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System and method for remotely controlling character avatar image using mobile phone

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A system and a method can remotely control an avatar image using a mobile phone. A calling party can remotely control an avatar image included in data transmitted to a called party using a mobile phone. Preferred embodiments of systems and methods according to the present invention can include joint-key button controllers that make buttons corresponding to joints of an avatar image remotely control movements of the joints, respectively. Accordingly, an avatar image received by a called party can be respectively controlled. Since the calling party can remotely control the avatar image transmitted to the called party, it is possible to deliver emotions and messages of the calling party through movements of a visual avatar image.

Communication apparatus and method of controlling same

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A wireless communication apparatus having a wired interface for wired connection to a terminal device and a wireless unit for connection to a terminal device wirelessly discriminates the state of power supply at start-up and, based upon the result of discrimination, relays data communication between the terminal device connected to the wired interface and another terminal device connected by the wireless unit.

Method and apparatus for identifying a voice caller

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A voice call system and a method and apparatus for identifying a voice caller are disclosed. The system includes a call originator apparatus 10 and a called party apparatus 20 . At least one trusted user identity is formed at the call originator apparatus 10 , ideally in a trusted platform module 12 configured according to a Trusted Computing Platform Alliance (TCPA) specification. The called party apparatus 20 checks the trusted user identity when establishing a new voice call. Advantageously, an identity of the voice caller using the call originator apparatus is confirmed in a reliable and trustworthy manner, even when the voice call is transported over an inherently insecure medium, e.g. an open computing system like the internet 30 . Preferred embodiments of the invention use IP telephony, such as SIP (session initiation protocol) or H.323 standard voice telephony.

Method and system for facilitating services in a communication network through data-publication by a signaling server

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A mechanism is disclosed for facilitating the performance of communication services in a communication network. An enhanced proxy server receives a signaling message and proxies the message to an application server. Further, the enhanced proxy server responds to the message by extracting a set of data from a data store and making the set of data available for use by the application server in responding to the signaling message. Similarly, a registration server may receive a signaling message from a communicating entity and may responsively make data available for use by an application server in responding to signaling messages regarding the communicating entity.

Location based messaging

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for location based messaging. A user at one computer system selects at least on other computer system that is to receive an electronic message. The at least one other computer system is selected based on the location of the at least one other computer system, without having to know an electronic identifier of any users at the at least one other computer system. The computer system refers to a mapping that maps computer systems locations to corresponding electronic addresses. Messages can then be sent to the electronic addresses. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention facilitate at least semi-anonymous electronic communication in a network computing environment and significantly mitigate the perceived need of an immediate response that is often associated with responding to (potentially in person) verbal communication.

System for selecting the operating frequency of a communication device in a wireless network

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A system for automatically selecting communication frequencies for wireless communication devices (e.g., base unit, access point, and controller) being added to an existing wireless network. The operating frequencies, evaluated signal strength, and loads are used in determining the most suitable operating frequency. This automatic selection process eliminates the problems inherent in manual frequency selection.

Method and system for providing prepaid data service

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A method and system for providing prepaid data service. A subscriber terminal may establish a connection with a communications network. Based on a balance of a prepaid account, traffic from the subscriber terminal may be directed to a self-service portal. At the self-service portal, a user of the subscriber terminal may provide a credit card to add value to a prepaid account and to select a type of prepaid data service. The subscriber terminal may then be granted access to a data network. The balance of the prepaid account may be adjusted in accordance with the prepaid data service that is provided. When the balance of the prepaid account meets a threshold, the subscriber terminal's access to the data network may be redirected back again to the self-service portal.

Method and apparatus for multiradio control in a lightning detection device

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A method includes receiving information related to an operational status of at least one radiating component, and controlling an operation of a lightning detector at least partially in accordance with the information.

Dual hinged display module for use in a mobile device

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

The mobile device described herein includes a display module. The display module rotates about one of two independent axes to provide different viewing angle options to the user. The mobile device includes a housing and a display module. The display module includes a display, first and second sides adjacent to the display, and first and second hinges associated with the first and second sides, respectively. The first hinge rotatably mounts the display module to the housing for rotation about a first axis. The second hinge rotatably mounts the display module to the housing for rotation about a second axis, independent of the first axis.

Communication terminal apparatus, method of changing function and/or setting of communication terminal apparatus, and program

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A communication terminal apparatus includes a situation change detecting unit that detects a change in external situation and transmits an external situation change detection signal, and a control unit that receives the external situation change detection signal, thereby reads out a predetermined function and/or setting stored in a storing unit, and changes the functions and/or setting.

4DHelp mobile device for 4DHelp information distribution system

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

The present invention provides for a mobile device component used in a 4DHelp information distribution system. The mobile device enables a user to utilize the 4DHelp information distribution system in a wireless environment such that even if the user is physically isolated from self-help data or instructional materials, the user can still access useful 4DHelp information and receive significant benefits. The mobile device includes an input device for which the user can enter a user request, a transmitting device that transmits and retrieves 4DHelp data based upon the user's request, a receiver that accepts the 4DHelp data transmitted, and a processing device that provides a visual output display to the user and allows the user to adjust the 4DHelp visual output display.

Multiple card-loading socket for a mobile communication terminal

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A mobile communication terminal is disclosed with a card-loading socket for loading a first card and a second card. The mobile communication terminal comprises a socket body disposed in a housing of the mobile communication terminal comprising a first portion with at least one first electrical terminal and a second portion with at least one second electrical terminal. The first portion and the second portion comprise at least one recessed area within the socket body. The at least one first terminal is operatively connected to the first card. The at least one second terminal, located a predetermined distance from the at least one first terminal, is operatively connected to the second card.

Set top box with mobile phone interface

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A set top box includes a mobile phone receiving bay disposed in a housing of the set top box. The receiving bay includes a device connector coupled to circuitry in the set top box and a receiving bay opening that is arranged to provide access to the device connector. The device connector is configured for removable engagement with an accessory connector disposed in a mobile phone. The device connector and accessory connector are coupled when the mobile phone is docked in the receiving bay in the set top box to thereby provide a communication interface between the set top box and mobile telephone that enables data transmission therethrough. Users interact with an electronic program guide hosted by the set top box to download media content such a music, ring tones and video to the mobile phone from a network source coupled to the set top box.

Communication system, settlement management apparatus and method, portable information terminal and information processing method, and program

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

The present invention provides a communication system that enables safe and easy addition of a function for use of credit card settlement services to a portable information terminal. In this system, if a user brings his credit card close to the portable information terminal, the portable information terminal reads a card ID stored in a contactless IC card provided in the credit card. Then, the card ID is transmitted to a card management system which checks whether or not the card ID is valid. If confirming that the card ID is valid, the card management system instructs the portable information terminal to write the card ID thereto. If the user places an order of a merchandize, the card ID written to the portable information terminal is provided therefrom to use credit card settlement services.

Method and apparatus for exchanging content over distinct wireless access technologies

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

An apparatus and method are disclosed for exchanging content over distinct wireless access technologies. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a multimode access network server (MANS) ( 102 ) having a controller that manages operations of a communications interface that communicates with multimode communication devices (MCDs) in a communication system. The controller can be programmed to receive from an MCD status information associated with a plurality of wireless access points (WAPs), each WAP operating according to a disparate wireless access technology, and determine with the MCD a coordination plan for transmitting partitioned content by way of at least two of the WAPs. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Mobile communication system, extension transmission/reception device, base station, radio network controller and mobile station

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A mobile communication system includes a first base station configured to be controlled by a first radio network controller, and provide an address of an extension transmission/reception device to user data received from a first mobile station, and the extension transmission/reception device configured to be controlled by the first radio network controller or a different second radio network controller, and provide an address of a second base station, which is controlled by the second radio network controller, to user data received from the first base station.

Portable terminal, and radio quality display method, program, and system

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A mobile terminal can obtain information on locations where radio wave reception levels are high from other mobile terminals regardless of the radio wave reception level of the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal communicates with one or more other mobile terminals via a base station, and comprises a communications interface enabling the mobile terminal to bypass the base station and communicate with the other mobile terminal, a position detection unit, a radio wave reception level detection unit, a request transmitter unit, an information receiver unit, and an output unit. The position detection unit detects a current position of the mobile terminal. The radio wave reception level detection unit detects a reception level of radio waves from the base station at the current position. The request transmitter unit requests current position information and a radio wave reception level of the other mobile terminal from the other mobile terminal via the communications interface. The information receiver unit receives the current position information and the radio wave reception level of the other mobile terminal from the other mobile terminal via the communications interface. The output unit links the current position information and the radio wave reception level of the mobile terminal with the current position information and the radio wave reception level of the other mobile terminal that the information receiver unit has received, and outputs the linked information and levels.

Communication terminal apparatus

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A communication terminal apparatus wherein even in a case of occurrence of a compressed mode, an evaluation can be performed by a detecting function to select an appropriate TFC (TRANS Format Combination). In this communication terminal apparatus, upon occurrence of a compressed mode, a compressed mode information generating part ( 173 ) outputs both a gap section and a gap start slot number for application to a transmission power determining part ( 174 ), which then counts the slots in which the TFC transmission power exceeds an upper limit for each TFC. At this moment, the transmission power determining part ( 174 ) replaces the TFC transmission power, for the slots of the gap section, by the TFC transmission power of the slots other than those of the gap section. ATFC status managing part ( 175 ) determines, based on the counting result of the transmission power determining part ( 174 ), the status of each TFC.

