Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for carrier selection are described. In one example, a method of carrier selection for a frequency-hopping wireless communication device includes using a fixed set of available carriers to hop over during communications. The method includes allocating a subset of the available carriers to a long-range carrier class. In one example, the subset of available carriers consists of at least two carrier clusters spaced widely in the frequency spectrum. The method further includes monitoring a transmit power level in the wireless communication device. The method further includes using the long-range carrier class to hop over during communications if the wireless communication device transmit power is greater than a predetermined level.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for carrier selection are described. In one example, a method of carrier selection for a frequency-hopping wireless communication device includes using a fixed set of available carriers to hop over during communications. The method includes allocating a subset of the available carriers to a long-range carrier class. In one example, the subset of available carriers consists of at least two carrier clusters spaced widely in the frequency spectrum. The method further includes monitoring a transmit power level in the wireless communication device. The method further includes using the long-range carrier class to hop over during communications if the wireless communication device transmit power is greater than a predetermined level.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for managing user density in wireless communications are described. In one example, a method includes receiving at a central controller device a plurality of link data associated with a plurality of wireless links between a plurality of first communication devices and a plurality of second communication devices. The method includes identifying a global system performance from the plurality of link data utilizing a link quality parameter. The method further includes, responsive to the global system performance, generating one or more modified link settings for a first wireless link between a first communication device and a second communication device. The method further includes transmitting from the central controller device to the first communication device or the second communication device the one or more modified link settings for the first wireless link for implementation at the first communication device and/or the second communication device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for heart rate detection are described. In one example, a headphones apparatus and method includes emitting a first light in a first light direction directed at a left ear location from a left ear light emitter, and detecting a detected first light at a left ear light detector following interaction of the first light with a left ear tissue. The method includes emitting a second light in a second light direction directed at a right ear location from a right ear light emitter, the right ear location different from the left ear location. The method further includes detecting a detected second light at a right ear light detector following interaction of the second light with a right ear tissue, and estimating a heart rate from the detected first light and the detected second light.

Abstract: A communication protocol provides improved communication performance between a wireless stereo headset (12) and a host device (19). The communication protocol provides communication paths between the host device (19) and each ear piece (12a, 12b) of the wireless stereo headset (12), as well as a communication path between the two ear pieces (12a, 12b) of the wireless stereo headset (12). In addition to receiving audio information from the host device (19), each ear piece (12a, 12b) may request audio information from the other ear piece (12b, 12a), thus obtaining path diversity. Using special control messages on connection between the ear pieces (12a, 12b), the ear pieces (12a, 12b) inform each other which audio information has been received successfully from the host device (19).

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for multiple radio frequency band operation are described. In one example, a first device is operated in a first radio frequency band. A connection request is received at the first device from a second device utilizing the first radio frequency band. The connection request is processed to designate whether the connection request is a priority services request type or a non-priority services request type. Responsive to designating the connection request as the non-priority services request type, a non-priority services communications channel is established utilizing a second radio frequency band. Responsive to designating the connection request as a priority services request type, it is determined whether a priority services channel is available or not available in the first radio frequency band.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for heart rate detection are described. In one example, a headphones apparatus and method includes emitting a first light in a first light direction directed at a left ear location from a left ear light emitter, and detecting a detected first light at a left ear light detector following interaction of the first light with a left ear tissue. The method includes emitting a second light in a second light direction directed at a right ear location from a right ear light emitter, the right ear location different from the left ear location. The method further includes detecting a detected second light at a right ear light detector following interaction of the second light with a right ear tissue, and estimating a heart rate from the detected first light and the detected second light.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for managing user density in wireless communications are described. In one example, a method includes receiving at a central controller device a plurality of link data associated with a plurality of wireless links between a plurality of first communication devices and a plurality of second communication devices. The method includes identifying a global system performance from the plurality of link data utilizing a link quality parameter. The method further includes, responsive to the global system performance, generating one or more modified link settings for a first wireless link between a first communication device and a second communication device. The method further includes transmitting from the central controller device to the first communication device or the second communication device the one or more modified link settings for the first wireless link for implementation at the first communication device and/or the second communication device.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for discontinuous transmission on short-range packet-based radio links. As one option, during a communication session with a far-end system on a short-range packet-based radio link, an audio stream received on an audio line in is monitored for voice-based signals. Based on monitoring the audio stream for the voice-based signals, a voice activity estimation signal is generated. While the voice activity estimation signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, one or more voice packets are generated based on the audio stream, and transmitted to the far-end system at one or more times. Also, in response to determining that the voice activity estimation signal is below the predetermined threshold, one or more zero-payload packets are transmitted to the far-end system at one or more subsequent times.

