit is waiting an acknowledgement.

Abstract: In a system controller (102) for scheduling message traffic for transmission to a plurality of selective-call radios (106) in a radio communication system (100), a set of interference coefficients is determined in which an interference coefficient is a measure of transmission interference at a first transmission unit (202) of a pair of transmission units (202) from a second transmission unit (202) of the pair of transmission units (202). A set of transmission unit assignments is modified to establish an assignment of a proposed transmission unit (202). The assignment is determined from the set of interference coefficients.

Abstract: A technique for communicating global information in a radio communication system (100) in which a radio (106) is in a receive state during a first predetermined period of each of a plurality of transmission cycles (320) includes decoding a global event indicator (344) in a system information portion (331) of the first predetermined period of a first transmission cycle (320), setting the radio (106) to the receive state during a second predetermined period of a second transmission cycle (320), receiving the second predetermined period, decoding global event information in the second predetermined period, and processing the global event information. The second transmission cycle (320) is subsequent to the first transmission cycle (320).

Abstract: A system controller (102) schedules an outbound selective call address (410) and an outbound message (430) at a position within a transmission cycle (330) of a synchronous outbound signaling protocol. The position and the outbound selective call address (410) are stored and linked to each other. The transmission cycle (330) is transmitted. A selective call transceiver (106) receives the transmission cycle (330), recovers the outbound message (430), and generates a response signal which includes an inbound address. The inbound address is determined from the position of the outbound selective call address (410) within the transmission cycle and is included in an inbound message which is transmitted.

Abstract: A remote controlled lock system (100) includes a computer (111), a system controller (102), a transmitter (109), and at least one remote controlled lock device (105). The system controller (102) generates one of a digital lock or unlock code upon a change of a user access condition of the computer (111). The transmitter (109) transmits a radio signal including the lock code or the unlock code, and a selective call receiver address. The remote controlled lock device (105) includes a selective call receiver (310) and an electromechanical lock (311). The electromechanical lock (311) has a locking member (1205) which is switched to a mechanically stable lock or unlock position in response to the lock or unlock code when the radio signal when the transmitted selective call receiver address matches a predetermined address stored in the selective call receiver (310).

Abstract: A system controller (102) generates and transmits a radio signal having long messages in data frames (370), and short and long messages in control frames (360). A set of selective call radio addresses is included at the beginning of a control frame (360), each selective call radio address including a subvector which indicates the starting position of a short message or a vector packet within the control frame (360). Vector packets indicate starting positions of long messages within the control frame (360), within other control frames (360), and within data frames (370). A selective call radio (106) receives the radio signal and recovers and processes the short and long messages, using the subvectors and vectors to identify the positions of the short and long messages.

Abstract: A system controller (102) is used in a communication system (100) which has a set of inbound channels. The system controller (102) includes a processing system (204) for generating a first message which is transmitted to selective call devices (106). The first message includes a subset identifier which identifies an ALOHA subset of the set of inbound channels for use by a set of the selective call devices (106). A selective call device (106) includes a transmitter (708) and a processing system (710). The processing system (710) identifies the ALOHA subset of the set of inbound channels, and generates a second message and couples the second message to the transmitter (708) using an ALOHA protocol on an inbound channel which is in the ALOHA subset of the set of inbound channels when the second message is a first type. The transmitter (708) transmits the second message.

Abstract: A logic circuit (260) includes recursive elements (470, 1070, 1400, 1600) interconnected in a matrix (300), and M data inputs (490), and a logic circuit output (475). In one embodiment, N+1 binary column setup inputs (485), and M-N binary row setup inputs (480) are also included. The matrix (300) is an arrangement of the recursive elements (470) in rows, columns, and diagonals. The M data inputs (490) are for coupling the M bits of the binary word to the recursive elements (470). The logic circuit output (475) includes an output (810) of one of the recursive elements (470, 1070, 1400, 1600). The logic circuit output (475) has a binary value determined by a comparison of the number of bits having a first binary value within the binary word, to the predetermined number, N. In the one embodiment, the comparison is determined by the values of the setup inputs (480), (485).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for low voltage start circuit is provided. The start circuit (140) includes a first voltage converter (203) having a first booster circuit (210) and a first voltage multiplier (220) for converting a DC battery voltage to a converted DC voltage. The converted DC voltage is connected to an input of a second booster circuit (230) of a second voltage converter (205). The second voltage converter (205) includes the second booster circuit (230) and a second voltage multiplier (240). An output of the second voltage multiplier (240) is fed back to the input of the second booster circuit (230) for boosting the converted DC voltage to a predetermined threshold value. A voltage detector (136) compares the converted DC voltage to the predetermined threshold value. A controller (141) disables the start circuit (140) and enables a main DC-DC conversion circuit of the pager (100) when the converted DC voltage reaches the predetermined threshold value.