Abstract: A communication system (10) includes a selective call receiver (12) for receiving transmitted information coupled to a telephone answering machine (44) via a fiber optic cable (48). The fiber optic link (48) transfers information from the selective call receiver (12) to the telephone answering machine (44), thereby allowing messages to the selective call receiver (12) to be accessed from any world-wide, conventional telephone system.

Abstract: In a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of fixed communication units (FCUs) (102) and portable communication units (PCUs) (120), each comprising an encryption synchronization counter (ESC) (314, 414), the PCU and FCU having a digital transmission format (201), a method of maintaining encryption and decryption throughout a hand-off is shown, comprising the steps of:(a) loading (708) during a hand-off initiation a continuation value for a second FCU ESC; and(b) incrementing (709) synchronously the second FCU ESC and the PCU ESC, starting from the continuation value and beginning at the time of hand-off completion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a satellite signalling system. A ground station receives paging signals from an earth-bound terminal, and an up-link radio transmitter/antenna transmits paging signals and control signals to a satellite in earth orbit. An up-link receiver coupled to the satellite receives the paging and control signals. A down-link transmitter is coupled to an antenna whose beam may be directed in a predetermined sequence to a plurality of locations on earth as paging signals are transmitted to earth.

Abstract: A portable transceiver system (100) has at least one base site (200) capable of communicating with at least one of a plurality of portable transceivers (108). The at least one base site (200) comprises communicators communicating on first and second frequencies (301, 302). The first frequency (301) comprises a plurality of sub-frequencies for communicating from the at least one base site to the plurality of portable transceivers (108), and the second frequency (302) comprises a plurality of time-slots for receiving call initiation signals from the plurality of portable transceivers (108).

Abstract: A dual mode communication receiver a receiver for receiving information transmitted in a first and second modulation format on a common channel, a first demodulator for detecting information transmitted in the first modulation format, and a second demodulator, responsive to the information detected in the first modulation format, for detecting information transmitted in the second modulation format. A power conservation circuit is also provided for selectively supplying power to the first and second demodulators for enabling the detecting of the information transmitted in the first modulation format and the second modulation format, respectively.

Abstract: A photodetector mounted on an electrical device serves as an ambient light sensor for low light illumination control and an optical receiver for receiving optically transmitted data.

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: When a first paging network system terminal determines that a pager is not within the coverage area of that network system, a paging message is automatically transmitted from another paging network system terminal. The pager wearer can advise the first paging network system terminal of his travel to another paging network system coverage area or the first paging network system terminal forwards the paging message to a predesignated alternate paging network system terminal.

Abstract: A method for assembling an antenna/receiver combination (305) comprises the step of forming a receiver (210) and an antenna (205) into printed circuit board material, wherein the antenna (205) is adjacent to and aligned with the receiver (210). Thereafter, the antenna (205) is electrically coupled to the receiver (210) while aligned therewith. A further step includes separating the antenna (205) and the receiver (210) from the printed circuit board material.

Abstract: A method for controlling the mass of solder applied to a printed circuit substrate (202) by a solder printer (200), whereby the mass of solder paste (114) applied to a printed circuit substrate (202) is controlled by measuring the mass of the solder paste (114) that was applied to a first printed circuit substrate. The mass data measured is then compared to a predetermined mass to produce a control signal. The mass of the solder applied to a second printed circuit substrate is controlled as a function of the control signal so that the mass of the solder applied to the second substrate more closely approaches the predetermined mass.

