Abstract: A system for providing particular information relating to a caller placing a call from a mobile calling instrument to a special number service station in a telecommunication network includes: (a) an information store for storing a body of information including the particular information identified as relating to the caller; and (b) an interface unit communicatingly coupled at least with the information store and the special number service station. The interface unit responds to a query identifying the calling instrument from the special number service station by retrieving the particular information from the information store and communicating the particular information to the special number service station.

Abstract: A telecommunication system for accessing personal information relating to a caller having a home network and being engaged in a call with a call taker in a remote network distal from the home network includes: (a) an internetwork communication system coupling a plurality of networks that includes the home network and the remote network; (b) an information store coupled with the internetwork communication system for receiving information contributions from the plurality of networks; and (c) an identification device for introducing identification information into the internetwork communication system. The identification device identifies the caller to the information store for use when responding to an inquiry by the call taker to provide the personal information to the call taker.

Abstract: A system and method that uses the flexible bandwidth of a data network in order to provide more flexible services to remote line units comprises a telephone switch configured to provide telephony service to a wireline terminal and an access network head end connected via circuit switch transmission facilities to the telephone switch and configured to manage bearer channels in a data network. The system also includes a data network carrying the bearer channels and a line unit separate from the telephone switch connected to the data network and to the wireline terminals configured to interface wireline terminals to one of the bearer channels. The access network head end reserves a predetermined bandwidth through the network and allocates a portion of the bandwidth to each of the line units. The amount of bandwidth allocated to each line unit is variable.

Abstract: A telecommunications system that recognizes “post-fix” codes after directory numbers are dialed. Such post-fix codes provide the calling party with the ability to invoke features or functions before the call is routed. By use of a post-fix code (for example, *X or *XX) the caller may, for example, control routing of a telephone call.

Abstract: A fishing lure comprising a body having a nose, a tail and a horizontal center line. There is an emergent lip of an inverted trapezoidal shape attached to the body. The emergent lip is adjacent to the nose of the body at approximately a 45° angle to the centerline. The body of the lure includes one or more weights secured in cavities in the body, which causes the lure to sink in the water when at rest and retain the emergent lip up right when under water. The emergent lip causes the lure to rise in the water when the lure is pulled by fishing line attached to an eyelet on the nose of the body between the emergent lip and the centerline. A lure according to this invention further includes one or more eyelets on the body for attachment of fishhooks.

Abstract: An apparatus and method in a telephone communications system that provide for redirecting a call by an adjunct processor, utilizing a control message. The control message contains various directives for current or subsequent execution by a telephone switching center, which can assume a function of a mobile switching center in a wireless communications system or a landline switching center in a landline telephone system. Directives in the control message instruct the telephone switching center to redirect a call contingent upon subsequent call events that can occur.

Abstract: A system and method that provides control of a conference call. A controlling party enters a code and is isolated from the conference. Each conference participant is sequentially connected to the controlling party so that the controlling party may determine the noise level on that leg of the call. If there is no excess noise, then the controlling party may enter a code which causes the switch to select the next party on the conference call. When the controlling party discerns the offending conference participant, the controlling party can signal the switch to drop the offending party. The controlling party may then rejoin all of the conference participants.

Abstract: A system and method for allocating trunks in order to minimize glare. Trunk groups between switches are subdivided and each subgroup uses different allocation algorithms. A first switch hunts a first subgroup using a first algorithm and the second subgroup using a second algorithm. The switch on the other end of the trunk uses the second algorithm to hunt on the first trunk subgroup, and the first algorithm to hunt on the second trunk subgroup. In order to minimize glare, a determination can be made that one of the two algorithms will have precedence, i.e., if both switches seize the same trunk, then the switch using the algorithm of higher precedence to set up its call.

Abstract: A new local-toll telephone network configuration which, using aspects of data network configurations in a unique way, supports both voice and data telephone calls. Further, this invention may be used in conjunction with existing switching systems, so that there is a minimal of capital required to upgrade a local switching system for competitive access. An ATM switch is configured so that there are permit virtual circuits (PVCs) connecting switching offices connected to it. The synchronous data stream is connected to asynchronous and the circuit identifier code is included in the payload. Thus, the ATM switch is serving as a conduit for large amounts of data (including packetized voice) between local telephone switching systems while not having to take the time to set up each connection individually.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the approximate distance and direction of a mobile unit from a plurality of cells in order to determine whether and how to handoff the mobile unit and which cell may be the best serving cell. The CDMA timing system is used to provide an estimate of the subscriber's location to be determined by a CDMA base station. A distance calculation is made by the serving cell site sending a request for signal strength message to a mobile unit. The mobile unit measures pilot signal strength and a time offset from the expected time of such pilot signals. The signal strength and time offsets are returned to the cell site. a processor in the system can then determine if a handoff is really desirable, and with which of the cell sites is the best serving all for the mobile unit the mobile unit with a high degree of confidence that the call will be maintained.