Adjusting transmit power of a wireless communication device

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A method for adjusting transmit power of a wireless communication device begins by determining requirements of a wireless communication between the wireless communication device and a receiving wireless communication device. The method continues by determining whether a current transmit power level of the wireless communication can be lowered without adjusting the requirements of the wireless communication. The method continues by when the current transmit power level of the wireless communication can be lowered without adjusting the requirements of the wireless communication, adjusting the current transmit power level to a second transmit power level, wherein the second transmit power level is less than the current transmit power level.

Method for controlling transmission power on communication channels and base station to implement the method

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A base station transmits blocks, in successive transmission time intervals, to radio terminals, over communication channels shared between the radio terminals comprising traffic channels and control channels associated with traffic channels, some of the transmitted blocks being positively or negatively acknowledged by the radio terminals. With regard to a radio terminal: a quality indication relative to said traffic channel is determined; a quantity relative to acknowledgements transmitted to the base station beforehand is determined; a transmission power on the traffic channel and/or the associated control channel is calculated, for the next corresponding transmission time interval, from said quality indication and said quantity relative to acknowledgements.

Mobile communication system, mobile communication terminal, power control method used therefor, and program therefor

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

This invention is directed to a mobile communication system in which the downlink transmission power of a base station is controlled in accordance with a power control bit from a mobile communication terminal, a mobile communication terminal, a power control method, and a program. According to the invention, in order to reliably perform power control even during soft handover communication with a plurality of cells, a determination unit is provided which determines whether the downlink transmission power of a base station complies with the power control bit transmitted from the mobile communication terminal.

Power controlled multiple access (PCMA) in wireless communication networks

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

An approach for managing data transmissions from multiple sources using a common channel addresses the problem of interference caused by two or more sources transmitting simultaneously. In one embodiment, the communication system provides a state of the channel, for example, an indication of the recent or current channel state such as interference level. Before transmitting, a transmitter station buffers blocks of data and selects a transmission mode for use in transmitting at least one of the buffered data blocks as a function of the buffered data sets and the indication of the recent channel state (interference). More specific embodiments are directed to, among other aspects, use of algorithms for evaluating the channel state and processing the transmissions using various types of transmission modes including, for example, setting the power level, modulation scheme, access point, coding scheme, and combinations of these adjustable parameters.

Device and method including secondary actuator for push-to-talk application

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A portable communication device includes a first push-to-talk (PTT) actuator, a second PTT actuator and a PTT processor in operative communication with the first PTT actuator and the second PTT actuator. The PTT processor requests control of a PTT communication floor in response to user actuation of the first PTT actuator, and triggers a secondary action to be performed while having control of the PTT communication floor in response to user actuation of the second PTT actuator. The portable communication device includes enhanced user control and interface options for PTT communication sessions.

Wireless communication system using channel access based on a contention approach and method thereof

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A wireless communication system using channel access based on a contention approach and method thereof is disclosed, which allocates plural sets of time slots in a predetermined contention interval, wherein each set of time slots further includes plural adjacent overlapped time slots. A channel requester transmits a contention message to a channel allocator at a time slot based on an interleaved method after the channel requester completes count down of a predetermined time, so that the positions of the headers of the contention messages in the adjacent time slots of each set of time slot are different. Thus, if the contention message transmitted by the channel requester collides with the contention message of the adjacent time slot, the channel allocator can parse the headers of the collided contention messages and respectively allocate plural special channel times for communicating with the channel requesters.

Method and apparatus for reducing data rate transmitted in a beam without affecting its power flux density

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A technique for enhancing the signal-to-noise performance of a digital communication link without affecting its power flux density. An information data stream has its original signaling rate selectively reduced prior to transmission, to enhance signal-to-noise performance. Then the reduced signaling rate information signal is combined with a pseudorandom data sequence at the original signaling rate, to provide a randomized data sequence to be transmitted at the original signaling rate, thereby maintaining power flux density levels below those permitted by regulatory limits.

Wireless communication network, sub-system therefor and method of configuring a non-native network device employing an adapter

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A sub-system for a wireless communication network includes a fob and an adapter. The fob includes a portable housing, a first wireless port structured to wirelessly communicate with a server, a second port structured to communicate with a native network device when the second port engages or is proximate to the native network device, and a processor operatively associated with the first wireless port and the second port. The processor is structured to receive engagement or proximity information from the second port, and send information to the server from the first wireless port. The sent information pertains to the native network device or to a non-native network device. An adapter includes a housing having a target. When the second port is properly positioned with respect to the target, the fob responsively participates in a joining procedure of the non-native network device to the server.

System and method for controlling services provided to multi-mode mobile stations

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A multi-mode mobile station includes a first interface for wireless communication with a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a second interface for wireless communication with a wireless wide area network (WWAN). An internetwork service control system controls how services are provided to the multi-mode mobile station via the WLAN and the WWAN. The same service logic in the internetwork service control system can control the provision of services via both the WLAN and the WWAN. For example, a service logic module can be executed to define SIP signaling to control the provision of a service via the WLAN and can be executed to define WIN signaling to control the provision of the same service via the WWAN. The internetwork service control system may also include a call state monitor that maintains the call state of the multi-mode mobile station via the WLAN and the WWAN.

Mobile services control platform providing a message forwarding service

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A mobile services control platform supports enhanced services for SMS or MMS message forwarding. The service allows a subscriber to receive SMS directed to his mobile number across a range of devices, depending on the context, device, and the network the user is connected from. In a representative example, when the user connects over a Wi-Fi network, he selects “Wi-Fi SMS” option from a client. As a result, future SMS sent to the user's mobile number get routed to his laptop over Wi-Fi. Similarly, SMS messages sent by the user from his laptop Wi-Fi client are delivered to the recipient's mobile device as if they originated from the mobile phone. When Wi-Fi SMS is activated, preferably voice calls continue to be received over the mobile phone. When the user disconnects from the Wi-Fi network, SMS messages are routed back over to the mobile phone.

Method and system for authenticating messages exchanged in a communications system

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

In a communications system supporting the exchange of messages, a method for authenticating messages, comprising: having a message sender send a message to be authenticated to a signature generator entity in the communications system; having the signature generator entity generate a signature with respect to the received message, the signature being dependent on the message sender; having the signature generator entity send back to the message sender an authenticated message, the authenticated message including the generated signature; having the message sender forward the authenticated message to a message recipient; having the message recipient send the received message to a signature verifier entity in the communications system; having the signature verifier entity verify the validity of the signature, and notifying the message recipient of an outcome of the validity verification.

System and method for partially time-based allocation of vocoder resources

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A system and method for allocating vocoder resources for interconnect calls includes consideration of whether an interconnect call request occurs during a known period of heightened network activity. In an embodiment a vocoder type is assigned to a given interconnect call based on a comparison of the available capacity of the telecommunications network to one or more threshold values, and a determination on whether or not the telecommunications network is in a predefined high activity or usage period. In certain embodiments, the vocoder is adapted to operate in one of two possible types, where the first type is characterized by a higher voice quality, but a lower network capacity, than the second type.

Wireless communication system and base station

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

There is provided admission control in view of wireless resources. A base station 120 obtains a down wireless resource available rate (available rate of slot allocation) based on a down QoS requested bandwidth B i requested by a terminal i during QoS communication and a data rate R i which the terminal can receive. A down wireless resource usage rate necessary to ensure the requested bandwidth B is obtained by dividing a down QoS requested bandwidth B requested by the terminal trying to perform QoS communication by the data rate R which the terminal can receive. The base station 120 obtains an up wireless resource available rate based on ROT of an up channel and a threshold value T 1 indicating an allowable upper limit of the ROT. Besides, an up wireless resource usage rate necessary to ensure an up requested bandwidth requested by the terminal is obtained. The QoS communication is performed on the terminal in which the up and down wireless resource available rates are respectively equal to or more than the up and down wireless resource usage rates.

Method for allocating channel resources for improving frequency utilization efficiency of wireless communication systems

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A method for improving a frequency utilization efficiency for a wireless communication system having a plurality of cells includes the following steps. At least one primary channel is allocated for each cell, the primary channel being different from that of its neighboring cell. One or more secondary channels are allocated for each cell, which have the same frequencies as their corresponding primary channels but differ in configuration, the secondary channels being different in frequency from the primary channel of the same cell. The secondary channel of the cell is activated for carrying communication traffic when the primary channel of the same cell has a capacity of being used exceeding a predetermined threshold value.

Method of intelligent channel allocation in communication network system

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

An intelligent channel allocation method is used for detecting and avoiding a second wireless communication system taking advantage of the characteristic of a first wireless communication system in two different wireless communication system. The first wireless communication system features a narrower bandwidth, while the second wireless communication system has a non-fixed length of a frame for sending/receiving or a broader bandwidth. When these wireless communication system use a same radio frequency (RF) band, the carriers used by them are overlapped. To avoid the mutual interference, the first wireless communication system uses a background scanning mechanism to simultaneously detect the second wireless communication system and a presence range of the second wireless communication system is decided, followed by executing a handover scheme.

