Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for synchronizing over-the-air time division duplexing communication within a defined geographical coverage area (201) of a communication system (200) that provides at least cordless radiotelephone operation between a plurality of portable radiotelephone transceivers and a plurality of telepoint base stations (202, 204, 206) geographically located within the coverage area (201). The communication system (200) transmits over-the-air a synchronization timing signal (203) including timing information corresponding to a transmit-and-receive duty cycle timing for time division duplexing communication. At least one telepoint base station (204, 206) within the coverage area (201) receives the synchronization timing signal (203). The at least one telepoint base station (204, 206) synchronizes its over-the-air time division duplexing communication transmit-and-receive duty cycle timing to the timing information.

Abstract: A base station (21, 22, 23) in a radio communication system (20) comprises a channel allocator (62) for allocating communication channels in accordance with a fully distributed dynamic channel allocation method. The channel allocator accesses a Preferred Channel List (PCL) (64) to allocate the communication channels. The PCL ranks channels (116) in accordance with the occurrence of prior events on the channels (112), such as interrupted calls (122), blocked call setup requests (118), and calls successfully completed (106) and in regards to the mean quality margin (110) and the current channel quality (114). The channel allocator (62) allocates (140) the first available channel (128) in the PCL having a free timeslot (132) and with good current channel quality (136). Alternatively, the channel allocator (62) allocates communication channels in accordance with an optimal dynamic channel allocation method.

Abstract: An apparatus for multi-axis rotational motion includes a spherical structure (102) and a housing (104), the housing (104) at least partially enclosing the spherical structure (102) and movably coupled thereto. Magnetically compliant poles (106, 107, 108, 109) are mechanically coupled to one of the spherical structure (102) and the housing (104), and a magnetic drive mechanism (114) is mechanicanically coupled to the other one of the spherical structure (102) and the housing (104) for magnetically imparting up to substantially 360 degrees of rotational motion between the spherical structure (102) and the housing (104) in multiple axes by magnetically interacting with the magnetically compliant poles (106, 107, 108, 109). Optionally, at least one of the spherical structure (102) and the housing (104) couples the rotational motion to another object (1906) mechanically coupled thereto via surface coupling.

Abstract: A selectively releasing runner and substrate assembly 10 comprises a plurality of conductive runners 16 adhered to a substrate 12, a portion 18 of at least some of the conductive runners 16 have a lower adhesion to the substrate for selectively releasing the conductive runner from the substrate when subjected to a predetermined stress.

Abstract: A partially overmolded integrated circuit package (10) comprises a substrate (14) having circuit traces (11) and a semiconductor die receiving area (15) for attachment of a semiconductor die to the semiconductor die receiving area. Conductive bumps (18) are then applied to a plurality of contact pads on the semiconductor die. Then overmolding compound (16) is applied over the semiconductor die and a portion of the conductive bumps, leaving a portion of the conductive bumps partially exposed (19). Finally, interconnections (13) between the exposed portion of the conductive bumps and the circuit traces of the substrate are formed.

Abstract: A radio communication device, having a receive mode and a transmit mode, includes a receiver portion, a transmitter portion, and multiple oscillators for providing reference waveforms for the radio communication device. During the receive mode, the receiver portion receives signals having a selected frequency, converts received signals to at least a first intermediate frequency (IF), and a transmitter oscillator produces a first waveform having a frequency equal to a multiple of the first intermediate frequency during the receive mode. During the transmit mode, the transmitter portion requires a reference waveform having an offset frequency equivalent to the first IF frequency to produce a radio frequency signal. Thus, the radio communication device also comprises a divider coupled to the transmitter oscillator for dividing the frequency of the first waveform to the required offset frequency in the transmit mode.

Abstract: A loop antenna (10) for use in a wrist band radio (50) comprises a series of interconnected links (2 and 4) forming a wristband, a flexible conductor (30) retained between the interconnected links forming the loop antenna, and a connector at the end portions of the series of links for electronically coupling the flexible conductor to the radio.

Abstract: A carrier (10) for receiving a portable product (20) having a protruding member (24) on at least one of the surfaces of the portable product comprises a housing (2) having a recessed area (4) and an aperture (19) therein having rails (13) therein and a removably insertable latch assembly for insertion into the aperture. The latch assembly comprises a flexible member (6) that allows the insertion of a portion of the latch assembly into the aperture and allows the mounting of the flexible member in the recessed area, a boss (3, 5, 7, & 8) having a ramp (8) and a notch (7) coupled to the flexible member for sliding the latch assembly on the rails, and a spring (9) coupled to the boss for biasing the latch assembly in a first position (FIG. 7 ) and allowing the latch assembly to travel to a second position (FIG.

