Abstract: In a first preferred embodiment, an underwater alert system (10) includes a transmitter assembly (12), carried by a first diver (14), that transmits a predetermined wireless signal (36) to a receiver assembly (16), carried by a mask (18) worn by a second diver (20), that generates an alert to gain the attention of the second diver (20). In a second preferred embodiment, the underwater alert system (10) includes a first transceiver assembly (232), carried by a mask worn by a first diver (14), communicating a predetermined wireless signal (36) with a second transceiver assembly (254), carried by a mask (18) worn by a second diver (20), to permit the first diver and second diver to gain each other's attention.

Abstract: A portable unit (101) may both place and receive calls in both the cordless (115) and cellular (103) telephone system. A portable unit (101), in combination with a cordless base station (115), can automatically route an incoming call to the telephone system in which the portable unit (101) is located without inconveniencing the user. Additionally, the portable unit (101), in combination with the cordless base station (115), can automatically route a call in process with the portable unit (101) between the cordless (115) and the cellular (103) telephone systems when the portable unit (101) relocates therebetween.

Abstract: A PLL (225) includes a phase detector (202) and a charge pump (210 or 212). The phase detector (202) includes a first D-type flip flop (302), a second D-type flip flop (304) and an AND gate forming a reset circuit (306). The charge pump (210 or 212) includes an up current source (308) and a down current source (310). The up current source (308) provides a constant current. The down current source (310) varies responsive to an output signal (207) generated by the second D-type flip flop (304). The constant current provided by the up current source (308) is made to be less than one half the current provided by the down current source (310) to bias the charge pump (210 or 212) in a negative direction to minimize false locks between the phase of a divided reference frequency signal (206) and the phase of a divided voltage controlled oscillator frequency signal (209).

Abstract: An alerting device, such as a radio (10), activates, responsive to the times when an information signal (12) is received, a silent alert, via a vibrator (24), during a first predetermined time period, and an audible alert, via a loudspeaker (22), during a second predetermined time period, exclusive of the first predetermined time period. A radio user can configure the priority and the duration of the silent and audible alerts. The radio (10) also detect the reception of the information signal and the intercoupling between an accessory 51 to the radio 10. Responsive to the detection thereof, the radio (10) activates the audible alert. Thus, the user gains a high degree of confidence that the radio (10) will activate the proper alert in situations having a wide range of ambient noise levels and distances of the radio relative to the user's body.

Abstract: An alerting device, such as a radio (10), activates, responsive to the times when an information signal (12) is received, a silent alert, via a vibrator (24), during a first predetermined time period, and an audible alert, via a loudspeaker (22), during a second predetermined time period, exclusive of the first predetermined time period. A radio user can configure the priority and the duration of the silent and audible alerts. The radio (10) also detects the reception of the information signal and the intercoupling between an accessory 51 to the radio 10. Responsive to the detection thereof, the radio (10) activates the audible alert. Thus, the user gains a high degree of confidence that the radio (10) will activate the proper alert in situations having a wide range of ambient noise levels and distances of the radio relative to the user's body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method enables elements of a phase locked loop (PLL) (300). The PLL 300 includes a plurality of elements (202, 203, 204, 205). Each element produces an output signal (207, 208, 209, 116 or 117). Each element has a response time (t3−t2) defined by the difference in time between a first time (t2) at which the element is enabled and a second time (t3), occurring after the first time (t2), at which the output signal of the element reaches a steady state condition. A voltage controlled oscillator (204) of the plurality of elements, having a first response time (t3−t2) is enabled at the first time (t2) responsive to a first control signal (302). A loop divider (205) of the plurality of elements, having a second response time less than the first response time (t3−t2), is enabled responsive to the first response time (t3−t2) and a second control signal (303). The present invention advantageously provides fast lock time for the PLL (300).

Abstract: A radiotelephone (101) is adapted to generate a plurality of distinctive vibrating alert patterns. An antenna (201) receives radio frequency (RF) signals including an incoming telephone call signal (121). A receiver (205), operably coupled to the antenna (201), receives the incoming telephone call signal (121). A vibrating alert generator (223) generates a vibrating alert pattern when enabled. A controller (215), operably coupled to the receiver (205) and the vibrating alert generator (223), enables the vibrating alert generator (223) to generate the vibrating alert pattern (301) as one of a plurality of distinctive vibrating alert patterns (301-312) when the incoming telephone call signal (121) is received. The present invention advantageously permits the user or the radiotelephone system (100) to select a preferred distinctive vibrating alert pattern (301), or to assign a particular distinctive vibrating alert pattern (301) to a particular incoming telephone call signal (121).