Abstract: A wireless telecommunications system is disclosed that is capable of providing both public wireless service and virtual private network service on existing IS-95 CDMA facilities without changes to the air interface, the hardware design or the protocols for interacting with home location registers. An illustrative embodiment of the present invention comprises: broadcasting from a radio a first SID/NID signal and a FOR.sub.-- NID.sub.

Abstract: A system and method that controls a wireless call from a home system regardless of its current serving system. In this system, when a wireless telephone is roaming, the serving system sets up a transmission path to the home system. The home system performs all of the origination functions as if the wireless unit were in the local area and communicates via the transmission path, with the wireless unit using the serving system as an extension of the home system.

Abstract: A system and method for caching frequently called numbers so that call delivery time is shortened and the signaling network and service nodes are not overloaded by telephone number queries. In a distributed control switching system, each processor that performs digit analysis and has an area of memory. This area of memory is used as a cache to store directory number translation information. When a call arrives for a specified directory number (DN), if, after standard translation, the call cannot be normally routed, then the cache is consulted to determine whether the destination for that DN is in the cache. If it is, then the call is routed to the destination associated with the DN. If, however, the DN is not in the local cache, then a query is sent to one or more other units in the switch which may contain such caches in order to determine if these caches contain the destination.

Abstract: A system for providing low cost data connections directly to a long distance switch in order to connect a plurality of ISDN-based data connections to a data network such as the Internet. A line card of this invention connects directly to a time slot interchange unit of a digital switch and receives ISDN data and control information, extracts the control information and sets up channels through to the data network, and provides ATM segmentation reassembly and header routing information in both directions. This system also provides policing and traffic shaping control for each ISDN connection and traffic control so that a particular ISDN connection does not overload the resources of the line card. The line card of this invention also provides ATM physical layer processing SONET encapsulation, and SONET optical interfaces to a router on the Internet. In this manner, numerous ISDN connections may be made inexpensively by using fewer ISDN modems and channel banks, and lessen the load on local switching systems.

Abstract: A method for operating a wireless telecommunications system that is capable of providing both public wireless service and virtual private network service on existing IS-95 CDMA facilities without changes to the air interface, the hardware design or the protocols for interacting with home location registers.

Abstract: A wireless telecommunications system that is capable of providing multiple virtual wireless networks (e.g., a public network and/or one or more private networks) from a single IS-95 compliant CDMA radio without changing the air interface or modifying existing hardware designs. Includes the steps of broadcasting from a radio a first SID/NID signal and a FOR.sub.-- NID.sub.

Abstract: A circuit card face plate with an elastomeric, electrically-conductive seal that provides electromagnetic compatibility sealing and air flow control for a front panel of an electronic equipment frame. The seal gasket is in electrically-conductive contact with the face plate and an adjacent face plate, thus, with all cards in place, an air flow barrier and an electrically-conductive surface is established. To this end, an elastomeric, electrically conductive seal in a modified figure-eight cross-section provides a close fit with minimal lateral pressure being exerted on adjacent cards. Further a pin on both the top and the bottom of the face plate inserts into a hole on an upper and lower rack shelf maintain alignment of the cards when they are in the frame.

Abstract: A wireless repeater comprising a first antenna for receiving a first signal from a wireless terminal and for transmitting the first signal along a first path; a second antenna for receiving a second signal from the wireless terminal and for transmitting the second signal along a second path; a summing circuit for receiving the first signal from the first path and the second signal from the second path, for summing the first signal and the second signal to form an aggregate signal, and for outputting the aggregate signal along a third path; a delay in the second signal that makes the second signal path longer than the first signal path; and a third antenna for receiving the third signal from the third path and for transmitting the third signal.

Abstract: A system for providing a wireless connection from a cell site to its own operations and maintenance panel (OMP). A new unit is built into a cell site on the radio shelf that includes features of a cellular telephone. Such unit includes a modem so that a laptop or other type of computer may be plugged in. This system operates in a plurality of modes, so that it can communicate with any or all of the wireless telecommunication system types (such as AMPS, TDMA, CDMA), and frequency ranges (i.e, 850 MHz and microwave). While the system is installation, the wireless telephone unit can communicate with another type of wireless system. However, once the system comes on line, the unit can communicate with other cell sites in the area from its own system, thus reducing the cost of maintenance. Furthermore, such a system can be used for informing the OMP of alarms such as an intruder alarm, etc.

Abstract: A system to deliver data at very high data transmission speeds to many units in a distributed processing system simultaneously. A distributed processing system is supplied with a local area network (LAN) which is connected to each unit of the distributed processing system. Each unit is also equipped with a LAN interface card so that it may receive messages (and send messages if necessary) between itself and the system supplying the data. Speed of data delivery is increased to the speed of the LAN, which may be many times greater than is currently possible.