Method of accommodating periodic interfering signals in a wireless network

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A method is provided for accommodating periodic interfering signals in a wireless network. In this method, a network scans a transmission medium to locate any interfering signals. If it finds interfering signals, the scan determines their period, and the network alters the period of its superframes such that: either the period of the superframes is equal to the period of the interfering signals; the period of the superframes is an integer multiple of the period of the interfering signals; or the period of the interfering signals is an integer multiple of the period of the superframes. The network then alters the position of the superframes relative to the position of the interfering signals to arrange things such that no portion of the interfering signal interferes with a superframe beacon, such that that a maximum amount of contiguous channel time is provided in each superframe, or both.

Connection establishment for PDP contexts

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

There is disclosed a method and apparatus for establishing multiple PDP contexts in a mobile communication system. The method comprises determining the number of PDP context requests required. Preferably this step is performed by the UE. The method comprises receiving all the required PDP context requests. This step is preferably performed in the network, i.e. in the SGSN and/or the GGSN. The method comprises establishing radio access resources for all the PDP context requests. This step is preferably initiated by the SGSN, and the RNC then preferably allocates the radio access resources based on SGSN requests.

Hybrid wired and wireless communication device and a wired and wireless communication method thereof

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A hybrid wired and wireless communication device and a wired and wireless communication method thereof. The wired and wireless communication method includes determining whether a wired communication module has been linked to a wired communication network, setting a wireless communication operating mode of a wireless communication module to an infrastructure mode when it is determined that the wired communication module has not been linked to the wired communication network, and setting the wireless communication operating mode to an ad-hoc mode when it is determined that the wired communication module has been linked to the wired communication network. Therefore, the wireless communication operating mode is automatically set according to whether the wired communication network has been linked to the wired communication module, thereby increasing a user's convenience.

Mobile station, mobile communication system, and cell selection method

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

In mobile communication system 100 according to the present invention, mobile station 1 is camped on cell C 10 established by base station B 10 . In the cell C 10 , there exist indoor cells C 11 -C 13 and outdoor cells C 21 , C 22 as neighboring cells. Mobile station 1 measures received levels of cells C 10 -C 13 , C 21 , C 22 and determines cell types of the respective cells, i.e., whether each cell is an indoor cell or not, based on broadcast information M 1 . Mobile station 1 selects a cell as a reselection target on the basis of the received levels and cell types.

GSM signaling protocol architecture for an unlicensed wireless communication system

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

An unlicensed wireless service is adapted to generate the interface protocols of a licensed wireless service to provide transparent transition of communication sessions between a licensed wireless service and an unlicensed wireless service. In one embodiment, a mobile station includes level 1, level 2, and level 3 protocols for licensed wireless service and an unlicensed wireless service. An indoor base station and indoor network controller provide protocol conversion for the unlicensed wireless service into a standard base station controller interface of the licensed wireless service.

GPRS data protocol architecture for an unlicensed wireless communication system

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Apparatus and method for extending the coverage area of a licensed wireless communication system using an unlicensed wireless communication system

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Extending the coverage area of a licensed wireless communication system using an unlicensed communication system is described. In one embodiment, the system comprises a mobile station operable to communicate with a telecommunications network using a licensed wireless communication channel serviced by the telecommunications network in a first mode and an unlicensed wireless communication channel in a second mode, a base station communicably coupled to the mobile station via the unlicensed wireless communication channel, and a network controller communicably coupled to the base station and adapted to communicate with the telecommunications network, wherein the mobile station includes call control to control a communication session with the telecommunications network through the network controller using the unlicensed wireless communication channel by exchanging call control information with the network controller via one or more messages having the A1 protocol message format.

System and method for providing broadcast signals to aircraft

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A system for providing real-time television broadcasts to aircraft 4 via satellite 2 is described. The broadcast signal 11 is transmitted to the aircraft 4 together with a communications signal 10 , forming part of an existing communications network air interface. The system separates the communications signal 10 from the broadcast signal 11 and enables the real-time broadcast to be displayed on-board the aircraft.

Network testing and monitoring systems

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A method of testing a digital mobile phone network such as a GPRS or 3G network comprises either using real traffic or creating test traffic using test mobile phone coupled to a computer, and using the computer to measure a parameter associated with the network's response to the traffic. The measurements made by the computer are themselves sent as traffic to create one or more data streams within the mobile phone network comprising the traffic, measurements relating to the traffic, and signalling relating to the traffic, whereby this data stream or these streams can be captured at interface points within the network and analysed to investigate the functioning of the network dynamically as the network is exercised with the traffic. Software and test equipment for performing the method are also described.

Aggregating location accuracy data to estimate accuracy of a wireless locating system

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Location determination accuracy in a mobile telecommunications environment can be estimated based on location determination accuracy data for multiple empirical test calls in a geographic region. A location of a wireless station for each test call is determined using one of multiple wireless locating techniques, and an approximate ratio of wireless locating techniques for the empirical test calls is identified. Subscriber call data relating to location estimates determined using one of the wireless locating techniques is received. Location determination accuracy in the geographic region is estimated by combining the subscriber call data according to the identified ratio. To facilitate determinations of locating accuracy, the geographic region is logically segmented into multiple areas. Each area is associated with a performance profile that relates to a locating accuracy performance. Location determination accuracy is estimated based on one or more areas associated with each wireless call in the geographic region.

Radio wave propagation characteristic estimation system, and its method and program

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A radio wave characteristic estimation system and its method estimate radio wave propagation characteristics in an investigation object area in a part of a coverage area of a wireless system, which becomes an object of the estimation, at high speed and with high precision, when the coverage area is wide. In a three-dimensional area including a plurality of contents, a transmission source and the investigation object area to be investigated as to the propagation environment of radio waves emitted from the transmission source are provided. When estimating a radio wave propagation environment in the investigation object area, a general radio wave propagation situation acquisition unit finds general radio wave propagation situation within the investigation object area or in the vicinity thereof. A pseudo transmission source preparation unit prepares finite pseudo transmission sources to simulate the general radio wave propagation situation. A radio wave propagation estimation unit conducts detailed radio wave propagation estimation by designating the finite pseudo transmission sources as new transmission sources and an analysis area including the investigation object area as an analysis object.

Mobile communication system, mobile terminal, base station, radio network controller, information rate control method therefor and program therefor

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A method according to the present invention comprises determining an available information rate for communication, via a first base station, between a plurality of terminals and a second base station based on link capacity information for wireless communication between the first base station and the second base station, and controlling each of information rates for the communication between the plurality of terminals and the second base station based on the available information rate. Here, the plurality of terminals and the first base station being in a mobile object, the second base station being outside the mobile object.

Remote control of electronic devices

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A controlling device (e.g., a telephony device) can remotely control various tasks associated with a controlled device (e.g., a personal computer), including the navigation of user interfaces associated with applications or an operating system associated with the controlled device. A task can be controlled at the controlled device by mapping user input received at the controlling device to control commands suitable for execution at the controlled device.

Virus pattern update for mobile device

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

An updated virus pattern file is developed at an update server. A mobile management center (MMC) has a list of mobile telephone numbers and receives the new virus pattern from the update server. A Multimedia Message Service Center receives the new virus pattern and the list of mobile telephone numbers from the MMC and sends an MMS message to each of the wireless devices, including the new virus pattern as an attachment. Each wireless device replaces the old virus pattern with the new virus pattern. A unique identifier (a cryptographic signature or magic number) is added to each MMS message to enable the wireless device to recognize a new virus pattern. The pattern version and the pattern itself are merged into a single file. The file is also encrypted at the MMC and decrypted at the wireless device.

Mobile communications terminal and software updating method for mobile communications terminal

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A mobile communications terminal has a communications processor controlled by a communications CPU and an application control processor controlled by an application CPU. When software program for communications is distributed from the control system side, the application CPU halts the communications processor and carries out update processing of software program of the communications processor. Further, when software program for application is distributed from the control system side, the communications CPU halts the application control processor and carries out updating of software program of the application control processor.

File downloading apparatus and method for mobile communication system

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A mobile terminal and method for controlling downloading of data re discussed. According to an embodiment, the mobile terminal includes a signal processor to process a received signal; a download status checker to check a download status of the data, and to generate download status information of the data based on the checked download status; at least one storage unit to store data outputted from the signal processor, and to store the download status information outputted by the download status checker; and a controller to control the signal processor and the download status checker.

Applications server and method

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

An applications server is operable to provide a plurality of user driven services by running an application program. The application program is arranged to provide the services in response to user commands for selecting service options. The applications server comprises in accordance with the application program a state machine able to determine a current state of the application program from one of a pre-determined set of states defining a logical procedure through the user selected service options. The states of the state machine includes for each of the modular services, one or more states associated with one or more forms within the service. Each form defines a state of a user interface for providing the services to the user, and each state includes one or more sub-states called situations, defining the commands to be recognised and the predicates to be satisfied to select that state depending upon the estimated user commands and the session state of the user session. The set of states includes a base service defined by one or more main states. The application program also comprises a command recognition engine, including a grammar processor and may include an automatic speech recogniser to provide the command recognition engine with a set of possible user commands which may be provided for a particular state, the possible commands determining the states which may be reached from the current state. The command recognition engine, in response to a received user command, provides the state machine with an estimate of at least one of the possible commands, which the user may have provided. The state machine changes state in response to the estimated user command. The state machine determines the transitions between the states at run-time and the grammar engine adapts the possible user commands to be recognised for a current state in association with the state transitions, which are determined at run-time. As such, the applications server can provision user driven services, which can be dynamically adapted and blended with each other in accordance with user requirements.

