Abstract: A method for shielding one or more circuits (21, 21?) of a printed circuit board includes depositing a layer of dielectric material (43) over a printed circuit board substrate (22) and the printed circuits (21, 21?), creating a trench-like opening (44) in the dielectric layer (43) such that the trench-like opening (44) surrounds the one or more circuits (21, 21?) to be shielded, depositing a layer of metal (27) over the layer of dielectric material (43) and within the trench-like openings (44), creating a solder pad (24) at each location where an electrical connection is to be made to the printed circuits (21, 21?) by removing a border of the metal layer (27) surrounding each connection location, and providing a microvia (25) through each solder pad (24) penetrating the dielectric layer (43) and terminating at the metal of the printed circuit (21, 21?).

Abstract: A radio frequency anechoic test chamber (100) includes a test stand (118) that includes a relatively small diameter, mechanically robust, telescoping lower vertical support column (202), a large diameter thin walled middle vertical support column (204) that includes a sheet or coating of absorbing material (224) disposed proximate the circumference of the thin walled middle support column, (204) and an upper support member (206). The radio frequency anechoic test chamber provides improved ripple performance that allows more accurate measurements of the gain pattern of radio frequency equipment.

Abstract: A method for estimating wireless broadcast service quality on a broadcast channel including the steps of: receiving (310) a service parameter message with a service identifier associated with a broadcast channel, determining (320) a quality indicator threshold from the service parameter message, measuring (340) a quality indicator to form a calculated (350) quality indicator, comparing (360, 370) the calculated quality indicator to the quality indicator threshold. The quality indicator threshold can be embedded in the service parameter message or obtained indirectly such as through a table mapping a service identifier to a quality indicator. Various quality indicators are available, including various signal-to-noise ratios (e.g., Eb/Nt) and pilot signal-to-noise ratio (C/IPICH).

Abstract: A system or method for modeling a signal, such as a speech signal, in which harmonic frequencies and amplitudes are identified and the harmonic magnitudes are interpolated to obtain spectral magnitudes at a set of fixed frequencies. An inverse transform is applied to the spectral magnitudes to obtain a pseudo auto-correlation sequence, from which linear prediction coefficients are calculated. From the linear prediction coefficients, model harmonic magnitudes are generated by sampling the spectral envelope defined by the linear prediction coefficients. A set of scale factors are then calculated as the ratio of the harmonic magnitudes to the model harmonic magnitudes and interpolated to obtain a second set of scale factors at the set of fixed frequencies. The spectral envelope magnitudes at the set of fixed frequencies are multiplied by the second set of scale factors to obtain new spectral magnitudes and the process is iterated to obtain final linear prediction coefficients.

Abstract: A reconfigurable logic signal processor system (RLSP) (100) and method of error checking same in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention loads configuration data capable of processing an air interface or portion thereof in a wireless system from a configuration storage memory (112) into reconfigurable resources (104), reads back the configuration data from the reconfigurable resources (104), reads expected results from the configuration storage memory (112), and executes a verification algorithm on the configuration data read back from the reconfigurable resources (104). A portion of the reconfigurable resources (104) of the RLSP system (100) may be utilized to implement the error checking upon itself. If an error is found in the configuration data, steps can be taken to activate another base configuration data to implement a functional base air interface in a wireless communication system and request downloading (if available) from the network of the erroneous configuration data.

Abstract: A Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) receiver (630), operating in conjunction with a transmitter (606) receives a sequence of voice packets representing a speech utterance transmitted over a VOIP wireless interface (112). A receive packet buffer (120) buffers the received sequence of voice packets after receipt and before playback of reconstructed speech. A processor (650), operating under program control, determines a transmission buffer (108) delay of a first packet in the sequence of packets representing the speech utterance. The control processor (650) further sets a prescribed amount of delay in the receive packet buffer (120) based upon the transmission buffer (108) delay so that the transmission buffer delay+receive buffer delay=a predetermined total delay.

