Abstract: A portable device includes set of charger contacts and a set of battery contacts. The battery contacts mate with corresponding contacts of a battery pack used to power the portable device, and the charger contacts allow charging of the battery pack while connected to the portable device. The battery pack includes an undervoltage protection circuit that opens when an undervoltage condition occurs across the battery pack contacts. The portable device further includes short circuit protection element connected between corresponding contacts of the set of battery contacts and the set of charger contacts that, upon a short circuit condition occurring at the charger contacts, prevents the undervoltage protection circuit from tripping and opening.

Abstract: A portable device includes set of charger contacts and a set of battery contacts. The battery contacts mate with corresponding contacts of a battery pack used to power the portable device, and the charger contacts allow charging of the battery pack while connected to the portable device. The battery pack includes an undervoltage protection circuit that opens when an undervoltage condition occurs across the battery pack contacts. The portable device further includes short circuit protection element connected between corresponding contacts of the set of battery contacts and the set of charger contacts that, upon a short circuit condition occurring at the charger contacts, prevents the undervoltage protection circuit from tripping and opening.

Abstract: A first radio receives, via a land mobile radio (LMR) radio frequency transceiver, a first transmission of an LMR call from a source transmitting radio transmitted on a first LMR frequency for re-transmission to one or more destination radios. The first radio measures a first measured signal level of the first transmission and receives, via a first short-range RF transceiver from a second radio, a second measured signal level of the first transmission as measured by the second radio. The first radio compares the first measured signal level and the second measured signal level and determines, based on the comparing, how the LMR call should be routed from the source transmitting radio to the one or more destination radios via the first and second radios. The first radio then transmits, via the first short-range RF transceiver, a corresponding instruction indicating a result of the determining to the second radio.

Abstract: A first radio receives, via a land mobile radio (LMR) radio frequency transceiver, a first transmission of an LMR call from a source transmitting radio transmitted on a first LMR frequency for re-transmission to one or more destination radios. The first radio measures a first measured signal level of the first transmission and receives, via a first short-range RF transceiver from a second radio, a second measured signal level of the first transmission as measured by the second radio. The first radio compares the first measured signal level and the second measured signal level and determines, based on the comparing, how the LMR call should be routed from the source transmitting radio to the one or more destination radios via the first and second radios. The first radio then transmits, via the first short-range RF transceiver, a corresponding instruction indicating a result of the determining to the second radio.

Abstract: A digital radio communication system (200) uses a repeater (216) to relay calls which can not be completed in a direct talk-around mode between two radios. The repeater (216) establishes early synchronization in advance of a pending call by listening to an originator radio (204) attempt to make a direct talk-around call to a target radio (210). Asynchronous digital two-way radio communication systems can benefit from the reduction in voice call connect time.

Abstract: A charger provides a user selectable interface which allows a battery operated portable communication device to be charged in either face-up or face-down positions. Both single-unit charger and multi-unit charger embodiments are provided. A dual contact scheme allows for the user to select either the face-up or face-down configuration. The face-down configuration accommodates battery powered portable communication devices having accessories as well as radio back housings of varying thickness. Additional storage bins are configured within the charging systems to further improve organization of multiple accessories. Magnetic coupling is also provided to facilitate organization of two or more single-unit chargers.

Abstract: A method for communicating a group call within a communication network comprising at least one repeater and a plurality of communication devices includes: receiving at least one preamble slot and at least one synchronization slot from an originator communication device by the repeater and a communication device; operating the communication device to receive one or more calls directly from the originator device via eavesdropping on the repeater uplink channel when a received signal strength indication (RSSI) of the direct preamble and synchronization slots is greater than a threshold; and operating the communication device to receive one or more calls from the originator device via the repeater on a repeater downlink channel of the repeater when the direct RSSI is not greater than the threshold.

Abstract: Methods of enabling late entry into an on-going spread spectrum call are described. A late join frame replaces, and has the same size as, a traffic frame. A late join slot in the late join frame contains sufficient information in preamble and sync subframes to permit a target to join the call. The traffic slots in the late join frame replicate data such that call quality of the call is substantially unaffected if one of the remaining traffic frames is not received. The preamble and sync subframes frequencies may be the same as, or different from, preamble and sync frames frequencies during a call establishment phase of the call. If different, the preamble and sync subframes frequencies are selected from one or more frequencies. Use of the preamble and sync subframes frequencies is compensated for when selecting the traffic slot frequencies to obtain uniform utilization of the spectrum.

Abstract: Methods of enabling late entry into an on-going spread spectrum call are described. A late join frame replaces, and has the same size as, a traffic frame. A late join slot in the late join frame contains sufficient information in preamble and sync subframes to permit a target to join the call. The traffic slots in the late join frame replicate data such that call quality of the call is substantially unaffected if one of the remaining traffic frames is not received. The preamble and sync subframes frequencies may be the same as, or different from, preamble and sync frames frequencies during a call establishment phase of the call. If different, the preamble and sync subframes frequencies are selected from one or more frequencies. Use of the preamble and sync subframes frequencies is compensated for when selecting the traffic slot frequencies to obtain uniform utilization of the spectrum.

