Abstract: An interface enables an RF signal, a DC power signal, and a data signal to be conveyed between two devices over a single RF cable. In an exemplary application of this invention, a steerable antenna system is coupled to a wireless adapter for use in a wireless network. The steerable antenna includes a plurality of panels that can be selectively activated in response to the data signal, which also determines a direction in which an RF signal is transmitted or received by a selected panel of the antenna. Low pass filters in each device isolate the DC power supply and the load from the other two signals. High pass filters isolate the radio in the wireless adapter and the antenna array from the DC and data signals. The data signal is preferably encoded into a Manchester format that passes through a bandpass filter provided in each device.

Abstract: A data input device for use with a tracking surface having light-scattering properties with respect to the device. The device comprising a single laser having a modulated light beam. A beam splitter splits the modulated light beam into two light beams projected along separate paths toward the tracking surface. A portion of the light striking the tracking surface reflects back into a cavity of the single laser for self-mixing with the projected light, thereby altering first and second characteristics of the projected modulated light beam according to first and second directions associated with the tracking surface. A detector associated with the laser detects the altered first and second characteristics of the modulated light beam projected by the laser, and a controller responsive to the detector determines the relative movement of the tracking surface and data input device relative to one another as a function of the altered first and second characteristics detected by the detector.

Abstract: Operational characteristics of a wireless input device are modified so as to balance performance and power conservation. Power management algorithms may include an algorithm that improves device performance and increases device power consumption, as well as an algorithm that decreases device power consumption and reduces device performance. An algorithm that most closely corresponds to the desired balance of performance and power consumption is identified. The identified algorithm is then transmitted to the wireless device.

Abstract: Operational characteristics of a wireless input device are modified so as to balance performance and power conservation. Power management algorithms may include an algorithm that improves device performance and increases device power consumption, as well as an algorithm that decreases device power consumption and reduces device performance. An algorithm that most closely corresponds to the desired balance of performance and power consumption is identified. The identified algorithm is then transmitted to the wireless device.

Abstract: An improved hand held electronic device and an associated method provide facilitated telephone dialing by providing audible sound tags in the form of spoken words representative of numbers that can be selected by a user for dialing. The handheld electronic device includes an input apparatus that can generate a plurality of navigational inputs and at least a first selecting input. The input apparatus may include a rotatable dial, the rotation of which provides navigational inputs, and the dial may be translatable, with the translation generating a selecting input. When a processor of the handheld electronic device detects one of the navigational inputs, the handheld electronic device outputs an audible sound in the form of a spoken word of the digit that corresponds with that navigational input.

Abstract: A data input device for use with an optically rough tracking surface comprising a substantially coherent light source for projecting a substantially coherent light beam onto the tracking surface for scattering the substantially coherent light beam. An optic guides the projected substantially coherent light beam toward the tracking surface and comprises a first boundary facing the substantially coherent light source and a second boundary opposite the first boundary. A detector detects at least a portion of the scattered light beam comprising a speckle pattern. The optic is arranged such that the tracking surface is spaced from the second boundary by a distance sufficient to inhibit any substantial retro-reflection of the substantially coherent light beam striking the second boundary from striking the detector. A controller responsive to the detector operates the device in a tracking mode for utilizing the detected speckle pattern to track relative movement between the device and the tracking surface.

Abstract: A method and system for decoding and storing encoded control data delivered via the horizontal overscan area of a video signal. An interactive device such as a toy performs behavior defined by control data that can be encoded into a video signal. The toy is equipped with a decoder for extracting data from the horizontal overscan portion of the video signal, and a non-volatile memory that permits the control data to be stored for use after the video signal is no longer being received. The control data are delivered as a series of words that include genus codes and sequence codes. Genus codes identify the specific toy to which the word is directed, as more than one toy may receive the video signal. Error grading is used to minimize the effect of such signal deterioration, so the toy will replace previously received words if newer words are of higher quality.

Abstract: The adaptive timing module is configured for recovering data encoded in a field of a video signal, and further configured for counteracting horizontal phase or picture shift. An adaptive timing processor defines a timing window where the expected prescan portion video signal is expected to be in an encoded video signal. The timing window is divided into sub-portions with a set of sampling points. The adaptive timing processor conducts a sweeping operation over each sub-portion of the prescan portion of the encoded video signal for the presence of a pre-data encoding zone. When a pre-data encoding zone is detected, the adaptive timing processor stores the position of the sub-portion with the pre-data encoding zone, or sets a flag to indicate the presence of a pre-data encoding zone for that particular sub-portion in a particular field.