Abstract: A system and method for determining 1xEV-DO availability for a packet data call in a wireless device is presented. When the wireless device receives a request to initiate a packet data call, the device determines if it currently has access to a preferred 1xEV-DO channel. The determination can be made by consulting a 1xEV-DO availability list stored in persistent memory on the wireless device. If available, the wireless device originates the packet data call on the 1xEV-DO channel. If the device is using a CDMA system that has 1xEV-DO channels but the availability or usability of those channels are unknown, the device polls the signal strength on the 1xEV-DO channels to determine the best 1xEV-DO channel to use for the packet data call. If no 1xEV-DO channel is available or if none of the available 1xEV-DO channels are usable, then the device originates the packet data call on a CDMA channel.

Abstract: Techniques for performing timer-based sleep to extend sleep time and thus battery life for a terminal in a wireless communication system. The likelihood of data traffic may be related to recent usage. If recent usage indicates that data traffic is unlikely, then the terminal can continue to maintain the link but monitor the signals from the system at a reduced rate. In one method, the probability of data traffic for the terminal is initially estimated (e.g., based on time since last activity and a particular usage model). A timer value is then determined based on the estimated probability of data traffic. The timer value may be modified based on an event, which may relate to link maintenance, hand-off, and so on. Sleep is then performed for the duration corresponding to the unmodified or modified timer value and may extend past one or more designated paging slots.

Abstract: A radio receiver has a low noise amplifier. The low noise amplifier is enabled. If a predicted level of interference is expected to produce an acceptable bit error rate or other signal error measurement, the low noise amplifier is set to a “low” linearity level. If the predicted level of interference is not expected to be acceptable, the low noise amplifier is adjusted to a “high” level of linearity. The level of linearity required is determined by checking one or more prediction criteria: the mobile station's current operating mode, the strength of a received signal, the strength of a signal transmitted by the mobile station, the current level of interference, an acceptable level of interference, and whether the low noise amplifier is enabled or bypassed. Each of the prediction criteria may not be weighted equally. The determination is repeated as the prediction criteria change.

Abstract: Techniques to efficiently attempt acquisition of a packet data system (e.g., an IS-856 system). If a terminal has acquired one or more channels in a voice/data system (e.g., an IS-2000 system), then it can attempt acquisition on channels in the packet data system that are co-located with the acquired channels in the voice/data system. Multiple acquisition modes may be used, and on-going acquisition attempts on the co-located channels may be performed using one acquisition mode at a time in order to reduce power consumption. Acquisition attempts may be performed in a “ping-pong” manner to improve the likelihood of acquisition. For a ping-pong search, an acquisition attempt is made on the most recently acquired channel prior to an acquisition attempt on each of the remaining channels. Received signal strength estimates may also be obtained for selected channels and may be used to determine whether or not to attempt acquisition on these channels.

Abstract: A wireless communication device having an accessory port and a processor to detect when an external accessory is coupled to the accessory port, and then identify the type of external accessory. A data line connects the external accessory to the wireless communication device, the data line being a portion of a pulse code modulation (PCM) port in the accessory port. The processor senses activity on this data line, including a signal transmitted by the external accessory indicative of when the external accessory is coupled to the wireless communication device. The processor further senses identification data associated with the external accessory, with the identification data including an identification code of the external accessory. The processor generates a clock signal, and the external accessory transmits the identification data to the wireless communication device over the data line in response to the clock signal. In this fashion, the processor repeatedly senses the transmitted identification data.

Abstract: A wireless telephone (200) has a power supply (102), which supplies power to a counter (104), a processor (106), a wireless modem (108), and a transceiver (110). The transceiver (110) communicates with the outside world through an antenna (112). The processor exchanges signals with a clock-calendar (114). When the telephone is in power-conservation mode, the processor opens a switch (216) between the power supply and the transceiver and modem. A second switch (218) is interposed between the power supply (102) and the processor (106), and is under the control of the counter (204). Thus, in power-conservation mode, only the counter draws power. Power-conservation mode (302) may be exited by external command (304), a signal from the clock-calendar (306), or an attempt to place an outgoing call (308).

