Abstract: A transmitter device (100) receives an audio signal from an audio source device (112), and transmits the audio signal at a low power over a commercial broadcast channel to a local receiver (120). The transmitter device selects an initial channel by scanning the available spectrum, partitioned into sub-bands (210-206), and measuring the received signal strength in each channel. The channel having the lowest strength is used to set a threshold. The sub-band with most channels meeting the threshold is initially selected, and the channel in the initially selected sub-band with the lowest received signal strength is selected for initial use. A context-based weighting factor may be applied in selecting the initial channel or in selecting subsequent channels when the initial channel conditions degrade.

Abstract: A method for selectively and multiply routing a media stream input to a media appliance is provided. The method includes receiving the media stream. Further, the method includes distributing the media stream onto a plurality of individual media paths within the media appliance. Furthermore, the method includes routing the media stream on at least a first one of the media paths to a first media processor within the media appliance, while simultaneously routing the media stream on at least one other of the media paths to at least one additional media processor within the media appliance.

Abstract: A transmitter device (100) receives an audio signal from an audio source device (112), and transmits the audio signal at a low power over a commercial broadcast channel to a local receiver (120). The transmitter device selects an initial channel by scanning the available spectrum, partitioned into sub-bands (210-206), and measuring the received signal strength in each channel. The channel having the lowest strength is used to set a threshold. The sub-band with most channels meeting the threshold is initially selected, and the channel in the initially selected sub-band with the lowest received signal strength is selected for initial use. A context-based weighting factor may be applied in selecting the initial channel or in selecting subsequent channels when the initial channel conditions degrade.

Abstract: A video information appliance (104) for facilitating routing of a plurality of independent video signals is provided. The video information appliance includes a plurality of video signal input interfaces (202), a signal router (204), a plurality of video output ports (206) and a processor (208). Each of the plurality of video signal input interfaces is adapted to facilitate reception of the plurality of independent video signals. The signal router is coupled to the plurality of video signal input interface. The plurality of video output ports are coupled to the signal router. The processor is adapted to control the signal router to selectively direct at least one of the received independent video signals to at least a first video output port. The processor is also adapted to direct at least one other of the received independent video signals to at least a second video output port.

Abstract: A method for selectively and multiply routing a media stream input to a media appliance is provided. The method includes receiving the media stream. Further, the method includes distributing the media stream onto a plurality of individual media paths within the media appliance. Furthermore, the method includes routing the media stream on at least a first one of the media paths to a first media processor within the media appliance, while simultaneously routing the media stream on at least one other of the media paths to at least one additional media processor within the media appliance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing power consumption in a network device (104, 105, 106, 107) is provided. A network device (104, 105, 106, 107) is placed in a quiescent mode and scheduled to switch to an active mode at a scheduled time. At the scheduled time, the network device (104, 105, 106, 107) is activated. A control message (402, 403, 404, 405) is received by the network device (104, 105, 106, 107). The control message (402, 403, 404, 405) includes an indication as to whether or not the network device (104, 105, 106, 107) should remain in the active mode in preparation of receiving a data message (608, 609). If the control message (402, 403, 404, 405) indicates that the network device (104, 105, 106, 107) need not remain in the active mode, the network device (104, 105, 106, 107) sets a new scheduled time and returns to the quiescent mode.

Abstract: An interchangeable and modular antenna 10 in a wireless communications device 30 that is configured for RF wireless communications based on one of a plurality of different predetermined RF communication protocols. The wireless communications device 30 allows multiple antenna modules 10 to be provided for being selected for use in the communications device 3. The communications device 30 includes a radio module 34 and a main circuit board 32 having an electrical connector 40. One or more antenna modules 10 are releasably mounted on the main circuit board 32 of the radio module 34 using a mating RF connector 24 that engages the radio module's electrical connector 40 to enable a cable-free and interchangeable connection of the radio module 34 with the antenna module 10.

Abstract: A receiver (100) for receiving a carrier signal to produce a recovered signal provides increased battery savings. The receiver (100) includes a detector (10) for detecting the absence of the carrier signal and a detector for detecting the presence of a valid coded squelch signal (87). The receiver (100)is placed in a first battery saver mode (41) having a duty cycle of a first ON time period and a first OFF time period, in response to the detected absence of the carrier signal. On the other hand, if the presence of the carrier signal is detected, without the presence of a valid coded squelch signal, the receiver (100) is placed in a second battery saver mode (42). The second battery saver mode has the same duty cycle as the first battery saver mode, but the second battery saver mode has longer ON and OFF time periods than the first time periods.

Abstract: An automated voice operated transmitter control (VOX) arrangement devoid of any separate manual actuation requirement and adaptable to a dynamic acoustic environment is described. The VOX decides whether it should be operating, automatically selects a threshold condition (70) from a predetermined list according to a average acoustic signal level over a first time period, and provides a VOX PTT signal to activate a radio frequency transmitter (24) when the acoustic signal level, over a second time period that is less than the first time period and exceeds a debounce time (78), exceeds the threshold condition.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator is disclosed wherein a peak detector is used to control the gain of the active device within the oscillator in response to a control signal taken from the resonant circuit. The control signal is a RF potential developed across a voltage divider within the resonant circuit. By controlling the gain of the active device from an RF voltage provided by a voltage divider, the RF output level of the oscillator "tracks" the DC bias level of the steering line. Therefore, varactor diodes rectification is prevented while contemporaniously allowing maximized output power.