Abstract: A secret stream of bits begins by receiving a public random stream contained in a wireless communication signal at a transmit/receive unit. The public random stream is sampled and specific bits are extracted according to a shared common secret. These extracted bits are used to create a longer secret stream. The shared common secret may be generated using JRNSO techniques, or provided to the transmit/receive units prior to the communication session. Alternatively, one of the transmit/receive unit is assumed to be more powerful than any potential eavesdropper. In this situation, the powerful transmit/receive unit may broadcast and store a public random stream. The weaker transmit/receive unit selects select random bits of the broadcast for creating a key. The weaker transmit/receive unit sends the powerful transmit/receive unit the selected bit numbers, and powerful transmit/receive unit uses the random numbers to produce the key created by the weaker transmit/receive unit.

Abstract: A distributed architecture for driving various electro-optic reflective display devices (620) is disclosed. Analog processors (6-15) are positioned in close proximity to the electro-optic reflective segments (650) being driven while digital processing functions are performed at a remote location. The analog and digital processors communicate via a bus (640). Various bus types and architectures for coupling the analog and digital processors are disclosed. The distributed architecture is particularly useful in electrochromic displays where the inherent properties of the display require analog sensing of each segment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing data synchronization and/or resolving data conflicts is disclosed. In today's data communication environment multiple pieces of information may be received by a device and one of the pieces must be selected for processing or storage. The present system assigns a context value to each piece of information to describe the relevance of the piece of information to a recipient. When a recipient recognizes that it has received two or more pieces of information purporting to serve the same purpose, the context values of the pieces of information are evaluated and the piece of information having the largest context value, representing the most relevance to the recipient, is selected.

Abstract: A selective call unit (SCU) (122) is used for receiving a sequence of interspersed message fragments (FIG. 4) belonging to a plurality of messages transmitted by a messaging system. The SCU (122) receives a message length command from the messaging system indicating a total message length of a message pending transmission from the messaging system. Each message fragment includes a message portion of the plurality of messages and information indicating the length of the message fragment. The SCU (122) then determines whether there is sufficient memory available for receiving the message according to the message length command. The SCU (122) reserves memory space equivalent to the total message length when the total message length is equal to or less than available memory space, and disallows reception of the message when the total message length is greater than available memory space.

Abstract: A non-real time messaging system (200) for targeting messages to a subscriber unit (222) comprises a synchronized profile of where a subscriber unit should be located (a predetermined base transmission area for transmission of messages to the subscriber unit) maintained between a controller (212) and the subscriber unit. The subscriber unit detects when the subscriber unit is not within the receiving range of a predetermined base transmission area, informs the controller and the controller directs subsequent transmissions to an area identified by the subscriber unit and otherwise transmits subsequent messages to the predetermined base transmission area. The system further includes a plurality of base receivers (217) coupled to the controller for receiving transmissions from the subscriber units and allowing the controller to detect when the subscriber unit is not within the receiving range of a predetermined base transmission area.

Abstract: In a data communication system a first controller (102) selectively retrieves data from a database (316) in a second controller (106). Data corresponding to a plurality of entities is programmed (602) into the database. The data includes a plurality of parameters for each of the plurality of entities. Ones of the plurality of parameters are selectively defined (604) to belong to parameter groups in accordance with a predetermined grouping plan. The first controller generates (612) a request for the data corresponding to one of the plurality of entities from the database, the request further indicating a desired one of the parameter groups. The second controller returns (620) the desired one of the parameter groups corresponding to the one of the plurality of entities, in response to the request.

Abstract: A memory (218) of a subscriber unit (122) is written (302) with a subscriber unit identification code (226) and an activation data package (228) including an activation home index (230), and at least one of a corresponding service provider name (232), service provider identification number (234), service provider operating frequency (236), and service provider contact information (238). The subscriber unit is programmed (304) to convey, to at least one of the user and the service provider, the subscriber unit identification code and selected portions of the activation data package and to make operational the activation home index, when the subscriber unit is in a service zone operated for the service provider and the service has not yet been activated.