Abstract: The invention concerns a method (300) of providing information about a communications device. The method includes the steps of establishing (312) a communications connection between a first mobile communications unit (128) and at least a second mobile communications unit (130), transmitting (314) from the first mobile communications unit to the second mobile communications unit a condition of at least one operational parameter of the first mobile communications unit and informing (316) a user of the second mobile communications unit of the conditions of the operational parameters of the first mobile communications unit. The operational parameters of the first mobile communications unit can include a signal strength, a battery level, a location, an audio configuration, an alert configuration, a conference indicator and a phone type indicator.

Abstract: A device (50) capable of selectively altering its appearance can include a housing portion (64) of the device having at least one photochromic compound and an ultraviolet light source (60) forming a portion of the device for exposing the portion of the device having the photochromic compound to the ultraviolet light source. A reaction by the photochromic compound can provide or serve as a status indicator for the device. The device can be any number of devices such as a portable communication device, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, a camera, a GPS device, a printer, a camcorder, a vehicle, a toy, a personal hygiene device, a watch, a calculator, and a writing instrument for example. The device can be formed so that reactions by the photochromic compounds within the device are controlled solely by the ultraviolet light sources (54 and 60) within the device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus form electrical connections between electronic circuits and conductive threads (102, 104, 106, 108) that are interwoven into textile material (130). Electronic circuits (128), such as semiconductor dies, are connected to a carrier (132) and electrical connections (136) are made to conductive connection areas (110, 112, 114, 116) on the carrier (132). Conductive stitching (202, 204, 206, 208) provides electrical contacts for both the conductive connection areas (110, 112, 114, 116) on the carrier (132) and the conductive threads (102, 104, 106, 108) that are interwoven into the textile material (130). Optionally, a thin, flexible substrate material (132) is perforated during the stitching process.

Abstract: A communication system (100) provides for improved dispatch communications, by providing a method for monitoring the signal quality at each of the Mobile Stations (MS) involved in a dispatch call. Once engaged in the dispatch call, the MSs (110, 112) monitor the signal quality of their ACCH channel (204) and send a message back to the system (208) if their signal quality falls below a predetermined threshold. If the signal quality of any dispatch call participant falls below the given threshold (206), the system alerts all the dispatch call participants (210) thereby avoiding any loss of communications, and tears down the previously set up dispatch call. If the signal quality becomes acceptable again (216) for those MS who had previously experienced poor signal quality, they send a message to the system, which automatically sets up a new dispatch call and alerts all the dispatch participants that the dispatch channel can be used again (218).

Abstract: A method for providing a cut-in alert includes the steps of storing the dispatch ID of the other party involved in a dispatch call (308). If the dispatch channel has been inactive for a predetermined period of time (314) and a new dispatch call is established (324) because of the inactivity, the radio then compares the dispatch ID previously stored with the dispatch ID of the telephone involved in the new dispatch call, if the ID's are different, a cut-in alert is provided to the user (330). The cut-in alert helps the telephone user avoid mistakenly thinking he is still communicating with the previous person he was involved in the dispatch call with. A communication device (520) is also described that provides the cut-in alert feature.

Abstract: A communication system (100) provides for improved dispatch communications, by providing a method for monitoring the signal quality at each of the Mobile Stations (MS) involved in a dispatch call. Once engaged in the dispatch call, the MSs (110, 112) monitor the signal quality of their ACCH channel (204) and send a message back to the system (208) if their signal quality falls below a predetermined threshold. If the signal quality of any dispatch call participant falls below the given threshold (206), the system alerts all the dispatch call participants (210) thereby avoiding any loss of communications, and tears down the previously set up dispatch call. If the signal quality becomes acceptable again (216) for those MS who had previously experienced poor signal quality, they send a message to the system, which automatically sets up a new dispatch call and alerts all the dispatch participants that the dispatch channel can be used again (218).