Abstract: A technique for reliable passage of handshaking information between a cellular modem and a land modem. Instead of bare transmission over a voice channel connection highly susceptible to signal fading and dropout, the initial modem handshaking exchange is instead FSK-encoded and broadcast using a network data signalling methodology already used to reliably pass signalling information between the base and registered mobiles. Automatic retransmission request signalling and transmission redundancy may be implemented to insure successful receipt at the receiving end of the radio link. Once received and verified, handshaking information is decoded and delivered to the destination modem in the appropriate format along cleaner fixed pathways. Reliable handshaking operations are contemplated whether the destination modem is a cellular modem registered in auto-answer mode (land-originated data call), or a land modem (mobile-originated data call).

Abstract: A technique for reliable passage of handshaking information between a cellular modem and a land modem. Instead of bare transmission over a voice channel connection highly susceptible to signal fading and dropout, the initial modem handshaking exchange is instead FSK-encoded and broadcast using a network data signalling methodology already used to reliably pass signalling information between the base and registered mobiles. Automatic retransmission request signalling and transmission redundancy may be implemented to insure successful receipt at the receiving end of the radio link. Once received and verified, handshaking information is decoded and delivered to the destination modem in the appropriate format along cleaner fixed pathways. Reliable handshaking operations are contemplated whether the destination modem is a cellular modem registered in auto-answer mode (land-originated data call), or a land modem (mobile-originated data call).

Abstract: The original firmware of a computing device is stored in a fixed non-volatile ROM-type memory while any subsequently issued replacement firmware correcting or upgrading erroneous firmware contained within the original firmware is stored in a reprogrammable EEPROM-type non-volatile memory. The locations in the fixed and reprogrammable memories storing the corresponding erroneous and replacement firmware, respectively, are identified in a data table that is also stored in the reprogrammable memory. A field programmable gate array connected to the reprogrammable memory uses the data table to identify computing device requests to the fixed memory for erroneous firmware and in response thereto inhibit output of erroneous firmware. The gate array further uses the data table to access the reprogrammable memory and output corresponding replacement firmware in substitution for the device requested original, but erroneous, firmware.

Abstract: A plug-in electronic card assembly having a retractable antenna comprises a casing with a connector for coupling the electronic card assembly to a host device and an antenna that is selectively movable between a first position, in which the antenna is enclosed within the casing, and a second position, in which the antenna is substantially outside of the casing. In an embodiment of the invention, the antenna comprises a circular antenna element disposed on a printed circuit board that is movable, between the first and second positions, by sliding the printed circuit board in grooves contained in sides of an electronic card assembly casing having PCMCIA standard dimensions. When the antenna is in the second position, transmission pads provide an RF signal path between the antenna and a second printed circuit board contained within the casing.

Abstract: Two units are disclosed, one of which is installed in the computer and one of which is located remotely and includes the antenna and radio frequency transmitter and receiver elements. The two units communicate over an infrared (IR) link. The data is transmitted between the two units as real and imaginary components using separate IR signals. By using real and imaginary digitized signals, great flexibility is provided as to the actual contents and protocols capable of being utilized and serial digital data can be provided from the computer and received in the computer using only simple table look-ups. The antenna unit includes personalization byway of differing filters and software to allow it to operate with a plurality of radio channels and protocols. Each unit has a serial number to identify itself and to keep a communication link secure once established.

Abstract: A support bracket for an electronic daytimer (e.g., a PDA or a PIM), a cellular telephone, and pager combination includes a housing with at least two indentions, one of which is sized to receive an electronic daytimer and the other of which is sized to receive a cellular telephone; power supply lines carried by the housing so as to connect with, and thereby provide power, to a received electronic daytimer and/or received cellular telephone; and a printer for an electronic daytimer secured to the housing and combined with a cable connecting it to a received electronic daytimer.

