Abstract: A recognition device and method for recognizing a target. The recognition device includes a sensor and an electronic processor. The electronic processor configured to receive the characteristic from the sensor. The electronic processor identifies a profile based on the characteristic and compares the profile to a plurality of predetermined profiles to determine an identity profile. The electronic processor identifies the target based on the identity profile and determines, based on at least one selected from the group consisting of a location of the target, speed of the target, and a direction of movement of the target, a virtual geographic boundary. The electronic processor causes a transmission of the at least one selected from the group consisting of the identity profile and the characteristic to at least one associated device located in the virtual geographic boundary.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quickly forming a PAN is describe herein. During operation, a person (e.g., a public-safety officer) will be assigned a task or mission that is identified by an identifier (e.g., an incident identifier, or an incident type). A subset of available devices will be paired/associated to form a PAN based on the identified task or mission. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention the subset of available devices may be paired with an existing PAN based on the identified task or mission.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for notifying a user that a device needs to be serviced is provided herein. During operation, a device will determine that at least the first device has been serviced or needs to be serviced. When this occurs, the device will determine members of a personal-area-network (PAN) that includes/included the first device, and notify a user that the PAN members should be serviced as well.

Abstract: A recognition device and method for recognizing a target. The recognition device includes a sensor and an electronic processor. The electronic processor configured to receive the characteristic from the sensor. The electronic processor identifies a profile based on the characteristic and compares the profile to a plurality of predetermined profiles to determine an identity profile. The electronic processor identifies the target based on the identity profile and determines, based on at least one selected from the group consisting of a location of the target, speed of the target, and a direction of movement of the target, a virtual geographic boundary. The electronic processor causes a transmission of the at least one selected from the group consisting of the identity profile and the characteristic to at least one associated device located in the virtual geographic boundary.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for notifying a user that a device needs to be serviced is provided herein. During operation, a device will determine that at least the first device has been serviced or needs to be serviced. When this occurs, the device will determine members of a personal-area-network (PAN) that includes/included the first device, and notify a user that the PAN members should be serviced as well.

Abstract: An improved fast wireless accessory device pairing process at a radio communication device includes initiating, via a first short-range transceiver, a pairing procedure with a wearable computing device and establishing a link with the wearable computing device. Subsequently, receiving Bluetooth device connection information for each of a plurality of wireless accessory devices associated with a wearer of the wearable computing device. The Bluetooth device connection information includes at least a hardware device identifier of the associated wireless accessory and capability information of the associated wireless accessory. Responsive to receiving the Bluetooth device connection information, and for each of the plurality wireless accessory devices, using the hardware device identifier and capability information to pair with and communicate with the wireless accessory device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for muting a device is provided herein. During operation a device such as a two-way radio detects a user's voice and will mute the radio in response to the voice being detected. During the time period the device is muted, all received transmissions will be stored by the radio. These transmissions will be played back to the user when voice activity has ceased for a predetermined amount of time. In a second embodiment of the present invention, the device is only muted when a particular identified user's voice is detected.