Abstract: The invention provides an image capture system, apparatus and method for capturing a biometric image in high ambient light environments. Reflections from ambient light can introduce unwanted environmental pattern noise that can interfere with extracting information from a captured biometric image. The invention performs attenuation of ambient light without requiring employment of shielding to prevent ambient light from reflecting off of a surface being imaged. As a result, the invention can be deployed into environments with varied indoor or outdoor lighting characteristics.

Abstract: A method (100) for limiting transmission power of a communication device (600) having a plurality of transceivers (610, 615). The method can include determining a desired maximum transmission power and determining a plurality of power contribution factors. Each of the power contribution factors can be associated with a respective one of the transceivers. The method also can include determining an expected transmission power based on, at least in part, a sum of the power contribution factors. Further, responsive to the expected transmission power exceeding the desired maximum transmission power, the power contribution for at least one of the transceivers can be selectively reduced or terminated.

Abstract: A method (100) for limiting transmission power of a communication device (600) having a plurality of transceivers (610, 615). The method can include determining a desired maximum transmission power and determining a plurality of power contribution factors. Each of the power contribution factors can be associated with a respective one of the transceivers. The method also can include determining an expected transmission power based on, at least in part, a sum of the power contribution factors. Further, responsive to the expected transmission power exceeding the desired maximum transmission power, the power contribution for at least one of the transceivers can be selectively reduced or terminated.

Abstract: A mobile station (200) that includes a transceiver (210) that receives an alert request (105) and a controller (205). Responsive to the alert request, the controller can enter the mobile station into an alert active mode in which an alert signal is generated on the mobile station. Responsive to not receiving an acknowledgement to the alert signal within a defined period, the controller can enter the mobile station into an alert sleep mode in which at least one parameter of the alert signal is changed. Further, the controller can awake the mobile station from the alert sleep mode in response to detecting a user presence. The mobile station further can include an accelerometer (270) and/or a positioning system (275) that detect the user presence by detecting movement of the mobile station.

Abstract: A method (100) for limiting transmission power of a communication device (600) having a plurality of transceivers (610, 615). The method can include determining a desired maximum transmission power and determining a plurality of power contribution factors. Each of the power contribution factors can be associated with a respective one of the transceivers. The method also can include determining an expected transmission power based on, at least in part, a sum of the power contribution factors. Further, responsive to the expected transmission power exceeding the desired maximum transmission power, the power contribution for at least one of the transceivers can be selectively reduced or terminated.

Abstract: A method (200) for improving quality of output audio (126). The method can include detecting an output acoustic signal (128) and generating a receive audio signal (134) based, at least in part, on the detected output acoustic signal. A frequency domain representation (140) of the receive audio signal can be compared to a frequency domain representation (138) of a source audio signal (124) from which the output acoustic signal is generated. At least one distortion signal (142) in the receive audio signal can be identified, and the source audio signal can be selectively equalized to reduce an amplitude of the source audio signal at a frequency that correlates to the distortion signal.

Abstract: A method (10) and system (200, 400, or 500) of call reverse can include initiating (12) a call by an originating party (204) to a terminating party (208), comparing (14) rate plans, and automatically reversing (26) the call if a rate plan for the terminating party is currently more economical than a rate plan for the originating party. The method can compare (22) rate plans at a server (206) having rate plan information for the parties. Alternatively, the method can send (16) rate plan information for the originating to the terminating party and compare rate plans at the terminating party. The method can pre-store (20) rate plan information for the originating party at a memory at the terminating party. The method can also use (24) Caller ID to detect a call from the originating party and compare pre-stored rate plan information for the originating party stored at the terminating party.

Abstract: A method (10) and system (200) for associating a user profile (39) to Caller ID signal can include a processor (202) that is controlled under an operating system allowing multiple profiles. The processor extract (12) Caller ID information from a Caller ID signal, associate (14) at least a portion of the Caller ID information with at least a predetermined profile stored on the wireless communication device, and enable (16) access to the predetermined profile only when the portion of the Caller ID information is associated with the predetermined profile stored on the wireless communication device. The method can store (18) separate profiles on the wireless communication device for each Caller ID or for each predetermined set of Caller IDs or store separate multiple profiles for each Caller ID or set of Caller IDs and further enable user selection among the multiple profiles.

Abstract: A method and system for operating an electronic device (102) that is operably coupled to an audio output device (104) is provided. The method includes receiving an encoded audio file at the electronic device. Further, the method includes selectively decoding (202) the encoded audio file, in correspondence with a spectral response of the audio output device, to provide decoded audio data. Furthermore, the method includes playing (204) the decoded audio data over the audio output device.

Abstract: A portable electronic device and a method to protect the portable electronic device from a battery bounce are provided. The portable electronic device (100) can comprise a free-fall condition sensor (105) enabled to detect a pre-battery bounce condition in the portable electronic device and a processor (110) coupled to the free-fall condition sensor (105). The processor (110), in response to a detection of the pre-battery bounce condition by the free-fall condition sensor (105), can be programmed to place the portable electronic device (100) in a pre-battery bounce setting. The method can include detecting a pre-battery bounce condition in the portable electronic device (405) and in response to the detection of the pre-battery bounce condition (405), placing the portable electronic device in a pre-battery bounce setting (410).