Abstract: A charger provides a user selectable interface which allows a battery operated portable communication device to be charged in either face-up or face-down positions. Both single-unit charger and multi-unit charger embodiments are provided. A dual contact scheme allows for the user to select either the face-up or face-down configuration. The face-down configuration accommodates battery powered portable communication devices having accessories as well as radio back housings of varying thickness. Additional storage bins are configured within the charging systems to further improve organization of multiple accessories. Magnetic coupling is also provided to facilitate organization of two or more single-unit chargers.

Abstract: A method for communicating a group call within a communication network comprising at least one repeater and a plurality of communication devices includes: receiving at least one preamble slot and at least one synchronization slot from an originator communication device by the repeater and a communication device; operating the communication device to receive one or more calls directly from the originator device via eavesdropping on the repeater uplink channel when a received signal strength indication (RSSI) of the direct preamble and synchronization slots is greater than a threshold; and operating the communication device to receive one or more calls from the originator device via the repeater on a repeater downlink channel of the repeater when the direct RSSI is not greater than the threshold.

Abstract: A digital radio communication system (200) uses a repeater (216) to relay calls which can not be completed in a direct talk-around mode between two radios. The repeater (216) establishes early synchronization in advance of a pending call by listening to an originator radio (204) attempt to make a direct talk-around call to a target radio (210). Asynchronous digital two-way radio communication systems can benefit from the reduction in voice call connect time.

Abstract: A technique for activating a transmit mode of a communication device (100) is provided encompassing the steps of generating a light signal on an outer surface of the communication device; inhibiting the light signal; and activating the transmit mode of the communication device in response to the light signal being inhibited. A communication device (100) operating in accordance with this technique includes a light transmitting device (108); and a sensor (110) for sensing light generated by the light transmitting device, the sensor disabling a transmit mode when light is detected and enabling a transmit mode when light is inhibited.

Abstract: A communication device (105) includes a first communication block (205) for operation within a first communication network (150); and a second communication block (210) for operation within a second communication network (160). The communication device (105) further includes an audio control (245) for at least one microphone (250). The audio control (245) is coupled to the first communication block (205) for receiving a first audio input for operation of the first communication block (205) and is coupled to the second communication block (210) for receiving a second audio input for operation of the second communication block (210). A low noise ground (315) is isolated from a common ground (320) of the communication device (105) to facilitate the sharing of the at least one microphone (250) between the two communication blocks.

Abstract: A communication device (105,200) includes a cordless telephone (205) and a two way radio (210). The communication device (105,200) is adapted to place an active cordless telephone call in a low frequency mode in response to receiving an incoming two way radio communication. The communication device (105,200) is adapted to then establish communication within the two way radio communication. The communication device (105,200) periodically re-establishes the cordless telephone call to maintain communication with a cordless base station (120) until the two way radio communication is completed.

Abstract: A receiver (600) uses a scanning technique (100) to minimize scan time. An initial bandwidth setting is selected that covers multiple channel frequencies (106). A signal detection step (108) is performed looking for channel activity. As channel activity is detected, the bandwidth of a baseband filter (628) is narrowed (140, 146). The radio remains programmed to the same channel while the bandwidth is varied. Once the last signal detection with the narrowest possible bandwidth setting has been determined (144, 150, 152) the radio is programmed to that channel. Thus, more than one channel frequency is capable of being scanned without reprogramming the radio to a new channel for each scan.

Abstract: A receiver (600) uses a scanning technique (100) to minimize scan time. An initial bandwidth setting is selected that covers multiple channel frequencies (106). A signal detection step (108) is performed looking for channel activity. As channel activity is detected, the bandwidth of a baseband filter (628) is narrowed (140, 146). The radio remains programmed to the same channel while the bandwidth is varied. Once the last signal detection with the narrowest possible bandwidth setting has been determined (144, 150, 152) the radio is programmed to that channel. Thus, more than one channel frequency is capable of being scanned without reprogramming the radio to a new channel for each scan.

Abstract: A receiver (100) provides dual band features by providing two signal paths (106, 108) off an antenna (102), one for UHF operation (106) and one for VHF operation (108). The two signals paths (106, 108) feed into a single broadband input (124) of a direct conversion receiver (114). The UHF path (106) utilizes UHF front end circuitry (110) while the VHF path (108) is implemented with a loading/isolator circuit (120) and a matching circuit (122). The loading/isolator circuit (120) loads the antenna (102) and isolates UHF signals while the matching circuit (122) provides a match between the loading isolator circuit (120) and the direct conversion recover (114). Selectable matching circuitry (126, 128) and selectable VCO circuitry (132, 134) configures the direct conversion receiver for the UHF or VHF mode of operation.