Abstract: A system is presented providing content to a plurality of handheld devices (including musical selections). The devices can access a server over the Internet via a WIFI or other similar wireless interconnection and can download songs requested by a user from the server or from other users using, e.g., a P2P protocol. All downloads are governed by applicable DRM rules. Content and playlists may also be pushed by a server from other sources and means including, e.g., podcasting, based on predetermined rules, favorite preferences of users, and other criteria.

Abstract: A system is presented providing content to a plurality of handheld devices (including musical selections). The devices can access a server over the Internet via a WIFI or other similar wireless interconnection and can download songs requested by a user from the server or from other users using, e.g., a P2P protocol. All downloads are governed by applicable DRM rules. Content and playlists may also be pushed by a server from other sources and means including, e.g., podcasting, based on predetermined rules, favorite preferences of users, and other criteria.

Abstract: A system is presented providing content to a plurality of handheld devices (including musical selections). The devices can access a server over the Internet via a WIFI or other similar wireless interconnection and can download songs requested by a user from the server or from other users using, e.g., a P2P protocol. All downloads are governed by applicable DRM rules. Content and playlists may also be pushed by a server from other sources and means including, e.g., podcasting, based on predetermined rules, favorite preferences of users, and other criteria.

Abstract: A system is presented providing content to a plurality of handheld devices (including musical selections). The devices can access a server over the Internet via a WIFI or other similar wireless interconnection and can download songs requested by a user from the server or from other users using, e,g, a P2P protocol. All downloads are governed by applicable DRM rules. Content and playlists may also be pushed by a server from other sources and means including, e.g., podcasting, based on predetermined rules, favorite preferences of users, and other criteria.

Abstract: A system is presented providing content to a plurality of handheld devices (including musical selections). The devices can access a server over the Internet via a WIFI or other similar wireless interconnection and can download songs requested by a user from the server or from other users using, e.g., a P2P protocol. All downloads are governed by applicable DRM rules. Content and playlists may also be pushed by a server from other sources and means including, e.g., podcasting, based on predetermined rules, favorite preferences of users, and other criteria.

Abstract: A system is presented providing content to a plurality of handheld devices (including musical selections). The devices can access a server over the Internet via a WIFI or other similar wireless interconnection and can download songs requested by a user from the server or from other users using, e,g, a P2P protocol. All downloads are governed by applicable DRM rules. Content and playlists may also be pushed by a server from other sources and means including, e.g., podcasting, based on predetermined rules, favorite preferences of users, and other criteria.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for permitting a user of a selective call receiver (31) to receive a certain number of personal messages and information service updates without paying a fee for such services in return for reading advertisements wirelessly transmitted to the selective call receiver. The user is allowed to read the advertisements at any time prior to receiving the personal messages and information service updates. The certain number is proportional to the number of advertisements read. The certain number can be increased by the user responding to questions within advertisements using reverse channel messaging capabilities of a selective call transceiver (32), or by using a conventional telephone (22).

Abstract: A system and apparatus for permitting a user of a selective call receiver (31) to receive a certain number of personal messages and information service updates without paying a fee for such services in return for reading advertisements wirelessly transmitted to the selective call receiver. The user is allowed to read the advertisements at any time prior to receiving the personal messages and information service updates. The certain number is proportional to the number of advertisements read. The certain number can be increased by the user responding to questions within advertisements using reverse channel messaging capabilities of a selective call transceiver (32), or by using a conventional telephone (22).

Abstract: A radio accessory (20) for a personal computing device (50) has a receiver (30) and an interface circuit (32) for receiving and digitizing paging signals modulated on a radio frequency carrier. The paging signals are encoded in accordance with a predetermined protocol such as POCSAG. The personal computing device (50) then decodes the digitized paging signals in accordance with software instructions provided either by the instruction memory (40) in the accessory (20) or on a disk (84). The accessory (20) also has an identification code which validates software from the disk (84) to deter unauthorized use of the accessory (20). The accessory (20) also has a transmitter (28) for sending wireless information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a communication system operated by a service provider controls utilization of a module (602, 606) added to a portable communication device (122) including a transceiver (302) which communicates with a fixed portion (102) of the communication system. The portable communication device (122) receives (604) a request for utilization of the module. In response, the portable communication device (122) acts (612) to obtain a usage authorization for utilizing the module. The portable communication device (122) disallows (640) the utilization of the module, in response to the usage authorization being unobtainable.

Abstract: A multi-port message buffer which is responsive to an escape sequence. A control unit controls whether the message buffer is in a transparent mode or a command mode with respect to a particular port. The control unit monitors a data port for the escape sequence and, if the escape sequence is detected, the control unit causes the message buffer to enter into the command mode with respect to that port. The escape sequence is a break sequence of a predetermined period, followed within a predetermined time by a predetermined character at a predetermined data transmission speed. The escape sequence can therefore be detected even if the currently programmed data transmission speed for that particular port is unknown.

Abstract: An improved message buffer for transferring data between two or more digital data devices is disclosed. A dual universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (13) provides bidirectional data flow to two bidirectional ports (B and C) through two interface circuits (14 and 15). A peripheral interface adapter (16) and a third interface circuit (17) provide for sending data to an output port (A) in a serial or a parallel data format, and provides access to a real time clock (20), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (41), a bank of switches (36), and a bank of display indicators (37). A read only memory (11) provides operating instructions to a control unit (10). The control unit (10) reads data and handshake signals from the two bidirectional ports (B and C), stores the data in a random access memory (12), reads the data from the memory (12) and sends it to the output port (A).

Abstract: A memory system is used to store data and is powered-up by and only during accessing signals, thus using essentially no current when not being accessed. The memory system includes a decoding network using a mixture of NPN and PNP transistors, and a buffer circuit at the input to a memory cell array allows the use of a minimum number of select lines, having low power requirements.

Abstract: A signal synchronization system is disclosed which samples an incoming stream containing binary information at a sampling rate which is an integral multiple of the bit information rate. This system correlates the sequences of the sampled bit pattern with a predetermined sequence to produce a measure of the dissimilarity between the sampled and the predetermined sequences. Synchronization of a local sampling clock with the incoming binary information is achieved by making phase adjustments to the local sampling clock which are functions of both the magnitude of dissimilarity and the time of measurement.