Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling message delivery to wireless receiver devices can be used for example to condense textual messages intended for a wireless receiver device by abbreviating various words in the message. Thus, a first message addressed to a wireless receiver device (20) is received and stored in a storage medium (14). The received message is then translated into a second message using a pre-defined dictionary associated with the wireless receiver device. The second message is then sent to the wireless receiver device. Thus, the wireless receiver device receives shorter messages conveying the same information as the original message that was to be sent to the wireless receiver device. The translating feature can also be used to code messages or translate messages into a different language.

Abstract: A wireless messaging system (10) is provided that comprises a wireless message distribution system (12) which receives wireless messages from telephones (14), computer message entry program (16) or telephone-assisted service terminals (18). The wireless messages are sent through a radio frequency transmission (20) to users (22). In addition, the wireless messages are replicated and sent to a wireless message gateway server (24). The wireless message gateway server (24) assembles electronic mail messages including the wireless message and transmits the electronic mail messages to electronic mail networks (26), (28), or (30) such that the user (22) may access his wireless messages through his electronic mailbox within a customer electronic mail system (32).

Abstract: A paging system includes a paging terminal that is operable to receive paging signals and transmit them up to a satellite (28) and down through a downlink (312) to stick locations (314), (316), (318), (320) and (322). Each of the sticks (314)-(322) is associated with a given locale (324), (326), (328), (330) and (332). The sticks are operable in a simulcast mode and also in a cellular mode. In the cellular mode, each of the sticks (314)-(322) is operable to receive a separate message that is distinct from the other cells. Pagers (36), having a known location at any of the locales (324)-(332) can then be selectively addressed and data transferred thereto. To prevent interference between adjacent RF locales, adjacent cells are not turned on during transmission to select cells in the cellular mode. These can be turned on at a different time. Orthogonal coding can be utilized such that adjacent cells can be turned on, thus increasing throughput.

Abstract: A paging system includes a satellite uplink (40) for assembling paging information and transmitting it to a satellite (26). The satellite (26) is then operable to transmit in a simulcast manner all the information to various regional paging systems (42). Each of the paging systems (42) includes a plurality of towers (10) each containing a satellite receiver (50), a satellite dish (48) associated therewith and a paging transmitter (52). Each of the satellite receivers (50) are operable to receive the information transmitted from the satellite (26) at substantially the same time such that there is no phase difference between any of the towers, regardless of location. Therefore, the transmitters (50) can transmit through antennas (12) information at the paging frequency with substantially no relative delays relative to each of the antennas (12). A backup link receiver (28) is provided for interfacing with a backup link transmitter (70).

Abstract: A split battery contact arrangement (10) for a low voltage portable electronic product having a first circuit (18) and second circuit (18) comprises a split positive battery contact having a first positive contact point (20) selectively isolatable from a second positive contact point (17), the first positive contact point being coupled to the first circuit (18) and the second circuit (16) being coupled to the second positive contact point. The arrangement further comprises a back-up energy source (24) coupled to the first positive contact point and a removable battery (12), which when removed selectively isolates the first circuit from the second circuit, thereby preventing the back-up energy source from powering the second circuit. When the removable battery is inserted, it couples the first circuit to the second circuit.

Abstract: A return loss meter (100) for base stations comprises a first transceiver (10) having a first transmitter (12), a first receiver (22 and 30), and a first antenna (20), a second transceiver (50) having a second transmitter (52), a second receiver (62 and 70), and a second antenna (60), wherein the first transceiver and the second transceiver are cross-coupled using at least one directional coupler (16) capable of being switched. The return loss meter includes a device for measuring reflected and transmitted power of the first antenna via a first directional coupler (16) capable of being switched and via a device (74) capable of measuring received signal strength at the second receiver and a device for measuring reflected and transmitted power of the second antenna via a second directional coupler (56) capable of being switched and via a device (34) capable of measuring received signal strength at the first receiver.

Abstract: A pick and place machine (30) having morphing vacuum tip (10) comprises a chamber (24) having a sealed first port (25), a filter (22) on a second port (27), and a vacuum (12) on a third port (23), a needle (28) pierced through the sealed first port and through the filter on the second port, wherein a vacuum (14) is placed on the portion of the needle piercing through the sealed first port. Finally, the morphing vacuum tip additionally comprises a non-porous bag (18) having a plurality of fine particles (16) within the bag and an external portion of the bag surrounding a periphery of a portion of the needle pierced through the filter on the second port, the non-porous bag having an open portion being exposed to an external side of the filter on the second port of the chamber, wherein the vacuum on the third port sucks air out of the non-porous bag and the filter prevents the plurality of fine particles from entering the chamber.

