Abstract: A low profile antenna system comprises a frame having front and side surfaces for enclosing a printed circuit board supporting a receiver, the front surface of the frame including a first conductive plate, an isolated portion thereof, which couples to the printed circuit board and forms a first portion of a loop antenna. A conductor is coupled to the printed circuit board and forms a second portion of the loop antenna. A second conductive plate is coupled to the frame and forms a rear surface of the frame to completely enclose the printed circuit board. The second conductive plate is capacitively coupled to the conductor thereby enhancing the sensitivity of the loop antenna.

Abstract: A paging receiver device and method are disclosed in which analog information transmitted from an external source such as a paging transmitter are received and decoded. The analog information includes at least one voice message. The voice message is recovered, digitized, and stored in one of a plurality of message slots in a memory of the paging receiver. In response to a paging user's request, the digitized stored message is recalled from memory, reconverted from digital information to analog information, and used to produce audible voice information being a replica of the original analog voice message.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) comprises a first substrate (102) having a first circuit pattern disposed thereon which is selectively processed to provide pretinned connection pads (108, 116, 124, 132, 140) for connection to at least one electronic component (142) and a second circuit pattern disposed on a second substrate (104). The second circuit pattern disposed on the second substrate (104) is selectively processed to further provide pretinned connection pads (110, 118, 126) for connection to the first circuit pattern, and the second substrate (104) further has relief provided within a portion thereof to position the at least one electronic component (142) with respect to the pretinned connection pads (108, 116, 124, 132, 140) on the first circuit pattern.

Abstract: A multi-regional message delivery system (100) delivers messages from a central hub (108) to a number of message transmission regions (102,104,106) for transmission of the messages therein. The central hub 108) receives messages, encodes the messages, and transmits the encoded messages in a number of message data pipes (304) in a message delivery signal (302). A satellite (122) receives the transmitted message delivery signal (302) and then transmits the message delivery signal (302) to a number of regional stations (130,132,134) located in the message transmission regions. The regional stations receive the transmitted message delivery signal (302), select at least one of the data pipes (304) in the message delivery signal (302), and transmit the encoded messages within the message transmission regions.

Abstract: A battery saving apparatus selectively supplies power to the receiver functions of a battery powered communication receiver at predetermined time intervals prior to the reception of coded message signal. The selective supplying of power to the receiver functions enables the reception of the coded message signal with the receiver functions being powered prior to and only as long as is required for the receiver functions to stabilize and to enable reception of a coded message signal. The predetermined time intervals for the receiver functions are programmed into a code plug to provide the capability to change the turn-on times when required.

Abstract: A light diffuser (100) for illuminating a display (304) comprises a rectangular light distributor (108) which is coupled to a light director (208) located along an edge normal to a major axis (110) of the light distributor (108). The light director (208) directs light received from a lamp (14) into the light distributor (108). The light distributor (108) has a polished, planar top surface (210) and a bottom surface (112) comprising a predetermined serration pattern oriented normal to the major axis (110) of the rectangular light distributor (108). The predetermined serration pattern comprises a plurality of grooves (116, 118, 120) having a predetermined pitch gradient corresponding thereto. The plurality of grooves (116, 118, 120) further have roughened surfaces for diffusing light impinging thereon toward the polished, planar top surface (210) of the light distributor (108).

Abstract: A selective call receiver receives a signal having a baud rate and comprising a number of phases. The number of phases are time division multiplexed to form the signal. The selective call receiver has selective call address information assigned thereto and includes a receiver for receiving and demodulating the signal and a memory for storing predetermined information. A demultiplexer is coupled to the receiver and the memory for demultiplexing the signal to recover one of the number of phases in response to the predetermined information and the baud rate. The selective call receiver also includes a decoder coupled to the demultiplexing means for decoding said one of said number of phases of said signal to derive a selective call message therefrom.

Abstract: A simulcast transmission system (100) utilizes adaptive demodulation to provide a method and apparatus for automatic delay equalization measurements. The simulcast transmission system (100) comprises a control station (101), and a plurality of remote transmission stations (201, 301) capable of re-transmitting a received delay equalization measurement signal which includes at least a correction bit pattern signal followed by a synchronization pattern signal.

