Abstract: A device, system, and method for switching between a narrowband network and a broadband network is provided. A radio device determines conditions of a broadband network and receives, from a narrowband network site, access criteria indicating that a subset of a plurality of radio devices can register with the narrowband network site to communicate on a narrowband network. In response to the conditions meeting one or more given conditions and receiving the access criteria, when the radio device is communicating on the broadband network, the radio device may continue communicating on the broadband network; or when the radio device is communicating on the narrowband network, or attempting to register with the narrowband network site, the radio device switches, from communicating on the narrowband network, or attempting to register with the narrowband network site, to communicating on the broadband network.

Abstract: Improved management of user based input to a converged portable communication device is provided. A primary processor is configured to detect a user input feature request in response to a user interface control being activated. The primary processor determines whether the user input feature request is one of: a primary processor-centric request or a secondary processor-centric request. The primary processor retains primary requests and routes secondary requests to a secondary processor. If the secondary processor is unable to perform the requested feature, a check is made whether the primary processor is available and can fulfill the request as a secondary request. Positive user feedback is generated in response to determine that requests can be handled, and negative user feedback is generated when a requested feature cannot be handled.

Abstract: Improved management of user based input to a converged portable communication device is provided. A primary processor is configured to detect a user input feature request in response to a user interface control being activated. The primary processor determines whether the user input feature request is one of: a primary processor-centric request or a secondary processor-centric request. The primary processor retains primary requests and routes secondary requests to a secondary processor. If the secondary processor is unable to perform the requested feature, a check is made whether the primary processor is available and can fulfill the request as a secondary request. Positive user feedback is generated in response to determine that requests can be handled, and negative user feedback is generated when a requested feature cannot be handled.

Abstract: Improved management of feature based user input routing in a multi-processor architecture is provided. A portable communication device comprises a primary processor controlling a primary operating system, a secondary processor controlling a secondary operating system, and a user interface input control operatively coupled to the primary processor. The user interface input control is configured to enable a radio function and a secondary user input extension associated therewith. The primary processor selectively determines processing of a radio function by one of the primary and secondary processors based on activation of the user interface input control in conjunction with the user input interface extension.

Abstract: A process for triggering and propagating a covert mode status change using configuration protocol data includes, while a computing device is in a non-covert mode, maintaining one or more externally-perceivable output devices according to non-covert-configuration data of a non-covert profile; in response to detecting a trigger: changing the computing device to a covert mode; selecting a covert profile; controlling the externally-perceivable output devices according to covert-configuration data of the covert profile; and transmitting an instruction message to each of one or more second computing devices, the instruction message comprising: a status change message to place each of the one or more second computing devices in a respective covert mode; and covert-configuration protocol data mapped to the covert-configuration data of the covert profile, such that respective externally-perceivable output devices, at the one or more second computing devices, are controlled according to the covert-configuration protoco

Abstract: A process for triggering and propagating a covert mode status change using configuration protocol data includes, while a computing device is in a non-covert mode, maintaining one or more externally-perceivable output devices according to non-covert-configuration data of a non-covert profile; in response to detecting a trigger: changing the computing device to a covert mode; selecting a covert profile; controlling the externally-perceivable output devices according to covert-configuration data of the covert profile; and transmitting an instruction message to each of one or more second computing devices, the instruction message comprising: a status change message to place each of the one or more second computing devices in a respective covert mode; and covert-configuration protocol data mapped to the covert-configuration data of the covert profile, such that respective externally-perceivable output devices, at the one or more second computing devices, are controlled according to the covert-configuration protoco

Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering a voice message. One method includes determining, by an electronic computing device, an environmental condition of a user. The method further includes generating, by the electronic computing device, a voice message based on the environmental condition such that the voice message includes an encoded meaning. The method further includes determining, by the electronic computing device, a voice profile of the voice message based on the environmental condition. The voice profile indicates the encoded meaning. The method further includes outputting the voice message in accordance with the voice profile with a speaker of a communication device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering a voice message. One method includes determining, by an electronic computing device, an environmental condition of a user. The method further includes generating, by the electronic computing device, a voice message based on the environmental condition such that the voice message includes an encoded meaning. The method further includes determining, by the electronic computing device, a voice profile of the voice message based on the environmental condition. The voice profile indicates the encoded meaning. The method further includes outputting the voice message in accordance with the voice profile with a speaker of a communication device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pairing devices is provided herein. During operation, an initial orientation of the two devices is determined. If the initial orientation of the two devices match a predetermined orientation offset from each other, then after a period of time, the orientation of the devices is again determined. If a final orientation of the two devices match a second predetermined orientation offset (e.g., devices are aligned), and both devices have rotated, then the two devices are paired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pairing devices is provided herein. During operation, an initial orientation of the two devices is determined. If the initial orientation of the two devices match a predetermined orientation offset from each other, then after a period of time, the orientation of the devices is again determined. If a final orientation of the two devices match a second predetermined orientation offset (e.g., devices are aligned), and both devices have rotated, then the two devices are paired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for expanding control switch selectivity in a portable communication system is provided. A rotary control switch is remapped based on the presence of two or more switches in the system thereby increasing the number of user selectable switch features, such as user selectable radio channels. The remapping can occur automatically without the need for hardware changes. The improved user interface can extend channel range selection in a portable communication system having a portable radio and radio accessory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for expanding control switch selectivity in a portable communication system is provided. A rotary control switch is remapped based on the presence of two or more switches in the system thereby increasing the number of user selectable switch features, such as user selectable radio channels. The remapping can occur automatically without the need for hardware changes. The improved user interface can extend channel range selection in a portable communication system having a portable radio and radio accessory.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for token-based application management. In an embodiment, requests are received from applications for tokens that can be active or inactive. A token-interaction-directive pool is maintained in data storage, each directive having a triggering token, a target token, and one or both of triggering-token actions and target-token actions. Responsive to receiving a token request from an application, any directives having their triggering token equal the requested token and having their target token active are identified. A response plan that includes the actions in the identified directives is generated. Any triggering-token actions in the response plan are communicated to the requesting application, and any target-token actions in the response plan are communicated to each application that is authorized to access the corresponding target token.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a back channel implemented by a transmitting device in a half-duplex communication system includes monitoring for voice activity detection, indicative of an absence of human speech, while the transmitting device is transmitting on a half-duplex channel of the half-duplex communication system; transmitting a notification of a back channel opportunity to other devices on the half-duplex channel responsive to the voice activity detection; and switching to a receiving mode to receive data on the back channel while still maintaining control of the half-duplex channel. A method for a back channel implemented by a receiving device is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for token-based application management. In an embodiment, requests are received from applications for tokens that can be active or inactive. A token-interaction-directive pool is maintained in data storage, each directive having a triggering token, a target token, and one or both of triggering-token actions and target-token actions. Responsive to receiving a token request from an application, any directives having their triggering token equal the requested token and having their target token active are identified. A response plan that includes the actions in the identified directives is generated. Any triggering-token actions in the response plan are communicated to the requesting application, and any target-token actions in the response plan are communicated to each application that is authorized to access the corresponding target token.

Abstract: A user interface control software system (125) has software components organized into distinct partitions (210, 220, 230, 240) with a defined interface governing communications between components of different partitions. Preferably, the software components are organized into a core partition (210), a device specific partition (240), a feature enabler partition (220), and a signaling partition (230). The core partition (210) has software components that perform input handling, application interaction management, application control management, and output handling. The device specific partition (240) has software components for interfacing with user interface hardware in a manner specific to a particular type of communication device. The feature enabler partition (220) has software components that implement procedures for interacting with the user to perform a particular task. The signaling partition (230) manages procedures relating to a signaling protocol that requires user interaction.