Abstract: A circuit for interfacing a modem in a wireless communication device to a Subscriber Interface Module (SIM) includes a modem controller, a Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART) connected to the modem controller, a programmable clock circuit adapted to generate a SIM clock and a UART clock independently of one another based on a common clock and a control signal provided to the programmable clock circuit, a reset circuit to generate a SIM reset signal, and a power control circuit to control powering on and off the SIM, all on an integrated circuit chip. The circuit also includes a Bus Interface circuit to interface the modem to the SIM using a common data line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for updating and storing a counter value. In response to each of a plurality of N counter update signals, a binary memory cell is selected from a plurality of binary memory cells and the state of the selected binary memory cell is inverted. After the N counter update signals are received, a register that is separate from the plurality of binary memory cells is incremented, and the process is then repeated in response to further counter update signals. Each of the plurality of binary memory cells is inverted on average an equal number of times during each repetition of the process. The states of the plurality of binary memory cells and the value in the register represent the counter value at any given time.

Abstract: An audio band processor and a method and circuit for controlling its gain. The audio band processor comprises a first variable gain amplifier for receiving an analog audio signal; an analog to digital converter for converting the analog audio signal to a digital audio signal; and an interface circuit for encoding the digital audio signal. The interface circuit also arranges the digital audio signal into a sequence of encoded transmit frames, and receives a sequence of encoded receive frames, each receive frame comprising a predetermined number of encoded digital audio signal data bits and a predetermined number of digital gain control bits. The interface circuit also adjusts a gain level of the first variable gain amplifier in response to the digital gain control bits. In another embodiment, the audio band processor further comprises a second variable gain amplifier, and the interface circuit adjusts a gain level of the second variable gain amplifier in response to the digital gain control bits.

Abstract: A portable phone has an internal battery and an external battery pack that is releasably attachable to the phone. A control unit in the phone controls connection of the respective batteries to a phone power input, depending on the detection of the external battery voltage. Whenever an external battery is present with a voltage above a predetermined minimum value, the external battery will be connected to the phone power input to provide power to operate the phone, so that the internal battery lifetime is extended. When the external battery voltage falls below the minimum value, or the external battery is removed, the unit automatically switches to internal battery power, so that the external battery can be changed without interrupting power supply to the phone, if the phone is on or during a call. An improved multi-phase software controlled battery-charging method and apparatus is used to charge the internal and external battery packs.

Abstract: An analytical cartridge adapted for use in analyzing fluids for spectrophotometry. The cartridge includes a plumbing system composed of the cuvette and various wells or chambers which are interconnected by passageways. After introduction into the cartridge, liquid samples are separated (if necessary) and transported to a cuvette utilizing a sequential application of centrifugal force followed by pressurization of the system. The cartridge may be used in a wide variety of spectrophotometric procedures to measure the concentration of a wide variety of constituents in fluids, including bodily fluids which contain liquid and solid components.

Abstract: A portable communications device and accessory system which provides full-duplex asynchronous communications between a portable communication device and external accessories over a synchronous digital interface. The system includes a digital signal processor for generating a first synchronous digital voice signal, a UART for generating a first asynchronous data signal, and a microprocessor for generating a synchronous control command signal. The system further includes a first multiplexer for multiplexing the first synchronous digital voice signal and the first asynchronous data signal and the synchronous control command signal onto an interface line. The interface line couples the communication device to the at least one external accessory.

Abstract: In a mobile telephone that includes an internal voltage controlled crystal oscillator clock, a clock error compensation system is provided that dynamically determines and compensates for clock error during periods in which the mobile telephone is asleep. The system drives the control voltage of the clock to one of the clock's voltage limits, at which limit the sleep error of the clock can be expected to occur. This expected sleep error is then added to the number of clocking pulses which, in the absence of any clock error, would correspond to the length of the desired sleep period, to generate a corrected internal time. At the end of the sleep period as determined by the corrected internal time, the mobile telephone reacquires a system timing signal that represents actual system time, and the corrected internal time is then compared to the system time.

Abstract: The cellular telephone includes a universal asynchronous receive and transmit (UART) chip for receiving data in a serial format from an external source, such as a laptop computer, and for converting the serial data to parallel bytes of data for transmission to a microcontroller of the cellular telephone. The UART operates in one of two modes: a sample mode and a byte mode. In the sample mode, voltage levels of serial data signals received by the UART are detected and sample bytes are generated representative of those voltage levels. The sample bytes are stored within a receive First In First Out (FIFO) queue of the UART for eventual transference to the microcontroller. The microcontroller converts the sample bytes to signals appropriate for transmission using a cellular transmission format such as code division multiple access (CDMA). In the byte mode, the UART receives data bytes as bytes and stores those bytes directly within the receive FIFO without any sampling.

Abstract: A novel and improved method and apparatus for signal acquisition in a wireless telecommunication system having large transmission delay uncertainty is described. A terminal first acquires the forward link signal from a hub and extracts timing information from that forward link signal. Using the timing information the terminal estimates the time at which a next search window takes place during an access slot, and the time and pseudorandom code state necessary to transmit an access probe so as to arrive at during the search window assuming the terminal is located a maximum distance from the hub. The terminal proceeds to transmit additional access probes at times occurring one access slot period plus a delta time interval after the previous transmission. The delta time interval has a duration less than that of a search window associated with each access slot.

