Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining a transmit antenna gain and a spatial mode of a wireless device (100) are disclosed. The apparatus (100) includes a main receive antenna (112) associated with a first receive signal strength, a diversity receive antenna (114) associated with a second receive signal strength, and a transmit antenna (116). Each of the antennas (112, 114, and 116) is operatively coupled to a controller (102). The controller (102) determines (i) a difference between the first receive signal strength and the second receive signal strength, (ii) a correction factor based on the difference, and (iii) the transmit antenna gain based on the correction factor. In addition, the difference between the first receive signal strength and the second receive signal strength may be used, along with other sensor data (e.g., accelerometer), to estimate the spatial mode (e.g., orientation and hand grip) of the device (100).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining a transmit antenna gain and a spatial mode of a wireless device (100) are disclosed. The apparatus (100) includes a main receive antenna (112) associated with a first receive signal strength, a diversity receive antenna (114) associated with a second receive signal strength, and a transmit antenna (116). Each of the antennas (112, 114, and 116) is operatively coupled to a controller (102). The controller (102) determines (i) a difference between the first receive signal strength and the second receive signal strength, (ii) a correction factor based on the difference, and (iii) the transmit antenna gain based on the correction factor. In addition, the difference between the first receive signal strength and the second receive signal strength may be used, along with other sensor data (e.g., accelerometer), to estimate the spatial mode (e.g., orientation and hand grip) of the device (100).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining a transmit antenna gain and a spatial mode of a wireless device (100) are disclosed. The apparatus (100) includes a main receive antenna (112) associated with a first receive signal strength, a diversity receive antenna (114) associated with a second receive signal strength, and a transmit antenna (116). Each of the antennas (112, 114, and 116) is operatively coupled to a controller (102). The controller (102) determines (i) a difference between the first receive signal strength and the second receive signal strength, (ii) a correction factor based on the difference, and (iii) the transmit antenna gain based on the correction factor. In addition, the difference between the first receive signal strength and the second receive signal strength may be used, along with other sensor data (e.g., accelerometer), to estimate the spatial mode (e.g., orientation and hand grip) of the device (100).

Abstract: In embodiments of variable antenna match linearity, a wireless device includes a first transceiver and a second transceiver, an antenna via which signals are received, and a linearity controller that varies a linearity of an antenna match circuit associated with the antenna. The linearity controller can determine whether a frequency of an intermodulated signal that includes transmissions from the first and second transceivers is within one of a respective receive band of the first transceiver or the second transceiver. The linearity controller can increase a linearity of the antenna match circuit to mitigate an amplitude of the intermodulated signal in the receive band.

Abstract: A dual-sided electrophoretic display (700) having a first region (701) and a second region (702) is provided. Each of the first region (701) and the second region (702) includes selectively operable members (703,704) that function as pixels for presenting images on the electrophoretic display (700). Each of the selectively operable members (703,704) is driven by a driver circuit (710) by way of corresponding thin film transistors and capacitors (742,742), which are opaque. As the selectively operable members (704) of the second region (702) are bigger than are the selectively operable members (703) of the first region (701), the aperture ratio of the selectively operable members (704) of the second region (702) is greater than in the first region (701) when viewed from the rear side (730). Thus, a contrast ratio of the second region (602), when viewed from the rear side (730) is sufficiently high that text, icons, and characters presented in the second region (602) are legibly visible on the rear side (730).

Abstract: A method of maintaining application continuity (900) and mobile computing device (200) are described. The method involves a mobile device running an application in synchronous communication with an application server. The application has a threshold communication null period for maintaining application continuity. The method (900) can include the steps of: operating (910) the application in synchronous communication with an application server, defining an active mode, wherein the synchronous communication is automatically enabled; providing (920) a dormant mode wherein the synchronous communication is automatically disabled in the mobile device for a predetermined duration; and interrupting (930) the dormant mode by momentarily communicating with the application server prior to a threshold communication null period, for maintaining application continuity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining a transmit antenna gain and a spatial mode of a wireless device (100) are disclosed. The apparatus (100) includes a main receive antenna (112) associated with a first receive signal strength, a diversity receive antenna (114) associated with a second receive signal strength, and a transmit antenna (116). Each of the antennas (112, 114, and 116) is operatively coupled to a controller (102). The controller (102) determines (i) a difference between the first receive signal strength and the second receive signal strength, (ii) a correction factor based on the difference, and (iii) the transmit antenna gain based on the correction factor. In addition, the difference between the first receive signal strength and the second receive signal strength may be used, along with other sensor data (e.g., accelerometer), to estimate the spatial mode (e.g., orientation and hand grip) of the device (100).

Abstract: In embodiments of variable antenna match linearity, a wireless device includes a first transceiver and a second transceiver, an antenna via which signals are received, and a linearity controller that varies a linearity of an antenna match circuit associated with the antenna. The linearity controller can determine whether a frequency of an intermodulated signal that includes transmissions from the first and second transceivers is within one of a respective receive band of the first transceiver or the second transceiver. The linearity controller can increase a linearity of the antenna match circuit to mitigate an amplitude of the intermodulated signal in the receive band.

