Abstract: A method, a personal area network device operating as a slave, and a short range communications device operating as a slave are disclosed. A data storage 208 may store at least one protocol-specific channel criterion for a connection with a master short range communication device 104. A short range transceiver 108 may execute a preliminary device scan of a scanning set of communication channels for radio frequency energy. A processor 204 may decide to execute a full device scan based in part on the protocol-specific channel criterion.

Abstract: A method on an electronic device for a wireless network is described. A wireless signal is received from a second electronic device. A receive power level indication for the received wireless signal is determined. A path-loss offset for the received wireless signal is determined based on sensor data that indicates a path-loss condition. A path-loss for the received wireless signal is estimated based on the receive power level indication and the path-loss offset. A function is performed based on the path-loss and the path-loss threshold.

Abstract: A method, a personal area network device operating as a slave, and a short range communications device operating as a slave are disclosed. A data storage 208 may store at least one protocol-specific channel criterion for a connection with a master short range communication device 104. A short range transceiver 108 may execute a preliminary device scan of a scanning set of communication channels for radio frequency energy. A processor 204 may decide to execute a full device scan based in part on the protocol-specific channel criterion.

Abstract: Method of enabling a remote communications device (106) with a telematics functionality module (150) can include providing a docking apparatus (114) coupled to interface with a vehicle (109). The remote communications device is communicatively coupled to the docking apparatus, wherein the remote communications device is non-enabled with a telematics functionality module (150). The docking apparatus and the remote communications device enable the remote communications device with the telematics functionality module.

Abstract: Conventional Near Field Communication (NFC) authentication devices sometimes waste their users' time by requiring users to repeatedly reorient the devices to an NFC reader to complete authentication. To reduce the need for this reorientation, the present inventors, devised, among other things, an authentication assembly including two or more antennas configured for connection to a single NFC-tag circuit. In some embodiments, the assembly is built into an adjustable ring that can authenticate a user to an NFC-equipped electronic device, for example a smart phone, associated with the ring. In this configuration, each of the antennas generate a magnetic field generally perpendicular to an outer surface of the ring when excited with an appropriate signal, providing the ring with multiple options for establishing an inductive coupling to an NFC sensor in the electronic device without requiring the user to reorient the ring.

Abstract: Some battery-powered devices, such as smartphones, can be unlocked with use of wearable NFC (Near Field Communication) authentication devices. However, using conventional NFC authentication procedures is expensive in terms of power consumption because of continual rediscovery and reauthentication of the wearable authentication device. To address this, the present inventors, devised, among other things, more efficient methods for authenticating NFC-tagged authentication device, such as rings. For example, one embodiment uses two NFC polling loops or structures, instead of one as conventionally done. The first loop, used for initial authentication, entails scanning for two or more types of NFC tags. And the second loop, invoked after initial authentication, scans for a smaller subset of the two or more types to conserve battery power.

Abstract: A method, a personal area network device operating as a slave, and a short range communications device operating as a slave are disclosed. A data storage 208 may store at least one protocol-specific channel criterion for a connection with a master short range communication device 104. A short range transceiver 108 may execute a preliminary device scan of a scanning set of communication channels for radio frequency energy. A processor 204 may decide to execute a full device scan based in part on the protocol-specific channel criterion.

Abstract: A method, a personal area network device operating as a slave, and a short range communications device operating as a slave are disclosed. A data storage 208 may store at least one protocol-specific channel criterion for a connection with a master short range communication device 104. A short range transceiver 108 may execute a preliminary device scan of a scanning set of communication channels for radio frequency energy. A processor 204 may decide to execute a full device scan based in part on the protocol-specific channel criterion.

Abstract: A portable communication device (100, 800, 900) has an antenna element (102, 1206). The antenna element forms a slot (104, 1208) which is used as a slot antenna. The device is configured such that the slot facilitates operation of a user interface element through the slot.

Abstract: A method for coexistence of an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) receiver (117) such as a WiMAX receiver with a synchronous frame-based transmitter (115) such as a Bluetooth transmitter within a mobile station (110) receives an estimated media access protocol (MAP?) signal indicating when a MAP message is expected to be received by the OFDMA receiver (117) and uses it at a Bluetooth shutdown signal (190) at least when a MAP message is expected to be received. The MAP? signal can be taken directly from the ODFMA transceiver (117) or it may be produced through analysis of a receiver-enable (RXE) signal that includes not only MAP symbols but also downlink data symbols. The RXE signal can be analyzed using interrupt-and-timer, Fast Fourier Transform, covariance, and/or delay-locked loop techniques to extract historical MAP symbol information and generate expected MAP symbol information.

