Abstract: A cellular telephone (102) in a vehicle includes a data carrier system comprising a first semi-permanent Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) (200) selectively couplable to the cellular telephone (102) and a second SIM (300) selectively couplable to the cellular telephone (102) in preference to the first SIM (200), the first SIM (200) being arranged to be decoupled from the cellular telephone (102) when the second SIM (300) is coupled to the cellular telephone (102). During a predetermined period of time, the cellular telephone (102) is arranged to be ensured of a supply of power and the second SIM (300) is arranged to be decoupled from the cellular telephone (102), thereby causing the first SIM (200) to be coupled to the cellular telephone (102) for the execution of a task requiring the first SIM (200).

Abstract: A telematics communication system (100) receives an input supply voltage (Vin) (122) from a battery (102) charged by an alternator (101) in an automotive vehicle. The telematics communication system (100) includes a transceiver (104) having a transmitter (107) and a variable delta voltage tracking regulator (VDVTR) (109). The VDVTR (109) provides a regulated output supply voltage (Vout) (124) to a power amplifier (114) in the transmitter (107) responsive to the input supply voltage (122) and a regulator control voltage (TX_EN) (123). The VDVTR (109) has a first operating stage and a second operating stage, each controlled by a bias circuit (R1, R2 and R3), and a third operating stage, controlled by a voltage limiting circuit (D1) to eliminate alternator whine noise (405) that appears on the input supply voltage (122) and, in turn, appears on the regulated output supply voltage (Vout) (124).

Abstract: A foldable wireless communication device functioning as a cellular telephone and a personal digital assistant is disclosed. The wireless communication device comprises a first body portion; a touch screen element positioned on the first body portion; a second body portion coupled to the first body portion, the second body portion being movable between a first position and a second position; and a display positioned on the second body portion.

Abstract: A method of outputting data from a FIFO incorporated in an integrated circuit generally determines whether input data is valid during a first clock cycle. The method then outputs data from a plurality of output barrel slots during a second clock cycle. Data is then shifted from predetermined upper barrel slots to predetermined output barrel slots during second cycle based upon a barrel count. Finally, data is shifted into the FIFO during said second cycle based upon the barrel count. A new barrel count of valid data in the FIFO can then be determined. Circuitry for implementing the embodiments of the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A blockRAM based FIFO utilizes the blockRAM components to implement a one-cycle latency read FIFO. This FIFO implementation, while utilizing blockRAM, provides fast clock to out times by registering all data in a register prior to presenting it to the user. Because this implementation transparently registers the data, the user interface remains identical to conventional FIFO implementations, while solving the slow clock-to-out time associated with blockRAM based FIFOs. A blockRAM based zero-cycle latency read FIFO is also described.

Abstract: A cellular telephone having a touch screen user interface is disclosed. The cellular telephone comprises a touch screen element positioned on a surface of the cellular telephone; display positioned above the touch screen element; and a keypad positioned below the touch screen element.

Abstract: A unique method for providing entertainment to a portable device, such as a wireless communication device communicating with a host vehicle, is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a game to a user of the wireless communication device; receiving game parameters to be used by the user of the wireless communication device; operating the game based upon data associated with the wireless communication device and/or the host vehicle.

Abstract: A novel retractable antenna which enables dual-band operation in two different positions of the antenna is described. Further, the novel retractable antennas are couple to a variety matching circuit arrangements according to various embodiments of the present disclosure to eliminates the use of electrical or mechanical switching of two different matching circuits.

Abstract: The present invention solves the problems of the prior art by providing methods for compensating for temperature-dependent drift of bias in a vehicle heading sensor of a dead reckoning vehicle positioning system. Specifically, the invention uses a Kalman filter to generate a calibration curve for the rate of heading sensor bias drift with temperature change. The Kalman filter calculates coefficients for a model of heading sensor bias drift rate versus temperature at each point where the vehicle is stationary. The bias drift rate calibration curve is then used to estimate a heading sensor bias periodically while the vehicle is moving. The invention further provides a method for using an aging time for temperature sensor bias drift rate to force convergence of the error variance matrix of the Kalman filter. The invention further provides vehicle navigational systems that utilize the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: A first data communication method comprises a step (201) of automatically directing a mobile telephone (24) to switch operation from a first telephone number to a second telephone number to receive a data call placed to the second telephone number. A second data communication method comprises a step (301) of automatically directing the mobile telephone (24) to switch from the first telephone number to the second telephone number to place a security call using the second telephone number. A data communication apparatus comprises a controller (40) to direct the mobile telephone (24) to perform the aforementioned methods.

