Abstract: A global communications system is described having terrestrial transmitters for transmitting coded message signals in each of a plurality of geographic areas. The global communication system further includes at least one satellite transmitter for transmitting the coded messages signals in each of a plurality of global geographic areas. The coded message signals transmissions include channel identification codewords identifying the terrestrial channels and the satellite channel. The terretrial channel is selected for operation when the channel identification codeword received matches a first predetermined channel identification codeword. The satellite channel is selected for operation when the channel identification codeword does not match the first predetermined channel identification codeword. When the satellite channel is selected the terrestrial channel is periodically reselected to enable decoding the channel identification codeword received on the terrestrial channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining if a received binary word corresponds to the true or complement version of a stored binary word includes means for serially multiplexing the bits of each binary word to the inputs of an exclusive OR gate. The exclusive-OR gate generates a logical high signal each time a mismatch occurs. These signals are applied directly to an error counter and, after inversion, to a match counter. The contents of the error counter and match counter are compared to a stored threshold number. A first signal is generated if the contents of the error counter exceeds the threshold. A second signal is generated if the contents of the match counter exceeds the threshold. Upon the occurrence of both signals, the serial comparison process is terminated.

Abstract: A battery charging controller which can be integrated within a battery powered device having a rechargeable battery includes a circuit for monitoring the energy consumption of the device from the battery, and for accumulating a measure of the energy consumed since the battery was previously charged. Energy consumption is determined based on the number of device functions being active during predetermined sampling time intervals. When the battery powered device is coupled to an external charging source, the charging of the battery, including the charging rate, is controlled by the energy monitoring circuit within the battery powered device. Rapid charging, slow charging, and discharging of the battery before charging are all readily controlled using an external charging source which requires no circuits for monitoring the battery charging process.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting a vibrating motion comprises a resonant planar armature, a housing, an electromagnetic device attached to the housing for effecting an alternating electromagnetic field, a magnetic device coupled to the armature and to the electromagnetic field for alternatively moving the armature in a first and a second direction in response to the electromagnetic field. The resonant planar armature comprises a plurality of planar spring members arranged regularly about a central planar region within a planar perimeter region of the armature, and the spring members provide a restoring force normal to a movement of the central region of the armature caused by the alternating electromagnetic field.

Abstract: A digital synchronizer examines a signal transmitted at a predetermined baud rate for a predetermined time. Upon completion of the predetermined time, a decision is made as to whether or not the signal included the predetermined baud rate. If the signal includes the predetermined baud rate, a bit clock is established indicative of the boundaries and center of each baud symbol. The synchronizer samples the signal at a multiple of the baud rate and accumulates the phase relationship between the samples and transitions of the signal during the predetermined time. Upon conclusion of the predetermined time, the distribution of the phase relationships is examined and the presence or absence of signal is determined. If the presence is determined, the bit clock is established.

Abstract: An on-site communication system includes a system for identifying communication receivers including acknowledge back capability and operating within the on-site communication system, and for controlling the delivery of messages to the communication receivers. The identification system operates on the same frequency as the on-site communication system, and includes an RF shielded enclosure for momentarily shielding the communication receivers from messsages transmitted on the on-site communication system. The RF shielded enclosure provides interference free identification of the communication receivers as the communication receivers pass through the enclosure, and enables the determination of those communication receivers which are operating within the coverage area of the on-site communication system, and those communication receivers which have left the coverage area of the on-site communication system.

Abstract: A method is described for transmitting digital data with minimum splatter and for recovering the same with a conventional frequency modulated (FM) receiver to obtain data having minimum intersymbol interference. The method utilizes an optimized prototype pulse which has been predistorted to match the inverse characteristics of the post detection low pass filter in a conventional FM receiver. When the optimized electric pulse is received and processed by the post detection low pass filter of the conventional FM receiver, a pulse shape exhibiting minimal intersymbol interference is produced.

Abstract: A reconfigurable deinterleaver for deinterleaving up to N interleaved codewords, each up to M bits in length comprises a memory array, a memory for storing predetermined deinterleaver parameters, a controller, and column and row selector means. The memory array is configured with N bit rows by M bit columns, and is capable of selectably deinterleaving interleaved codewords. The predetermined deinterleaver parameters define the number and length of the interleaved codewords to be deinterleaved. The controller is responsive to the deinterleaver parameters for controlling the writing of interleaved codewords into the memory array and for reading deinterleaved codewords from the memory array. Column and row selector means provide for writing interleaved codewords into, and reading deinterleaved codewords from only a portion of the memory array when smaller data blocks are deinterleaved.

Abstract: A battery capacity indicator is described which measures the battery terminal voltage at two discharge rates, monitoring the resultant differential battery voltage at predetermined time intervals, and comparing the resultant differential battery voltage to a set of predetermined differential battery voltages which are stored within a memory within the battery powered device. Each of the predetermined differential battery voltages corresponds to one of a set of predetermined battery capacities for each type of battery used in the device. The battery capacity indicator provides to the user a continuous display of the available battery capacity.