Abstract: A front lighted liquid crystal display assembly (10) comprises a liquid crystal display (22) and a substantially clear lens (11) mounted above the liquid crystal display. The clear lens has a portion with a stair step configuration (18). The assembly further comprises a light pipe (14) integrally coupled to the substantially clear lens for substantially transmitting a light (12) through the light pipe and into and through the stair step configuration.

Abstract: A holster (10) for a selective call receiver having a liquid crystal display comprises a plastic housing (12) for removably retaining the selective call receiver and a substantially clear lens (14) integrally formed in the plastic housing providing protection to the display and allowing a user of the portable communication product to view the liquid crystal display while the selective call receiver is retained within the holster.

Abstract: A station (10) in a manufacturing line (12) for the accurate placement of solder balls (30) on a ball grid array package and for the removal of excess solder balls comprises a substrate (4) having an array of solder pads (7), and an adhesion layer (8) on the solder pads.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method therefor for automated and/or robotic assembly, the apparatus including a vacuum nozzle (201) capable of aspirating and securing a component (202, 204). A spring (312) mechanically coupled to the vacuum nozzle (201) provides a compression force thereto in a direction of a placing operation (214, 216). A controllable actuator (108, 314) is mechanically coupled to the spring (312) for adjusting the compression force that the spring (312) can apply to the vacuum nozzle (201) for adjusting a placing force that is applied to the component (202, 204) in the direction of the placing operation (214, 216).

Abstract: A radio frequency communication system is coupled to a telephone network (130) having automatic number identification (ANI) capabilities for communication thereover. The radio frequency communication system includes at least one relocateable base station (115) which shares a radio frequency channel with stationary communication devices (105) for communicating over predetermined geographic areas (110). The radio frequency communication system further includes a service center (125) which, in response to a call from a base station (115), receives from the telephone network (130) information indicative of at least a portion of a telephone number from which the base station (115) is calling. The service center (125) determines therefrom whether the base station (115) is located within any of the predetermined geographic areas (110).

Abstract: A substantially transparent housing (202) for an electronic device (100) is capable of enclosing at least one component (502, 504). The enclosed at least one component (502, 504) can be visible from the outside of the housing (202). The housing (202) includes an outer surface (701) and an inner surface (702). A portion of the inner surface (703) is textured to provide a translucent surface. A portion of the outer surface (704) overlaps the textured portion of the inner surface (703). The overlapping portion of the outer surface (704) has opaque marks (602). The opaque marks (602) provide information visible from the outside of the housing (202). A method is also provided for applying the opaque marks (602) to the housing (202).

Abstract: A communication system (100) comprises a central controller (102), a plurality of base stations (104 and 106) coupled indirectly via the central controller and using radio frequency waves to communicate to communication unit(s), one of the base stations being a source base station (104) and at least another base station being a destination base station (106), and at least one communication unit (108) operable on the base stations. The communication system is able to synchronize a handoff of the communication unit between the source base station to the destination base station, wherein the source base station is the originating communication resource for the communication unit and the destination base station is the recipient communication resource for the communication unit subsequent to the handoff.

Abstract: A cooperative paging system (10) and radio telephone system (15) combine to provide conventional delivery of short paging messages to a combination pager/radio telephone (40) via a first communication path, while a radio telephone link operating at a higher data rate is used to deliver large data messages to the pager/radio telephone (40). The radio telephone link is formed by a transceiver section (205) of the pager/radio telephone (40) coupling to a radio telephone base station (50,52) and calling up a paging terminal (32) of the paging system (10). The paging terminal (32) retrieves the large data messages from a temporary message memory (42) to deliver to the pager/radio telephone (40).

Abstract: A display device (20) comprises a display (21) for displaying information and an electroluminescent panel (22) located contiguous to the display for sensing ambient light and lighting the display when the ambient light is below a threshold.

Abstract: A belt clip assembly (10) comprises a hook shaped feature (18 and 20) having a void (17) and which appends from a housing (12), a latch member (14 and 15) pivotably retained within the void of the hook shaped feature, and a spring (30) for biasing a bottom portion (15 and 16) of the latch member in a closed position against the housing.