Abstract: A wireless communication device (10) is provided for maintaining acceptable acoustic coupling, increasing display and data input device capability and increasing antenna performance to encourage further miniaturization and weight reduction thereof. Two moveable housing portions (12) and (14) are moveable between a closed (18) and an open (20) housing position and matively engage to provide an expandable housing while aligning earpiece (26) and microphone (28) transducers on a center axis (30) of the device (10). Paging and radiotelephone functions of the device are configured responsive to the position of the housing portion (12). The radiotelephone (10) allows communication in both a private mode and a hands-free mode, which enables a user to answer a call without opening the radiotelephone (10).

Abstract: A wireless communication device (10) is provided for maintaining acceptable acoustic coupling, increasing display and data input device capability and increasing antenna performance to encourage further miniaturization and weight reduction thereof. Two moveable housing portions (12) and (14) are moveable between a closed (18) and an open (20) housing position and matively engage to provide an expandable housing while aligning earpiece (26) and microphone (28) transducers on a center axis (30) of the device (10). Paging and radiotelephone functions of the device are configured responsive to the position of the housing portion (12). The housing portion has a lens for viewing a display (46) thereunder and keycaps for actuating a keypad (54) thereunder when the housing portion (12) is in the closed housing position (18). An antenna (56) is extendable beyond the moveable housing portion (12).

Abstract: A portable communication device (100, 300, 400, 500) comprises a fingerprint identification system (709) including a scanner (115) for scanning a fingerprint (123) of a finger (121) to generate an image of the fingerprint (123). In a first embodiment, the scanner (115) is positioned relative to a switch (201) on the device (100, 300, 400, 500) to permit the finger (121) to generate the actuation force for the switch (201) when the fingerprint (123) is positioned on the scanner (115). In a second embodiment, the scanner (115) is ergonomically positioned on a housing (113, 117, 119) of the device (100, 300, 400, 500) where the finger (121) or a thumb naturally rests on the housing (113, 117, 119) when the person holds the housing (113, 117, 119) while the device (100, 300, 400, 500) is in use.

Abstract: A telephone set (10) comprises a housing (12), a microphone (16) and a keypad (20). The microphone (16) is carried by the housing (12) and is adapted to convert an acoustic input signal (26) into an electric input signal (28). The keypad (20) is carried by the housing (12) and has an aperture (32) extending therethrough. The microphone (16) is disposed behind the keypad (20) essentially opposite to the aperture (32) of the keypad (20) to permit the acoustic input signal (26) to be ported through the aperture (32) of the keypad (20) to be received by the microphone (16). The present invention advantageously permits the telephone set (10) to be made shorter by integrating the microphone (16) with the keypad (20).

Abstract: A cordless telephone system (300) comprises a portable station (305), a first base station (301) and a second base station (310). The first base station (301) communicates with the portable station (305) over a communication channel (441) when the portable station (305) is located within a first geographic coverage area (311). The second base station (310) communicates with the portable station (305) over a communication channel (441) when the portable station (305) is located within a second geographic coverage area (313). The first base station (301) includes a controller (302) adaptively configured to be a master controller (302). The second base station (310) includes a controller (308) configured to be slave controller (308) responsive to the controller (302) of the first base station (301) being adaptively configured to be the master controller (302).

Abstract: A telephone set (10) comprises a first housing (12), a second housing (14), a rotate (54) or a slide (34) mechanism, a microphone (16), an earpiece (18) and a keypad (20). The rotate (54) or the slide (34) mechanism couples the first housing (12) to the second housing (14) and permits the first housing (12) to be moveable relative to the second housing (14) between a first, closed or contracted, position (22) and a second, open or expanded, position (24). The microphone (16) is carried by the first housing (12) and is adapted to convert an acoustic input signal (26) into an electric input signal (28). The earpiece (18) is carried by the second housing (14) and is adapted to convert an electric output signal (30) into an acoustic output signal. The keypad (20) is carried by one of the first housing (12) and the second housing (14) and has an aperture (32) extending therethrough.

