Abstract: An electronic device (100) includes a processor (808) for processing a message (110), and a display (114) electrically coupled to the processor for displaying an image including the message. The display is constructed and arranged such that the image is viewable from first and second sides (116, 118) of the display, the first and second sides facing opposite one another.

Abstract: A processing system time compresses a voice message before transmission, and processing system time expands the message after reception. To process the message the processing systems perform at least one of: (a) randomizing the order of a sequence of samples form a silent portion of the message after reception thereof before blending the sequence with a last portion of the expanded message; (b) selecting the sequence of samples from the silent portion of the message after reception thereof, the sequence selected being poorly correlated with the last portion of the expanded message, before blending the sequence with the last portion of the message; and (c) compressing the dynamic range of the message before transmission, by an amount dependent upon the signal-to-noise ratio of the message, and aggressively expanding the dynamic range of the message after reception, by a fixed amount.

Abstract: A method and apparatus allocates a first predetermined plurality of frame time slots (102) to a first protocol, and allocates a second predetermined plurality of frame time slots (102) to a second protocol having a base frame management capability. The base frame management capability is applied such that portable selective call receiving devices (10) utilizing the second protocol normally perform battery saving throughout the first predetermined plurality of frame time slots (102).

Abstract: A radio communication system (100) synchronizes multiple data streams associated with a network of transmitters (102) while maintaining full user traffic. The transmitters transmit (901) a first portion of the user traffic in a simulcast mode during a first time interval, (104) and transmit (903) a second portion of the user traffic in a non-simulcast mode during a second time interval. A monitor receiver (104) is coupled to the transmitters by radio signals for monitoring (905) the second portion of the user traffic transmitted from selected transmitters to determine transmission delays. A controller (108) is coupled to the monitor receiver for adjusting (907) the data streams to equalize the transmission delays (303).

Abstract: A method and apparatus samples (902) a currently received symbol to form sampled values corresponding to sampling times, and evaluates (904) the currently received symbol to determine (906) its value. The method and apparatus recalls (908) a last previously received symbol and selects (916), from a plurality of thresholds (302), a threshold based upon the currently received symbol and the last previously received symbol. The threshold is known to be crossed consistently midway in time between the centers of two adjacent nominal symbols determined by the currently received symbol and the last previously received symbol. The sampled values are compared (920) to locate two adjacent samples, one having a first sampled value greater than the threshold and one having a second sampled value less than or equal to the threshold. A timing phase error is then computed (922, 924) from the first and second sampled values.

Abstract: A messaging system implements a group call in a controller (110, 120) by receiving (306) first and second messages intended for first and second recipients and determining (416) that the first and second messages are identical to one another. In response to making that determination, the controller transmits (522) the first and second messages as a single group call message.

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilize an original stream (424) for communicating. Additional data is selected from predetermined messages to define a selected message (422). The original stream is altered (604) in a manner corresponding uniquely with the selected message to form a transmission stream (522) having a size identical to that of the original stream, and the transmission stream is then communicated (606, 608). The alteration of the stream is reversed (612) as it applies to the predetermined messages, thereby generating candidate streams. An error tally (544) corresponding to each of the candidate streams is determined (614) from an error checking mechanism (310, 312). From the candidate streams a member is selected corresponding to a lowest error tally, the member thereafter defined (620) to be a restored original stream. One of the predetermined messages is selected (622) as the selected message associated with the lowest error tally.

Abstract: A method and apparatus receives a symbol and subdivides (720) the symbol into a plurality of fragments. The method and apparatus perform (704) for the plurality of fragments a plurality of correlations with at least one possible symbol value, thereby producing a plurality of complex values corresponding to each fragment and further corresponding to the at least one possible symbol value. From the plurality of complex values a plurality of overall Fourier transforms are computed (706) across a frequency range, and a peak value in the plurality of overall Fourier transforms is located (708). The symbol is then determined (710) from the peak value.

Abstract: A radio communication system (100) implements a frequency reuse plan by sending a message (308) simultaneously with other messages in a plurality of cell clusters (202-208) utilizing the frequency reuse plan, which provides a message carrier-to-interference ratio (C/I) sufficient for reception of the message when a receiver (104) is adjusted in accordance with a periodically transmitted pilot symbol (402-408). The C/I is smaller than preferred for reception of the pilot symbol. The pilot symbol is periodically transmitting simultaneously with other pilot symbols in a time diverse manner such that pilot symbol transmissions for adjacent ones of the plurality of cell clusters occur in non-overlapping time slots, thereby generating the larger C/I preferred for reception of the pilot symbol. The pilot symbol and the message are received by the receiver, and the receiver is adjusted in accordance with the pilot symbol to demodulate the message.

Abstract: In a data communication system a first controller (102) selectively retrieves data from a database (316) in a second controller (106). Data corresponding to a plurality of entities is programmed (602) into the database. The data includes a plurality of parameters for each of the plurality of entities. Ones of the plurality of parameters are selectively defined (604) to belong to parameter groups in accordance with a predetermined grouping plan. The first controller generates (612) a request for the data corresponding to one of the plurality of entities from the database, the request further indicating a desired one of the parameter groups. The second controller returns (620) the desired one of the parameter groups corresponding to the one of the plurality of entities, in response to the request.

