Abstract: A method of connecting a belt clip attachment device to a personal electronic device such as a mobile phone includes providing a belt clip attachment device for connecting the mobile phone to a belt clip, the belt clip attachment device and the rear of the mobile phone constructed so that the belt clip attachment device connects to the rear side of the mobile phone through a push and twist action on the belt clip attachment device; and connecting the belt clip attachment device to the rear side of the mobile phone by pushing and twisting the belt clip attachment device relative to the rear side of the mobile phone.

Abstract: An exemplary printed monopole multi-band antenna comprises a common radiator element, a first radiator arm connected to the common radiator element and a second radiator arm connected to the common radiator element. Electromagnetic coupling between the first radiator arm and the second radiator arm contributes to and/or shifts the resonance of the first radiator arm and the second radiator arm, thereby allowing the multi-band antenna to be tuned such that the first radiator arm is capable of resonating at a first frequency range and at a second frequency range, and the second radiator arm is capable of resonating at a third frequency range.

Abstract: A method for obtaining information related to services within a certain area using a mobile communication device includes downloading a menu of services based on a coarse determination of the position of the mobile communication device, where each service in the menu is associated with a telephone number. The associated telephone number is used to connect to a networked based server that stores information related to a plurality of services. Once the menu of services and associated telephone numbers is downloaded, a subscriber can select one of the services in order to obtain information related to the service using the associated number.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for vibrating a portable device. The system includes a vibrator housing with stops, a vibrator circuit, and a controller. The controller has an output to supply alternating electric current. The vibrator circuit includes a vibrator coil and a magnetic vibrator rod. The vibrator coil is made of a conductive material and has an inside core space and inputs to accept the alternating electric current. The vibrator coil generates an alternating magnetic field through the core space in response to the alternating electric current and the vibrator rod moves in a reciprocating linear fashion in the core space in response to the alternating magnetic field. The vibrator rod has ends with audio damping pads impacting against stops in the vibrator housing. The vibrator housing vibrates in response to the vibrator rod impacting against the stops.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for determining when to exit an existing wireless communications coverage network. The method samples the device geographical position, determines a threshold boundary line, measures the position of each sample point with respect to the threshold boundary line, and, beginning at a predetermined initial value, maintains a running sum in response to measuring position. The method uses the threshold boundary line to partition a coverage area for the existing coverage network into first and second zones. Then, the method decrements the running sum for sample point positions in the first zone and increments the running sum sample point positions in the second zone. The method exits the existing coverage network when the running sum is greater than or equal to a predetermined terminal value and then resets the running sum to the predetermined initial value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for improving performance of a communication receiver. In one embodiment a method and apparatus is configured to process a communication signal by adjusting the amplification level of the signal and monitoring for a corresponding change in the error rate which indicates the increased error rate is caused by an interference or jammer signal. A method and apparatus is disclosed which reduces the error rate if the error rate can be reduced by activating error reducing operations. In one embodiment current flow to a mixer is increased to reduce the error rate. The apparatus may be further configured to periodically monitor the error rate during periods when error reducing operations are active. If the monitoring determines the error rate has sufficiently decreased then the receiver operation is restored to normal operation. Phase offset adjustment may also occur to further reduce the error rate.

Abstract: A low-pass filter 10 on a microprocessor bus 22 for attenuating radio frequencies from digital signals travelling on the bus 22 from a microprocessor 12 to a peripheral device 20. An RC network is implemented as close as physically possible to the junction of the bus connection to microprocessor 12 and memory 14 to filter radio frequencies to an extent that limits radiation of these frequencies from the length of the bus 22. Wait states are adjusted as necessary to accommodate filtering of the digital signal that is transmitted over microprocessor bus 22.

Abstract: A mismatch detector including a directional device adapted to couple signals across the device and a detector coupled to a port on the directional device and configured to measure a reflected power a second detector coupled to a port on the directional device and configured to measure a transmit power. The mismatch detector may be used in wireless communication devices, including, but not limited to mobile wireless devices, base stations, and communication systems.

Abstract: An exemplary method and circuit for sensing bi-directional current through a resistive element comprises a sampling unit, a charge transfer unit, and an amplifier. The sampling unit is switchably coupled to the resistive element and samples and stores a voltage corresponding to a current flowing through the resistive element. The charge transfer unit switchably connects the sampling unit to the amplifier such that the charge transfer unit and the amplifier convert the sampled voltage to a ground-referenced output voltage corresponding to the magnitude of the current and in accordance with the direction of the current through resistive element.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for regulating the electrical length of an antenna. The method comprises: communicating transmission line signals at a predetermined frequency between a transceiver and an antenna; sensing transmission line signals; and, modifying the antenna electrical length in response to sensing the transmission line signals. Sensing transmission line signals typically means sensing transmission line signal power levels. In some aspects, the antenna impedance is modified. Alternately, it can be stated that the transmission line signal strength is optimized between the transceiver and the antenna. More specifically, communicating transmission line signals at a predetermined frequency between a transceiver and an antenna includes accepting the transmission line signal from the transceiver at an antenna port. Then, sensing transmission line signals includes measuring the transmission line signal reflected from the antenna port.

