Abstract: A mobile device comprises host logic and a first transceiver coupled to the host logic. The first transceiver is adapted to wirelessly communicate with a second transceiver. The second transceiver is positioned at a fixed location and comprises location information indicative of such fixed location. The first transceiver transmits wireless beacon signals. When the second transceiver is within range of the first transceiver, the beacon signal automatically causes the second transceiver to transmit the location information to the first transceiver.

Abstract: A mobile device comprises a location-determining subsystem and a location assistance subsystem operatively coupled to the location-determining subsystem. The second location assistance subsystem wirelessly communicates with a second transceiver that is external to said mobile device to receive location information of the second transceiver. The location information is used by the first location-determining subsystem.

Abstract: System and method for interfacing with a digital computer using a multi-function device. A preferred embodiment comprises a multi-function device comprising a controller configured to process information and regulate operations of the multi-function device, a sensor coupled to the controller, the sensor configured to capture information in a movement of the multi-function device or a movement of an object applied to the multi-function device and to provide the information to the controller, wherein the information is used to determine movement information. The multi-function device further comprises a radio frequency circuit also coupled to the controller, the radio frequency circuit is configured to exchange information with other devices via a plurality of communications networks, wherein one of the other devices is a computer and the information shared is movement information from the multi-function device.

Abstract: A location system for locating a parked vehicle, a method for providing a location of a parked vehicle and a personal wireless device including the location system or method. In one embodiment, the personal wireless device includes (1) a positioning system, (2) a user interface and (3) a parked vehicle location system coupled to the positioning system and the user interface. The parked vehicle location system includes (3A) a parking determiner configured to automatically ascertain and store at least one parking event of a vehicle associated with the personal wireless device and (3B) a parking event retriever, coupled to the parking determiner, configured to present the at least one stored parking event.

Abstract: A system and method for context-based notification of a received transmission. Some illustrative embodiments may be an electronic communication system comprising a radio frequency (RF) receiver, location logic, a central processing unit (CPU), a notification device, and notification software. The RF receiver is adapted to receiver RF transmissions, the location logic is adapted to determine a current location of the electronic communication system, and the notification device is adapted to signal a user that a transmission has been received. The notification software executes on the CPU and causes the CPU to determine whether to activate the notification devices based on the current location of the mobile electronic communication system.

Abstract: A system for, and method of, placing an inbound wireless call in context and a wireless communication device incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a calling party identifier resident within a wireless communication device and configured to make an identification of a calling party associated with the inbound wireless call and (2) a user data retriever resident within the wireless communication device and configured to respond to the identification by retrieving user data associated with the calling party from a database and displaying the user data on a display of the wireless communication device.

Abstract: A method comprising accessing an electronic application on a handheld device to determine a time and a location of an upcoming event. The method also comprises determining factors affecting travel time and using said factors to determine an amount of travel time for a user to timely arrive at the upcoming event. The method further comprises providing an alert to the user based on said amount of travel time.

Abstract: A wireless device (100) having an optimum alert sequence definition analyzes its environment, including time and type of incoming call, and selects an appropriate alert signal sequence. A central processing unit (114) included within the device (100) is responsive to a transmitted signal from an external communications device to generate active and passive sonic sensing. The reflected signal received through the microphone (110) and a predetermined set of values or ranges stored in a memory (102) coupled to the central processing unit (114) are used as input for a program of instructions tangibly embodied in a programmable storage device executable by the central processing unit (114). Based upon processing of this reflected signal, the central processing unit (114) determines which alert signal is optimum given the environment.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an integrated circuit structure includes one or more integrated circuit elements operable to generate an electromagnetic field when an electric current is applied to the integrated circuit element. The structure also includes an encapsulating compound substantially surrounding the one or more integrated circuit elements. The encapsulating compound includes a packaging material and an electromagnetic field-attenuating material operable to attenuate the electromagnetic field emitted by one or more of the integrated circuit elements, the electromagnetic field-attenuating material disposed within at least a portion of the packaging material.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an automated emergency alert system includes a handheld portable communication device operable to initiate communication over a wireless telecommunications network, a dynamic sensor operable to generate an acceleration profile for the device, and a memory operable to store one or more predefined acceleration profiles each associated with an emergency event.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a universal serial bus “USB” in a computer as a power source for a portable electronic device. In one embodiment of the invention, a computer (26) having an external USB connector (38) is coupled to the external power input connector on a portable electronic device, such as a cellular telephone (14). The computer (26) is coupled to the cellular telephone (14) via a cable having one end connected to a first connector and another end connected to a second connector, the first connector being connected to the USB connector (38) on said computer (26), and the second connector being connected to external power input connector on the portable electronic device. The cable includes electronic circuitry (42, 62) for converting the voltage level supplied by the USB to a voltage level usable by the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A first periodic voltage waveform (20) is downconverted into a second periodic voltage waveform (35, 36). A plurality of temporally distinct samples (SA1, SA2, . . . ) respectively indicative of areas under corresponding fractional cycles of the first voltage waveform are obtained. The samples are obtained in response to a control signal indicative of a code used to produce the first voltage waveform, and the samples are combined to produce the second voltage waveform.

Abstract: A wireless device (100) having an optimum alert sequence definition analyzes its environment, including time and type of incoming call, and selects an appropriate alert signal sequence. A central processing unit (114) included within the device (100) is responsive to a transmitted signal from an external communications device to generate active and passive sonic sensing. The reflected signal received through the microphone (110) and a predetermined set of values or ranges stored in a memory (102) coupled to the central processing unit (114) are used as input for a program of instructions tangibly embodied in a programmable storage device executable by the central processing unit (114). Based upon processing of this reflected signal, the central processing unit (114) determines which alert signal is optimum given the environment.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention discloses a communication device (see, for example, FIG. 5), such as a mobile unit (e.g., a cellular telephone handset) or a stationary unit (e.g., a cellular telephone base station). The communication device utilizes global positioning system (GPS) information 560 within a Doppler profile generator 540. For example, in a mobile unit, the GPS information would typically be generated at the device. A receiver 520 is coupled to the Doppler profile generator 550. The receiver 520 utilizes Doppler profile information in translating a received wireless signal into user information.