Abstract: A substrate (56) for a handset device defines at least a portion of an audio port (274) and may include a keypad contact array (108) on the substrate (56) and a display electrode pattern (604) on the substrate (56). A display (52) is coupled to the substrate and is configured to at least partially surround the audio port portion on the substrate. In addition, in one example, the substrate (56) for a handset device (10) may include a first surface and a second surface. A keypad contact array (108) and a display electrode pattern (604) may be included on the first surface (96) of the substrate (56). The display (52) may be operatively coupled to the display electrode pattern (604).

Abstract: A method of maintaining application continuity (900) and mobile computing device (200) are described. The method involves a mobile device running an application in synchronous communication with an application server. The application has a threshold communication null period for maintaining application continuity. The method (900) can include the steps of: operating (910) the application in synchronous communication with an application server, defining an active mode, wherein the synchronous communication is automatically enabled; providing (920) a dormant mode wherein the synchronous communication is automatically disabled in the mobile device for a predetermined duration; and interrupting (930) the dormant mode by momentarily communicating with the application server prior to a threshold communication null period, for maintaining application continuity.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (200) and method (300) adapted to prolong the useful life of an energy storage device is disclosed. In its simplest form, it can include: determining (310) a limit temperature discharge energy rate of an energy storage device; sensing (320) a temperature range threshold in proximity to the energy storage device; and adjusting (330) a discharge energy rate in response to the determined limit temperature discharge energy rate (310) and sensed temperature range threshold (320). The device (200) and method (300) can automatically and dynamically manage current drain of an energy storage device when a certain temperature range threshold is reached, to maintain the energy storage device within desired specifications and tolerances. This can prolong the useful life of the energy storage device and help to maintain a maximum recharging capacity.

Abstract: A method (150) and device (200) adapted to run an application in synchronous communication with an application server is described. The method (150) can include the steps of: detecting (155) motion in proximity to the mobile computing device; and adjusting (160) a synchronization interval between the mobile computing device and a server in response to the detected motion. The method and device can provide substantial energy savings in an energy storage device for a mobile computing device and provides a useful compromise for energy conservation on one hand, while also accommodating a user's demand for a short synchronization interval when desired, on the other.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (200) and method (300) adapted to prolong the useful life of an energy storage device is disclosed. In its simplest form, it can include: determining (310) a limit temperature discharge energy rate of an energy storage device; sensing (320) a temperature range threshold in proximity to the energy storage device; and adjusting (330) a discharge energy rate in response to the determined limit temperature discharge energy rate (310) and sensed temperature range threshold (320). The device (200) and method (300) can automatically and dynamically manage current drain of an energy storage device when a certain temperature range threshold is reached, to maintain the energy storage device within desired specifications and tolerances. This can prolong the useful life of the energy storage device and help to maintain a maximum recharging capacity.

Abstract: A dual-sided electrophoretic display (700) having a first region (701) and a second region (702) is provided. Each of the first region (701) and the second region (702) includes selectively operable members (703,704) that function as pixels for presenting images on the electrophoretic display (700). Each of the selectively operable members (703,704) is driven by a driver circuit (710) by way of corresponding thin film transistors and capacitors (742,742), which are opaque. As the selectively operable members (704) of the second region (702) are bigger than are the selectively operable members (703) of the first region (701), the aperture ratio of the selectively operable members (704) of the second region (702) is greater than in the first region (701) when viewed from the rear side (730). Thus, a contrast ratio of the second region (602), when viewed from the rear side (730) is sufficiently high that text, icons, and characters presented in the second region (602) are legibly visible on the rear side (730).

Abstract: A display comprising a display driver termination portion (106), a dot matrix region (402) and an icon region (403). The icon region located in-between the display driver termination area and the dot matrix area, wherein the dot matrix area has a resolution that is greater than the icon area.

Abstract: A substrate (56) for a handset device (10) includes a keypad contact array (108) on the substrate (56) and a display electrode pattern (604) on the substrate (56). In addition, in one example, the substrate (56) for a handset device (10) may include a first surface and a second surface. A keypad contact array (108) and a display electrode pattern (604) may be included on the first surface (96) of the substrate (56). A display (52) may be operatively coupled to the display electrode pattern (604). A portion of the substrate (56) may define at least a portion of an audio port (274).

Abstract: A method for reducing current drain in a communication device includes a first step of developing a history of readings of received signal strengths (RSS) of a neighboring broadcast control channel (BCCH). A next step includes monitoring a RSS of the neighboring channel during a wakeup period. A next step includes determining whether the RSS is substantially stable with respect to the history of readings. A next step includes skipping the monitoring of the RSS for at least one of the subsequent wakeup periods if the RSS is substantially stable with respect to the history of readings.

Abstract: A method for reducing current drain in a communication device includes a first step of developing a history of readings of received signal strengths (RSS) of a neighboring broadcast control channel (BCCH). A next step includes monitoring a RSS of the neighboring channel during a wakeup period. A next step includes determining whether the RSS is substantially stable with respect to the history of readings. A next step includes skipping the monitoring of the RSS for at least one of the subsequent wakeup periods if the RSS is substantially stable with respect to the history of readings.