Abstract: A piezo-electric resonant vibrator is described comprising a resonant armature having a centrally located weight, and at least four planar circular spring members which provide a restoring force normal to the movement of the weighted armature within a non-magnetic housing which encloses and supports the armature. A piezo-electric driver is coupled to the armature for inducing movement of the armature at a predetermined resonant frequency. A ferromagnetic plate is mounted to the housing and magnetically couples to a magnet which is coupled to the weight to maintain tension on the armature when an excitation signal is not supplied to the piezo-electric driver, and the armature is at equilibrium.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing message transmissions in a simulcast transmitter system is described. A master controller couples to a plurality of regional controllers for enabling message transmissions and for initiating delay measurement signal transmissions in each of a plurality of regions. The master controller generates a first delay measurement signal which is transmitted from a selected one of a plurality of regional transmitters operating within a first transmission region. The regional controller within the first transmission region measures the propagation delay of the selected one of the plurality of regional transmitters within the first transmission region. The master controller next generates a second delay measurement signal which is transmitted from a selected one of the plurality of regional transmitters operating within a second transmission region adjacent to the first transmission region.

Abstract: A selective call receiver with memory is described for use in a system providing user initiated alteration of the content of the memory using reconfiguration information transmitted from an external source. The receiver comprises a circuit for generating a user activated programming authorization signal, a receiver for receiving the transmitted reconfiguration information, and a circuit for altering the content of the memory in response to the received reconfiguration information only in the presence of the user activated programming authorization signal.

Abstract: A satellite paging system is described for providing geogrpahic protocol conversion for data packet delivery to communication receivers located in a plurality of geographic areas. The system includes a transmitter for transmitting data packets formatted in a first predetermined data format to the communication satellite. The satellite includes a receiver for receiving the data packets and a programmable encoder coupled to the receiver for encoding the received data packets into encoded data packets in a second predetermined data format corresponding to the signaling requirements of each geographic delivery area. A satellite transmitter coupled to the programmable encoder then transmits the encoded data packets in the second predetermined data format to a portable communication receiver, operable in the second predetermined data format in the geographic delivery area.

Abstract: A method for providing system acknowledge back responses from a plurality of remote stations to a central station is provided. The system acknowledge back responses include a predetermined station identification number assigned to each remote station and any individual acknowledge back responses received by each remote station from a plurality of portable communication receivers. The station identification number assigned to each remote station begins with a first station number and ends with a last station number in a predetermined sequential order. The method provides a start signal being first generated by the central station to initiate the transmission of the system acknowledge back responses from each of the plurality of remote stations.

Abstract: A receiver receives a transmitted signal having a periodic predetermined signal, a method and apparatus detects a first predetermined signal. Power may be conserved during a portion of a subsequent predetermined signal. The subsequent predetermined signal is divided into at least a first and second portion. If the first portion is detected, the subsequent predetermined signal is considered detected and power is conserved for the second portion. If the first portion is not detected, the receiver remains active for the second portion in order to detect the subsequent predetermined signal.

Abstract: Calls entered into a paging system are processed by a controller which identifies the call source from which the call originates, and from a table of predetermined call sources the controller generates a source tag identifying the call source. The source tag is transmitted together with any caller generated message to a paging receiver. The paging receiver, upon receiving the source tag, selects a predetermined message from a table of predetermined messages, and displays the predetermined message stored within and displays the predetermined message together with the caller generated message. The tables of predetermined call sources and predetermined messages are definable by the paging receiver user.

Abstract: A transmitter, having controllable transmission functions is described for transmitting coded message signals to a plurality of portable communications receivers, the coded message signals including and message information interleaved with transmitter control signals synchornized with the message information. The transmitter includes a receiving section for receiving the coded message signals from an input source for transmission. A decoder which couples to the receiving section decodes the synchronized transmitter control signals to derive transmission control signals. A transmitter section, responsive to the transmission control signals, transmits the coded message signals. Additional transmission control signals may also be derived from one or more receiver control signals embedded in the coded message signals.

Abstract: A system for transmitting long text messages includes a plurality of transmission cells defining different geographical areas, each having a transmitter for simulcast address transmission at a first data bit rate and for transmitting the address and a message at a second data bit rate higher than the first data bit rate. A paging transceiver generates and transmits an acknowledgment signal in response to receiving a transmitted address at the first data bit rate. Receivers located within each of the transmission cells receive the transmitted acknowledgment signal. An apparatus responsive to the received acknowledgment signal identifies the transmission cell in which the paging transceiver is located effecting the selection of the transmitter in the transmission cell in which the paging transceiver is located to transmit the address and message at the second data bit rate higher than the first data bit rate.

Abstract: A battery saving apparatus for supplying power to a selective call communication receiver for enabling the detection of a synchronization codeword in data received in a predetermined signaling format comprises circuits for supplying power to the receiver, and for detecting valid data received during a first portion of the first predetermined time interval. Power is maintained to the receiver for the remainder of the first predetermined time interval when valid data is detected in the first portion. A synchronization codeword detector is included for detecting a synchronization codeword. When valid data is subsequently detected following a second portion of the first predetermined time interval and the synchronization codeword is not detected in the first predetermined time interval, power is maintained to the receiver for a second predetermined time interval to further enable detection of the synchronization codeword.

Abstract: A portable communications receiver is disclosed having a receiver for receiving and detecting periodically transmitted selective call paging signals and data signals. In response to the selective call paging signal, a decoder generates control signals which allow storage of the data signals in a memory, and the display of the latest stored signals. A graphic characterization is provided for depicting the moving object. The effect of movement of the object is generated as the data signals are periodically updated and displayed. By individually animating the graphic characterization between updates, the effect of movement is enhanced. The data signals are periodically updated and include an absolute position signal for depicting an absolute position of the moving object. The data signals further include a relative position signal for depicting a relative position of the moving object relative to another moving object.