Abstract: The system and method determines whether the expected location of the pilot channel in the PN code sequence (i.e. the PN code phase offset) has been detected in an initial search window centered on the expected pilot PN code phase offset. If not, a new search window is defined which is advanced in the PN code sequence from the initial search window. If the actual location of the pilot channel in the PN code sequence is not detected in the new search window, a subsequent search window is defined which is retarded in the PN sequence from all previous search windows. This iterative "spiral" searching method is repeated with increasingly divergent alternating advanced and retarded search windows until either the actual location of the pilot channel in the PN code sequence is detected, or a predetermined maximum number of iterations has occurred.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the gain of a receive circuit, thereby improving a receiver's immunity to interference. The circuit has an LNA which amplifies the received signal. The receive signal power is controlled by enabling or disabling the LNA in response to the measured received signal power. The received power level is periodically compared to a threshold. When the received power level is greater than the threshold, the LNA is disabled. The LNA is re-enabled when the received power level is less than the threshold, and there are no significant intermodulation components detected. The intermodulation components are detected by briefly enabling the LNA and detecting the resultant change in the measured signal power. If the detected change is more than a predetermined amount, then there are significant intermodulation components present, and the LNA is not re-enabled. Otherwise, there are not significant intermodulation components present, and the LNA is re-enabled.

Abstract: An information display bracket mounts directly to an upright pegboard support panel for use in cooperation with a product support bracket mounted on the support pane. The information display bracket includes a base member having one of several disclosed mounting structures, a display arm hingedly connected at a proximal end to the base member such-as by a living hinge structure, and a display plate located on the distal end of the display arm. The display arm has a flattened distal end portion, preferably rectangular in shape, and is sized to cooperate with a selected product support bracket such that the flattened distal end portion rests on the free end of the product support arm of the product support bracket when fastened to the support panel above the product support bracket. The base member has at least one but preferably a plurality of mounting posts that frictionally resiliently engage respective mounting holes.

Abstract: A spacer device for shopping carts mounts on the wheeled frame of a cart in order to prevent lateral binding of the frames of a pair consecutively nested shopping carts. The spacer has a central body portion that is secured alongside a frame portion of a first one of the pair of shopping carts by a mounting structure so that when the carts are nested, the central body is interposed between the frame portions of the two carts thereby preventing direct contact and, thus, binding. The central body has an exposed glide surface formed of a low friction material so that the frame portion of the second cart slideably contacts the glide surface for lateral sliding movement. The mounting structure may be C-shaped resilient clips that snap fir onto circular frame portions.

Abstract: A merchandise holder for use with slat-wall displays and merchandise display systems incorporating the holder provided. The merchandise holder includes a base member having a front and a back, a merchandise retention member mounted on and extending forwardly of the base member and a channel engaging structure on the back of the base member. The channel engaging structure also has a biasing element to bias the base member into positive engagement with a lower retention wall that forms the lower portion of the channel. This biasing element presses against either an upper retention wall forming the slot and/or channel or an upper side wall of the channel. The channel engaging structure may be a pair of flanges that are mounted on and extend rearwardly of the base member; a lower flange engages the lower retention wall, and an upper flange engages an upper retention wall. The biasing element is preferably a pair of resilient arms that extend outwardly from the upper flange.

Abstract: An information display bracket is disclosed having a base portion for securing the information display bracket to the base of a product display bracket. An elongated arm extending over the product display bracket is pivotally secured to the base of the information display bracket at a proximal end by a living hinge and an information display plate is provided at a distal end extending past the end of the product display bracket.

Abstract: Information display brackets provided to retrofit existing product support brackets in pegboard display systems. The basic information display bracket includes a mounting plate that is slideably received between the mounting base of the support bracket and a pegboard support. The positive support bracket has at least one prong that engages the pegboard support, and a product support arm that projects forwardly to receive items for display. The mounting plate has mounting structure that engages the prong. The information display bracket has a display arm projecting forwardly of the mounting plate to support an information display plate at its distal end. The mounting plate and mounting structure position the display arm in spaced relation above the product support arm of the support bracket. Spacers may be used to hold a lower portion of the mounting plate slightly away from the pegboard to provide a wedge effect, and the lower portion of the mounting plate may be split into a pair of wings.

Abstract: The leg stilt device of the invention permits the user to safely adjust the height of the stilt while thereon and is stable, holding the user in a level safe position. The device includes one or more pairs of hollow tubular telescoping vertical support members, a horizontal platform secured to the upper end of the uppermost-extending such member, a broad flat horizontal base connected to the lower end of the lowermost extending vertical member of each pair and providing the desired stability, a tubular leg brace connected to and extending above the platform, and a stilt height adjusting mechanism releasably coupling the two vertical members together.

Abstract: A cord clamp for binding flexible cords and the like having a sleeve and plunger which are axially movable with respect to one another. One end of each of the plunger and sleeve is provided with a shoulder to prevent separation as the pieces undergo axial movement, and a channel and rib are provided to prevent relative rotation of the plunger and sleeve. The plunger and sleeve are each provided with alignable openings in offset relation to the rib and channel assembly, and these openings move into and out of radial alignment as the plunger and sleeve are axially moved with respect to one another. A spring is provided to urge separation of the plunger and sleeve so that the openings are biased to be out of radial alignment. A cap member seals the entire structure at an end opposite the shoulder formed on the sleeve.