Abstract: Solutions for providing stackable electronics packaging are provided. In some embodiments, electronic components are accommodated in the cavity of a printed circuit board (PCB) or printed circuit assembly (PCA), or co-accommodated in adjoining cavities of adjacent, stacked PCAs or PCBs. The cavities allow for closer stacking of the PCAs or PCBs. In some embodiments, a PCA comprises an encapsulant conformally layered over a PCB with electronic components mounted on top and bottom. Power and/or signal channels are routed through the encapsulant to the top and/or bottom layers. The encapsulated PCAs may be stacked. In various embodiments, stackable PCAs are modular, facilitating customization.

Abstract: A multi-antenna system and wireless device comprising same are provided. The multi-antenna system comprises two open-slot antennas each coupled to its own resonant cavity. The two resonant cavities may be adjacent with common short circuit elements across their boundary. The short circuit elements may include apertures through which wires can be passed. The multi-antenna system may comprise two spaced-apart plates, each plate defining half of the first open-slot antenna, half of the second open-slot antenna, half of the first resonant cavity, and half of the second resonant cavity. The multi-antenna system can be fitted into a low-profile wireless device having a top face with a surface area about equal to or greater than that of the plates. A display such as a touch-screen may be fitted to the top face. The plate configuration may provide for a relatively large surface over which current can flow during antenna operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus providing plural wireless transceivers within a desired power budget and associated methods. A plurality of wireless communication modules, each having a lower-power state and a higher-power state are provided, drawing power from a common source. Arbitration is performed to control which of the plurality of wireless communication modules are in the higher-power state, thereby controlling total power delivered by the power source to the plurality of wireless communication modules.

Abstract: A platform discrimination indication register is stored in a wireless network card. This register holds a platform discrimination indication that indicates whether the wireless network card can be used to transfer data with notebook computers or whether the wireless network card is restricted to transferring data from a personal digital assistant or defined set of restricted devices. The platform discrimination indication can be upgraded using a key value obtained from an Internet site. This key value is limited to a specific wireless network card because of the use of a unique electronic I.D. An Internet site encrypts the electronic I.D. to produce the first key, such as a platform activation key (PAK). This first key is then decrypted at the personal data device in order to obtain a unique calculated I.D. value. If the calculated I.D. value matches the electronic I.D.

Abstract: An antenna and multi-antenna system are provided. Each antenna of the system is a mirror image and comprises first and second conductive elements each having a first end and a second end portion, the second end portions being capacitively coupled to each other. Each antenna can be operated as a lower-frequency folded dipole having a series capacitive gap which facilitates electrical lengthening of the antenna, or as a higher-frequency monopole antenna having a parasitic element which facilitates improved bandwidth. The antennas' feedpoints may be placed at opposite corners of a ground plane, and separated by a distance which is less than one quarter of an operating wavelength of the dipole but greater than one quarter of an operating wavelength of the monopole. Locating the feedpoints at the ground plane corners facilitates orthogonal polarization of the two antennas at least in dipole mode. The antennas thus provided exhibit good isolation.

Abstract: The present technology provides an apparatus and a method for transmitting data via two or more FM signals in an interference avoiding manner. The apparatus comprises at least two FM transmitters. Each FM transmitter is configured to transmit a FM signal on a particular FM channel characterized by a certain carrier frequency that includes data and optionally one or more corresponding alternative frequencies (AFs). The apparatus further includes at least two receivers for receiving incoming electromagnetic radiation (EMR). At least one of the receivers is configured to receive incoming EMR associated with at least one of the FM channels, and another is configured to receive incoming EMR at least at frequencies outside of the FM channels. The controller is configured to separately control activation and deactivation of the FM transmitters and determine the carrier frequencies and the one or more AFs based upon incoming EMR.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring identity information for temporary use by a wireless device, visiting a foreign operator network, is provided. The wireless device is identified as foreign to the operator network and presented with an opportunity to download a temporary identity which is recognized by the operator network as belonging to a local subscriber. The temporary identity, once installed on the wireless device, makes the wireless device appear as a local subscriber. Upon termination of use, the temporary identity is returned to a pool and usable for another wireless device.

Abstract: Dynamic bus-based virtual channel multiplexing may be accomplished by establishing one or more virtual channels with a multiplexing device function driver and a multifunction device coupled to a bus, determining one or more functions to be activated on the device, and for each activated function, launching a second-tier function driver to handle operation of the activated function. The second-tier function driver has a function driver type. Establishment of the one or more virtual channels is accomplished using a multiplexing protocol and multiplexing device function driver with the multifunction device via a bus driver coupled to the bus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for coupling a radio communication device to a host system. The apparatus comprises a housing including a counterpoise operatively coupled to the radio communication device. The apparatus also comprises a signal pathway operatively coupling the radio communication device to the host system. The apparatus thereby provides a counterpoise for the radio communication device which is external to both the host system and the radio communication device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transmission line portion for a circuit board including a conductive strip and a pad portion including a conductive pad connected to the conductive strip, wherein an impedance discontinuity or mismatch between the transmission line portion and the pad portion is reduced or controlled. Impedance discontinuity or mismatch may be controlled by controlling the dimensions of the pad portion, for example the pad width or distance between pad and ground. A ground pad associated with the pad portion may be provided on a different layer than a ground plane of the transmission line portion. The ground pad and ground plane may be connected by vias. The ground pad may comprise a patterned conductive region, the pattern configured so as to desirably configure impedance of the pad portion. Also provided are a method, circuit board layout, and the like, related to the above.