System and method for over-the-air update of wireless communication devices

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A system and method is provided for over-the-air updating of a wireless communication device. The system and method provides the ability to update both direct-addressable and non-direct-addressable portions of the device memory. The system and method uses an agent that is downloaded to the wireless communication device as part of a direct-addressable memory update package. The direct-addressable memory update installs the agent into the direct-addressable memory. After the direct-addressable memory update is performed, the agent is executed and performs an update of the non-direct addressable portions of the device memory.

Method and arrangement for positioning a mobile terminal

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A method and arrangement are shown for positioning a mobile terminal, particularly within a finite local area. In the method, in the transmitting mobile terminal, there is defined a function that is observable by senses and executable, and a functional instruction is created for activating said function. The functional instruction, the function according to which is arranged to be activated as a response to receiving the functional instruction, is transmitted via the established wireless short-range connection. In the receiving mobile terminal, the functional instruction is received via the wireless short-range connection, and the function defined in the functional instruction is activated as a response to receiving the functional instruction.

Caller identification queue for wireless telephones

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A method and system are provided for collecting and storing caller identification information associated with a calling party directed to an out of service wireless telephone. When calls are made to a wireless telephone, a determination is made as to whether the telephone is registered for service, that is, whether the telephone can receive calls because it is powered on and is located within a wireless telecommunications service area where it may receive calls. During out of service periods, caller identification information on calls placed to the wireless telephone is stored in an identification queue. Once the wireless telephone is registered for service, stored caller identification information is forwarded to the wireless telephone for presentation to the user of the wireless telephone. Accordingly, the user of the wireless telephone avoids missing telephone calls made to her wireless telephone during the out of service period, and the user may then return the telephone calls at a convenient time.

Method for reporting activation status of feature service in mobile communication system

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A method for reporting an activation status of an feature service such as termination conversion or termination rejection to a subscriber comprising the steps of activating a certain feature service using a feature code, and reporting the activation status of the feature service if a mobile station requests a location registration or a call origination is capable of reporting the activation status of the feature service to the subscriber at the preferable time or periodically using the service control point (SCP).

Methods of recording voice signals in a mobile set

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

The present invention relates to a mobile set integrating a memory efficient data storage system for the real time recording of voice conversations, data transmission and the like. The data recorder has the capacity to selectively choose the most relevant time frames of a conversation for recording, while discarding time frames that only occupy additional space in memory without holding any conversational data. The invention executes a series of logic steps on each signal including a voice activity detector step, frame comparison step, and sequential recording step. A mobile set having a modified architecture for performing the methods of the present invention is also disclosed.

Data session authentication credentials update for a wireless communication device

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A method ( 200 ) and an apparatus ( 300 ) in a wireless portable communication device ( 102 ) for maintaining appropriate authentication credentials required for a common data application in a current service network are provided. A method ( 400 ) in a wireless communication network ( 106 ) for providing current authentication credentials required for the common data application accessible through the wireless communication network ( 106 ) is also provided. The wireless portable communication device ( 102 ) has default authentication credentials required for the common data application in a default service network ( 106 ), receives ( 204 ) a data session configuration file including authentication credentials based upon a predetermined condition, prioritizes ( 206 ) between the default authentication credentials and the received authentication credentials, and uses ( 208 ) the authentication credentials having higher priority for the common data application in the current service network ( 110 ). The wireless communication network ( 106 ) maintains ( 404 ) the current authentication credentials indicative of currently required authentication credentials for the common data application, detects ( 406 ) a predetermined condition for transmitting the data session configuration file, and transmits ( 408 ) the data session configuration file having the current authentication credentials. Upon receiving ( 410 ), the wireless communication network ( 106 ) allows ( 412 ) proper access to the common data application upon receiving the current authentication credentials.

Mobility management in wireless networks

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Systems and methods for tracking and managing mobile devices in a wireless network are provided. For example, the method can include discovering wireless devices connected to the wireless network, collecting association information from access points, with the association information from an access point including information identifying a current association between the access point and an associated wireless device, and providing a visualization of current associations between the access points and corresponding associated wireless devices. A conflict resolution engine may be provided for resolving conflicting access point associations.

Method and system for generating peer to peer billing records when one or more clients pay for the other clients

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A method and a system for generating peer-to-peer billing records for at least one peer-to-peer communication session corresponding to at least one communication service in a communication system. The method comprises the steps of: collecting a completion-billing-token corresponding to a peer-to-peer communication session corresponding to a communication service and evaluating the completion-billing-token along with a paid-authentication-token corresponding to the peer-to-peer communication session. The completion-billing-token comprises a details corresponding to the peer-to-peer communication session, the details being at least one of a signature and an agreement. The paid-authentication-token controls duration of a peer-to-peer communication session based on a communication service provider.

Signal conditioner and method for communicating over a shared transport medium a combined digital signal for wireless service

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A signal conditioner (SC) and method for performing communications via a shared transport medium between a base transceiver station (BTS) and a remote antenna entity (RAE). A first SC is connected to the BTS and a second SC is connected to the RAE. Each SC interfaces to the transport medium. The first SC receives an RF signal representing a combined digital signal (CDS) from the BTS. The first SC recovers and conditions the CDS, and then transmits the conditioned CDS to the second SC via the transport medium. The second SC receives the conditioned CDS, recovers the CDS, produces an RF signal representing the CDS, and transmits this RF signal to the RAE. The RAE sends this RF signal to an antenna of the RAE for transmission of this RF signal via the antenna. First SC and second SC also facilitate communication of a CDS from RAE to BTS.

Method and device for authenticating a subscriber for utilizing services in a wireless LAN while using an IP multimedia subsystem of a mobile radio network

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

An efficient authentication is made possible by a method for authenticating a subscriber MT ( 6 ) for utilizing services in a wireless LAN (WLAN) ( 10 ) while using an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) ( 3 ). The inventive method is characterized in that a subscriber MT ( 6 ), who is to be authenticated and who is located at a location having WLAN coverage, receives an IP address from the WLAN ( 10 ) in an attributed manner, after which the subscriber authenticates himself with regard to the IP multimedia subsystem ( 3 ) while giving this IP address. In addition, an element ((WAGW ( 2 )) of the WLAN ( 10 ) is informed of the result of the authentication of the subscriber MT ( 6 ) with regard to the IMS ( 3 ).

Configurable circuits using phase change switches

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Configurable circuits using phase change switches are described. The switches use phase change or phase transition material to create configurable connections between devices and/or interconnecting layers of an integrated circuit in order to change the behavior of the circuit after manufacturing. In at least some embodiments, the phase of the material can be a crystalline phase or an amorphous phase. A phase change can be caused by heating the material, such as with an ohmic heater fabricated on the IC. As one example, germanium-antimony-tellurium (GeSbTe) can be used for the phase change material. The switches can be used to create configurable circuits such as low noise amplifiers and mixers, which can in turn be used to create configurable receivers or other analog circuits.

Method of sampling an analogue radiofrequency signal

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A method for sampling an analogue radiofrequency signal comprising reception of the analogue radiofrequency signal, sending of the received signal on two analogue channels, each channel performing a first signal sampling operation, including a filtering step eliminating signal frequencies that could fold on the useful signal during sampling such that the sampled signal represents a filtered version of the received signal, wherein the sampling frequency is taken to be equal to the frequency of the signal carrier divided by a factor Ndiv1+½, Ndiv1 being an integer number, to bring the useful signal to half of the sampling frequency after sampling.

Method and system for blocker attenuation using multiple receive antennas

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Methods and systems for blocker attenuation using multiple receive antennas are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include receiving wideband signals multi-antenna receiver. The receiver may process received signals that may comprise blocking signals received via the multiple antennas. The blocker received by a first antenna may be suppressed, at least in part, by combining processed signals received by a first antenna with processed signals received by a second antenna. The combining may comprise, for example, adding the two processed signals at either the RF or IF frequencies. The processing of the signals whose blocker is to be suppressed may be gain adjustment. The processing of the other signals used to suppress the blocker of the first antenna may be gain and/or phase adjustment. Accordingly, a blocker received by any antenna may be suppressed, at least in part, by using processed signals received by another antenna.

Receiver, in particular for mobile radio

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A receiver, in particular for mobile radio, includes a receiver branch with a mixer, downstream of an analog/digital converter. A reference generator generates a reference clock, which is fed to the converters or PLL synthesizers of the mixer by integral multiplication or division. As a result, a particularly energy-saving and space-saving circuit configuration is realized, which has a low level of mutual interference between the signals and is suitable (in particular for Universal Mobile Telecommunication System, UMTS). In a preferred embodiment, the receiver is developed into a transceiver by providing a transmission path.

Variable-gain low noise amplifier for digital terrestrial applications

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A multi-stage amplifier assembly configured to receive a terrestrial digital television (“DTV”) input signal including multiple frequency channels. The amplifier assembly optionally includes a PIN diode coupled across differential inputs to a first stage of the multi-stage amplifier assembly. The PIN diode is controlled to attenuate the input when an exceptionally large signal is present in a channel adjacent to a desired channel. The PIN diode, essentially a variable resistor, permits the multi-stage amplifier assembly to maintain dynamic range in such situations for reasonable tradeoffs. The amplifier assembly further optionally includes an out-of-band second stage LNA. The amplifier assembly further optionally includes a multi-band input filter. The multi-band filer insures that the AGC operates on the TV band of interest, thus improving the linearity of the system. The invention can be implemented in CMOS and/or SiGe.