Abstract: A mobile communication device (100) includes a volatile memory (110) and a non-volatile memory (112). Instruction code for operating the mobile communication device is permanently stored in the non-volatile memory, and copied to the volatile memory for execution. The mobile communication device enters a hibernate mode which involves shutting down most of the mobile communication device except power to the volatile memory, which allows a nearly instant apparent start up of the mobile communication device at a later time.

Abstract: A memory (10) has a memory array (12), a charge pump (18), a voltage regulator (20), a refresh control circuit (16), and a refresh counter (22). The charge pump (18) provides a substrate bias to the memory array (12). The voltage regulator (20) provides a pump enable signal for maintaining a voltage level of the substrate bias within upper and lower limits. The refresh control circuit (16) controls refresh operations. The refresh counter (22) is coupled to receive the pump enable signal, and in response, provides a refresh timing signal to the refresh control circuit (16) to control a refresh rate of the memory array (12). A programmable fuse circuit (26) is provided to program the refresh rate using the counter (22). The programmable fuse circuit (26) may be programmed during wafer probe testing or board level burn-in. A built-in self test (BIST) circuit (24) may be included to facilitate testing.

Abstract: A method of managing antenna usage within a communication device can include determining selected transceivers of a plurality of transceivers requiring a connection with an antenna (410) and identifying diversity requirements for the selected transceivers (420). A plurality of antennas can be allocated among the selected transceivers according to the diversity requirements (425, 430).

Abstract: A method (200) for improving quality of output audio (126). The method can include detecting an output acoustic signal (128) and generating a receive audio signal (134) based, at least in part, on the detected output acoustic signal. A frequency domain representation (140) of the receive audio signal can be compared to a frequency domain representation (138) of a source audio signal (124) from which the output acoustic signal is generated. At least one distortion signal (142) in the receive audio signal can be identified, and the source audio signal can be selectively equalized to reduce an amplitude of the source audio signal at a frequency that correlates to the distortion signal.

Abstract: A method (100) for limiting transmission power of a communication device (600) having a plurality of transceivers (610, 615). The method can include determining a desired maximum transmission power and determining a plurality of power contribution factors. Each of the power contribution factors can be associated with a respective one of the transceivers. The method also can include determining an expected transmission power based on, at least in part, a sum of the power contribution factors. Further, responsive to the expected transmission power exceeding the desired maximum transmission power, the power contribution for at least one of the transceivers can be selectively reduced or terminated.

Abstract: A method (10) and system (200) of lighted or colored push-to-connect can include awaiting (11) for a incoming push to connect signal (having caller identification information) such as a push to talk signal, retrieving (12) caller settings from a phonebook, look-up table or other source, and displaying (15) a push-to-connect color notification based on the caller identification information. The method can also include determining (13) if a color preference is stored for a particular caller and retrieving (14) a program display driver with parameters from a phonebook for if the color preference is stored and otherwise displaying (16) a push-to-connect color notification based on default attributes and caller identification information if no color preferences are stored.

Abstract: A method and system for charging an electronic device (104) is provided. The method includes negotiating a first current supply (304) from a first charging port. The first charging port is one of a plurality of charging ports (106, 108, 110, 112 and 114) present on a current-supplying device (102). Further, the method includes negotiating a second current supply (306) from a second charging port, the second charging port is one of the plurality of charging ports (106, 108, 110, 112 and 114). Furthermore, the method includes combining the first current supply and the second current supply (308) to provide a combined current supply for charging the battery of the electronic device.

Abstract: A method (10) and system (200, 400, or 500) of call reverse can include initiating (12) a call by an originating party (204) to a terminating party (208), comparing (14) rate plans, and automatically reversing (26) the call if a rate plan for the terminating party is currently more economical than a rate plan for the originating party. The method can compare (22) rate plans at a server (206) having rate plan information for the parties. Alternatively, the method can send (16) rate plan information for the originating to the terminating party and compare rate plans at the terminating party. The method can pre-store (20) rate plan information for the originating party at a memory at the terminating party. The method can also use (24) Caller ID to detect a call from the originating party and compare pre-stored rate plan information for the originating party stored at the terminating party.

Abstract: A method (10) and system (200) for associating a user profile (39) to Caller ID signal can include a processor (202) that is controlled under an operating system allowing multiple profiles. The processor extract (12) Caller ID information from a Caller ID signal, associate (14) at least a portion of the Caller ID information with at least a predetermined profile stored on the wireless communication device, and enable (16) access to the predetermined profile only when the portion of the Caller ID information is associated with the predetermined profile stored on the wireless communication device. The method can store (18) separate profiles on the wireless communication device for each Caller ID or for each predetermined set of Caller IDs or store separate multiple profiles for each Caller ID or set of Caller IDs and further enable user selection among the multiple profiles.

Abstract: A method (400) for allocating handoff of mobile stations (105, 110) to a first network node (115). The method can include receiving a handoff request for a first mobile station. Handoff of the first mobile station can be granted in response to determining that the first mobile station has an effective level of battery charge equal to or below a threshold value. Handoff of the first mobile station can be denied in response to determining that the first mobile station has an effective level of battery charge greater than the threshold value. The method also can include receiving status information (130) communicated by the first mobile station. The status information can indicate an effective battery level of the first mobile station. In another arrangement, the status information can indicate a handoff priority level of the first mobile station.