Abstract: The invention relates to a technique for performing a random access procedure over a radio interface, for example between a mobile terminal and a radio base station of a mobile network. A method aspect of the invention comprises the steps of transmitting a synchronization request for synchronization information; receiving synchronization information in response to the synchronization request; and transmitting, based on at least one transmission parameter adjusted in accordance with the synchronization information, a resource re nest for data transmission resources.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for adaptive timing synchronization are described. In one example, a method includes determining a data communications packet length relative to a data communications slot length in a time-slotted data communications connection to identify a duty cycle parameter. The method further includes transmitting data communications packets between a first device and a second device utilizing an adaptive timing method. The adaptive timing method includes selecting from a random timing communications method or a synchronization timing communications method responsive to the duty cycle parameter being above or below a predetermined value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for carrier selection are described. In one example, a method of carrier selection for a frequency-hopping wireless communication device includes using a fixed set of available carriers to hop over during communications. The method includes allocating a subset of the available carriers to a long-range carrier class. In one example, the subset of available carriers consists of at least two carrier clusters spaced widely in the frequency spectrum. The method further includes monitoring a transmit power level in the wireless communication device. The method further includes using the long-range carrier class to hop over during communications if the wireless communication device transmit power is greater than a predetermined level.

Abstract: The selection of electrical power supplied to a load, between a first power source such as the electric utility grid, and a second power source such as a solar-charged battery-inverter system, is made at the granularity of individual electrical outlets (or junction boxes for appliances directly connected or loads installed as fixtures). A central controller determines the power source for each outlet, based on numerous factors including the current consumed by that outlet's load(s). The controller addresses power selection commands to each outlet. Each outlet includes a SPDT functionality switch that operates in response to the controller to connect loads to a line conductor from the first power source or a line conductor from the second power source. A common neutral conductor connects to both sources. The outlets include current monitoring, and may include GFCI and/or AFCI protection. A variety of power distribution panel configurations and wiring options are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a technique for performing a random access procedure over a radio interface, for example between a mobile terminal and a radio base station of a mobile network. A method aspect of the invention comprises the steps of transmitting a synchronization request for synchronization information; receiving synchronization information in response to the synchronization request; and transmitting, based on at least one transmission parameter adjusted in accordance with the synchronization information, a resource request for data transmission resources.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for adaptive timing synchronization are described. In one example, a method includes determining a data communications packet length relative to a data communications slot length in a time-slotted data communications connection to identify a duty cycle parameter. The method further includes transmitting data communications packets between a first device and a second device utilizing an adaptive timing method. The adaptive timing method includes selecting from a random timing communications method or a synchronization timing communications method responsive to the duty cycle parameter being above or below a predetermined value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for device location are described. In one example embodiment, an apparatus and method for determining a location of a mobile device is presented using a single narrowband radio system. In one implementation, Bluetooth is utilized. Using the single base operating with the narrowband radio, the location of the mobile device is found by applying both angle determination and distance determination. Using phased array antennas, the angle between receiver and base is determined. The distance is determined using a time-of-flight method based on phase comparison and phase lock loop techniques which can be applied in narrowband radio transceivers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a technique for performing a random access procedure over a radio interface, for example between a mobile terminal and a radio base station of a mobile network. A method aspect of the invention comprises the steps of transmitting a synchronization request for synchronization information; receiving synchronization information in response to the synchronization request; and transmitting, based on at least one transmission parameter adjusted in accordance with the synchronization information, a resource request for data transmission resources.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for device location are described. In one example embodiment, an apparatus and method for determining a location of a mobile device is presented using a single narrowband radio system. In one implementation, Bluetooth is utilized. Using the single base operating with the narrowband radio, the location of the mobile device is found by applying both angle determination and distance determination. Using phased array antennas, the angle between receiver and base is determined. The distance is determined using a time-of-flight method based on phase comparison and phase lock loop techniques which can be applied in narrowband radio transceivers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for heart rate detection are described. In one example, a headphones apparatus and method includes emitting a first light in a first light direction directed at a left ear location from a left ear light emitter, and detecting a detected first light at a left ear light detector following interaction of the first light with a left ear tissue. The method includes emitting a second light in a second light direction directed at a right ear location from a right ear light emitter, the right ear location different from the left ear location. The method further includes detecting a detected second light at a right ear light detector following interaction of the second light with a right ear tissue, and estimating a heart rate from the detected first light and the detected second light.

Abstract: There is provided a method of operating a communication system, the communication system comprising a user equipment and a receiver, the method in the system comprising generating a random access transmission in a user equipment and transmitting the random access transmission to the receiver in the communication system, the random access transmission including a preamble; receiving the random access transmission from the user equipment at the receiver; processing the random access transmission in the frequency domain to detect the preamble. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the preamble has a cyclic prefix, or is preceded by a plurality of zero-valued symbols.