Abstract: A keypad assembly comprising a substrate, a membrane, and a logic component. The substrate has at least one set of electrical contact points that comprise a first, second, and a third conductive electric-contact area. The membrane comprises domed elements having a conductive elements fixedly attached thereto. Each conductive element is configured to interface with one or more of the electrical contact points with a soft press and a hard press. The logic component is in operative communication with the substrate and the membrane. The logic component is configured to distinguish between the soft press and the hard press.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system that uses serial, writable, nonvolatile memory (serial memory) in a portable radio telephone. According to an object of the present invention, the serial memory may be integral to a cell phone or attached to a cell phone via an add-on card or the like. According to another object, the serial memory may be embedded in a cell phone accessory or attached to an accessory via an add-on card or the like. In both objects, once the portable radio telephone is powered on, data stored in serial memory is transferred into onboard random access memory (RAM), which in turn is utilized by the CPU and/or other cell phone systems. Serial memory includes, but is not limited to, NAND-type flash memory, as well as, flash and EEPROM memories that utilize the following interface architectures: the mircowire bus, the I2C bus, the SPI bus and/or the MPS bus. Among other things, serial memory may store the operating system, applications, and radio calibration parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interfacing an electronic device and an accessory is disclosed. In one embodiment the accessory comprises a communication device. To achieve desired operation of the accessory with the communication device the accessory includes memory configured to store control data or other interface data. Storing the control data in the accessory insures that the communication device has access to the control data tailored to the accessory hardware. Storing the control data on the accessory also creates independence between the accessory an the electronic device such that accessory may be introduced to market after the communication device is purchased. In one embodiment the control data is downloaded to the communication device for use by the communication device. The communication device may permanently store the control data such that the download process may be avoided during subsequent use of the accessory with the communication device.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing and storing audio information from the forward or reverse link is provided. A communication device receives audio information via the forward or reverse link channel. The audio information is parsed and processed by voice recognition in order to translate the audio information into text information. Alternatively, the audio information may be recorded by the communication device and stored in memory for later processing. Once captured and translated, the text information can be edited and stored in various databases integral to the communication device. Additionally, when the text information comprises a telephone number, the communication device can place a call to that telephone number.

Abstract: A method of assigning transmission data rate in a multi-channel communication system based upon a comparison between projected transmitter power output for transmission at a selected data rate, and the maximum transmitter power capability. Relative power requirements for high and low processing gain channels are stored in a LUT in memory, for a variety of data transmission rates. By accessing the LUT, the relative power required for transmission over a low processing gain channel at a selected data rate can be determined. This power is then added to the current output power required by active high processing gain channels to determine the projected output power required once the low processing gain, or data, channel is brought online at the selected data rate. Data rate is increased or decreased until the projected output power is within a pre-selected transmitter output power tolerance, then that data rate is proposed to the receiver.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring, or provisioning, mobile communication devices 10 by an administrator 12. Administrator 12 comprises a computer, or second mobile 18. Mobile configuration feature codes are communicated to mobile 10 by communications channel 14 which can comprise RF wireless transmission over a mobile communication network. Feature codes are transmitted to mobile 10 by way of a Short Message System (SMS) or an Internet protocol-based Over-the-Air (IOTA) protocol.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that provide global positioning system (GPS) enabled wireless communications. The wireless communications system provides a switching module that is adapted to couple communications circuitry to a first antenna or a second antenna as a function of communications characteristics of the first antenna or the second antenna. The switching module is also adapted to couple GPS circuitry to a first antenna or a second antenna as a function of GPS reception characteristics of the first antenna or the second antenna. The switching module may also provide the communications circuitry and the GPS circuitry with simultaneous access to different antennas.

Abstract: A system and method have been provided for updating system software stored in the memory of a wireless communications device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interfacing an electronic device and an accessory is disclosed. In one embodiment the accessory comprises a communication device. To achieve desired operation of the accessory with the communication device the accessory includes memory configured to store control data or other interface data. Storing the control data in the accessory insures that the communication device has access to the control data tailored to the accessory hardware. Storing the control data on the accessory also creates independence between the accessory an the electronic device such that accessory may be introduced to market after the communication device is purchased. In one embodiment the control data is downloaded to the communication device for use by the communication device. The communication device may permanently store the control data such that the download process may be avoided during subsequent use of the accessory with the communication device.

Abstract: GPS functionality is added to a wireless communication device in an efficient and cost effective manner. Briefly, the present invention has a common mixer constructed to be used for a GPS signal and another signal or a common IF filter constructed to be used for a GPS signal and another signal. In one embodiment, a common mixer and IF filter are used for both PCS and GPS signals. In another embodiment, a band select switch may be used to select either the PCS signal or the GPS signal. Alternatively, a duplexer or diplexer may couple the GPS signal and the PCS signal to the common mixer. In this way, a common mixer is enabled to be used for both GPS and PCS. A dual band local oscillator may be configured to output a local oscillator signal facilitating selection of a GPS IF signal, a PCS IF signal or a cellular CDMA IF signal, using a common IF filter.

Abstract: The position sensor of the present invention includes a pair of elongated conducting members disposed in a parallel arrangement and a conducting metallic ball or mercury drop freely movable following the pair of elongated conducting members while maintaining a simultaneous contact with the pair of elongated conducting members, which combination provides two electric circuits respectively including a first circuit including a first poriton of the two elongated conducting members and the contact provided by the metallic ball or mercury drop, and a second electric circuit including the second portion of the two elongated conducting members and the same contact, wherein the metallic ball or mercury drop divides the combination of the two elongated conducting members into the first and second portions.