Abstract: A convenient source of charging power for portable communication devices is an integral power node of a computer data bus, such as a USB (universal serial bus) port. Unfortunately, USB ports have limited power capacity, making them generally incompatible with battery charge controllers (BCCs) which are designed to receive a steady, high capacity input. The invention provides a battery charging circuit which adjusts to the parameters of an external power supply such as a USB port by adding a regulating circuit to a standard BCC design. This regulating circuit maximizes the current drawn by the BCC, while keeping the voltage to the BCC above a preset minimum (the low voltage shut off level for the BCC). If the voltage to the BCC begins to drop, the regulating circuit reduces the current drawn, so the voltage rises and stays within the operating range of the BCC.

Abstract: A shock absorbing roller thumb wheel is disclosed. The shock absorbing thumb wheel includes a central hub that can be secured to an electro-mechanical switch, a rim encircling the central hub, and force dispersion spokes extending from the central hub and connected to the rim. The configuration of the force dispersion spokes and the resilient material of the force dispersion spokes and the rim allow for radial and lateral deflection of the rim in response to an applied impact force. The impact force is thereby at least partially absorbed by the radial and lateral deflection of the rim and spokes, such that less impact force is transferred to connections between the electro-mechanical switch and any assembly to which the switch is attached. Hence, the probability of connection failures is reduced, and the lifetime of a device that uses the thumb wheel can be extended.

Abstract: SAW devices such as interdigital transducers (IDTs) have been widely used in RADAR applications and as filters. An IDT produces a SAW when excited by a single electrical pulse and can be fabricated to embody a code, which code provides for a passive autocorrelation of a SAW input to the IDT and thereby lends itself to further application as a signal generator in a communication device. However, internal dimensions of IDTs are inversely proportional to operating frequency, such that high frequency IDTs present significant manufacturing difficulties. Fabrication of IDTs for high frequency applications is simplified by exploiting a harmonic frequency SAW generated by IDTs. An IDT may therefore be designed according to fundamental frequency internal dimension criteria but can operate at a multiple of the fundamental frequency, thereby providing much higher frequency operation than conventional SAW systems.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing data records between multiple databases is provided. Each database includes data records that are modified to include at least one pair of synchronization parameters. In a two-database system including a first database and a second database, each data record is modified to include synchronization parameters for both the first and second databases. When an update is made to a data record at one of the databases, an update message is transmitted to the other database including both synchronization parameters from the database where the update is made, along with the updated data record. An efficient master-slave configuration between the databases then enables either database to resolve conflicts without further communications.

Abstract: A digital signature verification system wherein a signature system may sign a conversational message, as might be used in a chat, instant messaging or enterprise instant messaging dialog, and a verification system may then verify the signature. The signature system may include a signing entity and a vault, wherein the signing entity provides the message and credentials and the vault creates the signature based on a first hash of the message that is further encrypted with a signature key. The verification system may include a validating entity and a verifier, wherein the validating entity provides the message, the signature, and assertions to the verifier and the verifier then forms a second hash of the message, uses a verification key corresponding with the signature key to decrypt the signature and obtain the first hash, and compares the two hashes to determine a proper validation response.

Abstract: A dual mode antenna system for a wireless transceiver is provided, and includes a retractable antenna element having a first, retracted position and a second, extended position. The antenna element operates as a first type of antenna in the first position and a second type of antenna in the second position. In the first position, the retractable antenna element is connected to a loading structure to form a low-profile antenna, and in the second position, the antenna element forms a monopole antenna.

Abstract: A method and system of matching a bit rate to a transmit bit rate used to transmit data on a data link are disclosed. A bit pattern in data received on the data link is detected using a bit rate. Where the detected bit pattern comprises one of a plurality of expected bit patterns, the bit rate is adjusted to an adjusted bit rate based on the detected bit pattern. In one embodiment, the adjusted bit rate is used for communications on the data link when a confirmation bit pattern is received within a predetermined time after the data is received.

Abstract: A method and system for accurately reporting battery capacity is disclosed herein. The disclosed method and system prevent the reporting of discontinuous capacity values resulting from starting or stopping recharge cycles. The disclosed method and system prevent over or under reporting of battery capacity due to the transition between charge and discharge curves in a battery model.

Abstract: An antenna and a wireless mobile communication device incorporating the antenna are provided. The antenna includes a first conductor section electrically coupled to first feeding point, a second conductor section electrically coupled to a second feeding point, and a near-field radiation control structure adapted to control characteristics of near-field radiation generated by the antenna. Near-field radiation control structures include a parasitic element positioned adjacent the first conductor section and configure to control characteristics of near-field radiation generated by the first conductor section, and a diffuser in the second conductor section configured to diffuse near-field radiation generated by the second conductor section into a plurality of directions.