Abstract: A selective call receiver (100) includes a receiver (1104) for receiving a signal. The receiver (104) includes a controlled filter (142) having a variable frequency response. A decoder (106) coupled to the controlled filter (142) of the receiver (104) decodes the received signal. The decoder (106) has a decoder clock for generating a decoder clock signal (122). A controlled oscillator (134) has an input filter (136) controlled by a control signal (132). The controlled oscillator (134) generates an output signal (140) in response to the control signal (132) for coupling to a comparator (124) which generates the control signal (126) from the decoder clock signal (122) and the output signal (140). The control signal (126) is further coupled to the controlled filter(142) for controlling the frequency response of the controlled filter (142) which filters the received signal.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a circuit supporting substrate (104) capable of being partially flexed at one end, and a housing (100) having a retainer (102) for receiving the circuit supporting substrate into the retainer (102) in a first direction and for securing the circuit supporting substrate (104) within the retainer (102) via fastenerless sliding engagement in a second direction. The retainer (102) includes at least one retaining stop (108) arranged such that the one end of the circuit supporting substrate (104) contacts the at least one retaining stop (108) to partially flex the circuit supporting substrate (104) at the one end while the circuit supporting substrate (104) is received in the retainer (102).

Abstract: In a heterodyne receiver having more than one selectable receive frequency and having at least one intermediate frequency circuit (102) capable of operation on at least two intermediate frequencies, a method for selecting one of the at least two intermediate frequencies is shown. The selection method includes selecting (402) one of the more than one selectable receive frequency, and then selecting (408, 410, 504, 506, 510, 512) at least one of the at least two intermediate frequencies for each of the at least one intermediate frequency circuit in response to the selected receive frequency. The selection of the intermediate frequency for each of the at least one intermediate frequency circuit is made such that the selected intermediate frequency does not cause the generation of one or more undesirable spurious frequencies as a result of mixing the selected receive frequency and the selected intermediate frequency.

Abstract: A reverse polarity protection assembly (40) comprises an electronic product housing (102) having a battery compartment (90) having a recessed positive contact (70) and recessed negative contact (80). The assembly further comprises a battery holder (44) carried within the battery compartment (90). The battery holder has a plurality of leaf spring contacts (54) biased towards each other at opposing ends of the battery holder, the battery holder having external battery contacts (56 and 58) to contact the recessed positive and negative contacts. The assembly finally comprises a plurality of non-conductive spacers (10) carried by at least some of the leaf spring contacts, each of the spacers have an aperture (7) allowing a protruding terminal (43) of a battery (42) to contact the leaf spring contact and preventing a flat terminal (45) of a battery from contacting the leaf spring contact.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing extended battery saving operation in a conventional selective call signaling protocol, such as the POCSAG signaling protocol includes the transmission of an ordered batch identifier code word in the first frame following a preamble transmission. Upon detection of the ordered batch identifier code word, those selective call receivers capable of extended battery saving operation would supply power to the receiver only during those batches assigned to the receiver group to which the selective call receiver belongs, such as for every second or fourth batch transmission. The method for providing extended battery saving capability is transparent to conventional selective call receivers operating within the system.

Abstract: An electromechanical assembly for use in a portable communications device including an antenna loop and a coil spring coupled to the antenna loop for making electrical contact with one terminal of a battery and for supplying a bias for physically holding the battery substantially immobile, wherein the coil spring and the antenna loop are formed of a continuous piece of material.

Abstract: A selective call receiver, such as a pager, has a real-time clock and is capable of determining the response of the receiver to a message in accordance with a status associated with that message. The selective call receiver can also change the status at a selected time or if a characteristic of the message matches a predetermined characteristic. Additionally the selective call receiver may choose from a plurality of priorities a priority of a received message in order to determine if a message stored in the memory of the selective call receiver will be deleted by the received message. The selective call receiver is further capable of determining the type of data decoded by an address with respect to the time of day.

Abstract: This invention relates to an ideographical character signalling system, such as an ideographical character paging system, comprising: input means for inputting a plurality of first and second different types of ideographical characters, said input means including coding means for coding both said first and second types of ideographical characters according to a first code; signal processing means for receiving a data signal comprising said first and second types of ideographical characters coded according to said first code, said signal processing means comprising code converting means for selectively coding the coded first type of ideographical characters according to a second standard code.