Abstract: A data compression algorithm in which a word is assigned a code value according to the frequency of the word occurring, for example, in the English language. The code value contains a length field and a code field. The number of bits used to represent the length field is fixed, whereas the length of the code field is variable. The code field can be assigned values between 0b0 and 0b11111111111111. The value 0b0 is assigned for the word having the greatest probability of occurring and the value 0b11111111111111 is assigned for the word having the least probability of occurring. The value of the length field is equal to the number of bits contained in the code field. The code values are stored in a dictionary with their corresponding words. If it is determined that an input word does not exist in the dictionary, then the length field is assigned the value 0b0000 and the word is represented in its ASCII code.

Abstract: An electromagnetic data transmission system is disclosed wherein a first and a second data link are connected between a transmitter CPU and a receiver CPU. The first data link, which is for transmitting data with high throughput rates, has a multi-directional electromagnetic transmitter at the transmitting end which can transmit electromagnetic signals in a plurality of different directions over three different dimensions and an electromagnetic receiver at the receiving end. The second data link, which is for providing status and feedback information, has a wide beam electromagnetic transmitter at the transmitting end and an electromagnetic receiver at the receiving end. The inventive method herein, then, includes the steps of transmitting a plurality of test signals in each of the directions of the multi-directional electromagnetic transmitter of the first data link, determining which of the test signals were received most clearly, and finally transmitting data in a number of optimal transmission directions.

Abstract: An antenna system is disclosed that can be extended from the base section of a notebook computer to position the antenna at a predetermined remote distance from electromagnetic interference power produced by the notebook computer. The antenna is rotatable and pivotable for multiple positioning relative to the blocking end of the antenna system that remains in the computer. Advantageously, the antenna system maximizes space by having a hollow blocking end coaxially received about a sleeve retaining the batteries used by the computer. Additionally, the antenna system includes a directional helix antenna rotatable at least 360.degree. by a stepper motor.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a host component having a first antenna; and a radio unit that may be connected to the host component and that has a second, rotatable antenna. The radio unit also includes a switch that is triggered by rotation of the second antenna to activate either the first antenna or the second antenna.

Abstract: A multilayer printed circuit board comprising conducting layers of a first material and conducting layers of a second material includes noncorrosive low resistance electrical contacts between conducting layers of the first and second material. The noncorrosive low resistance contacts allow the use of light weight conducting materials for particular layers of the circuit board to produce a light weight multilayer circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a battery type determination circuit having a notch filter circuit which notches a frequency noise spectrum to indicate a battery type installed in a battery pack. More specifically, the preferred embodiment of the present invention can determine a variety of battery characteristics based on the notched frequency and look-up information stored in a memory chip.

Abstract: A technique for reliable passage of handshaking information between a cellular modem and a land modem. Instead of bare transmission over a voice channel connection highly susceptible to signal fading and dropout, the initial modem handshaking exchange is instead FSK-encoded and broadcast using a network data signalling methodology already used to reliably pass signalling information between the base and registered mobiles. Automatic retransmission request signalling and transmission redundancy may be implemented to insure successful receipt at the receiving end of the radio link. Once received and verified, handshaking information is decoded and delivered to the destination modem in the appropriate format along cleaner fixed pathways. Reliable handshaking operations are contemplated whether the destination modem is a cellular modem registered in auto-answer mode (land-originated data call), or a land modem (mobile-originated data call).

Abstract: Two units are disclosed, one of which is installed in the computer and one of which is located remotely and includes the antenna and radio frequency transmitter and receiver elements. The two units communicate over an infrared (IR) link. The data is transmitted between the two units as real and imaginary components using separate IR signals. By using real and imaginary digitized signals, great flexibility is provided as to the actual contents and protocols capable of being utilized and serial digital data can be provided from the computer and received in the computer using only simple table look-ups. The antenna unit includes personalization by way of differing filters and software to allow it to operate with a plurality of radio channels and protocols. Each unit has a serial number to identify itself and to keep a communication link secure once established.