Abstract: A method and apparatus that monitors at least one environmental characteristic associated with a location of a wireless signal receiver (102). A determination is then made as to whether the wireless signal receiver (102) is likely to receive a wirelessly transmitted signal at its location. The determination is based at least in part upon the monitored at least one environmental characteristic that is associated with the location of the wireless signal receiver (102). The performance of the wireless signal receiver (102) is then improved based upon determining if the wireless signal receiver (102) is likely to receive a wirelessly transmitted signal.

Abstract: A communication device (10) can include a transceiver (12), a transducer or microphone (14) coupled to the transceiver for receiving voice input from a user, and a processor (16) coupled to the transceiver. The processor can be programmed to receive (32) a predetermined type of phone call or an indication of a caller indication from a calling party and warp (38) a voice input from the user of the communication device based on the caller indication. How the predetermined type of phone call is determined can be done in a number of ways including using an optional caller identification module (18). The caller ID module can provide information on whether the caller is recognized or whether the caller ID information is unavailable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to correct a periodic signal, such as a frequency reference, based upon another frequency reference. A lower accuracy frequency signal generator (104) provides an uncorrected frequency reference signal (122) to a frequency corrector (106). Frequency corrector (106) counts cycles of a frequency reference signal (124), as generated by a higher accuracy reference generator (102) for a time period derived from the uncorrected frequency signal. Based upon the cycles counted, pulses are added or removed from the uncorrected frequency signal (122) to produce a corrected frequency signal (126). A ratio of pulses to be removed from the uncorrected frequency signal (122) is determined from the number of cycles counted and a counter arrangement is provided to automatically remove the required ratio of pulses from the uncorrected frequency signal (122).

Abstract: A portable communication device (10) includes a transceiver (12 and 14), an acceleration sensor (20) coupled to the transceiver, and a processor (16) coupled to the acceleration sensor. The processor is programmed to monitor (32) an acceleration profile of the portable communication device and compare (48 and 52) the acceleration profile of the portable communication device with at least one pre-stored acceleration profile (18).

Abstract: A portable communication device (10) includes a transceiver (12 and 14), an acceleration sensor (20) coupled to the transceiver, and a processor (16) coupled to the acceleration sensor. The processor is programmed to monitor (32) an acceleration profile of the portable communication device and compare (48 and 52) the acceleration profile of the portable communication device with at least one pre-stored acceleration profile (18).

Abstract: An object selection apparatus (100) has a geo-location processor (108) that determines the location of a device (120) at the time of an input by a user. The object selection apparatus (100) also has a bearing determination processor (104) that determines a bearing from the device (120) at the time of the user input. The object selection apparatus (100) also has a geo-content retrieval system (118) that retries information that relates to a set of objects that correspond to the location and bearing of the device (120) that was determined at the time of the input.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that monitors at least one environmental characteristic associated with a location of a wireless signal receiver (102). A determination is then made as to whether the wireless signal receiver (102) is likely to receive a wirelessly transmitted signal at its location. The determination is based at least in part upon the monitored at least one environmental characteristic that is associated with the location of the wireless signal receiver (102). The performance of the wireless signal receiver (102) is then improved based upon determining if the wireless signal receiver (102) is likely to receive a wirelessly transmitted signal.

Abstract: An object selection apparatus (100) has a geo-location processor (108) that determines the location of a device (120) at the time of an input by a user. The object selection apparatus (100) also has a bearing determination processor (104) that determines a bearing from the device (120) at the time of the user input. The object selection apparatus (100) also has a geo-content retrieval system (118) that retries information that relates to a set of objects that correspond to the location and bearing of the device (120) that was determined at the time of the input.

Abstract: A pizza box lid has a plastic support device centrally mounted to its underside. The device has a mounting portion adhesively attached to the lid, and a post portion which is originally coplanar with the mounting portion and flat against the underside of the lid. The post portion has two panels, one of the two panels being hinged to the mounting portion and the other panel being hinged to the one panel. The entire support is formed from one homogeneous piece of material which is appropriately scored to define the hingedly connected mounting and panel portions. The post portion is folded about the hinge relative to the mounting portion and away from the lid to an erect position generally perpendicular to the lid, and then one panel is folded relative to the other panel so as to prop the panels perpendicular to the lid whereby they serve as a support post to prevent the lid from sagging when the lid is closed.