Patents Examined by William Cumming
  • Patent number: 6418319
    Abstract: A method for determining the position of a mobile radio telephone in a satellite communication system includes a mobile radio telephone scanning a plurality of paging channels and measuring the signal strength of the paging channels. The mobile radio telephone then selects the paging channel with the strongest signal strength and decodes the information broadcasted on the selected channel. The information contained in the paging channel can include frequencies or timeslots of paging channels in surrounding spot beams. The mobile station then measures the signal strength of paging channels in surrounding spot beams and quantizes the measurements to determine a coarse position of the mobile radio telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Ericsson Inc.
    Inventor: Paul W. Dent
  • Patent number: 6418299
    Abstract: In the communications network disclosed herein, each of a plurality of similar stations is operated so that the group automatically organizes or configures itself into a multi-layered network for relaying messages from station to station, with some of the stations operating at a relatively high power level as message gateways for a cluster of stations operating at lower power thereby to form, through the gateways, a network backbone providing longer distance network links. Initially, individual stations attempt to affiliate at a lower power level with an existing cluster gateway and, if that attempt is unsuccessful, the station switches to a higher power level and commences operation as a cluster gateway. Each cluster gateway periodically communicates data at least identifying to other cluster gateways the non-gateway stations which are affiliated with it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: BBN Corporation
    Inventor: Subramanian Ramanathan
  • Patent number: 6415147
    Abstract: A system for avoiding congestion in mobile terminal communication, includes (a) a plurality of mobile stations, (b) a plurality of base stations, and (c) a base station controller connected to the base stations through a common communication line. The base station controller (a) monitors an activity ratio of a down common communication line, (b) when it is judged that the activity ratio of a down common communication line may be congested, assigns an order of precedence to each of the mobile stations using the common communication line, based on the number of base stations to which each of the mobile stations concurrently makes communication, and (c) abandons low-rate voice frames at a constant ratio among voice frames of a mobile station to which a low order of precedence is assigned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Takanori Hayashi, Toshitaka Ishii
  • Patent number: 6415133
    Abstract: A method for initializing a service unit in a communication system. The method includes receiving a synchronization signal from a head end at the remote unit. Further, an identifier is received specifying the remote unit. The method further receives an upstream frequency band and control channel designation at the remote unit, wherein the frequency band includes a number of subbands with at least one control channel in each subband. The method tunes to the designated frequency band and a reference signal is transmitted on a selected channel to the head end. The method receives adjustment signals based on the reference signal transmitted to the head end to allow signals transmitted from the remote unit to be orthogonal at the head end to signals from at least one other remote unit. The method adjusts parameters at the remote unit based on the adjustment signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Brede, Michael J. Fort, Jeff Solum, Michael J. Geile
  • Patent number: 6411801
    Abstract: A double balanced active mixer is used for compensating an asymmetric characteristic of complementary radio frequency signals, to thereby improve linearity of the double balanced active mixer. The double balanced active mixer includes an input transistor part for amplifying first and second radio frequency signals having complementary phase each other which are inputted from external circuit and for transferring the amplified first and second radio frequency signals and an Output transistor part for outputting first and second intermediate frequency signals which are complementary each other by switching the amplified first and second radio frequency signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Min-Gun Kim, Sung-Won Kang, Eung-Gie Oh, Jae-Jin Lee
  • Patent number: 6408171
    Abstract: A portable communication device assembly comprises a first communication device housing (12), a second communication device housing (14), and a snap retainer (40) for interconnecting the housings (12 and 14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron M. Schuelke, Wille Kottke, David Auld
  • Patent number: 6404857
    Abstract: A signal monitoring apparatus and method involving devices for monitoring signals representing communications traffic, devices for identifying at least one predetermined parameter by analyzing the context of the at least one monitoring signal, a device for recording the occurrence of the identified parameter, a device for identifying the traffic stream associated with the identified parameter, a device for analyzing the recorded data relating to the occurrence, and a device, responsive to the analysis of the recorded data, for controlling the handling of communications traffic within the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Eyretel Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Douglas Blair, Roger Louis Keenan