Abstract: The present invention provides a radio communication apparatus for use with a host system. The host system includes an electromagnetic body which acts as a ground plane or counterpoise for the radio communication apparatus. The apparatus comprises an electronics system coupled to the host system, a radio module including a radio electromagnetic body and optionally a radio electronics system, a signal pathway operatively coupling the electronics system with the radio module, and a conductive enclosure. The conductive enclosure provides electromagnetic isolation of the signal pathway. The conductive enclosure is further configured, by inclusion of a wave trap, to impede electromagnetic coupling between the radio electromagnetic body and the host electromagnetic body via the conductive enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wireless device configured relay wireless communication between a computing device and one or more broadband wireless networks. In this manner the wireless device can act as an access point, hotspot or the like, for the computing device. The wireless device comprises a network interface system configured for communication with a wireless network and one or more broadband wireless networks. The wireless device further includes a control system operatively coupled to the network interface system, wherein the control system is configured to control communication between the network interface system and the wireless network. The control system is further configured to activate communication with one or more of the broadband wireless networks upon receipt of a predetermined communication from the computing device via the wireless network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for identifying a desired device handle in a computer system such as a personal computer running Linux™. The desired device handle is capable of facilitating or providing for interaction with a desired peripheral device, such as a USB™ device. The invention comprises providing a database containing information associating device handles with peripheral devices. A first portion of the database is scanned for information associated with the desired peripheral device. This information is used in determining a second portion of the database, which is scanned for information indicative of the desired device handle. The desired device handle is then identified.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for facilitating push communication from a first network to a target device of a second network, the second network comprising a packet service network such as a GPRS core network. A private IP address, usable for addressing the target device when the packet service network is in an activated state with respect thereto, is retained. Upon receipt of a first message from the first network, indicative of a push communication for the target device, the packet service network is disposed into the activated state, and a second message, addressed to the private IP address, is transmitted. The second message may be generated by a NAT configured to implement micro-port forwarding. The second message may be generated by a representative device of the second network, configured to receive the first message via a NAT in response to a query generated by the representative device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer port interface apparatus having a compound swivel. The apparatus comprises: a computer port connector portion configured for mated coupling with a computer port, a compound swivel portion, and a peripheral portion operatively coupled to the computer port connector portion. The peripheral portion may include an integral peripheral device or a connector for mated coupling with a device. The computer port connector portion and peripheral portion extend at angles from opposing ends of the compound swivel portion. The compound swivel portion comprises two or more swivels in series. Each swivel is operatively coupled to a swivel stop assembly configured to limit relative rotation of the swivel to a predetermined range. Swivelling allows reorientation of the peripheral portion and a device coupled thereto to facilitate operation. Swivel stop assemblies protect portions of the apparatus and/or facilitate operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device, system, method and computer-program product for transferring information between a host computer and a wireless network. The device and system comprise an operatively linked mass storage module and modem module. The mass storage module is configured to transfer information with a host computer. The modem module is configured to transfer information with one or more wireless networks. Communication between the host computer and the mass storage module is at least in part using file system input/output protocols. One or more virtual drivers are provided on the host computer to enable communication with the modem module without installation of modem specific drivers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for enabling operation of a wireless modem configured for operation with a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM). The method comprises determining a personal identification number (PIN) based at least in part on a predetermined network domain; configuring the SIM to release wireless network access data only upon providing the PIN; determining a network domain of a user session on a user device, the user device operatively connected to the wireless modem; determining a SIM-unlock code based at least in part on the network domain associated with the user device; providing the SIM-unlock code to the SIM; and comparing the SIM-unlock code to the PIN; whereby wireless network access is enabled only if at least the network domain associated with a user device corresponds with the predetermined network domain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for managing communications of a wireless device in a wireless communication system based on network traffic level, and a wireless device comprising a control system configured to evaluate a network traffic level. The wireless device may be configured to transmit data, such as delay-tolerant data, based upon the network traffic level, for example transmitting data only under low traffic conditions. Deferring delay-tolerant communications may result in lower peak traffic conditions in the network. Evaluating the network traffic level may comprise measuring chip energy over total energy (Ec/Io), monitoring data on shared control channels such as HS-SCCH of a HSDPA system, inferring power allocated to channels by a dynamic power allocation scheme, or other methods.

Abstract: An antenna system for a wireless device and a method for operating same are provided for controlling radiation characteristics of the antenna system. The antenna system includes first and second sets of feed points disposed so that first and second radiation pattern are generated by the antenna system when drive currents are provided at the first and second set of feed points, respectively. The second radiation pattern is different from the first radiation pattern. The first and second drive currents are supplied such that a predetermined overall radiation pattern is generated. The predetermined overall radiation pattern is at least in part a combination of the first radiation pattern and the second radiation pattern. The system and method may be directed toward SAR mitigation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring identity information for temporary use by a wireless device, visiting a foreign operator network, is provided. The wireless device is identified as foreign to the operator network and presented with an opportunity to download a temporary identity which is recognized by the operator network as belonging to a local subscriber. The temporary identity, once installed on the wireless device, makes the wireless device appear as a local subscriber. Upon termination of use, the temporary identity is returned to a pool and usable for another wireless device.