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to techniques for condensed voice buffering, transmission and playback. The techniques may involve identification of encoded voice frames as either speech or a pause, and selective exclusion of a portion of the frames for storage, transmission or playback based on the identification. In this manner, the techniques are capable of condensing a series of encoded voice frames. When variable rate coding is employed, a pause frame may be identified, for example, based on a threshold comparison for the rate of the encoded frame. In some cases, the techniques may involve excluding only a portion of the identified frames from a consecutive sequence of the identified frames, thereby preserving a minimum number of the identified frames needed for intelligible conversation.

Abstract: A system for providing a dynamic multi-mode service acquisition capability to a subscriber station is provided. The subscriber station is capable of operating in two or more modes of operation. A time to scan condition is indicated while the subscriber station is operating in a current mode of operation having active and inactive states. Responsive thereto, the system stores state information for the current mode of operation, and attempts at least a partial acquisition of communications services in accordance with another mode of operation. The at least partial acquisition attempt is scheduled to be initiated while the subscriber station is operating in the inactive state in the current mode of operation, and completed before the subscriber station transitions back to the active state in the current mode of operation. If the acquisition attempt is successful, the subscriber station transitions to the new mode of operation, maintaining appropriate registration.

Abstract: A method for allocating blocks within sectored EEPROM (commonly referred to as flash memory) based memory to minimize data relocation overhead and maximize sectored EEPROM lifetime. Data to be saved within sectored EEPROM is configured into data pages or blocks representing the minimum data size that is relocated within the sectored EEPROM in any given erase cycle. Multiple data blocks are contained within a single sector. A sector represents the minimum data size that is erased from the sectored EEPROM in any single erase cycle. Each block has a corresponding calculated value of volatility and new or updated data blocks to be added to the file are saved in sectored EEPROM according to a hierarchy based upon the calculated volatility of the data block. Data blocks with a calculated volatility within a predetermined threshold of the average volatility of a sector are saved within the most occupied sector containing no obsolete blocks.

Abstract: An in-bound directed telephone station, and a method of directing a telephone station based on an in-bound call, are disclosed. The inbound directed telephone station includes a handset having a call receiver and a call originator, a first memory location, coupled to the call receiver, and a comparator coupled to the first memory location and to the call receiver. Upon receipt of an inbound call by the call receiver, the comparator compares an identifier of the in-bound call to an identifier list in the first memory location and terminates receipt of the in-bound call by the call receiver. Upon locating a match between the identifier list and the identifier of the in-bound call, the comparator automatically activates the call originator to perform a function associated with the in-bound call identifier.

Abstract: An arbitrated communication system provides reduced audio latency by transmitting audio with transmission of an access request. To obtain access to a broadcast link, a request for access is transmitted to an arbitration controller. The user does not wait for an indication that the access request has been granted. Instead, the audio is transmitted following or integrated with transmission of the request. If the request is denied, the audio is discarded. In most instances, however, the request will be granted. As a result, the audio can be transmitted relatively immediately, significantly reducing latency in the system.

Abstract: A system for facilitating the acquisition of a most desirable wireless service for a wireless phone. The system includes a scanning mechanism for periodically scanning for a signal indicative of a wireless service having a coverage area that overlaps one or more coverage areas of other wireless services. A service acquisition mechanism acquires the wireless service or one of the other wireless services based on predetermined selection criteria and the signal. More specifically, the present invention includes a wireless phone having a first mechanism for determining if a detected system, i.e., service is associated with a coverage area that overlaps one or more coverage areas of different systems. A second mechanism compares the different systems to the detected system and selects a preferred system based on the comparison. A third mechanism acquires the preferred system.

Abstract: A wireless telephone (200) has a power supply (102), which supplies power to a counter (104), a processor (106), a wireless modem (108), and a transceiver (110). The transceiver (110) communicates with the outside world through an antenna (112). The processor exchanges signals with a clock-calendar (114). When the telephone is in power-conservation mode, the processor opens a switch (216) between the power supply and the transceiver and modem. A second switch (218) is interposed between the power supply (102) and the processor (106), and is under the control of the counter (204). Thus, in power-conservation mode, only the counter draws power. Power-conservation mode (302) may be exited by external command (304), a signal from the clock-calendar (306), or an attempt to place an outgoing call (308).

