Abstract: The information available to a driver of a vehicle is greatly expanded using wireless communications (e.g., using Bluetooth wireless communication devices). In one embodiment, information regarding an adjacent vehicle such as a brake light, a turn light, speed, distance, direction, etc., is transmitted from one vehicle to a nearby or adjacent other vehicle. The received information is used in any appropriate manner, such as causing the receiving vehicle to change vehicle speed or brake, to turn to avoid a collision, etc. In a second embodiment, roadside wireless transceivers collect information regarding passing vehicles, and central database is compiled relating to a traffic conditions. The traffic condition information can be passed back to the passing vehicles for appropriate use, e.g., causing the driver to slow down, or even causing a navigation device in the receiving vehicle to manually prompt for or automatically recalculate a best route to an intended destination.

Abstract: The information available to a driver of a vehicle is greatly expanded using wireless communications (e.g., using Bluetooth wireless communication devices). In one embodiment, information regarding an adjacent vehicle such as a brake light, a turn light, speed, distance, direction, etc., is transmitted from one vehicle to a nearby or adjacent other vehicle. The received information is used in any appropriate manner, such as causing the receiving vehicle to change vehicle speed or brake, to turn to avoid a collision, etc. In a second embodiment, roadside wireless transceivers collect information regarding passing vehicles, and central database is compiled relating to a traffic conditions. The traffic condition information can be passed back to the passing vehicles for appropriate use, e.g., causing the driver to slow down, or even causing a navigation device in the receiving vehicle to manually prompt for or automatically recalculate a best route to an intended destination.

Abstract: A system and method for using a telephone to reconfigure or readjust the performance characteristics of a hearing aid or to check whether a user has a hearing problem. The telephone is used to generate one or more frequency tests covering the audible spectrum using a DSP contained in the phone, an external computer and/or a hearing aid. The keypad of the phone or keyboard of an attached computer is used as a feedback mechanism. The generated frequencies can be used to test the hearing of a user and the quality (or fit) of a hearing aid while being worn by the user. A local memory may be used to store the results of the tests for future reference or for transmission over the network for analysis at a later time. Once the hearing response of a user wearing the hearing aid has been measured, an updated compensation configuration (audiogram) can be downloaded into the hearing aid via an infra-red link, via a physical connection or a direct audio transmission from the telephone to the DSP in the hearing aid.

Abstract: A set of identifiers (for example, the name of a party and the associated telephone number) is stored in the memory of telephone apparatus. Sequential retrieval of the stored identifiers is facilitated by the use of a prominent button that is oversized relative to the size of the buttons of a conventional telephone keypad. Retrieved identifiers are indicated visually, aurally, and/or tactilely. Selection of an indicated identifier initiates a call to the party represented by the identifier.

Abstract: In a first embodiment according to the invention, a cordless telephone handset of a cordless telephone system includes a user input unit, a signal processor and an output driver. The signal processor is coupled to the user input unit. The signal processor processes user input received via the user input unit. The output driver receives processed information from the signal processor and selectively outputs the processed information to at least one of a plurality of output devices. For example, in one embodiment the user input unit is a keypad, and the signal processor selectively processes the user input as telephone control information and as television control information. In a second embodiment according to the invention, a method of receiving an incoming call in a cordless telephone includes the steps of receiving an incoming call telephone signal, and outputting a television control signal in response to the incoming call telephone signal.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, two lines are utilized to selectively forward calls based on caller ID data. Thus, according to one embodiment of the invention, a method of connecting a calling party to a called party includes the steps of a customer premise equipment (CPE) receiving an incoming call from the calling party on a first line, the CPE evaluating caller ID data associated with the incoming call, and the CPE placing an outgoing call to the called party on a second line based on the caller ID data. In another embodiment, a CPE includes a first line, a second line, and a calling unit adapted to place an outgoing call on the second line based on caller ID data associated with an incoming call received on the first line.

Abstract: An unbalanced to balanced antenna matching unit (AMU) is capable of operating over a relatively large frequency range by utilizing multiple transformers connected in series, with a set of bypass switches used to control the number of transformers that are "active" in the matching unit at any particular time. Complex impedance matching by the AMU is controlled by a variable capacitor in parallel with the multiple transformers and a variable capacitor in series with the unbalanced input. The parallel variable capacitor may be located on either side of the transformer arrangement. The transformer output may be configured to switch between matching either a low impedance antenna or a high impedance antenna.

Abstract: A logic gate arrangement for switching voltages greater than the gate breakdown voltage of the transistors in the gate. Two transistors of different conductivity types, are disposed between the N and P transistors which perform the logic function of a conventional CMOS gate. The gates of the two transistors are connected to a first voltage that is less than the breakdown voltage of the transistors, with the entire logic gate being supplied with a voltage that is greater than the first voltage. Three outputs are provided, two with limited voltage swings that drive other like gates or conventional CMOS gates and the other output having a full voltage swing. Logic gates implementing various logic functions, such as NAND and NOR, are disclosed. Further, a cross-coupled logic gate is disclosed which can operate as a latch or as a logic voltage translator circuit.

Abstract: A phase lock detector circuit is disclosed that generates delayed versions of both a reference clock signal and a synthesized clock signal. From the delayed signals, first and second control signals that are pulses are generated. The pulses are passed through respective delays of predetermined durations and then clocked into respective shift registers by the latched signal of the opposite input. The shift register outputs are logically combined and shifted into a third shift register. Outputs from the third shift register are logically combined to ascertain whether a phase-lock loop is phase lock. The lock detector circuit may include a lock-out circuit to disable the phase lock detector circuit upon detecting phase lock.

Abstract: A logic gate arrangement having a master gate or section for controlling the logic threshold voltage of slave gates responsive to the master. Both the master and slave gates have two opposite conductivity type transistors disposed in combination with a logic function circuit. The transistors have a common gate connection to a control input. Varying the voltage on the control input varies the logic threshold voltage of the gate. The logic function in the master gate is typically an inverter, with input and output connected together and driving the control inputs of the slave gates. The logic function of the slave gates may be a variety of different logic functions. The logic threshold voltage of the slave gates is substantially the same as a voltage applied to the control input of the master gate.