Abstract: A hand adaptive telephone (10) comprises a glove member (12) adapted to be worn on a person's hand (14) and carries a user interface mechanism including an earpiece transducer (18) and a microphone transducer (20). The earpiece transducer (18) is adapted to be coupled to a receiver (30) and is carried by the glove member (12) at a location on an inside (22) of the person's hand (14) when the glove member (12) is worn on person's hand (14) to permit the person's ear (26) to listen to acoustic signals (25) generated by the earpiece transducer (18) when the person's hand (14) is held against the person's head (16). The microphone transducer (20) is adapted to be coupled to a transmitter (32) and is carried by the glove member (12) at a location on the inside (22) of the person's hand (14) when the glove member (12) is worn on person's hand (14) to permit the person's mouth (28) to speak acoustic signals (23) into the microphone transducer (20) when the person's hand (14) is held against the person's head (16).

Abstract: A radio subscriber unit (102) has a diversity receiver apparatus (106) including a first antenna (114) and a second antenna (116). A first representation (158) and a second representation (160) of a composite radio frequency (RF) signal are received from the first antenna (114) and the second antenna (116), respectively. The composite radio frequency (RF) signal includes a desired RF signal (156) and interfering signals (166). The desired RF signal (156) includes at least one coded pilot signal (Ec). A ratio (Ec/Io) (142) of the at least one coded pilot signal (Ec) to an estimate of the composite RF signal (Io) is determined responsive to receiving at least one of the first representation of the composite RF signal (158) and the second representation of the composite RF signal (160). A selected state of the first antenna(114) and the second antenna (116) is controlled responsive to at least one of the ratio (Ec/Io) (142) and an integrated received signal strength indication (.intg.

Abstract: A radio subscriber unit (102) comprises a controller (108) and a switched antenna diversity receiver apparatus (106) including a first antenna (114), a second antenna (116) and a receiver (126). The first antenna (114) is adapted to receive a first representation (158) of a radio frequency (RF) signal (156). The second antenna (116) is adapted to receive a second representation (160) of the RF signal (156). The receiver (126), selectively coupled to the first antenna (114) and the second antenna (116), generates a received signal (153) responsive to receiving at least one of the first representation (158) of the RF signal (156) from the first antenna (114) and the second representation (160) of the RF signal (156) from the second antenna (116). The controller (108), coupled to the receiver (126), selectively couples to the receiver (126), responsive to the received signal (153), one of: only the first antenna (114), only the second antenna (116) and both the first antenna (114) and the second antenna (116).

Abstract: A keypad apparatus (100) with integral display indicator bars (102-104) provides input to a device while displaying the status of the device on the display indicator bars (102-104). The apparatus is comprised of a matrix of data input keys (101). The indicator bars (102-104) are coupled to the matrix of keys (101), the apparatus (100) being manufactured as a single unit. Both the data input keys (101) and the indicator bars (102-104) are comprised of substantially the same material; a flexible and translucent silicone material. This material enables the keypad apparatus, that is backlit by the device, to diffuse the light, thereby lighting the data keys. Each indicator bar (102-104) has an individual backlight (108) from the device, allowing a particular indicator bar to be lit individually.

Abstract: A radiotelephone (100) comprises a user interface module (102) including a membrane sheet layer (302), user interface circuitry (304) and a flexible circuit sheet layer (306), and a radio circuitry module (104) including radio circuitry (308) and a radio housing (310). The user interface circuitry (304) includes an earpiece electroacoustic transducer (322), microphone electroacoustic transducer (324), a keypad (326) and an electronic display (328) being disposed between the membrane sheet layer (302) and the flexible circuit sheet layer (306). The radio circuitry (308) is electrically coupled to the user interface circuitry (304) via electrical conductors (330-344) on the flexible circuit sheet layer (306) permitting many marketing options for the user interface module (102) and efficient manufacturing of the radiotelephone (100). The radio housing (310) encloses the radio circuitry (308) and is mechanically coupled to the user interface module (102).

Abstract: An antenna arrangement (402) for a wireless communication device (400) comprises a first element (404) and a second element (406). The first element (404) is coupled to circuitry (408) of the wireless communication device (400). The second element (406) is movable between a first and a second position relative to the first element (404). The performance of the antenna arrangement (402) is substantially less desirable when the second element (406) is between the first and the second position than the performance of the antenna arrangement (402) when the second element (406) is at either the first or the second position. The second element (406) is mechanically spaced apart from and substantially electrically coupled to the first element (404) in both the first and the second position. The antenna arrangement (402) advantageously provides for reduced dimensions while achieving desirable performance.