Abstract: A vehicle Telematics unit includes a cellular transceiver and a satellite receiver. At least one controller controls the transceiver and the receiver and determines which one to use to communicate with a source of Telematics service. If the transceiver is to be used, the controller receives messages in cellular communications from the source with a cellular network. If the receiver is to be used, the controller receives messages in satellite communications from the source with a satellite network. The controller can programmably control power from a battery to the transceiver and receiver when the vehicle is turned off using discontinuous reception parameters, designated on/off times, a controlled duration, and programmable timers. The transceiver is used to return acknowledgments of messages received. If a message is received with the receiver, the acknowledgment is stored so it can be sent at another time when the transceiver is to be used.

Abstract: A method, a tap initiator, and tap target in a close proximity communication are disclosed. A tap interface 106 may initiate a tap with a tap target 104. The tap interface 108 may receive a tap from a tap initiator 102. A tap gauge 110 may measure a tap duration between the tap initiator 102 and the tap target 104. A processor 304 may determine if the tap duration is within a first duration range and a second duration range and executes a first action for the first duration range and a second action for the second duration range.

Abstract: A system and method in a client device (22) for controlling the power within the client device (22). The client device (22) has a network access device (30, 130), a programmable timer (48), and a controller (42). The network access device (30, 130) has at least a powered state and a power-off state. The programmable timer (48) operates the network access device (30, 130) in the powered state. The controller (42) is coupled to the programmable timer (48) and is capable of providing a time period for operating the network access device (30, 130) in the powered state. The controller (42) determines the time period based on a discontinuous reception (DRX) parameter obtained from the network access device (30, 130). The network access device (130) may include a transceiver. The network access device (30) may also include a transceiver and a controller. There are also methods of operating the client device (22) to control the power within the device.

Abstract: Method of enabling a remote communications device (106) with a telematics functionality module (150) can include providing a docking apparatus (114) coupled to interface with a vehicle (109). The remote communications device is communicatively coupled to the docking apparatus, wherein the remote communications device is non-enabled with a telematics functionality module (150). The docking apparatus and the remote communications device enable the remote communications device with the telematics functionality module.

Abstract: A method, a personal area network device operating as a slave, and a short range communications device operating as a slave are disclosed. A data storage 208 may store at least one protocol-specific channel criterion for a connection with a master short range communication device 104. A short range transceiver 108 may execute a preliminary device scan of a scanning set of communication channels for radio frequency energy. A processor 204 may decide to execute a full device scan based in part on the protocol-specific channel criterion.

Abstract: Method of enabling a remote communications device (106) with a telematics functionality module (150) can include providing a docking apparatus (114) coupled to interface with a vehicle (109). The remote communications device is communicatively coupled to the docking apparatus, wherein the remote communications device is non-enabled with a telematics functionality module (150). The docking apparatus and the remote communications device enable the remote communications device with the telematics functionality module.

Abstract: A method, a tap initiator, and tap target in a close proximity communication are disclosed. A tap interface 106 may initiate a tap with a tap target 104. The tap interface 108 may receive a tap from a tap initiator 102. A tap gauge 110 may measure a tap duration between the tap initiator 102 and the tap target 104. A processor 304 may determine if the tap duration is within a first duration range and a second duration range and executes a first action for the first duration range and a second action for the second duration range.

Abstract: A system and method in a client device (22) for controlling the power within the client device (22). The client device (22) has a network access device (30, 130), a programmable timer (48), and a controller (42). The network access device (30, 130) has at least a powered state and a power-off state. The programmable timer (48) operates the network access device (30, 130) in the powered state. The controller (42) is coupled to the programmable timer (48) and is capable of providing a time period for operating the network access device (30, 130) in the powered state. The controller (42) determines the time period based on a discontinuous reception (DRX) parameter obtained from the network access device (30, 130). The network access device (130) may include a transceiver. The network access device (30) may also include a transceiver and a controller. There are also methods of operating the client device (22) to control the power within the device.

Abstract: A portable communication device (100, 800, 900) has an antenna element (102, 1206). The antenna element forms a slot (104, 1208) which is used as a slot antenna. The device is configured such that the slot facilitates operation of a user interface element through the slot.

Abstract: A frequency hopping wireless communication device including a controller configured to evaluate channels received by the wireless receiver for interference and to identify channels subject to interference as being unavailable for use by the wireless communication device. The controller is also configured to re-evaluate channels identified as being unavailable for use by the wireless communication device after expiration of a channel assessment time-out interval, and to dynamically change the channel assessment time-out interval based on location or mobility of the wireless communication device.