Abstract: Described are methods and devices for identifying a group that include various methods to determine a group. Also described are devices and methods for attempting communication with a missing member of the group include different manners in which to determine information related to an entry of a group. The described devices and methods may be particularly beneficial at the particular time the certain group members plan to be or are in communication with one another. In this way, in the event that two or more entries of a group planned to be in communication or are in communication in-real time, in accordance with the disclosed devices and methods, the parties may be able to bring one or more other entries of the group into the communication as needed or desired.

Abstract: Electromagnetic energy generated by a collection of individual laser modules is coupled by corresponding individual waveguides to an input of a multi-lumen ferrule. The energy is conveyed from an output of the multi-lumen ferrule to collimating and converging assemblies before being transmitted to a trunk fiber and thence to a laser handpiece.

Abstract: Described are methods and devices for identifying a group that include various methods to determine a group. Also described are devices and methods for attempting communication with a missing member of the group include different manners in which to determine information related to an entry of a group. The described devices and methods may be particularly beneficial at the particular time the certain group members plan to be or are in communication with one another. In this way, in the event that two or more entries of a group planned to be in communication or are in communication in-real time, in accordance with the disclosed devices and methods, the parties may be able to bring one or more other entries of the group into the communication as needed or desired.

Abstract: A communications system for a vehicle having a foot pedal useable to control communications at a user interface in the vehicle. By controlling the user interface at least in part through activation of the foot pedal, communications in the vehicle are made more convenient and less dangerous as the user need not use his hands to operate the communications user interface. The foot pedal may perform a dedicated communications control function, or may be programmable to perform a communications control function of a user's choosing. Several foot pedals may be used, either in conjunction with a single seat, or each associated with a particular seat in the vehicle. Foot pedal communication settings may also be stored within the communications user interface for easy retrieval, and may be retrievable through entry of a user ID, such as may come from a key fob.

Abstract: An improved system and procedure for allowing participants within a group conversation on a wireless communication network to at least temporarily break away from a group conversation and hold a side bar conversation. The side bar conversation may comprise several different types, including a public conversation (much like the original group conversation) or may constitute a private conversation (much like a standard phone call) or private text messaging or data exchange. A group conversation user wishing to hold the side bar conversation uses his user interface to alert other group conversation user(s) with whom he would like to hold the side bar conversation. Either the initiating user or the recipient user(s) can recommend the type of side bar conversation to be had using their user interfaces.

Abstract: A unique method for providing entertainment to a portable device, such as a wireless communication device, is disclosed. The method includes steps of receiving location information related to said wireless communication device; providing challenges associated with a game to a user of a wireless communication; providing rewards in response to answers based upon the location of said wireless communication device. The method finds particular application in vehicles having telematics communications products.

Abstract: A method of creating a database of poor coverage areas (120) in a wireless communication system includes (100) determining if a signal quality metric (204) of a communication link (130) in a poor coverage area (120) is below a signal quality threshold (202) then incrementing a poor coverage area counter (210), if not, incrementing a good coverage area counter (212). Storing one or more previous coverage areas (138-140) traversed by wireless device (102) prior to entering the poor coverage area (120) and calculating a trajectory (136) to the poor coverage area (120) based on one or more previous coverage areas (138-140) and poor coverage area (120). Subsequently, anticipating entry of the wireless device (102) into the poor coverage area (120) utilizing the trajectory (136) to the poor coverage area (120) and alerting a user of wireless device (102).

Abstract: A unique method for providing entertainment to a portable device, such as a wireless communication device communicating with a host vehicle, is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a game to a user of the wireless communication device; receiving game parameters to be used by the user of the wireless communication device; operating the game based upon data associated with the wireless communication device and/or the host vehicle.

Abstract: A method of creating a database of poor coverage areas (120) in a wireless communication system includes (100) determining if a signal quality metric (204) of a communication link (130) in a poor coverage area (120) is below a signal quality threshold (202) then incrementing a poor coverage area counter (210), if not, incrementing a good coverage area counter (212). Storing one or more previous coverage areas (138-140) traversed by wireless device (102) prior to entering the poor coverage area (120) and calculating a trajectory (136) to the poor coverage area (120) based on one or more previous coverage areas (138-140) and poor coverage area (120). Subsequently, anticipating entry of the wireless device (102) into the poor coverage area (120) utilizing the trajectory (136) to the poor coverage area (120) and alerting a user of wireless device (102).

Abstract: A unique method for providing entertainment to a portable device, such as a wireless communication device communicating with a host vehicle, is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a game to a user of the wireless communication device; receiving game parameters to be used by the user of the wireless communication device; operating the game based upon data associated with the wireless communication device and/or the host vehicle.

Abstract: A unique method for providing entertainment to a portable device, such as a wireless communication device, is disclosed. The method includes steps of receiving location information related to said wireless communication device; providing challenges associated with a game to a user of a wireless communication; providing rewards in response to answers based upon the location of said wireless communication device. The method finds particular application in vehicles having telematics communications products.

Abstract: A computer system with reprogrammable hardware allowing dynamically allocating hardware resources for different functions and adaptability for different processors and different operating platforms. All hardware resources are physically partitioned into system-user hardware and application-user hardware depending on the specific operation requirements. A reprogrammable interface preferably interconnects the system-user hardware and application-user hardware.

Abstract: A dual band filter network for a radio communication apparatus is provided. The network has an antenna (212) for receiving and transmitting signals from a first frequency band and a second frequency band. The network has a first duplex pair (202) including a first transmit filter (204) including a first passband and stopband. The first duplex pair (202) also includes a second receive filter (206). The first filter (204) presents a consistent phase in the second passband due to the wide frequency separation between the first filter (204) and the second filter (206). The network has a second duplex pair (202') with similar characteristics as the first duplex pair (202). The network also has a switching circuitry (210) controlled by a switch control voltage (214) for selecting the appropriate filter circuitry. The network can be provided in a small sized, low cost package that also offers improved insertion loss performance.

Abstract: A ceramic filter (100) is disclosed. The filter (100) has a filter body comprising a dielectric material having a plurality of surfaces with each surface having a plurality of metallized through holes extending through the dielectric material defining a first series of resonators (102) in a first plane and a plurality of second metallized through holes in a different plane and extending transversely with relation to the first, defining a second series of resonators (104). The filter (100) also has a metallization layer substantially coating all surfaces of the filter (100) with the exception that a portion of the surface surrounding each resonator is left unmetallized, and a coupling structure (108) for coupling electrical signals into and out of filter (100).

Abstract: Ceramic block filters can be constructed to have non-symmetrical, i.e. unequal, input and output impedances. These filters can be used to eliminate impedance matching networks in radio communications devices. These impedance matching networks (22, 14) are precluded when the input and/or output of a ceramic block filter (100) is controlled by appropriate selection of the physical parameters of the block to achieve a direct impedance match between an adjacent circuit element and subsequent signal processing stages in the device.

Abstract: A dielectric block filter assembly which is surface-mounted upon a circuit board. The circuit board includes an opening formed to extend therethrough, and parallel-extending projecting members, formed of a portion of the printed circuit board, which extend into the opening formed to extend through the circuit board. The dielectric block filter includes a bottom mounting surface having notches corresponding to the projecting members. Each notch includes a seating surface for seating against corresponding ones of the projecting members in mated engagement therewith.