Abstract: A device, method and computer readable medium for configuring settings of a device, such as a wireless device (400), based upon detection of nearby surfaces. The device includes a detection signal generator (330, 334, 338) and a detection signal receiver (332, 336). Detection signals include light generated by a display backlight (334) or a keypad (338) that is detected by a camera (336) or other photo-detector. Further detection signals include non-audible frequency sound signals generated by a speaker (330) and that are detected by a microphone (332). The device includes a processor (320) that configures settings in response to the detection of a nearby surface, such as a portion (520, 522) of a holster (500). The settings of the device, such as the wireless device (400), include at least one of a ring setting, a battery setting, a keypad 338 setting, and a display 334 setting.

Abstract: The invention concerns a light detection power system (105). The system can include a solar cell charging circuit (120) having at least one solar cell (116) in which the solar cell charging circuit can provide power to a power source (114), a lighting circuit (122) that receives power from the power source and a controller (118) coupled to the solar cell charging circuit and the lighting circuit. The controller can enable the lighting circuit when a power level that the controller detects from the solar cell charging circuit fails to reach a first predetermined threshold. The solar cell charging circuit can include a switch (130) that is controlled by the controller. The controller can further enable the switch when the power level that the controller detects from the solar cell charging circuit reaches a second predetermined threshold.

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: The invention concerns a light detection power system (105). The system can include a solar cell charging circuit (120) having at least one solar cell (116) in which the solar cell charging circuit can provide power to a power source (114), a lighting circuit (122) that receives power from the power source and a controller (118) coupled to the solar cell charging circuit and the lighting circuit. The controller can enable the lighting circuit when a power level that the controller detects from the solar cell charging circuit fails to reach a first predetermined threshold. The solar cell charging circuit can include a switch (130) that is controlled by the controller. The controller can further enable the switch when the power level that the controller detects from the solar cell charging circuit reaches a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A device (102) contains a battery (116) which is recharged under control of a charge controller (112). An external power supply (104) provides charging current and voltage (106). A linear regulator (110) regulates the raw voltage provided by the external power supply. The device (102) also contains a heat-generating sub-system (118). To prevent excess heat generation while charging the battery, the battery charging regime is altered from a conventional regime when the heat-generating sub-system is active. Once the battery voltage reaches a charge limit (208), charge current is ceased (210) until the battery voltage falls to a lower limit (212), at which time the charging current is recommenced.

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 device (100) that includes a communications port (130), a first processor (135), at least a second processor (140), and a multiplexer (105). The multiplexer can selectively communicatively link the communications port to the first processor or the second processor. The multiplexer can include at least one switch (110, 115) and a switch controller (120) that controls operation of the switch. The switch controller can be responsive to at least one control signal (125) generated by the first processor. The first processor can generate the control signal in response to a command received from an external device (155) connected to the communications port. The command can be an attention command or a test software command. The switch controller also can be responsive to at least one control signal generated by the second processor.

Abstract: A server (122) provides at least one advertisement choice (404) to a user and receives a selection of the at least one advertisement choice from the user. An endorsement is then created from the selected advertisement choice and linked to a voice mail service subscribed to by the user. When a call is received from an originating device (106), the endorsement is played in association with an outgoing voice mail message to a user of the originating device.

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.

Abstract: A communication device (100) that includes a transceiver (210), a sensor (230) that detects proximity of the communication device with respect to a user (105), and a controller (205) that selectively changes at least one operating parameter of the transceiver when the sensor detects that the communication device is proximate to the user. The operating parameter that is changed can includes a transmit power of communication signals generated by the transceiver and/or a data transmission rate of signals generated by the transceiver. The communication device also can include a first antenna (215) and a second antenna (220), and the operating parameter that is changed can include a selection of the first antenna or the second antenna through which to transmit an RF signal. The sensor can sense a value of electric field intensity, a value of capacitance, or acoustically measure a distance between the communication device and the user.

