Abstract: A computer system includes an enterprise gateway server and a remote gateway server connected via a data network, such as the Internet, that is relatively inefficient compared to typical private networks. The remote gateway server interfaces the enterprise gateway server to corporate messaging and collaboration data stored locally relative to the remote gateway server. The enterprise gateway server converts multiple data requests for the messaging and collaboration data into a single higher-level data request that is transmitted across the data network. The remote gateway server receives the request and converts the single high level request back into the original multiple request format for presentation to the messaging and collaboration database.

Abstract: Transmit power of an external antenna unit coupled to a wireless device is controlled by obtaining an output power measurement of the information signal transmitting from an antenna unit, which when operating with wireless network technology may also be referred to as an outdoor unit. The output power measurement is used by a hand held device, to adjust the power of the transmitted information signal. The output power measurement is determined by obtaining an output power measurement, modulating the power measurement onto a carrier, and transmitting the modulated measurement signal to hand held device. The modulated measurement signal is received by a cradle or hand held wireless device and demodulated. The hand held device uses the measurement to adjust the transmit power of the information signal.

Abstract: A novel and improved dielectric lens assembly (100) includes a dielectric extension (108) on a hemispherical dielectric lens (104), to provide a dielectric lens which exhibits properties of an elliptical lens. The extended dielectric lens can be implemented with a feed antenna (112) to improve the directivity of the antenna. The extension portion (108) of the lens assembly (100) is fabricated using a plurality of dielectric wafers disposed on the bottom surface of the hemisphere, an angled extension (516), or a cylindrical extension. The entire hemispherical lens and extension assembly (508) can be a single piece of dielectric material formed into the desired shape, or the assembly can be fabricated using a plurality of dielectric components (512, 516) coupled together to form the lens assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficient data retransmission in a voice-over-data communication system between a first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device, without affecting existing infrastructure. When a data frame containing audio information is received in error by the first wireless communication device, n negative-acknowledgement messages are sent from the first wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device which sent the frame, each of the negative acknowledgement messages transmitted in close succession to each other. When a negative-acknowledgement message is received by the first wireless communication device from the second wireless communication device, n copies of the frame identified by the negative-acknowledgement message is transmitted by the first wireless communication device, each of the copies transmitted in close succession to each other.

Abstract: A data center for providing access to subscriber information from a remote enterprise network in real-time is presented. The data center includes a data network interface system for interfacing with a data network and a login system, which includes a login server and a data center messaging server. The login server receives a request inputted by a subscriber on a remote access device across the data network to access the subscriber information and authenticates the subscriber and the remote device, while the data center messaging server hosting the subscriber information. Upon authenticating the subscriber and the remote device, the login server, accesses the subscriber information on the data center messaging server and provides the subscriber information to the remote access device in response to the received request.

Abstract: A mobile telephone user places a call through the communication system to a position call system when they want their geographic position. The call could be initiated in several ways, such as dialing a number, pressing a programmed key, or selecting from a menu. In response to the call, the position call system obtains the geographic position of the mobile telephone from the communication system. The position call system transfers the geographic position to the mobile telephone over the call. The mobile telephone provides the geographic position to the user. The position call system also transfers billing information to the billing system over communication link.

Abstract: A handoff technique in which system users detect transitions in service between a current service area and an adjacent service area, and request a forward link channel in the new service area when a detected signal strength for the new service area exceeds predetermined threshold levels. The forward communications link in the current service area is maintained until the strength of the new service area signal reaches a certain level and appropriate channel quality is confirmed, as based on various known criteria. Typically, service area transitions are detected using the signal strength of pilot or paging signals associated with service areas, which are used to determine a relative signal strength of new service area signals. Pilot signal level adjustments used to counter roll-off effects are detected and compensated for in comparing signal levels.

Abstract: A method for generating a variable delay of a signal, including: providing a clock indicating a sequence of sample times at regular intervals and receiving a sequence of input samples representing input values of the signal at respective sample times indicated by the clock. The method further includes determining the delay with a temporal resolution substantially finer than the clock interval to be applied to the signal at each of the respective sample times. For each of the sample times, responsive to the respectively-determined delay, one or more of the input samples are processed so as to generate a corresponding output sample representing a delayed output value of the signal at the sample time.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for providing data originating from an aircraft to a ground-based device using a satellite communications link. The system includes an aircraft-based transceiver to transmit the data to a satellite. The data is associated with the operation of a particular aircraft. Also included is a ground-based receiver to receive the data transmitted from the aircraft-based transceiver through a communications link established by the satellite.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for paging a user terminal (UT) using a satellite communications system having a gateway and one or more satellites, wherein each satellite produces a plurality of beams and each beam includes a plurality of channels. The method of the present invention includes the step of recalling a location of the UT, wherein the recalled location corresponds to a location of the UT at a time t1. In one embodiment this is accomplished by performing a lookup in a table that includes location information for user terminals at different points in time. The method also includes the step of determining an area, based on the recalled location, within which the UT is assumed to be located at a time t2, where time t2 is later in time than time t1. The next step is to determine a time t3, where t3 is equal to or later in time than time t2, when the following two criteria are satisfied. First a satellite of the one or more satellites has an elevation angle between &thgr;1 and &thgr;2.

