Abstract: An apparatus and method for synchronizing the reception of a spread-spectrum signal include a synchronization apparatus having a code-matched filter, a running average unit in signal communication with the code-matched filter, a peak detector in signal communication with the running average unit, and a synchronizer in signal communication with the peak detector for providing an index of a peak; where the corresponding method includes receiving a spread-spectrum signal having a period comprising a plurality of indexable samples, maintaining a mean array comprising a running mean value for each indexable sample over a variable number of periods, detecting a peak value of the maintained mean array, calculating an average value of the maintained mean array, computing a peak-to-average ratio in accordance with the detected peak value and the calculated average value, comparing the peak-to-average ratio against a time-varying threshold, and synchronizing the received signal when the peak-to-average ratio exceeds th

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatic gain control in spread-spectrum communications includes an automatic gain control apparatus for a spread-spectrum receiver, including a received signal strength indicator, an analog amplifier in signal communication with the received signal strength indicator, an analog-to-digital converter in signal communication with the analog amplifier, a digital automatic gain control loop in signal communication with the analog-to-digital converter, and a digital-to-analog converter in signal communication with the digital automatic gain control loop for providing a signal indicative of a digital gain to the analog amplifier; where the corresponding method for automatic gain control in spread-spectrum communications includes receiving an analog signal, measuring the strength of the received analog signal, deriving a first analog gain in correspondence with the measured strength, applying the derived first analog gain to an analog amplifier, deriving a second analog gain from a pilot

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to reducing adjacent channel interference in an OFDM receiver. An error metric is monitored and the carrier frequency of the desired channel is slowly adjusted in response to the error metric. In this manner, the received OFDM signal, including the desired signal corrupted by the adjacent interfering channel, may be shifted until the zero crossings of the adjacent channel line up with the FFT bins. A multi-tap equalizer may then be used to remove the inter-bin interference that results from the frequency offset in the desired channel.

Abstract: A method of alarm scheduling of an alarm clock over a local area network includes the steps of providing an alarm clock having a modem, the modem permitting communication with the alarm clock over a local area network; and receiving by the alarm clock an alarm scheduling information over the network, the alarm scheduling information including an alarm setting for the alarm clock for a particular time and day. A computer readable medium for providing information to a general purpose computer that schedules alarm settings on an alarm clock with a modem over a local area network includes displaying a calendar for an alarm clock with a modem connected to a local area network, providing a calendar interface by which an alarm setting on said alarm clock can be scheduled according to different days on the calendar, and sending over the network alarm information to the alarm clock.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a user-selectable status indication to incoming callers is provided, the system including a cellular communications device having a user-selectable status, and a server in signal communication with the cellular communications device for receiving the user-selectable status from the cellular communications device and for updating its logical database; and the corresponding method including the steps of providing a plurality of user-selectable statuses on a cellular communications device, receiving a status selection from a user of the cellular communications device, transmitting the user's status selection to a server, directing an incoming call for the user to the server if the user-selected status is not the Available status, and providing an indication to the incoming caller in accordance with the user's status selection.

Abstract: There is provided a method for determining the popularity of media files for a media playback device. The method comprises using a popularity metric manager for at least one of creating and updating popularity metrics for media files that are stored on the media playback device, wherein the popularity metrics are related to the playback of the media files by a user of the media playback device. The method then updates the playback device with files in accordance with the determined popularity metrics.

Abstract: An Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) receiver that compensates for FFT window drift by extracting pilots from a fast Fourier transformed and equalized OFDM signal, and processing the extracted pilots to derive an FFT window adjustment factor and an associated equalizer tap adjustment value. The OFDM receiver simultaneously controls the position of an FFT window and the phase of equalizer taps using the derived FFT adjustment factor and equalizer tap adjustment value.

Abstract: A system and method for relinquishing a network master device status in accordance with a device power reserve level includes a system having a network master device for monitoring its own power reserve level and relinquishing its network master status for that of network slave status when such level is below a threshold value, and one or more network slave devices where each such device is in signal communication with the network master device for monitoring its own power reserve level and relinquishing its network slave status for that of network master status when such level is above at least one of the threshold value and the power reserve level of the master; and further includes a corresponding method for a wireless master device to relinquish its network master status based on its power reserve level, where the method includes monitoring the power reserve level of the wireless master device, determining whether the monitored power reserve level falls below a threshold, and relinquishing the network mas

Abstract: An OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) receiver that detects and corrects a sampling frequency offset of a sampled signal. The OFDM receiver samples an incoming signal in the time domain, multiplies the sampled data by a window function to widen the main lobe of each of the predetermined subcarriers' frequency domain spectrum, takes an FFT (fast Fourier transform) of the sampled signal to analyze the frequency domain samples of each predetermined subcarrier, detects a difference in magnitude of the frequency domain samples for each predetermined subcarrier, and generates a sampling frequency error based on the detected changes in magnitude.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of a wireless local area network (WLAN) (104) detects at least one energy fluctuation in a radio frequency (RF) signal propagating in a WLAN frequency band and indicates the presence of a WLAN (104) in response to the detection of the at least one energy fluctuation.

