Abstract: Methods and devices for connecting an accessory device to a connector port of a mobile communication device and automatically detecting an operational mode of the connector port are provided. The method includes implementing a USB Type-C device detection at an electronic processor of the mobile communication device and monitoring a first and second pin of the connector port for pull-up and pull-down signals from a connected accessory. The method also includes interrupting the USB Type-C device detection when a pull-down signal is detected and determining whether an accessory signal is detected at a third pin of the connector port. The method also includes implementing a LMR accessory detection when the accessory signal is detected and completing the USB Type-C device detection when the accessory signal is not detected.

Abstract: A secure digital format card that includes two interfaces to a processor is provided, comprising a housing, and a processor that includes a secure digital input/output (SDIO) interface, a second interface, and further connections different from the interfaces. A first set and second set of pads are located at the housing, a subset of the first set for communicating with the processor via the SDIO interface. A subset of the second set for communicating with the processor via the second interface, and a further subset of the second set for communicating with the processor via the further connections. The processor is configured to: enable the subset of the second set of pads via the second interface when enable data is received via the one or more further connections, from the further subset of the second set of pads.

Abstract: A secure digital format card that includes two interfaces to a processor is provided, comprising a housing, and a processor that includes a secure digital input/output (SDIO) interface, a second interface, and further connections different from the interfaces. A first set and second set of pads are located at the housing, a subset of the first set for communicating with the processor via the SDIO interface. A subset of the second set for communicating with the processor via the second interface, and a further subset of the second set for communicating with the processor via the further connections. The processor is configured to: enable the subset of the second set of pads via the second interface when enable data is received via the one or more further connections, from the further subset of the second set of pads.

Abstract: Improved connectivity between a portable communication device and an accessory is provided through the configuration of a USB type interface. Independent control of a mission-critical subsystem and auxiliary subsystems allow for mission-critical audio and push-to-talk (PTT) to be maintained even in the event of a fault condition within the system. The configurability aspect of the interface allows for additional mission-critical input features to be configured into independent mission-critical subsystems.

Abstract: Systems and methods locating and operating a portable device mounted to a garment. One method includes receiving, with an electronic processor, a signal from a communication line of a plurality of communication lines integrated within the garment. The method also includes determining, with the electronic processor, a location, on the garment, of the portable device based on the signal. The method also includes determining, with the electronic processor, an operational mode for the portable device based on the location. The method also includes adjusting, with the electronic processor, operation of the portable device based on the operational mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods locating and operating a portable device mounted to a garment. One method includes receiving, with an electronic processor, a signal from a communication line of a plurality of communication lines integrated within the garment. The method also includes determining, with the electronic processor, a location, on the garment, of the portable device based on the signal. The method also includes determining, with the electronic processor, an operational mode for the portable device based on the location. The method also includes adjusting, with the electronic processor, operation of the portable device based on the operational mode.

Abstract: A multi-dimensional zone selection method in a communication device is provided. The communication device comprises: a radio transceiver; a memory storing a plurality of zones arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, each of the plurality of zones indicative of a respective subset of one or more communication channels; an input interface; and, a controller. The controller is configured to: receive, using the input interface, navigation input to navigate the two-dimensional matrix to indicate a selected zone of the plurality of zones; receive, using the input interface, selection input indicating a selected communication channel of the respective subset of the one or more communication channels indicated within the selected zone; and cause the radio transceiver to communicate over the selected communication channel.

Abstract: Improved connectivity between a portable communication device and an accessory is provided through the configuration of a USB type interface. Independent control of a mission-critical subsystem and auxiliary subsystems allow for mission-critical audio and push-to-talk (PTT) to be maintained even in the event of a fault condition within the system. The configurability aspect of the interface allows for additional mission-critical input features to be configured into independent mission-critical subsystems.

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: An electronic device includes a memory configured to store a lab certificate, a code authentication certificate and the executable code. The electronic device also includes a processor associated with a unique device identifier. For a first operational condition of the plurality of operational conditions, the processor is configured to: retrieve the code authentication certificate associated with the executable code; determine that a valid lab certificate is present in the memory; authenticate the code authentication certificate by determining that the code authentication certificate is signed with a private developer key and that the signature is valid; and execute the executable code on the electronic device responsive to determining that the lab certificate is valid and authenticating the code authentication certificate.