System and method for providing a dual conversion tuner having a first IF filter without fixed center frequency

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Disclosed are systems and methods which utilize a relatively low cost first IF filter in a dual conversion tuner circuit. A preferred embodiment first IF filter is provided using a filter arrangement having a relatively high tolerance. Accordingly, preferred embodiment systems are designed such that they can accommodate the range of first IF frequencies that the large tolerance filter may provide. One aspect of this accommodation may include providing a means by which the system may detect the location of the passband of the IF filter in the spectrum. Another aspect of the accommodation for the range of first IF frequencies may include adjusting the first IF frequency utilized by the dual conversion tuner to match the passband of the IF filter. Additionally or alternatively, the passband of the first IF filter itself may be tuned, such as to provide a passband more near a desired IF frequency.

Systems and methods for filter center frequency location

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A system for implementing a tuner comprising a Radio Frequency (RF) circuit, a filter disposed in a signal path in said RF circuit, a first negative resistance unit in communication with said filter adapted to cancel one or more resistive elements in said filter, a frequency measurement unit in communication with said filter, wherein said first negative resistance unit is adapted to cause said filter to act as an oscillator, and wherein said frequency measurement unit is adapted to measure oscillations of said filter and to calculate a center frequency of said filter therefrom.

MIMO radio interfaces

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A receiver front end includes a plurality of in-phase and quadrature phase receive processing blocks operable at first and second frequency bands and further includes a plurality of filtering and amplification blocks disposed within a corresponding ingoing signal path, a plurality of received signal strength indicator (RSSI) blocks coupled to receive an ingoing analog signal from a corresponding plurality of nodes disposed throughout the ingoing signal path, each of the plurality of RSSI blocks producing a signal strength indication, and wherein a baseband processor is operable to receive a selected signal strength indication and to produce at least one gain setting to at least one amplification block within the in-phase or quadrature phase receive processing blocks. In operation, the baseband processor receives a signal strength indication from each RSSI block to determine a total amount of gain and appropriate gain distribution within the receive signal path.

Method and apparatus for controlling a supply voltage to a power amplifier

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A supply voltage to a power amplifier is controlled. A signal at a single point in a power amplifier is detected. A signal parameter is determined for the detected signal. The signal parameter is compared to at least one predetermined limit. This comparison result is used to determine whether to adjust a supply voltage to the power amplifier. The signal parameter is, for example, an average power or a peak-to-average power ratio.

Generator for agile frequency signals

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

The subject of this patent is a system to generate RF frequency hopped signals that can be used to test radio receivers over the range of their signal specifications. The hop sequence and symbols in the signal is decoded from signals transmitted by the same or different radio of the same specification. The system can set various signal parameters to any prescribed value. These parameters include carrier frequency error, bit rate error, rise and fall times, amplitude ripple and roll off, modulation depth, nonlinearities, burst duration, burst start time and burst interval. Signal interference can be added to the signal including tones, other signals, noise and other signals of the same as the test radio. Similarly other communications equipment can be tested by the combination of receiving and demodulating a transmitted and regenerating the signal with the same symbols with specified signal parameters.

Multi-band lookup table type predistorter

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A lookup table type predistorter for reading out distortion compensation data by using a difference signal between a power amplifier input signal and an output signal as a reference signal; wherein N input side variable band signal extractors extract transmitting signals in N frequency bands from the input signal, N output side variable band signal extractors extract signals in N frequency bands from the output of power amplifier, and N difference detectors detect differences between N frequency band signals respectively detected at the input side and the output side as N reference signals, which are used to read out N compensation data from N lookup tables, the N compensation data are added to the transmitting signals in N frequency bands, and N results of addition are combined to produce an output of the predistorter.

Method and system for a fractional-N synthesizer for a mobile digital cellular television environment

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Aspects of a method and system for a fractional-N synthesizer for a mobile digital cellular television environment are presented. Aspects of the system may include circuitry, within a phase locked loop, that enables determination of a division number at a time instant within a division cycle. A local oscillator signal may be modified based on the division number in a succeeding division cycle. A subsequent local oscillator signal may be generated based on the modification.

Controlled signal-to-noise ratio generator circuit

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

The invention is an electronic circuit for testing a receiver. In detail, the circuit includes a RF signal generator providing an RF signal to a first mixer. A first oscillator providing a first signal to the first mixer. The first mixer receives the RF signal and the first signal and provides a first output signal comprising the RF signal plus the first signal and the RF signal minus the first signal. A first filter is coupled to the first mixer for receiving the first output signal and providing a second output signal wherein the RF signal plus the first output signal is removed. A second mixer is coupled to the first filter and is adapted to receive the second output signal and a second input signal from a second oscillator; and provides a third output signal to a second filter. A fourth output signal from the second filter provides a fifth output signal for testing the receiver that is amplitude and temperature insensitive.

Method and apparatus to improve closed loop transmit diversity modes performance via interference suppression in a WCDMA network equipped with a rake receiver

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Methods and systems for processing signals in a wireless communication system are disclosed. Aspects of the method may include calculating at a receiver, a plurality of signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) values for a wireless signal, which is received from a transmitter, based on a corresponding plurality of weight values. A maximum one of the calculated plurality of SINR values may be determined. At least one weight value including one of the corresponding plurality of weight values may be fed back to the transmitter. The at least one weight value including one of the corresponding plurality of weight values may be associated with the determined maximum one of the calculated plurality of SINR values. The at least one weight value including one of the corresponding plurality of weight values may be communicated to the transmitter via at least one downlink communication channel.

Prediction of uplink interference potential generated by an ancillary terrestrial network and/or radioterminals

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Methods are provided for predicting uplink interference potential to a mobile satellite system (MSS) generated by ancillary terrestrial components (ATCs) of an ancillary terrestrial network (ATN) and/or ATC radioterminals that are configured to terrestrially use/reuse satellite frequencies that are used and/or authorized for use by a MSS. The methods include measuring power transmitted by and/or received at one or more radioterminals communicating with one or more terrestrial networks and/or transmitted by and/or received at the one or more terrestrial networks communicating with the one or more radioterminals using terrestrial frequencies that are at least partially outside a range of the satellite frequencies. Uplink interference potential to the MSS generated by terrestrial use/reuse of satellite frequencies by the ATN and/or the ATC radioterminals is predicted responsive to the measured power. Related ancillary terrestrial networks are also described.

Transmission system with interference avoidance capability and method thereof

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

The present invention relates to a transmission system with interference avoidance capability, which includes a transmission apparatus and a receiving apparatus. The transmission method thereof receives first data by means of an interference-processing module of the transmission apparatus and adds a plurality of extension data to the first data to produce second data for replacing a plurality of data corresponding to an interfered band in the second data with zero data, and then producing transmission data. The transmission data is converted to a radio-frequency signal by a transmission-processing module and transmitted to the receiving apparatus. Thereby, signal interference can be prevented by avoiding spectrum overlap regions.

Device, system and method of coexistence mode switching among transceivers

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Some embodiments of the invention provide devices, systems and methods of coexistence mode switching among collocated transceivers. For example, a method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes monitoring reception reliability of a first transceiver in relation to concurrent transmission activity of a second, collocated, transceiver; and based on the monitoring, setting a flag indicating a request by the first transceiver that the second transceiver modify its coexistence mode.

System and method for enhanced interoperability between a plurality of communication devices

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A system for allowing BT, WDCT, and 802.11 transceivers to operate in close proximity with a minimum of interference, is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for avoiding interference between a first FHSS device and other RF devices using 802.11 or FHSS protocols is disclosed. The first FHSS device initially detects the presence of an interfering RF device (“interferer”), for example a device employing 802.11 protocol, and adjusts the frequency of channels used for operation of the first device accordingly to avoid overlap with the 802.11 band. In the presence of an additional interferer, for example, a second FHSS device emitting an interfering signal, the first FHSS device may segregate its operation channels to achieve maximum frequency separation from an 802.11 and second FHSS device. In addition, the first and third devices may also multiplex their transmit/receive timing to avoid interference in time domain. By avoiding interference in time domain, first and third device can occupy the same channels in the frequency band achieving further frequency separation from the 802.11 device.

Methods and apparatus for secure, portable, wireless and multi-hop data networking

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A mobile network solution provides secure and portable wireless networking service to mobile users with devices equipped with wireless network interfaces. The Secure Nomadic Wireless Network, or SNOWNET, follows a hierarchical approach. Special SNOWNET nodes are deployed in the area where networking service is needed and form a backbone network. At the same time, SNOWNET nodes provide local access service to regular mobile clients. SNOWNET provides security through authentication of the nodes and clients, as well as through encryption of the data.

Intra-system and/or inter-system reuse of feeder link frequencies including interference suppression systems and methods

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Methods of reducing interference in a satellite communications system may include receiving a plurality of feeder link signals and time aligning the plurality of feeder link signals to provide time aligned feeder link signals. At least two of the time aligned feeder link signals may be combined to provide reduced interference of at least one of the feeder link signals. Related systems are also discussed.

Content delivery system and method

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A media managing method is disclosed. A method links a graphical interface soft button with a media file saved in a memory system of a portable electronic device, maintains a collection of information that represents the graphical interface soft button in the memory system, and communicates at least some of the collection to a different electronic device in order to allow a user to view a representation of the graphical interface soft button on an associated display of the different electronic device. The method further receives a signal to begin playing the media file in response to a selection of the representation.