Abstract: An electrical contact assembly (10) for insertion into an aperture (14) in a housing (12) having an exterior and an interior surface comprises a flexible circuit (20) having a tongue portion (23) and a conductor (25) on at least the tongue portion, a member (26) having an external contact (28) which is coupled to the conductor (25), wherein the member is inserted through the aperture (14) through the interior surface and covers portions of the aperture and the exterior surface.

Abstract: Briefly, according to the invention, the interface device comprises matching device (20 and 22) for coupling a duplex information signal (21 and 23) to a simplex or a duplex radio (6) which provides a corresponding information signal (27) acknowledged by the half duplex or full duplex radio (6). Additionally, a signal detecting means (24) determines a desired signal strength and controls an interrupt signal (32). A means for sending (26) the interrupt signal (32) to the radio (6) sends the interrupt signal once the signal detecting means detects the desired signal strength. Finally, the interface device of the present invention comprises a means for sending (26) the corresponding information (27) once the interrupt signal is sent.

Abstract: A method for controlling the mass of solder applied to a printed circuit substrate (202) by a solder printer (200), whereby the mass of solder paste (114) applied to a printed circuit substrate (202) is controlled by measuring the mass of the solder paste (114) that was applied to a first printed circuit substrate. The mass data measured is then compared to a predetermined mass to produce a control signal. The mass of the solder applied to a second printed circuit substrate is controlled as a function of the control signal so that the mass of the solder applied to the second substrate more closely approaches the predetermined mass.

Abstract: A reverse polarity protection assembly (40) comprises an electronic product housing (102) having a battery compartment (90) having a recessed positive contact (70) and recessed negative contact (80). The assembly further comprises a battery holder (44) carried within the battery compartment (90). The battery holder has a plurality of leaf spring contacts (54) biased towards each other at opposing ends of the battery holder, the battery holder having external battery contacts (56 and 58) to contact the recessed positive and negative contacts. The assembly finally comprises a plurality of non-conductive spacers (10) carried by at least some of the leaf spring contacts, each of the spacers have an aperture (7) allowing a protruding terminal (43) of a battery (42) to contact the leaf spring contact and preventing a flat terminal (45) of a battery from contacting the leaf spring contact.

Abstract: A subscriber unit (200) adjusts transmitter power during a subscriber call by transmitting a first message at a first power level (10) that decreases (80) to a second minimum required power level (60) within a predetermined duration to a second subscriber unit (300), receiving a reply message from the second subscriber unit, the reply message including a code representing a desired transmitting signal strength (20) of the first subscriber unit as determined by the second subscriber unit based on the predetermined duration (70) and the second minimum required power level (20), determining a value representing the desired transmitting signal strength of the first subscriber unit of the reply message, adjusting the power level based on the value representing the desired transmitting signal strength, and then transmitting a second message at the desired transmitting signal strength to the second subscriber.

Abstract: A base station allocates radio channels to radio telephone handsets in a second generation cordless telephone (CT2) communication systems by scanning each channel in a first band, and scanning each channel in a second band to measure an RSS level for each channel scanned. The base station scans the second band at a rate that is substantially faster than the rate at which it scans the first band. If a link request is received on a first channel within the first band, from a calling radio telephone, the base station determines whether the first channel has an RSS level above a predetermined threshold. If the RSS level of the first channel is above the threshold, and the calling radio telephone handset is capable of operating on the second band, the base station re-assigns a second channel, that is within the second band, to the calling radio telephone handset.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery (10) comprises at least one cell (7) having a positive and a negative terminal. Switching regulation circuitry (9) coupled to the cell (7) is selectively used for regulating the battery output (28) and for regulating the charging (12) of the battery.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a noise cancelling microphone (34) within a communication device comprises a housing having a front portion (36), a back portion and side portions (40). The front portion (36) and one of the side portions (40) have apertures (38 and 40). Within the housing lies a receptacle (32 or 50 or 100) for retaining a microphone or transducer (34). The receptacle is arranged and constructed to form a chamber (32) between the apertures (38 and 40) in the front portion (36) and the side portion (40) of the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for visually aligning parts (13) for placement using one camera (18) comprises a device (12) for picking and placing a part on an object (15), a device (24, 26 & 28) for moving and removing optics (30, 36, 38) into and out of a work envelope having the object, a device (18, 40, 42 & 44) for locating landmarks on the object within the work envelope, and a device for aligning the part with the landmark in the work envelope.