Abstract: One illustrative method of reducing signal interference in a wireless receiver includes receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal; amplifying the received RF signal with a gain G; producing a baseband signal from the amplified RF signal; producing a signal-to-interference (S/I) ratio from the baseband signal; and adjusting the gain G based on the S/I ratio. Preferably, the gain G is varied over a time period to produce a plurality of S/I ratios, so that the gain G corresponding a maximum S/I ratio produced over the time period can be selected for optimal performance. With this technique, higher accuracy is provided as intermodulation distortion is accounted for in the S/I ratio. Advantageously, the S/I ratio calculations and the gain adjustments are performed digitally by one or more processors such as a digital signal processor (DSP).

Abstract: A test method for determining conducted radio frequency (RF) receiver sensitivity using an RF source coupled to an RF receiver by an RF cable may include determining a bit error rate (BER) versus traffic channel (TCH) power level function for an initial channel, determining an estimated TCH power level for a subsequent channel based upon the function and the desired BER, and measuring a BER of the subsequent channel based upon the estimated TCH power level. The measured BER may be compared to the desired BER, and a difference therebetween is used along with the function to determine a next estimated TCH power level. Measuring and comparing may be repeated if the difference may be greater than a threshold to thereby determine a TCH power level in the subsequent channel corresponding to the desired BER.

Abstract: An adapter for providing a source of power to a mobile device through an industry standard port is provided. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the adapter comprises a plug unit, a power converter, a primary connector, and an identification subsystem. The plug unit is operative to couple the adapter to a power socket and operative to receive energy from the power socket. The power converter is electrically coupled to the plug unit and is operable to regulate the received energy from the power socket and to output a power requirement to the mobile device. The primary connector is electrically coupled to the power converter and is operative to couple to the mobile device and to deliver the outputted power requirement to the mobile device. The identification subsystem is electrically coupled to the primary connector and is operative to provide an identification signal.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating with which network of a group of wireless local area networks that a mobile node attempts to communicate. Network selection utilizes a network selection list. The network selection list is contained at a SIM card, or the like, if the SIM card is constructed in conformity with a 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) specification. Otherwise, if the card is a legacy card, the network selection list that is used is retrieved from an internal memory element of the mobile node.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for sending and retrieving location relevant information to a user by selecting and designating a point of interest that is displayed on a graphical user interface and sending the location information associated with that point of interest to a receiver that is also selected using the graphical user interface. The location relevant information may also include mapped routes, waypoints, geo-fenced areas, moving vehicles etc. Updated location relevant information may also be continuously sent to the user while generating updated mapping information on the graphical user interface. The present invention may be practiced by using communication devices such as a personal computer, a personal digital assistance, in-vehicle navigation systems, or a mobile telephone.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for implementing a dual-mode keypad for a mobile device. The keypad may operate in a telephony mode and a text-entry mode. The keypad may include a plurality of dual-mode keys that each include an associated telephony character and at least one associated text-entry character. The dual-mode keys may include one or more toggle keys, with each toggle key having a plurality of associated text-entry characters and one associated telephony character. The dual-mode keys may be partially covered by the keypad surface so that a plurality of key surfaces extend from the key and protrude through the keypad surface. In text-entry mode, the dual-mode keys are operable to input text-entry characters. In telephony mode, the dual-mode keys are operable to input telephony characters.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a housing and a multi-frequency band antenna carried within the housing. The multi-frequency band antenna may include a main loop conductor having a gap therein defining first and second ends of the main loop conductor, a first branch conductor having a first end connected adjacent the first end of the main loop conductor and having a second end defining a first feed point, and a second branch conductor having a first end connected adjacent the second end of the main loop conductor and a second end defining a second feed point. The antenna may further include a tuning branch conductor having a first end connected to the main loop conductor between the respective first ends of the first and second branches.

Abstract: A battery charger may include a charger connector to be coupled to a corresponding device connector of a portable device including a rechargeable battery. The battery charger may also include a charging circuit connected to the charger connector, and a controller connected to the charger connector and the charging circuit. The controller may be for causing a portable device connected to the charger connector to identify its corresponding portable device type and its corresponding rechargeable battery type from among a plurality of different portable device types and different battery types, and for causing the charging circuit to charge the rechargeable battery based thereon.