Method and system for controlling audio data playback in an accessory device

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A method of managing audio data received by an accessory device from an electronic equipment over a local wireless interface link includes buffering the audio data; feeding the buffered audio data to a decoder and detecting a decoder under run. After the detection of a decoder under run, the method restarts the feed of audio data to the decoder when an amount of buffered audio data is equal to or greater than a dynamically adjustable threshold amount of audio data.

Propagation of data throughout an area using distributed transponders and scanners with relative movement

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A method is provided for propagating data among multiple locations in an area. The method includes using a plurality of transponders distributed throughout the area, each able to receive, store, and transmit data. The method further includes using scanners moving relative to the transponders, and able to transfer data to and from these transponders over a wide or limited range. When a scanner encounters a transponder (becomes close enough for data communication), it reads data from the transponder and writes data to the transponder, including data read from prior encounters with other transponders. Data written to a transponder by a scanner may include data associated with that scanner, including but not limited to one or more of identification, speed, direction, and time stamp. The method thus propagates data among transponders and makes this transponder data available to scanners as they encounter these transponders. The method propagates data throughout an area without a requirement for a wired or wireless connection between and among the transponders, at a speed dependent on the number of and speed of scanners moving within the area. The method further includes optionally connecting a subset of transponders with a wired or wireless network to more quickly propagate data over the area, while still not requiring every transponder be connected to this network. The method further includes using RFID tags, both adapted and non-adapted to the specific application, as the transponders, and RFID scanners to write to and read from these RFID tags.

Signal reception device, signal reception circuit, and reception device

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

The present invention provides a receiver that includes a plurality of tuners for receiving broadcasts such as satellite broadcast. A tuner circuit ( 1 ) includes an input terminal ( 11 ) for inputting a broadcast wave in which a video signal and/or an audio signal are modulated in a predetermined format, and a mount layer ( 13 ) on which a main circuit ( 12 ) for selecting, from the broadcast wave, a video signal and/or an audio signal included in a predetermined frequency band is mounted. In the tuner circuit ( 1 ), a first ground layer ( 15 ) is disposed, through a first dielectric layer ( 14 ), on the surface opposite to that on which the main circuit ( 12 ) of the mount layer ( 13 ) is arranged, and a second ground layer ( 17 ) is disposed through a second dielectric layer, thereby suppressing mutual interference between tuners.

Digital radio feedback systems

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A system including a digital radio broadcast station, a receiver, and a network. The digital radio broadcast station includes a transmitter and a server. The receiver is in communication with the digital radio broadcast transmitter and also includes a user interface for receiving user input commands comprising a request for information from the digital radio broadcast station. The receiver is configured to establish a two-way communication path between the receiver and the digital radio broadcast transmitter. The network is in communication with the server and the receiver for exchanging information therebetween. The request for information is provided to the server via the network and the server is configured to receive the request and transmit a response message to the receiver in accordance with the request.

Method and apparatus for controlling a delivery of a broadcast-multicast flow in a packet data communication system

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A communication system provides separate subscription keys for a non-subscriber version of a broadcast-multicast flow and a subscriber-only version of the flow, thereby controlling who may store or render the flow. In one embodiment, separate subscription keys may be assigned to a same broadcast-multicast flow. The communication system may then switch the keys used to encrypt the flow, or may use different keys to encrypt different copies of the flow, in order to allow at least non-subscribers to view one version of the flow and only subscribers to view another version of the flow. In another embodiment, the communication system may assign a group subscription key to a group of broadcast-multicast flows that is separate from the keys assigned to each individual flow. The group subscription key may then be used to encrypt a non-subscriber version of any broadcast-multicast flow in the group of broadcast-multicast flows.

Portable communication device equipped with an electronic flash having a LED ignition device

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A portable communication device includes an image capture device, a light source unit operable to provide a flash of light and a flash ignition device. The flash ignition device includes a light emitting diode (LED) that provides optical output of an appropriate wavelength that is operable to trigger a flash of light from a gas discharge tube within the light source unit. The provision of a LED in the flash ignition device provides ionization of gas within the gas discharge tube via photoionization and/or the photoelectric effect.

Dynamic tuning of hands-free algorithm for noise and driving conditions

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A method of tuning a hands-free system in a mobile vehicle, the method including receiving a plurality of vehicle condition inputs, creating a noise parameter based on the vehicle condition inputs and adjusting a noise suppression algorithm of the hands-free system based on the created noise parameter.

Radio communications system

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A radio communications system includes radio devices, and antenna and an array antenna. The radio devices communicate a prescribed signal via the antenna and the array antenna in a system of transmission and reception at a single frequency, such as time division duplex, as the array antenna changes the in directivity to form a plurality of directivities. The radio devices detect a plurality of received radio waves' strength to produce receive signal profiles, respectively, indicating a plurality of strength profiles. The radio devices multivalue strength of the receive signal profiles, respectively, and generate private keys having the multivalued plurality of values serving as a bit pattern.

Retractable telephone holding unit

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

An apparatus for enabling hands free operation of cell phones and other portable electronic devices is disclosed. The apparatus may include a headset having a housing and a set of extendable links coupled at a base end to the housing and coupled at an opposite end to an end cap. The set of extendable links may fit within an interior of the housing when fully retracted, and the end cap may be latched to the housing. The set of extendable links may be extended by hand, extended by spring force and retracted by hand, or extended and retracted by motorized force. An adjustable swivel arm is coupled at one end to the housing, and at the other end to a gripping device. The gripping device includes a plurality of gripping arms. A portable electronic device may be inserted and secured within the plurality of gripping arms.

Telephone terminal and method for supplying power to the same

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A telephone terminal includes: a main unit; an optional unit that performs an arbitrary additional communication function and detachably attached to the main unit; a distribution unit that distributes a drive power supplied through a communication network into a first channel and a second channel when a power of the telephone terminal is turned on; a first power supplying unit that supplies the first channel of the drive power to the main unit at a first timing; and a second power supplying unit that supplies the second channel of the drive power to the optional unit at a second timing shifted from the first timing.

System and method for transmitting voice input from a remote location over a wireless data channel

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A system and method for improving voice recognition processing at a server system that receives voice input from a remotely located user system. The user system includes a microphone, a processor that performs front-end voice recognition processing of the received user voice input, and a communication component configured to send the front-end processed user voice input to a destination wirelessly over a network. The server system includes a communication component configured to receive the sent front-end processed user voice input, and a processor configured to complete voice recognition processing of the sent front-end processed user voice input.

System and method for detecting non-linear distortion of signals communicated across telecommunication lines

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A system for detecting non-linear distortion comprises an error detector and logic. The error detector is configured to estimate signal errors associated with signals communicated across a telecommunication line. The logic is configured to track the signal errors and to detect whether the signals are subject to non-linear distortion based on a history of the signal errors.

Symbol timing recovery apparatus used with a VSB-type receiver and a method of using the same

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A symbol timing recovery apparatus used with a VSB-type receiver and a method of the same. In order for the symbol timing recovery, error information is generated and used utilizing a band edge component maximization (BECM) of a frequency band as well as an upper frequency band. Therefore, the symbol timing recovery can be more effectively achieved even when the upper frequency band is damaged due to multi-path components. Also, efficiency of the overall timing recovery can be improved by using the lower frequency band as well as the upper frequency band of the received signal in performing the symbol timing recovery. As a result, deterioration of the receiving system including the symbol timing recovery apparatus can be prevented.

Adaptive peak windowing for crest factor reduction in a communication system transmitter

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

In a communication system transmitter, a baseband processor is configured for coupling via an upconverter to an input of a power amplifier of the transmitter. The baseband processor comprises a crest factor reduction element implementing an adaptive peak windowing algorithm for application to an input signal, the adaptive peak windowing algorithm comprising a function that is adaptively adjustable for reducing interference among different peaks of the input signal.

Orthogonal frequency digital multiplexing correlation canceller

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A correlation canceller modulates a communication signal over a plurality of channels and an epoch aperture by a plurality of interference response signals corresponding to linear response by one or more filtering effects to generate an inversely correlated communication signal.

Wireless communication system

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

In order to transmit a large amount of data in series at a time with a MIMO communication scheme while avoiding deterioration of decoding characteristics due to change over time by a channel matrix, a wireless communication system uses an open-loop type and a closed-loop type of MIMO communication modes in combination and switches to the open-loop MIMO communication mode in response to the information that the amount of data to be transmitted at a time has exceeded a predetermined amount of bits or a predetermined transmission time during data transmission under the closed-loop MIMO communication mode. By discontinuing useless closed-loop MIMO communication and switching to the open-loop MIMO communication mode that is better than Zero-forcing, the decoding characteristics are prevented from simply becoming deteriorated.

Wireless home repeater for satellite radio products

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A system for receiving a satellite digital radio signal, the system comprising: a repeater having a unibody housing and an antenna disposed within the housing, the antenna being configured for receiving the satellite digital radio signal; a repeater circuit for receiving the satellite digital radio signal of the antenna, the repeater circuit being configured to condition and re-transmit the satellite digital radio signal as a first signal containing audio data capable of being transmitted through electrical wiring; a satellite digital radio signal receiver having a receiver circuit being configured to receive the first signal; and wherein the receiver circuit receives the first signal from a power cable of the satellite digital radio signal receiver.