Abstract: A computer card data receiver (10) includes a housing (14) having a top planar surface (16) and a bottom planar surface (18) and a thin profile suited to fit within a recessed data interface port (32) of an external computer (30). An antenna (12) is coupled to the top planar surface (16) of the housing (14) for intercepting transmitted selective call address signals and data associated therewith. The antenna (12) is rotatable between a first antenna position (12A) and a second antenna position (12B), the first antenna position (12A) being selected when the housing (14) is removed from the recessed data interface port (32), and the second antenna position (12B) being selected when the housing (14) is inserted into the recessed data interface port (32). A receiver (40) is enclosed within the housing (14) and receives and detects the intercepted selective call address signals and data associated therewith.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reliably delivering messages (200) from a central terminal (102) to a communication receiver (130) in a communication system (100), such as an electronic mail system. The central terminal (102) sequentially transmits messages (200) to the communication receiver (130) and the communication receiver (130) receives transmitted messages (200) over a first communication medium (122). The communication receiver (130) reconciles messages that it failed to receive over the first communication medium (122) with the central terminal (102) over a second communication medium (152). The reconciliation between the communication receiver (130) and the central terminal (102) utilizes message sequence identifiers (208) transmitted with the messages (200) that identify the transmission sequence of the sequentially transmitted messages (200).

Abstract: A selective call receiver (106) receives one or more message packets of a transmitted fragmented message, where each of the one or more message packets includes an address (1605) and message data (1610), and the message data (1610) includes an indication (1702) of whether more message packets are to be received for the fragmented message. The selective call receiver (106) receives an address of each message packet, and then correlates (2908) the address to one or more predetermined addresses. After a successful correlation (2908), the selective call receiver (106) decodes the message data (1610) of each message packet, and then successively stores (2928, 2936, 2942) the decoded message data (1610) to reconstruct the fragmented message. The selective call receiver (106) determines that the fragmented message is completely reconstructed after detection (2918) in the decoded message data (1610) an indication (1702) that no more message packets are to be received for the fragmented message.

Abstract: An antenna system for a communication receiver (100) which has an internal antenna (200) and which is coupled to a portable computer (104) to deliver received data messages thereto comprises a resonant loop antenna (16) magnetically coupled to the internal antenna (200) of the communication receiver (100), and a resonant wireframe shield (18, 40) which is coupled to the resonant loop antenna (16) and oriented perpendicular thereto. The resonant wireframe shield (18, 40) shields the communication receiver (100) from an electrical interference signal generated by the portable computer (104).

Abstract: An optically readable matrix (100) has four intersecting sides of approximately equal length defining a perimeter and includes a binary code formed from light and dark squares of substantially equal sizes located within the perimeter. The matrix (100) comprises first and second orientation squares (105, 110) included in the light and dark squares and located in opposite corners of the matrix (100). Each of the orientation squares (105, 110) preferably includes a contrasting circular area (115, 120) located in a predetermined position within the orientation square (105, 110) and having a predetermined size relationship with the orientation square (105, 110). Such a matrix (100) may be formed on a printed circuit board (505) for use in an electronic device (500) to convey information about the printed circuit board (505). An apparatus (600) for decoding the matrix (100) includes an optical scanner (610) for scanning the matrix (100) and for locating the orientation squares (105, 110).

Abstract: This invention provides an indication of quality of signal reception in a selection call system such as a paging system, by comparing received data with preprogrammed data and indicating the degree of discrepancy therebetween.

Abstract: A satellite communication system (1110) provides geographic protocol conversion for message delivery between communication transceivers (1118, 1118') operating within at least two geographic areas (1116, 1116'). The satellite based communication system (1110) comprises a first communication transceiver (1118) which provides two-way message delivery within a first radiotelephone network (1114) located within at least a first geographic area (1116), the two-way message being encoded in a first predetermined message transmission protocol. The first communication transceiver (1118) further enables two-way message delivery with a communication satellite (1120), the message also being encoded in the first predetermined message transmission protocol.