Abstract: A communication receiver (600) utilizes a band-pass sigma-delta converter (100) for receiving a radio signal. The band-pass sigma-delta converter (100) includes a comparator (106) coupled to an adder-filter (101) for making a comparison between a predetermined reference level (110) and an intermediate signal (125), and for generating a comparison result signal (114) responsive to the comparison. A storage element (108) is used for storing the comparison result signal (114) for a predetermined delay period, thereby producing a clocked output signal (118). The adder-filter (101) is coupled to an analog signal (103) and to the clocked output signal (118) for subtracting the clocked output signal (118) from the analog signal (103) to produce a difference signal (120) that is filtered by a commutating filter (400) for generating the intermediate signal (125) responsive to the difference signal (120).

Abstract: Time sharing of a radio communication channel among a plurality of interfering cells (302) is provided. The radio communication channel transmits information in a plurality of time slots (502). The radio communication channel is partitioned (704) into a plurality of virtual channels (V1, V2). A virtual channel is used for communicating simultaneously with corresponding ones of the plurality of interfering cells which are assigned to the virtual channel. No more than one of the plurality of virtual channels operates during any one of the plurality of time slots, and the time sharing of the radio communication channel is optimized (708, 710) by activating selected ones of the plurality of virtual channels, based upon a traffic load applicable to the corresponding ones of the plurality of interfering cells.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing intelligible fast forward and reverse playback of messages which include time-scale compressed speech using a time scale modification technique. A receiver (2604) receives (2902) a message including speech compressed at a predetermined compression rate and a message rate identifier which identifies the predetermined compression rate which are then stored in a memory by a processor (2610). The processor (2610) processes (2912) the stored message to time-scale expand the compressed speech at an expansion rate that is equal to the predetermined compression defined by the message rate identifier so as to produce a normal speech playback speed. The processor (2610) also processes (3000, 3100) the stored message to time-scale expand the compressed speech at an expansion rate that is lower than the predetermined compression rate defined by the message rate identifier, so as to produce a perceptibly increased speech playback speed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus deinterleave data blocks each transmitted as a sequence of data groups including N bits of data from a single bit position of N words. A first data block is received (1004) and stored (1006) in a memory (402) in a manner that defines memory locations for each of the N words, thereby deinterleaving the first data block. A next data block is received by processing (1008) at least a portion of the N words stored previously in the memory, thereby providing free memory locations, and thereafter receiving (1012) new data including at least a portion of a next data group of the next data block. The new data is stored (1014) in at least a portion of the free memory locations, and processing continues until the next data block has been received and stored in entirety. The memory locations are then redefined (1018) for the N words, thereby deinterleaving the next data block.

Abstract: Inbound channel access is facilitated in a two-way messaging system (FIG. 1) utilizing a frequency-hopped spread-spectrum modulation technique on a set of hopping frequencies. First and second subsets of the set of hopping frequencies are defined (504), the first and second subsets being orthogonal to one another. Scheduled transmissions are communicated (514) on the first subset, and ALOHA transmissions are communicated (514) on the second subset.

Abstract: A two-way selective call communication system (FIG. 1) controls transmissions in a dominant cell (504) of a plurality of cells (502, 504) utilizing a common radio frequency for sending messages (408). The dominant cell carries significantly greater traffic than any other cell of the plurality of cells. A controller (112) groups (808, 906), into a first time period (708), the transmissions of non-dominant cell messages which interfere with the transmissions of dominant cell messages. The controller then determines a subset of the dominant cell messages that require a higher signal-to-interference ratio than available in the dominant cell during the first time period. The controller then transmits (908) the subset during a second time period (710) different from the first time period.

Abstract: A method used by a controller (112) and a communication receiver (122) for performing a time-scale modification of a signal comprised of an input stream of signal representations to form an output stream of signal representations. An output block of S.sub.o signal representations is selected from the output stream for use in overlapping signal representations from the output block with S.sub.o contiguous signal representations of the input stream, the S.sub.o contiguous signal representations beginning with a predetermined signal representation. The overlapping process includes determining (406) a maximum similarity measure between selected portions of the input and the output streams, applying (410) a weighting function to each, and summing the results of each. The overlapping process further includes replacing (412) a selected portion of the output stream with the latter summation, and selecting (414) a new set of samples from the input stream to append to the output stream.

Abstract: A selective call two-way communication system having a plurality of selective call transceiver units (170) using an inbound channel overlay on an outbound selective call system, the selective call transceiver units comprising a receiver (173) for receiving a message having an address directed to and decodable by the receiver wherein the address (58) points to a vector (60) , a decoder (174) for decoding a pointer within the vector that points to a control information portion (66) within an outbound message portion (67) and for decoding another control information portion (64) for controlling inbound transmissions within an outbound message portion, and a transmitter (172) for transmitting information in accordance with the control information portions. The system further comprises a controller (114) for receiving, formatting and encoding messages having an address wherein the address points to a vector(s) which contains pointer(s) to control information portion(s) within an outbound message portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus transmits (400, 500) and receives (600) information as a power hopped direct sequence spread spectrum signal. The information is encoded (402) with a predetermined spreading sequence to produce a direct sequence spread spectrum, or DSSS, signal, and a plurality of simultaneous radio signals operating on a plurality of frequency slots (F.sub.1 -F.sub.10) and modulated by the DSSS signal are generated (404, 406, 504). The output power of individual ones of the plurality of simultaneous radio signals is adjusted (408, 502) periodically according to a predetermined power hopping sequence. The information is received by demodulating (602) and processing (604-620) the signal from at least one of the plurality of frequency slots.