  • Patent number: 6400416
    Abstract: A television receiver is provided including a first mixer having a first input adapted for receiving an input signal in a predetermined frequency range. It should be noted that the input signal may take the form of either a broadcast television signal, a cable television signal, or a digital signal transmitted over a cable delivery system. The first mixer further includes a second input adapted for receiving a first reference signal having a first operating frequency. In use, the first mixer is suitable for outputting an intermediate frequency signal having a frequency greater than at least one frequency in the predetermined frequency range. Also included is a filter for filtering the intermediate frequency signal. A phase shifting network is provided which includes an input adapted for receiving a second reference signal having a second operating frequency. The phase shifting network further includes a pair of outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products
    Inventor: Martin Tomasz
  • Patent number: 6400939
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for limiting terminal equipment use of home subscribers of a network in a telecommunications system in which each subscriber has a subscriber identity and with each terminal equipment is associated an equipment identity. In the method, by which the operator can, if desired, supervise the terminal equipments used in the network by the home subscribers, a home equipment register is maintained about the terminal equipments allowed to the home subscribers of the network; a subscriber identity of the user is received from the terminal equipment; an equipment identity is received from the terminal equipment; on the basis of the subscriber identity it is checked whether the subscriber is a home subscriber of the network, and if so, the home equipment list of the network is checked to see whether the terminal equipment is an allowed one, and if the terminal equipment is not an allowed equipment, the use of the equipment is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Nokia Networks Oy
    Inventors: Olli-Pekka Virtanen, Keijo Ekola
  • Patent number: 6400941
    Abstract: Each time a mobile terminal enters a service area of an information providing device and its location is registered by the information providing device, the area code and local code of telephone numbers and addresses associated with the service area are sent from the information providing device to the mobile terminal. Based on the area and local codes of telephone numbers and the addresses, the terminal retrieves the telephone numbers, names and addresses of acquaintances residing within the service area from an address book stored in its RAM and visually displays them with a notification sound. Thus, the user at the terminal can know access information for acquaintances residing within each service area each time the user enters the service area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuya Nara
  • Patent number: 6393275
    Abstract: Multiple cellular telephones, each having a unique ESN, share the same cellular telephone number (MIN). Data records at the MSC are modified to reflect the parent and extension cellular telephones configuration. Incoming calls are delivered to all telephones sharing a MIN simultaneously, sequentially, or in accordance with a caller's selection. An extension wireless telephone may interrupt a call in progress of another extension wireless telephone. Cellular telephones sharing a MIN may call each other using intercom extension numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventor: Joseph Anderson Alfred
  • Patent number: 6385455
    Abstract: In a method in a transceiver for selecting a communication parameter for communicating with a concentrated subscriber unit, wherein the concentrated subscriber unit includes a plurality of subscriber terminals, a subscriber terminal identification number of one of the subscriber terminals is determined. Next, N number of selected digits in the subscriber terminal identification number are set equal to predetermined values to produce a modified subscriber terminal identification number. the modified subscriber terminal identification number is then hashed using a hashing function to produce a communication parameter indicator. Finally the communication parameter is selected in response to the communication parameter indicator, wherein groups of subscriber terminal identification numbers having non-selected digits with the same value are hashed to produce the same communication parameter indicator. The communication parameter selected may be a carrier frequency used by the communications system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Quin St. Clair, William Daniel Willey
  • Patent number: 6374087
    Abstract: A peak limiter is intended to limit the peak of a signal that has a given frequency, in an assembly comprising other signals of lower amplitude and different frequencies. The peak limiter includes a circulator inserted into a line transporting all the signals. A first branch of the circulator is connected to a line on its upstream side. Its second branch is connected to a line on its downstream side. It's third branch is connected to a reference terminal via the combination of a band-pass filter centered on the given frequency, a threshold element, and an adapted load connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Joël Gressent, Pascal Rouet
  • Patent number: 6370365
