Abstract: A method and apparatus for attenuating applause from a satellite radio signal, including, a spectrum analyzer and comparator having an internal memory for obtaining a spectral signature of different sounds in the radio signal, a detector automatically detecting whether the sounds contain applause, an attenuator attenuating the sounds containing applause; and a digital to analog converter converting the attenuated sounds for audio listening. A comparator compares applause in the radio signal to a threshold level and disables the attenuator when the applause abates below the threshold level.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a satellite radio receiver is capable of simultaneously processing (i) a first radio channel that is playing on a first speaker and (ii) a second radio channel, different from the first radio channel, that is not playing on the first speaker. The second radio channel can simultaneously be playing on a second speaker, be recorded onto a non-volatile memory, and/or have its processing modified. A user can control the satellite radio receiver using vocal commands, while the first channel is playing on the first speaker. The radio receiver has a microphone connected to a voice-recognition command interpreter that includes an interfering-sound canceller, which reduces sounds interfering with the vocal commands, and a command-recognition module, which recognizes vocal commands and provides a control signal to a multi-channel control processor, which processes and controls the first and second radio channels, received from corresponding decoders connected to a satellite radio receiver antenna.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a integrated circuit (IC) configurable to have any one of a plurality of different feature sets, the IC including (a) one or more feature blocks adapted to be independently enabled or disabled, (b) a one-time-programmable (OTP) memory cell for each feature block, the OTP memory cell storing a value, and (c) a feature control module for each feature block, each feature control module connected between the corresponding OTP memory cell and the corresponding feature block, and adapted to enable or disable the corresponding feature block based on the value stored in the corresponding OTP memory cell. The OTP memory cells are programmed by a vendor to select the particular feature set for the IC which is to be available to a purchaser.

Abstract: A peripheral connectable to a processing device includes a housing and network interface circuitry at least partially enclosed within the housing, the network interface circuitry being utilizable by the processing device to establish a connection between the processing device and a network. The peripheral further includes peripheral circuitry disposed within the housing and adapted to perform at least a portion of at least one of an input function and an output function for the processing device in a manner unrelated to utilization of the network interface circuitry by the processing device. In an illustrative embodiment, the network interface circuitry comprises a wireless local area network (LAN) interface card, module or access point, the processing device comprises a computer, and the peripheral comprises a keyboard, monitor, speaker, docking station or other peripheral connectable to the computer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a integrated circuit (IC) configurable to have any one of a plurality of different feature sets, the IC including (a) one or more feature blocks adapted to be independently enabled or disabled, (b) a one-time-programmable (OTP) memory cell for each feature block, the OTP memory cell storing a value, and (c) a feature control module for each feature block, each feature control module connected between the corresponding OTP memory cell and the corresponding feature block, and adapted to enable or disable the corresponding feature block based on the value stored in the corresponding OTP memory cell. The OTP memory cells are programmed by a vendor to select the particular feature set for the IC which is to be available to a purchaser.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a satellite radio receiver is capable of simultaneously processing (i) a first radio channel that is playing on a first speaker and (ii) a second radio channel, different from the first radio channel, that is not playing on the first speaker. The second radio channel can simultaneously be playing on a second speaker, be recorded onto a non-volatile memory, and/or have its processing modified. A user can control the satellite radio receiver using vocal commands, while the first channel is playing on the first speaker. The radio receiver has a microphone connected to a voice-recognition command interpreter that includes an interfering-sound canceller, which reduces sounds interfering with the vocal commands, and a command-recognition module, which recognizes vocal commands and provides a control signal to a multi-channel control processor, which processes and controls the first and second radio channels, received from corresponding decoders connected to a satellite radio receiver antenna.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attenuating applause from a satellite radio signal, including, a spectrum analyzer and comparator having an internal memory for obtaining a spectral signature of different sounds in the radio signal, a detector automatically detecting whether the sounds contain applause, an attenuator attenuating the sounds containing applause; and a digital to analog converter converting the attenuated sounds for audio listening. A comparator compares applause in the radio signal to a threshold level and disables the attenuator when the applause abates below the threshold level.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a integrated circuit (IC) configurable to have any one of a plurality of different feature sets, the IC including (a) one or more feature blocks adapted to be independently enabled or disabled, (b) a one-time-programmable (OTP) memory cell for each feature block, the OTP memory cell storing a value, and (c) a feature control module for each feature block, each feature control module connected between the corresponding OTP memory cell and the corresponding feature block, and adapted to enable or disable the corresponding feature block based on the value stored in the corresponding OTP memory cell. The OTP memory cells are programmed by a vendor to select the particular feature set for the IC which is to be available to a purchaser.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a integrated circuit (IC) configurable to have any one of a plurality of different feature sets, the IC including (a) one or more feature blocks adapted to be independently enabled or disabled, (b) a one-time-programmable (OTP) memory cell for each feature block, the OTP memory cell storing a value, and (c) a feature control module for each feature block, each feature control module connected between the corresponding OTP memory cell and the corresponding feature block, and adapted to enable or disable the corresponding feature block based on the value stored in the corresponding OTP memory cell. The OTP memory cells are programmed by a vendor to select the particular feature set for the IC which is to be available to a purchaser.

