Abstract: A battery powered electronic device (105) for coupling to a host computer (205 ) comprises an interface (115) for transmitting data and an annunciator (340) for generating a sensible alert. The electronic device (105) further comprises interface monitoring circuitry (320) coupled to the interface (115) for determining an interface status as being active or inactive and voltage monitoring circuitry (360) coupled to a battery (355) for monitoring the battery voltage. Threshold detection circuitry (360) coupled to the voltage monitoring circuitry (360) detects that the battery voltage has exceeded a predetermined threshold voltage and generates a low battery signal in response thereto. A controller (320) receives the low battery signal and, in response thereto, provides a low battery indication to the interface (115) when the interface (115) has an active status and provides an activation signal to the annunciator (340) when the interface (115) has an inactive status.

Abstract: A method in a radio communication device (110) for receiving a lengthy message comprises the steps of receiving an RF signal (300) comprising header information (310) and submessages (305), wherein each submessage (305) is a portion of the lengthy message, and comparing header information (310) corresponding to a submessage (305) with header information corresponding to previously stored submessages, If the header information (310) corresponding to the submessage (305) is not substantially equivalent to header information corresponding to at least one of the previously stored submessages, the submessage is stored in a memory (225). The method further comprises the step of combining the submessages (305), in response to the header information (310), to form the lengthy message.

Abstract: A method of voice communication is provided to avoid disruption in the received voice signal. A compressed voice signal is received occupying 100% of the audio time during a lesser percentage (352) of the radio frequency (RF) time (302). An informational signal is also received during at least a portion of a remainder (354) of the RF time. Scanning for another channel, receiving data or embedded control signals may occur during at least a portion of the remainder (354) of the RF time saved.