Abstract: A system and method for readily varying the configuration of a telephone system and the functions/features available to the users of wireless telephone instruments on the system. The telephone instruments may include a display which can be configured by interaction with a base station to vary the interpretation given to inputs received from the user. Features available to the user of a particular telephone instrument may be specifically adapted to the user and may be readily modified as the user changes, as the user's authorization changes, and/or as the telephone system's capabilities are changed.

Abstract: A wireless PBX system utilizes base stations dispersed throughout an area to be served with wireless telephone service. The base stations utilize multiple antennae to reduce problems associated with fading and multipath. In the present invention, the antennae of a base station or similar apparatus are rotatable, at least in pairs, so that the base station may be hung vertically, horizontally, or at some other angle to the horizon and the antennae may be readily oriented to a position which provides for preferred propagation characteristics for the antennae for the local area in which the base station is mounted.

Abstract: System and method for operating a wireless telephone system particularly a wireless Private Branch Exchange (PBX), as both a voice system and a pager system. The system includes a protocol for communicating both voice conversations and display data to a remote unit. Remote units, which may be pagers, personal communications units, mobile telephones, and the like, communicate with the wired portion of the system using the same protocols and signalling techniques.

Abstract: A method for combining signals for a telephone conference may include a multiplicity of identical adders for combining six signals and providing a single combined output. The adders may be arranged in a repeatable hierarchical scheme in which each group of six conference members includes an adder for combining all six signals, with the output of this adder being provided to other groups of six so that each conference member receives signals from every other conference member. As few as three hierarchical levels of addition may be used with up to 216 members. Adders may also be arranged so that a member of a first conference may monitor other conferences without affecting the first conference.