Digital data exchange device in a CDMA system

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

The invention relates to a device for exchanging digital data between several sources and at least one hub in a CDMA system, characterised in that it comprises a number n of digital transmission/reception circuits ( 1 ) installed in parallel, each circuit ( 1 ) comprising a transmitter ( 2 i ) comprising means of generating an integer number N c of codes that will be used for spectral spreading of data to be transmitted and a receiver ( 4 i ) comprising means ( 46, 48 ) of detecting the access of new sources to the CDMA system transmission channel and means ( 49 ) of generating synchronisation signals and power control signals corresponding to each detected new source.

System and method for distributed input-distributed output wireless communications

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A system for compensating for in-phase and quadrature (I/Q) imbalances for multiple antenna systems (MAS) with multi-user (MU) transmissions (defined with the acronym MU-MAS), such as distributed-input distributed-output (DIDO) communication systems, comprising multicarrier modulation, such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). For example, one embodiment of the system comprises one or more coding modulation units to encode and modulate information bits for each of a plurality of wireless client devices to produce encoded and modulated information bits; one or more mapping units to map the encoded and modulated information bits to complex symbols; and a MU-MAS or DIDO IQ-aware precoding unit to exploit channel state information obtained through feedback from the wireless client devices to compute MU-MAS or DIDO IQ-aware precoding weights, the MU-MAS or DIDO IQ-aware preceding unit precoding the complex symbols obtained from the mapping units using the weights to pre-cancel interference due to I/Q gain and phase imbalances and/or inter-user interference.

Communication apparatus, communication system and communication method

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

It is an object of the invention to provide a communication apparatus, a communication system and a communication method enabling efficient transmission in accordance with a situation of a wired transmission line and capable of reducing an influence by a radiation power of the transmission line. The communication apparatus of the invention executes wired transmission using a plurality of sub carriers and includes a transmission signal generator for generating a transmission signal, and a transmission signal controller for controlling a transmission power of the transmission signal generated by the transmission signal generator based on a radiation power in a transmission line in correspondence with a frequency of the sub carrier, and a transmitter for transmitting the transmission signal the transmission power of which is controlled by the transmission signal controller via the transmission line.

System and method for extending neighboring cell search window

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A system and method for accommodating mobile station synchronization to neighbor cells in a mobile communication system. At least one available frame is utilized as a search window in an uplink data transfer multiframe for receiving neighboring cell synchronization information. At least one transmit time slot in a frame adjacent to the available frame in the uplink data transfer multiframe is surrendered to extend the search window. The neighboring cell synchronization information may then be contiguously received via the extended search window.

Extending multicast applications available on data networks to cell-based wireless networks

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A mobile node on a cell-based wireless network (e.g., implemented using GSM) may indicate multicast applications (provided on a data network) of interest and receive data related to the applications. A data switch connected to the data network may receive a list of multicast applications of interest in the entire wireless network, and send data related to only the applications of interest to a gateway. The gateway may interact with a switching center and base station operating in conjunction with wireless network to extend the multicast applications to mobile nodes.

Mobile network automatic tunnels

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

In one embodiment, a received data packet is delivered by a routing resource to a tunnel interface resource in response to determining that the received data packet specifies a destination address starting with a prescribed aggregation prefix. The tunnel interface resource computes a home address for a mobile router based on a second address prefix from a start of the destination address, the second address prefix within the prescribed aggregation prefix and having been assigned as reachable by the mobile router, at least a portion of the second address prefix applied to a prescribed mapping function. The tunnel interface resource determines a care-of address for reaching the mobile router based on the corresponding home address calculated by the tunnel interface resource, and encapsulates the received data packet into an encapsulated packet having a destination address field specifying the care-of address, for output of the encapsulated packet toward the mobile router.

Communication terminal with WLAN base station functionality or WLAN client functionality

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

In one aspect a communication terminal comprising a first interface, a second interface is provided, and a connection unit. The first interface for connecting to a first network for the bidirectional transmission of information between the first interface and a central communication device, arranged in a first network. The second interface allows a link can be establishment with a radio network. The communication terminal is established as a base station for the radio network, when the connection unit is activated. The radio network is a WLAN.

Mobile network device multi-link optimizations

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Methods and apparatus for performing optimizations for a mobile network device such as a Mobile Node or Mobile Router supporting multiple links to a Home Agent (or Correspondent Node in a Mobile IPv6 environment) are disclosed. During the registration process, link characteristics are transmitted in the registration request. From the link characteristics, it is possible to determine whether the mobile network device has roamed from a high to a low bandwidth link, or vice versa. A first set of optimizations may be performed when the mobile network device has roamed from a high to a low bandwidth link, while a second set of optimizations may be performed when the mobile network device has roamed from a low to a high bandwidth link. Some optimizations may be performed during the establishment of a TCP session, while others may be performed during or upon completion of the Mobile IP registration process.

Use of positioning information to determine whether to trigger a packet-data-network re-registration when detecting multiple radio signals of sufficient strength

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Methods and systems are provided for use of positioning information to determine whether to trigger a packet-data-network re-registration when detecting multiple radio signals of sufficient strength. A mobile node registers with a first mobility agent, wherein the mobile node communicates with the first mobility agent via a first radio transceiver. The mobile node determines that a first signal strength of a first radio signal from the first radio transceiver and a second signal strength of a second radio signal from a second radio transceiver are each greater than a first threshold and that the second signal strength is greater than the first signal strength, and responsively determines whether or not it is traveling. If the mobile node determines that it is traveling, the mobile node registers with a second mobility agent, wherein the mobile node communicates with the second mobility agent via the second radio transceiver.

Method and system for providing interoperable communications with location information

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A method for providing interoperable communications with location information includes receiving communications from a plurality of virtual talk groups. Each virtual talk group comprises a plurality of endpoints of different communication networks. The method includes receiving from a first mobile endpoint of a first virtual talk group of the plurality of virtual talk groups a first communication. The first communication comprises a first media message and location information identifying a location of the first mobile endpoint. The method includes presenting to a user the first media message from the first mobile endpoint and the location of the first mobile endpoint.

Wireless communication system using joint detection to compensate for poor RF condition based on user priority

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A wireless communication system including a carrier network, a network application server coupled to the carrier network, and a base station coupled to the carrier network. The base station is adapted to determine whether a subscriber unit is designated as having relatively high priority for accessing the carrier network; encode data for joint detection and transmit the encoded data to the subscriber unit if the subscriber unit is designated as having relatively high priority for accessing the carrier network; or transmit the data to the subscriber unit without encoding the data for joint detection if the subscriber unit is not designated as having relatively high priority for accessing the carrier network.

Method and apparatus for smooth disassociation of stations from access points in an 802.11 WLAN

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A plurality of methods, apparatus and computer program for providing warning to a station (STA) associated with an Access Point (AP) in a WLAN that a disassociation the AP is imminent. The steps include (a) selecting a station (STA) for disassociation from a particular Access Point (AP) of a WLAN; (b) by updating a newly created reason code field of a message to indicate to the selected STA that it has become a candidate for disassociation; and (c) transmitting the message to the selected STA. Upon receipt by the STA of a message indicating that the selected STA has become a candidate for disassociation, the selected station scans other Access Points from a list to find another Access Point to associate with before being cut off by the current Access Point.

Mobile ad hoc network

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A mobile ad hoc network is formed by selecting at least one client to function as a Virtual Mobile Server (“VMS”) on behalf of other clients: Those other clients subsequently communicate with a cell station via the VMS on an UWB format. Other clients may function as Virtual Distributed Mobile Servers (“VDMSs”) which relay communications between the VMS and clients which are out of direct communication range of the VMS. Further, multiple VMSs may be implemented for a single ad hoc network in order to bundle bandwidth. Clients may also extend the communication range of the VMS to a new cell station in order to enable earlier initiation of cell station handoff.

Radio LAN system implementing simultaneous communication with different types of information and communication method for the same

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A radio LAN (Local Area Network) system includes an access point and a mobile or a fixed station each having a physical layer implemented by a direct spread spectrum system. The LAN system uses different spread codes, maintains transmission power semi-fixed, and selects a frequency and a frequency band in accordance with the kind and amount of information. A data link layer above each physical layer includes an LLC (Logical Link Control) sublayer and an MAC (Media Access Control) sublayer. The MAC sublayer uses a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) system as an access system for thereby implementing a data structure in accordance with the kind and amount of information.

Method of transmitting feedback information in a multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) system

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A method of transmitting feedback information in a Multi-Input, Multi-Output (MIMO) system is disclosed. In the method, a mobile station (MS) which determines to transmit feedback information and feedback type to a base station (BS) without solicitation from the BS, wherein the feedback type is transmission antenna type, and transmits the feedback information using a MIMO mode feedback extended subheader, wherein the MIMO mode feedback extended subheader appears between a Medium Access Channel (MAC) header and a payload.

Wireless access network and method for handover of mobile terminals in idle mode

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Embodiments of a wireless access network and methods for maintaining current location information for mobile terminals in idle mode are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Co-channel congestion method and apparatus

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A system and method for Access Point (AP) channel selection based upon a Channel Quality Index (CQI) is described. The Channel Quality Index (CQI) is a value which quantifies a transmission quality of a channel. The transmission quality is evaluated based on a combination of different types of measured interference in the channel. In one embodiment the different types of measured interference include co-channel congestion, adjacent channel interference and in-band interference. The CQI is a value derived from the measurements, and for example may be a sum of all of the measurements. Each AP of the present invention determines the CQI of potential transmission channels, and selects a channel for use which has the ‘best’ CQI; for example if the CQI is a sum of all measured interferences, the ‘best’ AP is the one with the lowest CQI.