Abstract: A peripheral connectable to a processing device includes a housing and network interface circuitry at least partially enclosed within the housing, the network interface circuitry being utilizable by the processing device to establish a connection between the processing device and a network. The peripheral further includes peripheral circuitry disposed within the housing and adapted to perform at least a portion of at least one of an input function and an output function for the processing device in a manner unrelated to utilization of the network interface circuitry by the processing device. In an illustrative embodiment, the network interface circuitry comprises a wireless local area network (LAN) interface card, module or access point, the processing device comprises a computer, and the peripheral comprises a keyboard, monitor, speaker, docking station or other peripheral connectable to the computer.

Abstract: A communication card includes a housing and a shank rotatably mounted thereto. The shank defines an axis along its length around which the shank can rotate. A connector is mounted on the shank. The shank and connector are extendable beyond an edge of the housing to an extended position. In the extended position, the connector and shank are rotatable about the shank axis.

Abstract: Some data communications networks employ the use of both a leased line and a dial-up line between two modems. Typically, the dial-up line provides a backup capability when the leased line causes a degradation in the signal quality of the data signal. This degradation of the signal quality of the data signal is detected by one of the two modems, which then automatically establishes a data connection over the dial-up line. However, it is preferable to switch back to the leased line as soon as possible since the leased line usually costs less than the dial-up line. Therefore, in order to test the leased line, the entire data signal is simultaneously transmitted on both the dial-up line and the leased line. The use of the existing data signal to test the leased line's effect on signal quality allows the modem to perform a more complete analysis of the returned data signal so that a premature transition back to the leased line does not occur.

Abstract: A local communication apparatus (e.g., a modem) is arranged to detect when a remote communication apparatus desires to switch from the data mode and enter a command/control mode. To accomplish mode switching, the remote apparatus sends a scrambled escape pattern, scrambled using a proprietary polynomial, over the data channel. After detecting the escape pattern the local apparatus switches to the command/control mode. In this mode, the remote and local apparatuses communicate using the proprietary scrambler/descrambler polynomial.

Abstract: A secure method of accessing a computer facility is provided within the data communications equipment (DCE), e.g., a modem or a terminal server, by the use of Calling Party Directory Number (CPDN). In particular, a telephone line from the local public switched telephone network is configured to provide CPDN information. This telephone line terminates in the DCE, which stores a plurality of lists, each list comprising a plurality of CPDN numbers. Upon receiving a telephone call from a calling party, the DCE takes one of three courses of action depending on the calling party's CPDN: 1) the DCE can answer the telephone call if the calling party's CPDN is on the "caller pays" list; 2) the DCE can refuse to answer the telephone call and then return the telephone call if the CPDN is on the "we pay" list; or 3) the DCE can simply not answer, or return, the telephone call if the calling party's CPDN is not found on any of the plurality of lists.