Abstract: Methods for forming a metal shield on a printed circuit board (10) include depositing a first layer of metal (41) on a substrate (22) of the printed circuit board (10), depositing a first layer of dielectric material (42) on the first layer of metal (41), printing one or more circuits (21, 21?) on the first dielectric layer (42), depositing a second layer of dielectric material (43) over the one or more printed circuits (21, 21?), forming a trench-like opening (44) in the two layers of dielectric material (42, 43) surrounding the one or more printed circuits (21, 21?) so that the metal of the first layer (41) is exposed by the trench-like opening (44), depositing a second layer of metal (27) on the second layer of dielectric material (43) such that the second layer of metal (27) plates the trench-like opening (44) and makes electrical contact with the first metal layer (41).

Abstract: A method for a radiotelephone to scan for a higher priority (including home) public land mobile network (PLMN) without searching in all possible RATs and frequencies includes a first step of establishing an inclusive list of all frequencies in all radio access technologies (RATs) in use by the higher priority or home public land mobile network. A next step includes camping the radiotelephone on the higher priority or home PLMN. A next step includes obtaining the inclusive list from the establishing step by the camped radiotelephone from the higher priority or home PLMN. Afterwards, when the radiotelephone roams to a lower priority visited PLMN, it can begin scanning for the home (and higher priority) PLMN using only those frequencies from the inclusive list, thereby saving battery power.

Abstract: A method of transmitting an image from a remote server to a portable device and dynamically viewing, by a human observer, the transmitted image on a display of the portable device. On a remote server, a master set of data representative of a graphic image (30) is processed to form a first subset of data representative of a portion of the graphic image. The data is transmitted to the portable device (49) and drawn on the display (34). The user selects a portion of the image to be further expanded and the master database is again processed to form a second subset of data representative of the selected portion of the image. The second subset of data is transmitted to the portable device and drawn (36) on the display.

Abstract: A flexible test cable has a center conductor (210), a conductive sleeve (240) with an effective electrical length equal to an odd quarter wavelength of a frequency of interest, a dielectric spacer (230) located inside the conductive sleeve (240) for preventing a portion of the center conductor from electrically coupling to the conductive sleeve, and a dielectric joint (220) for maintaining a portion of the center conductor in the middle of an end of the conductive sleeve (240). The conductive sleeve (240) can have a variety of cross-sectional shapes. The dielectric spacer (230) can be formed in a variety of shapes from rigid or compressible dielectric materials. Likewise, the dielectric joint (220) can be formed in a variety of shapes from rigid or compressible dielectric materials. Using the dielectric joint (220) to link together multiple conductive sleeves (240) results in a flexible test cable (200) with electrical transparency at the frequency of interest.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radio communication system in which a time slot of a frame of a multiframe signal allocated to the frequency control channel is modulated using an 8PSK modulation scheme to contain a tone having a frequency which GMSK modulation is unsuited to generate. This enables COMPACT-format signals to be distinguished from GSM-format signals and ensures backwards compatibility with all existing GSM mobile stations.

Abstract: A transflective color liquid crystal display (200) with internal rear polarizer (275) has a front polarizer (260), a front substrate (210), a first color filter layer (212), a front transparent electrode (240), a liquid crystal layer (250), a rear transparent electrode (230), a rear polarizer (275), a reflector (235), and a rear substrate (220). The inclusion of an internal rear polarizer (275) results in little optical path difference between a reflective mode and a transmissive mode of the transflective color LCD (200). The internal rear polarizer (275) also results in little parallax, because the internal reflector (235) is very close to an image-forming layer (250). Additionally, a second color filter layer (214) can be added behind the internal reflector (235) to enhance the brightness and color saturation of the transflective color LCD (200) with internal rear polarizer (275) during the transmissive mode.