Abstract: The unique method for implementing icons in a radio communication device (103) which provides a plurality of radio communication services such as radiotelephone, facsimile and electronic mail services enables a more efficient user interface. The radio communication device preferably comprises a touch screen display (119) for displaying functional icons stored with directory numbers to simplify the retrieval of information and the transmission of messages. In particular, functional icons associated with one of the plurality of communications services can enable easier searching of directories or transmission of messages when stored in connection with directory numbers.

Abstract: A distributed navigation system and method for providing driving instructions to a user. The system includes a service center having a navigation server and associated workstations. The service center stores driving instructions in a continuously updated map database. In response to a user request the instructions are transmitted by way of a wireless network to a client device residing in the user vehicle. The instructions are assembled into sequential stepwise driving directions and stored in a storage device in the client device. Commands from the user trigger playback of the driving instructions in a stepwise fashion.

Abstract: The invention relates, in general, to electrical connector assemblies, and more particularly to plastic electrical connectors that employ metal plated plastic contacts. According to an aspect of the invention, an electrical connector is provided comprising a plastic shell having an open cavity that defines an internal surface, and an electrical connector contact that comprises a metal coated area of the internal surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting data improves efficiency and guarantees consistency in the data transmission rate. According to the method and apparatus, a data offset byte (402) is determined for a frame of data to be transmitted. The data offset value is used to modify the data bytes of the data frame to insure that the modified data bytes does not include control bytes (320) which are sent with the data. The offset value and the modified data bytes are then sent (508) to a receiver which recovers (710) the data. Accordingly, only one offset byte must be transmitted for each frame of data.

Abstract: An internet radio for portable applications and uses such as in an automobile enables providing navigational services to be provided to a wireless communication device, and comprises the steps of providing a user interface in said wireless communication device for providing navigational services to a user; downloading updated navigational data from a remote network; and providing navigational services based upon said updated navigational data. Customized information is also communicated to the radio such as stock quotes, travel information, advertising, and e-mail. Onboard global positioning allows for channel updating by location, traffic information, geographic advertising and available similar content.

Abstract: A method generally establishes a communication link in a communication system when a cordless base station has been authenticated to communicate with authorization equipment, and the authorization equipment has been authenticated to communicate with the cordless base station. Preferrably, one or more random numbers are transmitted between the cordless base station and the authorization and call routing equipment to establish the communication link.

Abstract: A fixed site data-aided system and method of GPS signal acquisition from a plurality of broadcasted GPS signals includes lengthening a pre-detection integration interval so that weak signals can be detected by operating coherently on captured signals. Coherency is ensured by relying on the predictability of the satellite signal's data pattern. To speed up both the real-time and off-line correlation process a reduced code replica search space is derived dependent on a reference code phase delay and reference Doppler shift (417), and optionally local time (509) received from a fixed position reference site. Also, the off-line correlation process can be run at a speed significantly faster than the real-time correlation process. A position fix can be either computed locally or remotely at the fixed position reference site.

Abstract: A data-aided system and method of GPS signal acquisition from a plurality of broadcasted GPS signals includes receiving (401) the GPS signals and providing a digitized signal. Then, a first portion (407) of the digitized signal is correlated to a code replica and a real-time code phase delay is determined. A capture start time is determined (411) dependent on a Time Of Arrival (409) based on the determined real-time code phase delay. Next, a second portion of the digitized signal is captured into a memory (413) commencing coincident with the determined capture start time. Then the second portion of the digitized signal is extracted from the memory and correlated to the code replica (411) to determine an off-line code phase delay. A position fix is calculated (417) and includes the off-line code phase delay.

Abstract: A bulk component feeder is provided for delivering components contained with a bulk cassette. The feeder includes a feeder housing defining a component cassette receiving area. The receiving area includes a cassette mounting means for registration with the cassette, and the housing defines an opening for receiving components from the cassette. A gate slidable within the cassette receiving area interfaces with a mounting means, and the gate is slidable to cover the opening in a closed position and uncover the opening in an open position upon attachment of the cassette to the housing. A spring is used to bias the gate toward the closed position, and a latch is mounted to the housing and is engagable with the gate to prevent sliding of the gale toward the open position and thereby prevent installation of the cassette.

Abstract: A communication system (100) includes an infrastructure (150) and at least one vehicle (101), the vehicle including at least one vehicle system (103), and at least one user system (113). The infrastructure includes an application (155) which, in turn, is arranged to reprogram the vehicle system, the user system, or both.