Abstract: A method and an apparatus align and attach a leadless surface mount component (402) including a termination at each end of the component (402). The termination has bottom (704) and end (702) portions for attaching to a corresponding pad on a substrate (102) by a reflow solder process (1200). A pad arrangement (100) is formed including two opposite pads (108), each pad (108) occupying a tri-oval-shaped area. The tri-oval-shaped area includes an elliptical area (110) substantially centered under the bottom portion (704) of the corresponding termination of the component (402) when the component (402) is aligned with the pad arrangement (100), and an arcuate area (112) contiguous with the elliptical area (110) and extending towards the opposite pad (108) in a central lengthwise direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a remotely controlled display system in which various forms of messages may be remotely provided to a display, and information regarding the display and/or the message may be provided to the control location. The information provided to the control location may be status information regarding the status of the message or the message medium, which may be, for example, a billboard or other sign, or it may be the verification of the message(s) sent to the remote location for display.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a selective call receiver (100) choose and load a software driver program (124) into an external computer (302). The apparatus comprises a data interface (118) for coupling with the external computer (302) and a memory (122) containing pre-programmed data comprising a plurality of executable software driver programs (124). The apparatus further comprises a processor (108) coupled to the memory (122) and to the data interface (118) for controlling interactions between the memory (122) and the data interface (118).

Abstract: A satellite based paging communication system comprises a plurality of terrestrial stations capable of communicating the paging information with at least one satellite. The satellite(s), in turn, are capable of communicating the paging information to at least one terrestrial receiver or terrestrial station. Also included is at least one control station for determining where and how to deliver the paging information to one or more of a plurality of terrestrial receivers (pagers), at least some of which are capable of receiving the paging information from one or more of the satellites and one or more of the terrestrial stations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating an output signal (616) having a pre-determined frequency shift relative to the frequency of a reference signal from a reference frequency generator (202) comprise a digital phase-locked loop (206) coupled to the reference signal for generating the output signal (616). The method and apparatus further comprise adding pulses to the reference signal in a pulse addition circuit (304), the pulses recurring at a first cyclical rate determined by a microprocessor (702). The method and apparatus further comprise concurrently subtracting pulses from the reference signal in a pulse subtraction circuit (302) at a second cyclical rate.

Abstract: An antenna system (308, 309, 310, 312, 314, 316, and 317) for a wrist carried selective call receiver (300) comprises at least first (312 and 314) and second (310) elements, coupled to each other and coupled to the selective call receiver to form a first single magnetic loop antenna (312, 308, 316, and 310) having a first physical orientation. At least one of the first and second elements comprises at least one second single magnetic loop antenna (312, 308, 316, 310, 317, 309, and 314) also coupled to the selective call receiver. The second single magnetic loop antenna has a second physical orientation different from the first physical orientation.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus for electrically and mechanically coupling first and second electronic devices (304, 302), the apparatus comprising a connector (108) for coupling the first and second electronic devices (304, 302) and a cradle (100) for fixing the position of the first electronic device (304). The cradle (100) provides an opening that allows entry and movement of the second electronic device (302) towards the connector (108) while substantially aligning the second electronic device (302) with the connector (108). The cradle (100) further comprises a movable bulkhead (110) mechanically coupled to the connector (108) for substantially aligning the connector (108) with the first and second electronic devices (304, 302) during installation.

Abstract: An enclosure latch system includes an insertable member (106) connected to a first enclosure section (102), and a mating recess (108) within a second enclosure section (104) for engaging with the insertable member (106), thereby latching the first and second enclosure sections (102, 104) together. The insertable member (106) includes an extender member (202) connected at an attachment end to the first enclosure section (102) for extending the insertable member (106) into the second enclosure section (104), and a latch tooth (204) protruding from the extender member (202) near a free end. The latch tooth (204) has a mating surface (206, 208) that tapers from flat on a first side to cylindrical on a second side opposite the first side for latching the first and second enclosure sections (102, 104) when the latch tooth (204) is in the mating recess (108).