Abstract: A system and method for image compression utilizing adaptively sized blocks and sub-blocks of discrete cosine transform coefficient data is presented. A block size assignment element in the encoder selects the block or sub-block of an input block of pixels to be processed. The selection is based on the variance of pixel values. Blocks with variances larger than a threshold are subdivided, while blocks with variances smaller than a threshold are not subdivided. A transform element transforms the pixel values of the selected blocks into the frequency domain. The frequency domain values may then be quantized, serialized, and variable length coded in preparation for transmission.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically creating and maintaining driver activity logs for vehicle operators. The vehicle operator is in communication with a central station using a mobile communication terminal located onboard an assigned vehicle. A vehicle operator driving status is determined at the central station when messages and position reports are transmitted from the vehicle to the central station. A driver activity log is created upon request by the vehicle operator or by authorized personnel at the central station or host facility. The driver activity log may then be transmitted to the vehicle for display.

Abstract: A mobile telephone displays user information on a display. The mobile telephone displays an information icon on the display if help information is available that is related to the user information on the display. The mobile telephone generates a control signal if an information key on the mobile telephone is activated. The mobile telephone displays the help information on the display in response to the generation of the control signal when the information icon is displayed.

Abstract: A concave reflector is shaped to receive energy emanating from a signal source positioned at the reflector's vertex and to reflect all received energy in a uniform output direction. The reflector additionally introduces a designated constant phase shift into all reflected energy relative to unreflected energy from the signal source, regardless of where the received energy impinges upon the reflector. When the source signal is periodic, this reflector design minimizes near field interference between the reflected signals, since they all have the same phase shift relative to the unreflected source signal. Furthermore, if the reflector is designed to implement zero phase shift, reflected and non-reflected signals tend to combine additively in the far field, focusing most of the transmitted energy toward the center of the transmission pattern.

Abstract: A new signal processing architecture for base stations and gateways (124, 126) used in spread spectrum communication systems (100) that simplifies data transfer, reduces required bus capacity, and does not require special synchronization of signals that are to be combined. A series of transmission modules (5081-508M) are used to transfer data to corresponding ones of a series of analog transmitters (4121-412M) used to form communication circuits for each system user. Each transmission module (5081-508M) employs a series of encoders (502MR) and modulators (504MS) to form spread communication signals, using appropriate PN spreading codes. Spread spectrum communication signals from each module (508) for each system user (D), are summed together (5101-510M) and transferred to a single analog transmitter (412) associated with that module. The signals being combined are automatically synchronized by common timing signals used for elements within each module.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating the power of a signal. The signal is compared to and separated into a plurality of ranges. Each range is assigned a particular output value. The output values approximate the square of the input signal based on known characteristics of the input signal. A low pass filter is used to average a plurality of the output values.

Abstract: A technique for spreading information signals in a spread spectrum communication system to provide increased signal acquisition speed. A first PN spreading code or code set is used to spread information signals along with a second PN spreading code sequence or function. The second PN code is synchronized with the first PN spreading code, but has a larger code period so that each code chip of the second PN code extends over the entire period of the first PN code. The longer period spreading code forms an outer code which helps provide unambiguous beam identification and easily acquired frame timing in the presence of dynamically changing signal path delay, improving signal acquisition.

Abstract: A mobile telephone displays a status menu on a mobile telephone display. The status menu includes an antenna position status that indicates if an antenna for the mobile telephone is properly positioned. The mobile telephone continually updates the antenna position status in the status menu when the status menu is displayed.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for providing group communication services in an existing communication system. Group communications are enabled by installing a communications manager in a data network such as the Internet. The communications manager acts as a configurable switch, allowing communications from any group member to be transmitted to all other group members. The communications processed by the communications manager take the form of data packets, suitable for transmission over the data network. The data packets are generated by communication devices operating within the communication system. The use of the communications manager further allows users of other communication systems and devices to participate in group communications with each other.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling transmitted output power of autonomous hand held devices and external antenna units. Transmit power of an information signal is controlled in the hand held device utilizing multiple units for transmission. The transmit power is controlled by obtaining a temperature compensated power measurement of the information signal transmitting from the antenna unit. The temperature compensated power measurement is determined by either a software or a hardware compensation scheme. The software temperature compensation scheme involves identifying a power detector output and temperature output within the antenna unit and sending both outputs through a power estimator, where the power estimator utilizes voltage-temperature correlation equations, to produce the temperature compensated power measurement.