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 indicating the status of an ancillary embedded system in an electronic device. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes starting an initialization process of a high-level embedded system in the electronic device. The method further includes determining the status of the ancillary embedded system. The method further includes generating display information for the status of the ancillary embedded system. The method further includes storing the display information in a manner retrievable by the high-level embedded system. The method further includes reading the stored set of display information and displaying an indication of the status on a user display prior to completion of the high-level embedded system's initialization process. The method further includes periodically updating the stored set of display information by the ancillary embedded system to provide a real-time indication of status.

Abstract: A system and method to select boot configuration utilizes a processor, a near field communication (NFC) module coupled to the processor, and a near field communication (NFC) tag proximately located to the NFC module. The NFC tag operates as a system configuration tag to configure boot mode of the processor.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a memory configured to store a lab certificate, a code authentication certificate and the executable code. The electronic device also includes a processor associated with a unique device identifier. For a first operational condition of the plurality of operational conditions, the processor is configured to: retrieve the code authentication certificate associated with the executable code; determine that a valid lab certificate is present in the memory; authenticate the code authentication certificate by determining that the code authentication certificate is signed with a private developer key and that the signature is valid; and execute the executable code on the electronic device responsive to determining that the lab certificate is valid and authenticating the code authentication certificate.

Abstract: A safety alert device (200) is formed of a clip (210) and integrated whistle (220) coupled to a portable communication device (300). The clip and integrated whistle can be removed or re-oriented from the radio (300) to provide user access to the whistle. The removal or rotation of the safety alert device (200) having clip and integrated whistle can further enable emergency radio mode operation. The whistle (220) operates as a safety alert when the battery of the portable communication device is either charged or discharged.

Abstract: A portable communication system (100) comprises a portable radio (102) and a radio accessory (106) coupled through an interface cable (108). The interface cable (108) provides an electronic interface for remote access to radio functions at the radio accessory (106). The interface cable (108) further provides a temperature sensor (110) integrated therein for monitoring environmental conditions external to the portable communication system. The portable communication system (100) generates user notifications indicating extreme temperature conditions. Notifications of extreme temperature conditions may also transmitted from the portable communication system (100) to other radios, such as a land mobile radio (120), dispatch center (130), or other radio (140) operating within a communications network.

Abstract: A system and method to select boot configuration utilizes a processor, a near field communication (NFC) module coupled to the processor, and a near field communication (NFC) tag proximately located to the NFC module. The NFC tag operates as a system configuration tag to configure boot mode of the processor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to provision and distribute a traffic key amongst a plurality of radios enables secure communication, for a predetermined group or a predetermined event. Each radio has a controller, a radio transceiver for electromagnetic radio communications, and a near-field transceiver for near-field communications (NFC). The traffic key (or traffic keys) is provisioned locally at one radio and distributed to the remaining radios utilizing the NFC over a non propagating link. The same traffic key is distributed amongst all radios, and additional restrictions may be applied if desired. The same radios can later be re-provisioned for a different group or event. The local provisioning and distribution is highly advantageous for markets that do not require permanent assignment of radios.

Abstract: A portable communication system (100) comprises a portable radio (102) and a radio accessory (106) coupled through an interface cable (108). The interface cable (108) provides an electronic interface for remote access to radio functions at the radio accessory (106). The interface cable (108) further provides a temperature sensor (110) integrated therein for monitoring environmental conditions external to the portable communication system. The portable communication system (100) generates user notifications indicating extreme temperature conditions. Notifications of extreme temperature conditions may also transmitted from the portable communication system (100) to other radios, such as a land mobile radio (120), dispatch center (130), or other radio (140) operating within a communications network.

Abstract: A safety alert device (200) is formed of a clip (210) and integrated whistle (220) coupled to a portable communication device (300). The clip and integrated whistle can be removed or re-oriented from the radio (300) to provide user access to the whistle. The removal or rotation of the safety alert device (200) having clip and integrated whistle can further enable emergency radio mode operation. The whistle (220) operates as a safety alert when the battery of the portable communication device is either charged or discharged.