Abstract: A device (100) has a charging system (102) for coupling to a charger (103) operating in a vehicle, and a processor coupled to the charging system. The processor is programmed to detect (202) a charging state while a user of the device is operating the vehicle, and detect (204-208) an act by the user to exit the vehicle.

Abstract: Wireless communications devices, such as cellular telephones (100), include an integrated camera (202) and process image data captured by that camera (202) to determine desired device illumination levels. A controller (410) within the wireless communications device (100) causes an image to be captured by the integrated camera (202). The captured image data is processed to determine approximate ambient light levels. A level of device illumination, such as provided by a display backlight (416) and a keypad backlight (418) is controlled based upon the approximate ambient light levels.

Abstract: A wireless device (100) includes an electrical circuit arrangement (200) for deterring access to an electrical signal having a predictable electrical pattern. The circuit arrangement (200) includes a processor (206) for processing instructions and a controller (210) communicatively coupled to the processor (206) and able to send at least one signal along each of a plurality of signal lines from within the circuit (200). The processor (206) causes the controller (210) to sporadically introduce a signal onto each of the plurality of signal lines, where the signal is unrelated to any communication function of the wireless device and is present solely for the purpose of making the signal line unpredictable.

Abstract: A system includes a wireless device (101) and at least one stimulator pad (400, 500). The stimulator pad (400, 500) has a set of electrodes (404) that are in communication with the wireless device (101). The stimulator pad (400, 500) is worn on the skin of a user. The wireless device (101) is operable to receive an incoming signal and to place an electric potential on the conductors (404) so that various areas of the user's body are stimulated and the user will receive notification of the incoming signal in a completely silent manner. The pad (400) can be either wired or wireless and can be used to deliver therapeutic body stimulation as well. In another embodiment, the wireless device (101) controls at least one stimulator pad (400, 500) independent of any incoming signal received.

Abstract: A mobile communication device 100 has a digital subsystem (110) and a radio frequency subsystem (108), and is powered by a battery (102) which is charged via a charge control circuit (106) using an external power supply (104) connected to the mobile communication device in a single path configuration. The mobile communication device permits limited operation of the mobile communication device by a user while the battery voltage is sufficient to power the digital subsystem but not yet sufficient to power the radio frequency subsystem. The delay in operation is minimized, however, because once charging commences, the battery voltage rises sufficiently fast that, typically, by the time the digital subsystem is initialized, enabled, and powered up, the battery voltage will be sufficient to enable the radio frequency subsystem.

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 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 stereo headset (104) with push-to-talk function can be interfaced with a wireless communication device (102) via a connector interface. The connector interface preferably includes a jack at the wireless communication device (102) and a compatible plug at the stereo headset (104). An electrical contact (310) at the connector interface can contemporaneously interconnect both electrical audio signals between the wireless communication device (102) and at least one of the speakers of the stereo headset (104) and electrical user input signals from an external push-to-talk user input device (232) to the wireless communication device (102).

Abstract: A system (130) and method (500) of operating a main display (301) in a radio (300) can monitoring (502) a use characteristic of the radio. Such use characteristics being monitored can include use of an internal speaker or an external speaker, an open angle (303) of the radio, a type of call, a time of day, a user location, a Caller ID, a holster status, a headset status, a cradle status, a network status, a prepaid minute status, a bus status, or a volume level status). The method can further selectively deactivate (504) the main display based on the use characteristic. In one example, the radio can selectively deactivate (508) the display or backlights when the flip portion is opened to answer the incoming call. The main display (or backlight) can also be selectively activated (510) upon a user button selection if a user desires such activation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200) and a system (100) for charging a battery (112). The method includes the steps of determining (214) a charge termination point for the battery, in which the charge termination point produces a charge on the battery that is less than an initial maximum charging capacity of the battery, and charging (224) the battery using the charge termination point for at least a portion of the charge cycles of the battery. The method reduces at least in part the variation of battery capacity over the cycle life of the battery.