Abstract: A method (30) and device (10) for accessing multimedia content. The method includes one or more end user multimedia devices receiving multimedia content, which may or may not include one or more dynamic bookmarks associated with particular portions of the multimedia content, e.g., portions of the multimedia content that have not been viewed or otherwise consumed by end user access devices. The method includes determining whether the received multimedia content includes an associated bookmark and providing access to the portion of the multimedia content identified by the bookmark. The method also includes generating new bookmarks or updating existing bookmarks based on end user consumption of the multimedia content by current or previous multimedia devices. The method also includes transferring multimedia content bookmarks alone or with associated multimedia content among multiple access devices, e.g., in various locations and in a number of suitable formats.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated correlation of digital modulation impairment is described. The technique obtains soft decision data (116, 2502) and extracts signal space location information of sufficient resolution to distinguish different types of impairment to a digitally modulated signal. The technique applies an error vector magnitude mask (117, 502) and determines the signal-to-noise ratio of the digitally modulated signal. The technique applies impairment masks (118, 2504) and provides a characterization (119) of impairment affecting the digitally modulated signal (112). The technique determines a subset of the soft decision data (116, 2502) that falls within the impairment masks (118, 2505) and calculates correlation weights (2506). The technique may be used to identify, isolate, and classify different types of impairment. Given sufficient data collection, sources of impairments may be determined precisely.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated correlation of digital modulation impairment is described. The technique obtains soft decision data (116, 2502) and extracts signal space location information of sufficient resolution to distinguish different types of impairment to a digitally modulated signal. The technique applies an error vector magnitude mask (117, 502) and determines the signal-to-noise ratio of the digitally modulated signal. The technique applies impairment masks (118, 2504) and provides a characterization (119) of impairment affecting the digitally modulated signal (112). The technique determines a subset of the soft decision data (116, 2502) that falls within the impairment masks (118, 2505) and calculates correlation weights (2506). The technique may be used to identify, isolate, and classify different types of impairment. Given sufficient data collection, sources of impairments may be determined precisely.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quality of service localization within a relatively time-invariant communications network, the method comprising the steps of: receiving quality of service estimations for a plurality of communications mediums, wherein each of the plurality of communications mediums is defined between a respective one of a plurality of transmitters located within the communications network to a common receiving point of the communications network, wherein each communications medium is conveyed over at least one shared physical communications path and at least one non-shared communications path; and comparing the quality of service estimations for the plurality of communications mediums with one another in order to localize a respective quality of service estimation to a likely physical communication path within the communications network.

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 apparatus (10) for automatically adjusting the viewing angle of a liquid crystal display (LCD) (12) is provided. The apparatus (10) includes a controller (26), an LCD driver (28), a memory (30), and a user interface (34). The apparatus (10) is software enabled to perform a screen flip function while concurrently adjusting the viewing angle to correspond to the new screen orientation. The viewing angle is automatically adjusted without user intervention. The apparatus (10) has particular value where the keypads (22) are located on only one side of its display (12). In this manner, the apparatus (10) can be conveniently used by both left-handed and right-handed users.

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 method, and apparatus for performing the method, the method consists of the steps of: estimating a time when a dominant channel distortion occurs for each of a plurality of received test signals, wherein each of the plurality of received test signals occupies a different position in frequency in a communications medium having a given bandwidth; determining a differential group delay for the times estimated for each of the plurality of received test signals; and approximating a phase distortion of the communications medium as the differential group delay. In a variation, the method further consists of the steps of: estimating a power of each of the plurality of received test signals; determining an amplitude ripple by evaluating the power of each of the plurality of received test signals; and approximating an amplitude distortion of the communications medium as the amplitude ripple.

Abstract: A data terminal, such as a personal digital assistant, personal computer, pager or other such device has a persistent memory (11), a non-persistent memory (12) including a memory item (15 or 16) and an indicator (17 or 18) indicating whether the memory item has been stored in the persistent memory. The data terminal has a power supply (29), a power fail detector (50) for detecting an imminent power failure in the power supply and a switching element (34) coupling the non-persistent memory (12) to the power supply. The switching element causes the power supply to supply power to the non-persistent memory when the indicator indicates that the second memory item has not been stored in the persistent memory and discontinues supply of power to the non-persistent memory when the power fail detector detects an imminent power failure and the indicator indicates that the second memory item has been stored in the persistent memory.

Abstract: A battery-status-indicating apparatus and arrangement for use-with electronic equipment (100) provides an operator with a displayed indication of remaining battery capacity. A removable battery pack (35) contains memory (37) for storing battery identification information, battery capacity information and a time stamp signal. Electronic circuitry (100), powered by the battery pack (35), maintains current time information and generates the time stamp signal for delivery to said removable battery (35). In addition, the electronic circuitry (100) comprises memory (30) for storing circuit module current draw signals (I.sub.1 -I.sub.4) and battery discharge rate signals (I.sub.5) representative of a discharge rate for different type battery chemistries. A microprocessor (27) containing a real time clock (31) is programmed to determine a battery discharge amount during a time interval (T.sub.5) when the battery is removed from service as well as a battery consumption amount during circuit operation (T.sub.1 -T.sub.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) is disclosed including an electroluminescent (EL) backlight panel (140) and an EL driver circuit (210). The EL driver circuit (210) provides power to the EL backlight (140), as well as panel aging compensation and user adjustment capabilities. The EL driver circuit (210) is low-cost, small-size, and designed in such a way to be easily integrated into a custom integrated circuit. A method is provided for controlling and converting power to the EL backlight panel (140).

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.