Abstract: A wireless communication device automatically and seamlessly switches to an alternate, available system when it is unable to complete a call origination attempt, without requiring the user to take any affirmative actions to select the alternate system. The wireless communication device stores a list of preferred communication systems. The mobile station attempts to acquire one of these preferred communication systems upon failure of the reverse link. If that is not successful, the mobile station attempts to acquire a communication system most likely to provide service. If that is also not successful, the mobile station re-attempts acquisition of the current communication system. The mobile station also re-attempts acquisition with one of the preferred communication systems after a predetermined idle time.

Abstract: A wireless telephone (200) has a power supply (102), which supplies power to a counter (104), a processor (106), a wireless modem (108), and a transceiver (110). The transceiver (110) communicates with the outside world through an antenna (112). The processor exchanges signals with a clock-calendar (114). When the telephone is in power-conservation mode, the processor opens a switch (216) between the power supply and the transceiver and modem. A second switch (218) is interposed between the power supply (102) and the processor (106), and is under the control of the counter (204). Thus, in power-conservation mode, only the counter draws power. Power-conservation mode (302) may be exited by external command (304), a signal from the clock-calendar (306), or an attempt to place an outgoing call (308).

Abstract: A system and method for independently downloading a main program and optional features into a set of storage locations of a wireless communication device uses a memory to store the main program and a set of selected optional features. An identification element associated with one in the set of selected optional features enables the main program to interact with the one in the set of selected optional features. A programmer programs the selected optional feature programs into the memory by locating a storage location in the memory. An indicator indicates when the set of selected optional features has been stored in the memory. The memory can further contain a linking element and a pointer to identify storage locations in the memory. The invention allows the set of selected optional features to be stored after the main program is stored in the memory.

Abstract: A power management technique for a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), makes use of a voting process to determine when to power-up and power-down the SIM. In particular, the voting process determines whether software modules running on a wireless communication device (WCD) require current or imminent access to the SIM. The voting process is designed to make more efficient use of the SIM without sacrificing performance. A modified security authorization process can be added, in which the WCD caches a user access code in memory for authenticating the user to the SIM to gain access to the secure features of the SIM. The security verification process avoids the need for the user to enter the access code each time the SIM is powered up in the course of the power management routine, reducing user inconvenience and maintaining performance.

Abstract: Power management techniques for a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) of a wireless communication device (WCD) are described that make use of a unique identifier for the SIM. In particular, a processor within the WCD reads a first unique identifier from the SIM when power is initially supplied to the WCD, and stores the first unique identifier within a computer-readable medium within the WCD. During a power management cycle, where power is terminated and then re-supplied to the SIM, the processor again receives a unique identifier from the SIM and compares the second unique identifier with the stored unique identifier. These techniques are useful in detecting whether the attached SIM has been exchanged for a different SIM while powered down during a power management cycle. This is advantageous in verifying the integrity of the SIM for other software or hardware modules within the WCD that need to access or otherwise utilize the SIM.

Abstract: A radio receiver has a low noise amplifier. The low noise amplifier is enabled. If a predicted level of interference is expected to produce an acceptable bit error rate or other signal error measurement, the low noise amplifier is set to a “low” linearity level. If the predicted level of interference is not expected to be acceptable, the low noise amplifier is adjusted to a “high” level of linearity. The level of linearity required is determined by checking one or more prediction criteria: the mobile station's current operating mode, the strength of a received signal, the strength of a signal transmitted by the mobile station, the current level of interference, an acceptable level of interference, and whether the low noise amplifier is enabled or bypassed. Each of the prediction criteria may not be weighted equally. The determination is repeated as the prediction criteria change.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating both voice and control data between a communication device (such as a cellular phone) and an external accessory (such as a hands-free kit) over a data bus. The method includes formatting a sequence of bits into a repeating sequence of first time slots and second time slots, transmitting the voice data in the first time slot, and transmitting the control data in the second time slot. Notably, a first bit of each of the second time slots comprises a clock bit that alternates between a high value and a low value (e.g. a ‘1’ or a ‘0’) as between consecutive second time slots.