Abstract: A communication network (100) includes a plurality of communication devices (102, 104) communicating over multiple systems or channels and also communicating over a short range link, such as a personal area Network (PAN) link (106). The plurality of communication devices (102, 104) utilize pre-stored scan lists (156, 166) and cooperative scanning (600). The cooperative scanning involves partitioning the scan lists (156, 166) among the plurality of devices via the short range link to minimize battery consumption or enhance scan performance.

Abstract: A system and method for routing audio for a vehicle mounted communication system includes activating (210) a (Push-To-Talk) PTT button associated with a handheld or rear microphone and determining (220) whether a short range wireless device is operationally coupled with the vehicle mounted communication device. In accordance with an embodiment, first audio signals received (260) from a microphone of the short range wireless device are transmitted to a remote party (265) when the short range wireless device is operationally coupled to the vehicle mounted communication device. Second audio signals received (270) from a remote party are routed (275) to a speaker of the short range wireless device, when the short range wireless device is operationally coupled with the vehicle mounted communication device and the PTT button is activated.

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 system (100) and method (300) of using a context vector and database (202) for location applications can include a transceiver (104), a plurality of environmental sensors (114, 116, 118, 120, 121) including at least two location technology devices (110, 112), and a processor (102) coupled to the transceiver and the plurality of environmental sensors. The processor can be programmed to sense (302) an environmental condition for a given location, define (310) a context vector for the given location, detect (312) a context transition corresponding to a change in the environmental condition, and modify (314) an operation of the at least two location technology devices based on the context transition detected. The processor can be further programmed to form (320) a new context vector based on the context transition and attempt to match the new context vector with a pre-stored context vector.

Abstract: Methods of enabling late entry into an on-going spread spectrum call are described. A late join frame replaces, and has the same size as, a traffic frame. A late join slot in the late join frame contains sufficient information in preamble and sync subframes to permit a target to join the call. The traffic slots in the late join frame replicate data such that call quality of the call is substantially unaffected if one of the remaining traffic frames is not received. The preamble and sync subframes frequencies may be the same as, or different from, preamble and sync frames frequencies during a call establishment phase of the call. If different, the preamble and sync subframes frequencies are selected from one or more frequencies. Use of the preamble and sync subframes frequencies is compensated for when selecting the traffic slot frequencies to obtain uniform utilization of the spectrum.

Abstract: Methods of enabling late entry into an on-going spread spectrum call are described. A late join frame replaces, and has the same size as, a traffic frame. A late join slot in the late join frame contains sufficient information in preamble and sync subframes to permit a target to join the call. The traffic slots in the late join frame replicate data such that call quality of the call is substantially unaffected if one of the remaining traffic frames is not received. The preamble and sync subframes frequencies may be the same as, or different from, preamble and sync frames frequencies during a call establishment phase of the call. If different, the preamble and sync subframes frequencies are selected from one or more frequencies. Use of the preamble and sync subframes frequencies is compensated for when selecting the traffic slot frequencies to obtain uniform utilization of the spectrum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a communication link in a communication network are provided. A continuous actuation button is configured to initiate a communication link between communication devices. The communication link is initiated when a force applied on the continuous actuation button exceeds a first force threshold. The force applied on the continuous actuation button is sampled at periodic time intervals. A release event of the continuous actuation button is detected when the force applied on the continuous actuation button reaches a second force threshold. The communication link is maintained for a predefined period of time after detecting the release event based on whether the sampled force indicates that the release event was unintentional. The predefined period of time is sufficient to allow a user to take action to avoid disconnection if undesired.

Abstract: A system and method for routing audio for a vehicle mounted communication system includes activating (210) a (Push-To-Talk) PTT button associated with a handheld or rear microphone and determining (220) whether a short range wireless device is operationally coupled with the vehicle mounted communication device. In accordance with an embodiment, first audio signals received (260) from a microphone of the short range wireless device are transmitted to a remote party (265) when the short range wireless device is operationally coupled to the vehicle mounted communication device. Second audio signals received (270) from a remote party are routed (275) to a speaker of the short range wireless device, when the short range wireless device is operationally coupled with the vehicle mounted communication device and the PTT button is activated.

Abstract: A portable communication device (100) includes a radio (102) and RF memory key (104) that allows both RF and baseband signals to be transported over the radio antenna port. A single wire memory device (134) is embedded into RF memory key (104) along with frequency diplexing circuitry (116) to transport single wire bus communications between the radio (102) and RF memory key (104) while RF is passed from the radio (102) to an antenna (150).

Abstract: A method (300) for requesting help by a user of a communication device (102) is disclosed. The method includes initiating (304) an emergency call by the user and successively attempting (306) to transmit a distress message to a communication system from a plurality of communication systems based on a predefined priority sequence. The predefined sequence includes a list of the communication systems (104, 106, 108, 110, and 112) arranged according to a pre-assigned priority wherein a satellite based system (112) is preferably assigned the lowest priority. Once one of the systems acknowledges the distress message, the user is notified. The method includes automatically accessing the satellite-based distress system (312), when attempts to detect the other communication systems based on the predefined sequence have failed.