Abstract: A secure communication system wherein message decryption may be performed while off-line, or optionally while on-line. A sender encrypts a message based on the message key and sends it to the recipient. An envelope containing a message key is created by encrypting the message key based on a verifier, where the verifier is based on a secret of the recipient. The recipient is provided the envelope, along with the message or separately, from the sender or from another party, contemporaneous with receipt of the message or otherwise. The recipient can then open the envelope while off-line, based on their secret, and retrieve the message key from the envelope to decrypt the message. In the event the recipient cannot open the envelope, optional on-line access permits obtaining assistance that may include obtaining an alternate envelope that the recipient can open.

Abstract: An antenna system for a portable transceiver device comprises an antenna structure for transmitting and receiving RF signals. The antenna structure includes multiple feeding ports having a common structure fully coupling multiple antennas together. This antenna structure is made of a conductor that can be surface mounted over a nonplanar surface. When the conductor is mounted on a nonplanar surface, the antenna structure extends in three dimensional space around the portable communications device.

Abstract: A system and method of pushing user-selected data items from a host system to a user's mobile data communication device upon detecting the occurrence of one or more user-defined event triggers is provided. The user may then move (or file) the data items to a particular folder within a folder hierarchy stored in the mobile data communication device, or may execute some other system operation on the data item. Software operating at the mobile device and the host system then synchronizes the folder hierarchy of the mobile device with a folder hierarchy of the host system, and any actions executed on the data items at the mobile device are then automatically replicated on the same data items stored at the host system, thus eliminating the need for the user to manually replicate actions at the host system that have been executed at the mobile data communication device.

Abstract: A communication system (410) wherewith sources (414) and targets (416) employ a key server (420) to exchange transactions (424). A first request to the key server includes a source assertion (422) from an authentication authority (418), and optionally a key (430). The key server provides a transaction ID (428), and the key if not already provided, in reply to this request. The key server stores the transaction ID and source assertion. The source encrypts the transaction and sends it with the transaction ID to the targets. A second request to the key server includes a target assertion and the transaction ID. The key server provides the key in reply to this request. The key server also stores the target assertion in association with the transaction ID. The respective assertions then establish the source and targets of the transaction in a manner that cannot plausibly be repudiated.

Abstract: A key server (320) based communication system (310) wherewith communicating parties, originators (312) and recipients (314), exchange encrypted communications (324). An originator requests or provides a key (330) to the key server, optionally with an assertion (322) from an authentication authority (318). Based on attributes (326) from the originator or elsewhere, the key server sets controlling events (340) for the communication. The originator encrypts and sends the communication to one or more recipients. A recipient may or may not request the key to decrypt the message. Positive events (342) are determined based on the controlling events and when and how many such requests occur. Negative events (344) are determined based on the absence of any requests or all requests being untimely.

Abstract: An impedance matching low noise amplifier (“LNA”) having a bypass switch includes an amplification circuit, a bypass switching network and a match adjustment circuit. The amplification circuit has an amplifier input and an amplifier output, and is configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) input signal at the amplifier input and apply a gain to generate an amplified RF output signal at the amplifier output. The bypass switching network is coupled to a low-gain control signal and is also coupled between the amplifier input and the amplifier output. The bypass switching network is configured to couple the amplifier input to the amplifier output when the low-gain control signal is enabled in order to feed the RF input signal through to the RF output signal. The match adjustment circuit is coupled to the low-gain control signal and the RF input signal, and is configured to couple the RF input signal to an impedance when the low-gain control signal is enabled.

Abstract: A method for interactively communicating with regard to a statement in e-mail form including a tag and a link. The statement is communicated from a first computer to a second via a network. The first computer is operated by the statement provider and the second is operated by a clerk associated with the statement receiver. A client software is provided to the second computer automatically based on said tag being present in the statement. An instant messaging session between the second computer and a third computer is employed based on selective link activation by the clerk. The third computer (potentially the same as the first) is operated by a service representative associated with the provider.

Abstract: A device for providing the functionality of an oscillator and mixer is disclosed herein. The device uses a differential pair to provide first and second filter networks with a time varying signal. The first filer network generates an oscillating signal through the use of a generated negative resistance and provides the oscillating signal while filtering out unwanted signals. The second filter network receives the time varying input signal and the oscillating signal and provides a mixed output while preventing the transmission of oscillations at the oscillating signal frequency. A double balanced embodiment is also disclosed.