Mobile IP addressing

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A system and method are provided for mobile Internet Protocol (IP) addressing, in a multi-mode wireless communications access terminal (AT). The method provides an AT with an IP address (ATA), and a care-of-address (CoA) in each of a plurality of networks. In one aspect, the AT selects a first network for transmission, from the plurality of networks. The AT sends an IP packet to a correspondent node (CN) via a first mobile node (MN) external device. Regardless of the network selected, the AT is able to use the ATA as a source address. Sending the IP packet to the CN may include creating a tunnel between the first MN and the HA. The IP packet is sent to the HA using the first CoA as a tunnel source address, and the HA sends the IP packet to the CN using the ATA as the source address.

Apparatus and method for enabling optimized gateway selection for inter-working between circuit-switched and internet telephony

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

An optimized gateway selection process of the present invention is based on a universal mobility manager (UMM), a component for inter-technology location management. The UMM is capable of holding location information for diverse cellular networks, as well as for Internet telephony systems. For cellular networks, UMM acts as a traditional HLR; for an Internet telephony network, it acts as the entities that are responsible for user/terminal registration (registrar in SIP, gatekeeper in H.323) and address resolution (proxy server in SIP, gatekeeper in H.323). An optimal gateway selection is possible based on location related information provided by the UMM which had not previously been available. Utilizing the newly available information enables a gateway to be selected which may, for example, enable the circuit switched portion of a call to now be minimized.

Scheduling methods for wireless networks

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

The invention concerns routing, scheduling, and power control methods for single and multi-hop wireless networks. A multi-hop network is one in which source and destination nodes may communicate directly or through relay nodes. Nodes in single hop networks communicate without use of relay nodes. Embodiments of the invention may produce an optimal schedule to provide for the best-case goal for a given parameter. In a preferred embodiment, total power is the parameter and total power is minimized for the network. In another preferred embodiment, data throughput is the parameter, and throughput is maximized for the network.

Method for decoding channelisation code set information in a spread spectrum receiver

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Provided is a method of decoding channelisation code set information to determine the number of channelisation codes and the code offset in a spread spectrum data transmission, where the channelisation code set information includes a first group of bits encoding the number of channelisation codes and a second group of bits encoding the code offset, the method includes deriving the number P of channelisation codes according to P = C + ⌊ m - A n ⌋ , and deriving the code offset O according to O = ⌊ P n ⌋ × ( m - 2 ⁢ B ) + ( B + 1 ) ; where m is the maximum number of multicodes allocated from the spread spectrum data transmission, n = ⌊ m 2 ⌋ + 1 , A is the value of the first group of bits of the channelization code set information, B is the value of the second group of bits of the channelisation code set information, and C = A + ⌊ B m - A ⌋ × ( m - 2 ⁢ A ) .

Power supply apparatus for suppressing attenuation of a transmission signal

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A power supply apparatus has a coupled transformer that inputs and outputs a communication signal and a capacitor that has high impedance to a commercial power supply frequency and low impedance to a communication signal frequency. The capacitor is connected between a primary winding of the coupled transformer and a power reception terminal. To both ends of the capacitor, a switching regulator is connected via a noise reduction circuit. To a secondary winding of the coupled transformer, a modem of a power line communication apparatus is connected. In the configuration, the coupled transformer and the switching regulator are thus connected in series.

Integrated circuit television receiver arrangement

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to one or more aspects of the present invention, a receiver arrangement is disclosed that is configured to receive digital television signals. The receiver arrangement has at least one first frequency conversion device with the signal input, a local oscillator input and an output. The at least one first frequency conversion device is designed to convert a signal which is applied to the input side to an intermediate frequency. A first amplifier is also provided and is designed with amplification in order to compensate for the signal level loss in a filter which is connected downstream from the first amplifier. The first amplifier is coupled to the output of the frequency conversion device. An intermediate-frequency amplifier with a variable gain factor is also provided, and is coupled to the first amplifier. At least the at least one first frequency conversion device the first amplifier are formed in a common semiconductor body.

Attention detection

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

An attention detection system comprises a portable attention detection module for receiving attention clues of a host person. The attention clues are generated from a self perspective of the host. Attention clues of the host person generated from an observer perspective are received. A sensor device generates signals relating to the attention clue signals of the self perspective. At least one sensor generates signals relating to the attention clue signals of the observer perspective. The attention detection module determines a situation of raised attention of the host wearer from the self perspective attention clues and the received observer perspective attention clues.

Antenna device to be loaded into an information processing apparatus

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

An antenna device to be loaded into an information apparatus has an antenna unit composed of antenna members which have a plurality of radio communication frequency bands, and which are divided into two of an element part having a flexural portion and a GND part, and a holding member composed of a member having non-conductivity, such as a resin member, to hold the respective antenna members so as to leave a constant gap g from the antenna members within a window area, the holding member being mounted so as to hang on an edge at the outside of a frame body of a liquid crystal display panel in an LCD housing of a PC.

Satellite communication subscriber device with a smart antenna and associated method

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A satellite communication subscriber device includes a smart antenna for generating antenna beams for receiving signals from at least one satellite, and a receiver. The receiver includes a quality metric module for calculating a quality metric on the signals received by each antenna beam. A beam selector is coupled to the smart antenna for selecting the antenna beams. An antenna steering algorithm module runs an antenna steering algorithm for operating the beam selector for scanning the antenna beams, receiving the calculated quality metrics from the receiver for each scanned antenna beam, and comparing the calculated quality metrics. The algorithm selects one of the scanned antenna beams based upon the comparing for continuing to receive signals from the at least one satellite.

Duplexer for simultaneous transmit and receive radar systems

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

An enhanced duplexer ( 1 ) which includes a combination of high dynamic range (HDR) amplifiers ( 11, 17 ) and a naovel signal cancellation circuit topology ( 15 ). Return signals from the circulator ( 3 ) are fed into the first HDR amplifier ( 11 ). A portion of the transmit signal is sampled with a directional coupler ( 7 ) and amplified with a second HDR amplifier ( 17 ) and then combined with the output of the first HDR amplifier ( 11 ) using a second directional coupler ( 13 ). The gain and phase of the second io amplifier ( 17 ) are adjusted so the leakage signals are canceled ( 19, 21 ) to enable a radar system to simultaneously transmit and receive signals to and from an antenna with increased sensitivity of operation.

Digital QP detecting apparatus, spectrum analyzer having the same, and digital QP detecting method

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A QP detection unit includes digital circuit elements. There is provided a digital QP detector which detects an electric power signal Vi, which is an input signal, and outputs a detection signal Vo. The digital QP detector includes a register which records input digital data, a first multiplier which multiplies the digital data recorded in the register by a first coefficient, a second multiplier which multiplies the digital data recorded in the register by a second coefficient, an adder which adds the electric power signal Vi and the output from the first multiplier to each other, a comparator which compares the level of the electric power signal Vi and the level of the detection signal Vo, and a first switch which switches the digital data to be fed to the register between the output from the adder (Vi>Vo) and the output from the second multiplier (Vi

Charger

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A charger for charging a second battery is provided. The charger includes a charging circuit, a charging interface, the charger further comprise an audio interface, a switch and a sound output device. The switch used for connecting an audio interface to a charging circuit or a sound output device. When the sound output device connects to the audio interface, the sound output device plays the audio signals outputted by the audio player via the audio interface; when the charging circuit connected to the audio interface, the audio player output energy to the electronic device via the charging circuit and the charging interface, thereby charging the electronic device.

Acoustic transducer module

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A module ( 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 900 ) may be electrically connected to a PCB ( 18, 918 ) residing in a device ( 14 ) or may be joined to the device ( 14 ) to form a portion of the housing ( 16, 916 ) of the device ( 14 ). The module may include a housing ( 102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602 ) having at least one layer, a surface mountable component, such as a surface mountable acoustic transducer ( 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 910 ) having a connecting surface ( 114, 214, 314, 414, 514, 614, 914 ), and at least one acoustic port ( 124, 224, 324, 424, 524, 624, 924 ) to couple a surface of the surface mountable acoustic transducer to the exterior of the device ( 14 ). The module ( 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 900 ) may further include a secondary mounting structure ( 654 ) electrically connected to the connecting surface ( 114, 214, 314, 414, 514, 614, 914 ) of the surface mountable acoustic transducer ( 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 910 ). The acoustic port ( 124, 224, 324, 424, 524, 624, 924 ) may include a layer of an environmental barrier ( 450, 550 ).

Portable projection gaming system

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A handheld projection gaming system includes a projection gaming device having a control portion and a projector portion, and an external user input device. The control portion is configured to be held in a handheld position, and includes control devices configured for manipulation by a user. The projector portion is configured to project a video image. The external user input device is configured to operably couple to and support the handheld gaming device and includes at least one control device configured for interactive manipulation by the user.

Optical headset user interface

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A headset includes a finger pad on an exterior of the headset on which a finger of a headset wearer is placed. The headset includes an optical line scanner which scans the finger pad and outputs a series of successive images of the finger placed on the finger pad. A headset processor processes the output of the optical line scanner to detect relative motion of the finger on the finger pad or detect tapping of the finger on the finger pad.