Abstract: A method for managing a communication link in a communication network (100) is provided. The method enables exchange of data between a first communication device (102) and at least one second communication device (104). The method includes providing a continuous actuation button (210) configured to initiate the communication link. Further, the method includes initiating the communication link when a force applied on the continuous actuation button exceeds a first force threshold. Furthermore, the method includes sampling the force applied on the continuous actuation button at periodic time intervals. Moreover, the method includes detecting a release event of the continuous actuation button when the force applied on the continuous actuation button reaches a second force threshold. Moreover, the method includes maintaining the communication link for a predefined period of time after detecting the release event at the continuous actuation button. The communication link is maintained based on the sampled force.

Abstract: A configurable interface system (100) couples an accessory (102) to a communication device (104). The interface system utilizes a memory device (120) embedded in the accessory (102) that stores physical configuration and event mapping descriptors (114, 122) pertaining to the accessory. The communication device (104) reads the physical configuration and event mapping descriptors and configures its external interface (112) in response thereto, preferably through the use of bi-directional GPIO lines (110).

Abstract: An antenna (104) and antenna interface system (200) are provided that allow both RF and baseband signals to be transported over a single antenna/communication device coaxial center connector (110, 120). A single wire memory device (134) is embedded into the antenna (104) and electrically coupled to the antenna's center conductor (110). Frequency diplexing (114, 116) is used to transport the single wire bus communications between the antenna (104) and the communication device, such as a radio (102).

Abstract: A method for the selection of forward error correction (FEC)/constellation pairings (800) for digital transmitted segments based on learning radio link adaptation (RLA) including formatting a packet transmission having a predetermined number of information bits (801). The packet is then split into a plurality of segments (803) where an RLA is used (805) to determine the optimum format of the packet. The plurality of segments is then sent to a channel encoder for FEC encoding and symbol mapping (807) at a rate selected by the RLA. The segments are then formatted into packet blocks (809) and transmitted in blocks that form a time slot at a constant symbol rate.

Abstract: A configurable interface system (100) couples an accessory (102) to a communication device (104). The interface system utilizes a memory device (120) embedded in the accessory (102) that stores physical configuration and event mapping descriptors (114, 122) pertaining to the accessory. The communication device (104) reads the physical configuration and event mapping descriptors and configures its external interface (112) in response thereto, preferably through the use of bi-directional GPIO lines (110).

Abstract: A solution for automatically activating different audio transducers of a mobile communication device based upon an orientation of the device. In the solution, a series of speaker/microphone assemblies can be positioned on the device, such as positioned near an earpiece and positioned near a mouthpiece. Different speaker/microphone assemblies can also be positioned on the front of the device and on the back of the device. The solution can automatically determine an orientation for the device, based upon a detected direction of a speech emitting source and/or based upon one or more sensors, such as a tilt sensor and an accelerometer. For example, when a device is in an upside down orientation, an earpiece microphone and a mouthpiece speaker can be activated. In another example, an otherwise deactivated rear facing speaker can be activated when the device is oriented in a rear facing orientation.

Abstract: A communication network (100) includes a plurality of communication devices (102, 104) communicating over multiple systems or channels and also communicating over a short range link, such as a personal area Network (PAN) link (106). The plurality of communication devices (102, 104) utilize pre-stored scan lists (156, 166) and cooperative scanning (600). The cooperative scanning involves partitioning the scan lists (156, 166) among the plurality of devices via the short range link to minimize battery consumption or enhance scan performance.

Abstract: A Rapid Deployment Pack (110) contains at least one communication device such as radio (112) that includes personal area network (PAN) module (200). PAN module (200) can operate independently from radio (112), including when radio (112) is powered off, and can receive an update file containing radio configuration information. Programming station (160) discovers radio (112) and is able to send the update file. PAN module (200) is able to receive and store the update file until radio (112) powers on. Upon power-up of radio (112), the radio will detect the update file in PAN module (200) and use the information to update its configuration information. Preferably, the update operation is performed on a plurality of radios within Rapid Deployment Pack (110) while the pack is sealed.

Abstract: A method (300) for requesting help by a user of a communication device (102) is disclosed. The method includes initiating (304) an emergency call by the user and successively attempting (306) to transmit a distress message to a communication system from a plurality of communication systems based on a predefined priority sequence. The predefined sequence includes a list of the communication systems (104, 106, 108, 110, and 112) arranged according to a pre-assigned priority wherein a satellite based system (112) is preferably assigned the lowest priority. Once one of the systems acknowledges the distress message, the user is notified. The method includes automatically accessing the satellite-based distress system (312), when attempts to detect the other communication systems based on the predefined sequence have failed.

Abstract: A system (100) and method (300) of using a context vector and database (202) for location applications can include a transceiver (104), a plurality of environmental sensors (114, 116, 118, 120, 121) including at least two location technology devices (110, 112), and a processor (102) coupled to the transceiver and the plurality of environmental sensors. The processor can be programmed to sense (302) an environmental condition for a given location, define (310) a context vector for the given location, detect (312) a context transition corresponding to a change in the environmental condition, and modify (314) an operation of the at least two location technology devices based on the context transition detected. The processor can be further programmed to form (320) a new context vector based on the context transition and attempt to match the new context vector with a pre-stored context vector.