Abstract: There is provided a method for providing content to network devices in a communication network. A level of congestion of the communication network is determined (305). A cost of service is calculated based on the level of congestion (310). The network devices are informed of the cost of service (315). A first selection is received from a user of a network device specifying a content to be downloaded to the network device during a download process (320). A second selection is received from the user specifying a cost of service threshold for the download process (325). The cost of service is automatically compared to the cost of service threshold (330). The download process is automatically performed, when the cost of service is less than the cost of service threshold (335).

Abstract: A decoder and decoding method are described, in which a syndrome is calculated from a codeword in a syndrome generator, an error polynomial is generated based upon the syndrome in an error polynomial generator, an error location is determined from the error polynomial in the error location generator, an error magnitude is calculated from the error polynomial in the error magnitude generator and the codeword is corrected by a error corrected codeword generator responsive to location and error magnitude. An intra-decoder block messaging scheme is described in which one or more components generate inactivity messages to signal an ability to process data corresponding to a next codeword. A dual Chien search block implementation is described in which Chien block is used to determine the number of errors corresponding to a specified codeword, separately from error location and magnitude calculations performed by the Chien/Forney block.

Abstract: A decoder and decoding method are described, in which a syndrome is calculated from a codeword in a syndrome generator, an error polynomial is generated based upon the syndrome in an error polynomial generator, an error location is determined from the error polynomial in the error location generator, an error magnitude is calculated from the error polynomial in the error magnitude generator and the codeword is corrected by a error corrected codeword generator responsive to location and error magnitude. An intra-decoder block messaging scheme is described in which one or more components generate inactivity messages to signal an ability to process data corresponding to a next codeword. A dual Chien search block implementation is described in which Chien block is used to determine the number of errors corresponding to a specified codeword, separately from error location and magnitude calculations performed by the Chien/Forney block.

Abstract: A decoder and decoding method are described, in which a syndrome is calculated from a codeword in a syndrome generator, an error polynomial is generated based upon the syndrome in an error polynomial generator, an error location is determined from the error polynomial in the error location generator, an error magnitude is calculated from the error polynomial in the error magnitude generator and the codeword is corrected by a error corrected codeword generator responsive to location and error magnitude. An intra-decoder block messaging scheme is described in which one or more components generate inactivity messages to signal an ability to process data corresponding to a next codeword. A dual Chien search block implementation is described in which Chien block is used to determine the number of errors corresponding to a specified codeword, separately from error location and magnitude calculations performed by the Chien/Forney block.

Abstract: In a mobile device wherein database update information is obtained by a user of the mobile device browsing the Internet in real-time, a method is provided for obtaining database update information by a mobile device The user is provided with an option of receiving the database update information in a background process performed on the mobile device (305). The database update information is automatically received through a low-bandwidth transmission in accordance with a refresh rate specified by the user, when the option is selected by the user.

Abstract: There is provided a method for remotely accessing caller ID information and messages from a caller ID/answering machine using a wireless device connected to a combination of wired and wireless networks. A connection is established from the wireless device to the caller ID/answering machine (305). A request for the caller ID information and/or the messages is transmitted from the wireless device to the caller ID/answering machine using a modem of the wireless device and another modem of the caller ID/answering machine, respectively (310). The caller ID information and/or the messages is transmitted from the caller ID/answering machine to the wireless device using the modems, in response to the request (320). The caller ID information and/or the messages are/is received by the wireless device (325). At least the caller ID information is stored in the wireless device for subsequent display, when the caller ID information is received (330).

Abstract: An apparatus for determining signal quality on an outlet of a powerline network includes a powerline modem connected to a power outlet of a powerline network for sending and receiving a signal across the powerline network, and a signal quality indicator coupled to said powerline modem network for indicating signal quality received from another powerline modem coupled to the powerline network.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of clock synchronization of a powerline modem network for a plurality of devices are provided. A plurality of devices are provided having a powerline modem and a clock (100). The powerline modem permits communication between the plurality of devices over a powerline network. A synchronization message is provided over the powerline network (102). The synchronization message includes an instruction for each of the plurality of devices to update their clock in accordance with a clock time provided in the synchronization message (104). A synchronization device may be provided to update device clocks on a powerline network.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a method for providing non-voice data to a mobile device includes the step of maintaining a connection between the mobile device and a base station, when a user of the mobile device terminates a voice call provided through the base station. The non-voice data is received while the connection is maintained. The connection between the mobile device and the base station is terminated, upon performing the receiving step.

Abstract: There is provided a method for sending voicemail messages to multiple recipients for instantaneous playback. An input is received that selects the multiple recipients from a stored list of users (310). Phone numbers of the multiple recipients are sent to a temporary voicemail server, in response to the receiving step (315). A voicemail message is received (320, 325). Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of the multiple recipients are determined from the phone numbers, by the temporary voicemail server (335). IP packets that include the voicemail message are sent to any of the multiple recipients that have an active mobile terminal (345). The input and the voicemail message received at the receiving steps are provided by an originating sender of the voicemail message.