Abstract: A display (200) with aligned optical shutter and backlight cells (239, 289) uses a patterned polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) optical shutter material (230) and an electroluminescent (EL) backlight material (280) to provide a low-cost, low-current-drain display having good contrast in both bright-light and low-light conditions. The aligned, patterned optical shutter and backlight layers form pixel “windows” through which images printed on a background can be hidden or revealed. Specifically, a mask layer (250) bears the images and is inserted between the optical shutter and the backlight layers to show information images, cover inactive areas of the display, and cover electrode traces connecting active segments of the display. The display (200) is thin and flexible enough to be integrated with a touchscreen (290).

Abstract: A loss prevention system (e.g., 200) employs a method and apparatus for reducing the likelihood of losing a portable electronic device (100, 201) that has been inadvertently removed from its retaining device (e.g., 203, 300, 400). The loss prevention system includes the electronic device and its retaining device. The electronic device includes a proximity detector (103) that operates to detect the absence or removal of the device from the retaining device. The electronic device further includes a lost device detection circuit (102) that determines whether the removal was intentional and, if unintentional, alerts the user of the removal. By so alerting the user, the loss prevention system provides rapid feedback to the user after the user's electronic device has inadvertently fallen out of its retaining device, thereby enabling the user to quickly retrieve the device before it gets damaged or taken by someone else.

Abstract: A variable multi-band planar reference antenna assembly (200) has a ground plane element, a dual-bandplanar reference antenna structure element (230), and an electrically-coupled variable secondary radiator element (250) which allows tuning from one set of frequency bands to another set of frequency bands by changing the field fringing capacitances and inductances formed between the dual-band planar reference antenna element (230) and the variable secondary radiator element (250). Tuning can be performed using a variety of techniques, including changing the relative position of the dual-band planar reference antenna structure element with respect to the secondary radiator, changing the geometry of the secondary radiator, and/or coupling passive or active capacitive and inductive elements to the dual-band planar reference antenna structure element (230) and/or the secondary radiator (250).

Abstract: A wireless communication network (100) employs a method and apparatus for reliably communicating information packets in the network. A first wireless device (101) in the network transmits an information packet to a second wireless device (e.g., 102) in the network over a first wireless communication channel (403, 404). The first device then determines whether the information packet was successfully received (e.g., received without errors) by the second device. If the information packet was not successfully received, the first device retransmits the information packet to the second device over a second wireless communication channel (405, 406). In addition, and preferably substantially contemporaneous with retransmission of the first information packet, the first device transmits a second information packet to the second device over the first channel in an effort to communicate an information sequence to the second device without delays typically associated with use of a reliable protocol.

Abstract: An electronic device (103, 200) employs a method and apparatus for selectively audibly alerting a user as to the status of the device's DC power source (119). The device receives input from the user indicating a time period during which the audible low power alert is not to be emanated from the device. After receiving such input, the device determines whether a low power condition exists during the time period and deactivates the audible low power alert if such a condition is met. Alternatively or additionally, after receiving the time period input from the user, the device may determine the likelihood of a low power condition occurring during the time period and activate the audible alert prior to commencement of the time period if such a condition is likely to occur, thereby providing the user advance notice of the potential for such a condition.

Abstract: A communication system (10) provides content to communication devices (12) over one or more wireless channels that support packet data communication under a specified radio packet data transmission protocol, such as GPRS. The communication system (10) receives proximity and functionality information from the communication devices (12). Based on the proximity and functionality level information, the communication system (10) determines an optimum data rate and optimum content format for communicating the content with the communication devices (12). Using the optimum data rate and content format, the content is transmitted to the communication devices (12) over a wireless channel, thereby optimizing the air time and providing the best user experience regardless of communication device capability or position.

Abstract: A method for making calls from communication devices that operate within a plurality of wireless communication networks. A call number associated with a call from a communication device is received which communicates with an active network. Based on the received call number, a calling code requirement is selected for dialing the call from the communication device. The calling code requirement is then transmitted to the communication device. The call number or the call number in combination with at least one selected calling code is dialed at the communication device based on the transmitted calling code requirement.