Abstract: The invention is an audio mixer (100) for prioritizing audio channels. The mixer can include a plurality of audio channels (110)—in which each channel can be capable of carrying an audio signal—and can include at least one output (114). The number of outputs can be less than the number of channels and the stage (116) immediately following the output is an output stage. Each channel can include an audio shaper (122) that modifies the audio signals of the channels and can include a priority database (126). The channels can be ranked in the priority database based on their priority in relation to one another. Control logic (128) of a highest ranked channel (N) can signal the audio shapers to modify the audio signals on at least some of the lower ranked channels (1, 2) in accordance with a predetermined priority response.

Abstract: A method (400) and system (106) is provided for run-time cache optimization. The method includes profiling (402) a performance of a program code during a run-time execution, logging (408) the performance for producing a cache log, and rearranging (410) a portion of program code in view of the cache log for producing a rearranged portion. The rearranged portion is supplied to a memory management unit (240) for managing at least one cache memory (110-140). The cache log can be collected during a real-time operation of a communication device and is fed back to a linking process (244) to maximize a cache locality compile-time. The method further includes loading a saved profile corresponding with a run-time operating mode, and reprogramming a new code image associated with the saved profile.

Abstract: An IPC network (1900) allows for the dynamic composition of services. An IPC client (1902) can for example request a service, such as a new photo service, and teach the IPC network what service components comprise the service. The IPC server (1908) will wait until all of the required service components (1914, 1916) have registered with the IPC network (1900) prior to allowing the IPC client (1902) the go ahead to use the service. The dynamic composition of services allows clients/components operating in the IPC network (1900) to change service definitions without affecting the interprocessor communications between applications operating in the network (1900). Also, the IPC network (1900) learns dynamically the new service and is able to identify the availability of the service within the network (1900).

Abstract: A method of communicating with a transceiver (120). In one arrangement, the method of communicating with the transceiver can be performed in a systemless group environment. Synchronization information (150) can be received from a mobile transceiver (110) and used to synchronize to the mobile transceiver. The synchronization information can include a timing offset and a frequency offset. Synchronization can be maintained until a predetermined condition is met, for example, a predetermined amount of group inactivity.

Abstract: An IPC protocol/network allows for intelligent targeting of nodes in order to reduce overhead and provide for improved power management. The IPC server keeps track of the IPC network's node activity and using an operational state table (2000) it can determine which node can handle a service request (e.g., MP3 decode). By keeping track of the current operational condition of the nodes within the network, the processors can have better battery life and application latency can be improved. The IPC server will keep track not only of which nodes can handle which services, but it will also know which node can handle the service request given its knowledge of the operational state of each of the nodes.

Abstract: A method for transferring messages between a first processor (102) and a second processor (104) includes the step of requesting an empty message buffer (106) from the first processor or master processor (102). The first processor (102) sends an empty message buffer pointer (108) which the second processor uses to locate the allocated memory within the shared memory (112). The second processor (104) then loads its message in the allocated memory area and sends the message (110). After receiving the message, the first processor (102) releases the allocated memory area found in shared memory (112) so that it can be used in the future. An electronic device such as a radio communication device that uses the shared memory scheme is also described.

Abstract: A method for secured software patching and upgrade in a distributed wireless sensor network (DSN) includes the steps of providing a spanning-tree network of communications nodes with at least one root node (CH) and at least one software upgrade repository (SR), receiving a software upgrade with the root node (CH), communicating the upgrade from the root node (CH) to the software upgrade repository (SR), and installing the upgrade from the software upgrade repository (SR) to all of the nodes on the same branch by authenticating a patch key and delivering the upgrade from the software upgrade repository (SR) to the nodes after authentication occurs. The communications nodes (1000) can be sensor devices each sensing, processing, transmitting, receiving, and actuating in a given geographical area.

Abstract: A radio device requires a tunable transceiver such that the transceiver can be accurately set to a desired frequency. When a signal with known frequency accuracy is being received, an offset detector can determine the frequency offset generated by the transceiver due to improper tuning. An automatic frequency control (AFC) system (100) is comprised of a tunable transceiver, an offset detector (103) and an AFC control processor (105) for utilizing information from the offset detector to reduce the inaccuracy in frequency by tuning the transceiver towards the received signal frequency. The AFC control processor (105) utilizes one of more threshold levels for defining a maximum correction threshold (311) based upon the desired maximum offset correction. These thresholds are used by the AFC control processor (105) to efficiently control the predetermined frequency range of the tunable transceiver (101) for most efficient operation.