    Abstract: A selective call radio (300) includes receiver (200). The receiver in turn includes an antenna (202) for receiving a radio signal having a first operating frequency, an amplifier(204) coupled thereto for generating an amplified signal; and a frequency translation circuit (208). The frequency translation circuit includes a selectivity filter (212) and an integrated frequency conversion circuit (216). The selectivity is coupled to the amplified signal for generating a filtered signal. The integrated frequency conversion circuit is coupled to the filtered signal and is incorporated into at least one IC (integrated circuit). The integrated frequency conversion circuit includes an oscillator (220), a divider (224), and a mixer (218). A first input of the mixer is coupled to the filtered signal generated by the selectivity filter. The divider is coupled to the oscillator and its output is coupled to a second input of the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventors: Edgar Herbert Callaway, Jr., Scott Robert Humphreys, Keith Edward Jackoski
  • Patent number: 6366792
    Abstract: If the radio portable information terminal detects the current battery capacity level and the receiving electrical field level and finds that these levels are sufficient to perform data transmission/reception, the radio portable information terminal formulates a data transmission/reception possible signal to send the data transmission/reception possible signal via a base station to the information network center, which then checks to see that the radio portable information terminal is in the transmission/reception enabling state to perform data transmission/reception with the radio portable information terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Katsuki
  • Patent number: 6366585
    Abstract: A communication system is described. The communication system includes a distribution network and a head end terminal adapted to transmit downstream control data and downstream telephony information in a first frequency bandwidth over the distribution network and adapted to receive upstream telephony information and upstream control data in a second frequency bandwidth over the distribution network. In addition the communication system includes a plurality of service units, each service unit operatively connected to the distribution network for upstream transmission of upstream telephony information and upstream control data in the second frequency bandwidth and for receipt of downstream control data and downstream telephony information in the first frequency bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Dapper, Michael J. Geile, Terrance Hill
  • Patent number: 6363245
    Abstract: A favorable communication state is set when communication different from a telephone conversation such as data communication and the like is carried out. A control unit (32) judges a reception situation detected by a reception situation detecting unit in comparison with a first threshold value and judges the same in comparison with a second threshold value. The reception situation based on the comparison with the first threshold value and the reception situation based on the comparison with the second threshold value in the control unit are notified of by respectively different notifying units (35) and (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Natori
  • Patent number: 6363246
    Abstract: A portable unit (101) may both place and receive calls in both the cordless (115) and cellular (103) telephone system. A portable unit (101), in combination with a cordless base station (115), can automatically route an incoming call to the telephone system in which the portable unit (101) is located without inconveniencing the user. Additionally, the portable unit (101), in combination with the cordless base station (115), can automatically route a call in process with the portable unit (101) between the cordless (115) and the cellular (103) telephone systems when the portable unit (101) relocates therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Williams, Robert F. D'Avello
  • Patent number: 6360091
    Abstract: A method generally establishes a communication link in a communication system when a cordless base station has been authenticated to communicate with authorization equipment, and the authorization equipment has been authenticated to communicate with the cordless base station. Preferrably, one or more random numbers are transmitted between the cordless base station and the authorization and call routing equipment to establish the communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Schellinger, Robert F. D'Avello
  • Patent number: 6349409
    Abstract: An information distribution and processing system contains a remote site, a sender and a receiving apparatus. The remote site contains a first set of digital data. The sender delivers a second set of digital data to the receiving device, In one embodiment of the present invention, the receiving device contain a timing device for automatically receiving the second set of digital data at predetermined times. The second set of digital data contains a first set of displayable data, a second set of displayable data, at least one non-displayable symbol, and at least one linking reference associated with the second set of displayable data. If desired, a user can select the second set of displayable data. The associated linking reference is sent to the remote site. The associated linking reference is used by the remote site to search for the additional information, and returns the requested information to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Hark C. Chan