Abstract: A mobile device comprising: a hard disk; a motor for spinning the hard disk; and a system for regenerating energy using the hard disk. The system for regenerating energy using the hard disk may include: a switch connected to the motor such that when the switch is in a first position, power flows from a power storage device to the motor to drive the motor and when the switch is in a second position, power flows from the motor based on kinetic energy of the spinning hard disk to the power storage device. The system for regenerating energy using the hard disk may be manufactured/combined with the hard disk and motor separately from the mobile device such that the system for regenerating energy may include the hard disk and motor.

Abstract: For a defined cryptographic process including an original substitution table, split masked substitution tables are provided to resist cryptographic attacks. The split masked substitution tables are defined with reference to a set of random value data words and a mask value. An entry in the split masked substitution tables is defined by selecting bits from the corresponding entry in the original masked substitution table, as masked by the corresponding one of the set of random value data words and by selecting bits from the corresponding one of the set of random value data words as masked by the mask value. The split masked substitution tables are usable in a modified cryptographic process based on the defined cryptographic process to permit a masked output to be generated. The split masked substitution tables are refreshed by each entry in the tables being refreshed upon access during execution of the modified cryptographic process.

Abstract: A portable battery charger for a mobile device having a rechargeable battery includes battery contacts, a switching regulator, and a charger interface. The battery contacts are configured to receive a battery having a low-voltage value. The switching regulator is coupled to the battery contacts and configured to draw the low-voltage value from the battery and convert the low-voltage value to a charger output. The charger interface is configured to electrically engage the mobile device and is further configured to couple the charger output from the switching regulator to the rechargeable battery in the mobile device.

Abstract: An improved test probe assembly has an improved mounting assembly which provides the test probe multi-directional freedom of movement with respect to a base in order to resist damage frequently caused to the test probe. The improved mounting assembly may, for example, include at least a first resilient mount disposed on the base and having at least a first support and at least a first resilient element. The at least a first resilient element, which may, for example, be at least a first spring, is deflectable when the test probe engages a structure, such as a device under testing (DUT). Accordingly, the improved test probe assembly of the invention can be deflected an infinite number of positions, in order to resist damage caused, for example, by misalignment between the probe and the DUT.

Abstract: A test method for determining radio frequency (RF) path loss between an RF source and an RF receiver for a plurality of RF channels in a given RF frequency may include determining RF path losses for selected RF channels within the given RF frequency band, and determining an RF path loss function based upon the RF path losses of the selected RF channels. The method may further include determining an RF path loss for at least one other channel within the given RF frequency band based upon the RF path loss function.

Abstract: Method an arrangement for affecting diagonal movement of a cursor 171 on the display screen 322 of a handheld communication device 300 having a reduced alphabetic keyboard. The method includes sensing movement at an auxiliary user input 328 of the handheld communication device 300 indicative of the user's desire to affect diagonal movement of the cursor 171 on the display screen 322 of the handheld communication device 300. X-direction signals and Y-direction signals are produced based on the sensed movement at the auxiliary user input 328. During that time while the necessary signals are being collected and processed, the cursor 171 is held steady on the display screen 322 until a predetermined criterion is met for discriminating whether the user has indicated x-direction cursor movement, y-direction cursor movement or diagonal cursor movement.

Abstract: A test method is described for determining radiated radio frequency (RF) receiver sensitivity may include determining a bit error rate (BER) versus traffic channel (TCH) power level function for an initial channel, determining an estimated TCH power level for a subsequent channel based upon the BER versus TCH power level function and a desired BER, and measuring a BER of a subsequent channel based upon the estimated TCH power level. The method may further include comparing the measured BER to the desired BER and using a difference therebetween along with the BER versus TCH power level function to determine a next estimated TCH power level, and repeating measuring and comparing if the difference is greater than a threshold to thereby determine a TCH power level in the subsequent channel corresponding to the desired BER.