Abstract: A housing assembly for a panoramic camera provides a protective housing that the camera can be placed in, and removed from, and which substantially reduces or eliminates undesirable second order reflections that would otherwise occur due to the presence of the additional optical layers of a transparent housing member and the gap between the transparent housing member and the cylindrical lens of the camera. Sealing members form a seal such that the concentric gap between the transparent housing member and the cylindrical lens can be filled with transparent liquid, thereby changing the optical properties of the system formed by the cylindrical lens, gap, and transparent housing member.

Abstract: Remotely controlled devices (110) are controlled by one or more wireless remote controllers (114). The remotely controlled devices (110) and wireless remote controllers (114) communicate to each other over a two-way wireless link. The system and method provide pre-defined profiles that limit the performance of the remotely controlled devices (110) in order to provide different operating characteristics with the same remotely controlled devices (110). The system and method further provide one or more forms of feedback to a user of the wireless remote controller (114), such as sounds, vibration, and the like. The feedback can be provided in response to detected events associated with the remotely control device (110), such as sharp turns and the like. The performance limits of the remotely controlled devices (110) is also able to be modified with operating time in order to simulate, for example, improved driver skills, fuel depletion and/or pit stops.

Abstract: A method (700) and system (100) for remotely controlling a remote controlled vehicle (150) can include a wireless transceiver (154), at least one impact sensor (158, 160, 162, 164, 166 or 168) on the remote-controlled vehicle, and a processor (156) or processor (106) in a remote controller (102) operatively coupled to at least one impact sensor and the wireless transceiver. The processor can be programmed to sense (702) impacts to at least a portion of the remote-controlled vehicle, modify (704) operation of the remote-controlled vehicle in response to the at least one impact sensed, and transmit (706) information to a remote controller with respect to the at least one impact sensed. The system can further include another wireless transceiver (104) in the remote controller for controlling the remote-controlled vehicle and receiving communication from or originating from the remote-controlled vehicle or another remote-controlled vehicle in competition with the remote-controlled vehicle.

Abstract: A stereo headset (104) with push-to-talk function can be interfaced with a wireless communication device (102) via a connector interface. The connector interface preferably includes a jack at the wireless communication device (102) and a compatible plug at the stereo headset (104). An electrical contact (310) at the connector interface can contemporaneously interconnect both electrical audio signals between the wireless communication device (102) and at least one of the speakers of the stereo headset (104) and electrical user input signals from an external push-to-talk user input device (232) to the wireless communication device (102).

Abstract: A peripheral component (104) is attached to a portable electronic device (102), and indicates an option class of the peripheral component by use of an option select circuit. The option select circuit causes an interrupt to be generated in the portable electronic device, which then determines the option class by changing the logic levels of various option select lines. If an inversion of the logic state of one of the option select lines is detected, then the portable electronic device knows an option select circuit is present, and determines the option class of the peripheral component accordingly.

Abstract: The invention concerns a connector (110). The connector includes at least one tunnel (124) having a first portion (126) and a second portion (128) and at least one pin (120). At least a portion of the pin is positioned within the tunnel. The first portion of the tunnel has a first inner surface (140). The first inner surface forces at least a portion of the pin in at least a first predetermined direction as the connector engages a corresponding connector (112). Contaminants are at least partially removed from at least one of the pin and the corresponding connector as the first inner surface forces the pin in the first predetermined direction.

Abstract: A keyboard (102) includes fist (112) and second (110) hinges that allow the keyboard (102) to be properly placed and fitted against an electronic device such as a cellular telephone (106). The first hinge (112) allows the keyboard 102 to be swung up and away from the cellular telephone's housing and also allows the keyboard (102) to be properly fit against the cellular telephone's housing when in use. This proper fit provides for improved stress relief away from connector (108) when the keys (104) are activated. The second hinge (110) makes it easy for the keyboard (102) to be attached to cellular telephone (106) using connector (108). The dovetail design (308) of the underneath of the keyboard provides amble clearance (302) for the cellular telephone's keys (304).

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides an indication of active handsets in a cordless telephone system (100). A user enters an inquiry (204) using either a handset (104) or the user interface (120) of the base station (102). The base station (102) pings or queries (210) each registered handset (106, 108, 110, 112) to establish a list of active handsets. The list of active handsets is then transmitted (228) to the handset (104) from which the inquiry was received or is displayed using the user interface (120) of the base station (102). This permits the user to learn what other users are actively registered with the base station (102) for call forwarding, intercom operation or for use of any other user convenience features of the cordless telephone system (100).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mitigating error in a received communications signal includes an error mitigator (35) of a communication unit (12) which receives and performs mitigation based on an error indication. In a first embodiment the error indication is a phase or non-used data symbol indicating error in ADPCM data, and mitigation includes changing certain nibble values to different predetermined values. In a second embodiment the error indication may include other parameters, e.g., a CRC frame error indicator, and an error estimator (34) determines a level of corruption in the ADPCM data. The error mitigator (35) applies a predetermined set of replacement values based on the indicated level of corruption and the mitigated data is subsequently decoded in an ADPCM decoder (26).

Abstract: Noise in an ADPCM signal is muted or suppressed by modifying the magnitude of the ADPCM information during noisy conditions. In one method, the ADPCM data is changed to a predetermined magnitude value. In another method, the magnitude is reduced by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A base station (102) automatically remotes to a speakerphone mode of operation and connects an incoming call while an external electronic device (104) is simultaneously controlled.

Abstract: An antenna system (202) provides communication capabilities in both extended and retracted positions. Antenna system (202) includes a base helical (214) that capacitively couples to a half wavelength radiator (222) in the extended position. Base helical (214) capacitively couples to a top helical (228) in the retracted position, thereby reducing case currents on the surface of the housing (206).