Abstract: A system and method for implementing a natural language user interface includes a plurality of software applications, a means for entering text, and a natural language search engine. The natural language search engine is configured to receive an abbreviated textual command from the text entering means, match the abbreviated textual command with a desired application command, and launch one of the software applications by executing the desired application command.

Abstract: An electrical adaptor apparatus is provided for use with an electrical device. The apparatus includes a case defining a socket. The socket has a plurality of first electrical contacts. The apparatus also includes a plurality of adaptor plugs. Each adaptor plug has a plurality of recessed second electrical contacts configured to communicate with a corresponding one of the first electrical contacts. Each adaptor plug is configured to mate with the socket. Each adaptor plug is further configured to mate with a style of electrical wall socket. The apparatus further includes a locking mechanism operative to lock the adaptor plug into the socket. The apparatus includes a detent button that is operative to release the locking mechanism, thereby to release the adaptor plug from the socket.

Abstract: A multiple-element antenna is provided that includes a monopole portion and a dipole portion. The monopole portion has a top section, a middle section, and a bottom section. The middle section defines a recess between the top and bottom sections, and the bottom section includes a monopole feeding port configured to couple the monopole portion of the multiple-element antenna to communications circuitry in a mobile communication device. The dipole portion has at least one dipole feeding port configured to couple the dipole portion of the multiple-element antenna to communications circuitry in the mobile communications device. The dipole portion of the multiple-element antenna is positioned within the recess defined by the monopole portion of the multiple-element antenna in order to electromagnetically couple the monopole portion with the dipole portion.

Abstract: An automatic gain control (AGC) and DC estimation and correction technique for wireless communication devices is provided. An AGC signal, which controls a gain applied to a received signal by a gain stage to generate a scaled signal, is assigned one of a relatively small number of values in accordance with the amplitude of the scaled signal. An estimate of a DC offset in the scaled signal corresponding to each value of the AGC signal is stored in a memory. A DC estimation arrangement then reads the stored estimate associated with the particular value of the AGC signal from the memory and generates a current DC estimate based thereon. The current estimate is then used to correct the scaled signal for DC offset and to update the stored estimate.

Abstract: An adaptive noise suppression system includes an input A/D converter, an analyzer, a filter, and a output D/A converter. The analyzer includes both feed-forward and feedback signal paths that allow it to compute a filtering coefficient, which is input to the filter. In these paths, feed-forward signal are processed by a signal to noise ratio estimator, a normalized coherence estimator, and a coherence mask. Also, feedback signals are processed by a auditory mask estimator. These two signal paths are coupled together via a noise suppression filter estimator. A method according to the present invention includes active signal processing to preserve speech-like signals and suppress incoherent noise signals. After a signal is processed in the feed-forward and feedback paths, the noise suppression filter estimator then outputs a filtering coefficient signal to the filter for filtering the noise out of the speech and noise digital signal.

Abstract: A PLL-based frequency synthesizer is provided. In accordance with one aspect, a phase locked loop is provided that comprises a phase detector, a loop filter, a voltage controlled oscillator, and a feedback circuit. The phase detector has as inputs a reference frequency signal and a feedback signal. The phase detector is operable to generate a phase detection signal based on a comparison of phases between the reference frequency signal and the feedback signal. The loop filter is coupled to the phase detector for receiving the phase detection signal and generates an output voltage in response to the phase detection signal. The voltage controlled oscillator is coupled to the output voltage of the loop filter and generates a local oscillator signal. The feedback circuit is coupled to the local oscillator signal and generates the feedback signal. The feedback circuit comprises a sampling circuit.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic device with a keyboard optimized for use with the thumbs is disclosed. In order to operate within the limited space available on a hand-held electronic device, the present invention optimizes the placement and shape of the keys, preferably using keys that are oval or oblong in shape, and that are placed at angles designed to facilitate thumb-typing. The angles at which keys on either side of the keyboard are placed is complimentary.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic device with a keyboard optimized for use with the thumbs is disclosed. In order to operate within the limited space available on a hand-held electronic device, the present invention optimizes the placement and shape of the keys, preferably using keys that are oval or oblong in shape, and that are placed at angles designed to facilitate thumb-typing.

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: An integrated circuit packaging assembly for reducing the length of bond wires transmitting radio frequency signals is disclosed herein. The die is offset in the packaging to position a subset of its bond pads in close proximity to package bond pads to allow for shorter bond wires, which reduces the inductive reactance that is induced in longer wires by high frequency signals. The subset of the bond pads is used for RF transmissions, while the other bond pads are used for direct current and low frequency signals.

Abstract: A clock signal duty cycle control circuit is provided that receives an incoming signal from a clock signal input source and generates an improved output clock signal having an accurately controlled duty cycle. The circuit controls the duty cycle of the output clock signal by comparing the incoming signal to a reference value in a comparator. The reference value is derived from a reference charge stored on a capacitor. The reference charge is built up in the capacitor using the currents from a current source and a current sink, which are controlled using translated output signals from the comparator.

Abstract: An adaptive tuning method for a wireless communication device determines the impedance of a matching circuit relative to an impedance to be matched and adjusts the impedance of the matching circuit accordingly. A passive surface acoustic wave (SAW) device includes multiple terminated interdigital transducers (IDTs) which generate reflected SAWs when excited by incident SAWs, each reflected SAW having magnitude and phase characteristics dependent upon the particular IDT termination. According to the invention, the IDT terminations include the impedance matching circuit and the impedance to be matched. Input IDTs in the SAW device are excited with electrical signals, which are converted to generate the incident SAWs. The resultant reflected SAWs are converted by output IDTs into output electrical signal signals which can then be analyzed to determine magnitude and phase differences between the output electrical signal signals and generate an impedance matching circuit control signal based thereon.

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.

Abstract: A security server system and method permitting participants acting as the source or destinations for a message or a conversation with multiple messages to securely communicate the messages. The messages have a message header and a message content. A message router connects the participants via a network and delivers the message between the participants based on the message header. A key server creates, stores, and releases conversation keys that the participants use to protect the message content of the message.

Abstract: A candy product intended to be extruded in a ribbon/belt format and capable of being extruded and rolled upon itself to create a candy roll product eliminating the need of an underlying support material, and of the type generally including as ingredients, sweetening agents, flavoring agents, binders, water, stabilizers, acidulants, fruit flavorants, and coloring agents, the improvement comprising the addition of between 0.25% and 5% by weight of gelatin thereby to provide an extrudable candy.