Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating registration of a mobile node with a home agent. Dormant mode operation of the mobile node is supported. Message generators positioned at the mobile node generate appropriate messages for a UMTS and a WLAN network. The messages include indicia identifying the home agent associated with the mobile node. Apparatus positioned at separate network portions of the communication system form registration proxies for performing the registration of the mobile node with the home agent.

Abstract: A method for location-based call distribution is provided that includes receiving from a customer communication device a request to establish a communication session with an agent communication device based on a specified telephone number. An agent database is searched for the specified telephone number. Location data corresponding to the specified telephone number is retrieved from the agent database when the specified telephone number is found in the agent database. The customer communication device is located. The agent communication device that is nearest to the customer communication device is located based on the retrieved location data. A communication session is established between the customer communication device and the nearest agent communication device.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, forming a bridge mechanism bridging a legacy cellular network with a successor-generation cellular network. A communication service available only in the successor-generation network is made available to a mobile station operable pursuant to a service subscription in the legacy network. The bridge mechanism forms a hybrid mobile switching center capable of operation in both the legacy network and the successor-generation network.

Abstract: Dead reckoning is used to solve a location problem when a user is out of range of GPS coverage. A starting position is determined by tracking movements from a first position where GPS coverage is not available to a second position where GPS coverage is available. The starting position is then determined by backtracking from this known position.

Abstract: A reflector-positioning apparatus, and an associated method, for a lighting assembly. Rotational forces are generated and applied to rotatable ring members. Rotation of the ring members is transduced to tilt and pan movements, as desired, of the reflector.

Abstract: A user interface, and an associated method, facilitates operation of a mobile station by a physically-disabled user. In one implementation, concave-shaped face covers are provided for the telephonic keypad of a mobile station to facilitate its usage by a physically-disabled user. In another implementation, the mobile station is provided with a TTY (telecommunications device), also to facilitate operation of the mobile station by a physically-disabled user. And, in another implementation, a location-request signal generator, carriable by a user, generated a location-request signal upon actuation by the user. The mobile station includes a local receiver for receiving the location-request signal and an annunciator for annunciating reception of the location-request signal. If the mobile station becomes misplaced, a user actuates the location-request signal generator, and the annunciation signal generated responsive to detection of such signal at the mobile station facilitates location of the mobile station.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, facilitates service degradation in a radio communication system, such as a cellular communication system. A service degradation profile is created and includes values of QoS (quality of service) level values. If communication at levels corresponding to the values of the desired QoS level parameters is unavailable, efforts are made to effectuate, or maintain communication at quality levels corresponding to values of at least first QoS level parameters values. Service degradation thereby occurs pursuant to a selected profile, reducing the need for service renegotiations and reducing the possibility that an abrupt termination of a communication session might occur.

Abstract: Gain control apparatus, and an associated method, for a radio transmitter, such as the radio transmitter forming a portion of a mobile station. Gain control is effectuated by controlling the level of bias current at which a power amplifier is biased. Signals to be transmitted by the radio transmitter are also applied to the power amplifier to be amplified thereat. Because the gain of a power amplifier is directly proportional to the bias level at which the amplifier is biased, gain control is effectuated through control of the bias current by which the power amplifier is biased.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for maintaining a selected QoS (quality of service) level of communications by a mobile station as the mobile station travels throughout an area encompassed by a radio communication system. Subscriber QoS classes are defined. One of the QoS classes is selected pursuant to a service subscription permitting the mobile station to communicate in the radio communication system. The selected QoS class is stored at a service subscription register. During communications with the mobile station, resources are reserved for use by the mobile station at a level corresponding to the selected QoS class.

Abstract: A display circuit, and associated method, including a high-persistence display element, such as a liquid crystal display device, which visually displays sequences of informational image frames while minimizing interference between successive ones of the frames. A sequence of informational image frames are displayed upon the display element, thereby to generate a visual signal which appears to scroll across the display element. Blank image frames are interspersed between successive ones of the informational image frames to reduce thereby interference between successive ones of the informational image frames.

Abstract: A system and method for calculating survivor metrics in a Viterbi equalizer of a receiver, such as a receiver operative to receive a PSK-modulated signal, for example, a .pi./4, differential, phase-shift-keying, modulated signal. The state transition metric, defined as a function of two successive states, is converted into a function defined by pairwise differences between allowable symbols of a PSK-modulated signal. When operative to receive the .pi./4 DQPSK-modulated signal, the number of calculations required to calculate state transition metrics is reduced significantly.

Abstract: Coolant apparatus, and an associated method, for quickly chilling an article, such as a beverage or food item. The article is placed in an enclosed compartment, and a forced flow of super-cooled air is directed upon the article. Heat energy of the article is convected thereaway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an occlusive dressing selected from the group consisting of e.g. a condom, a pessary or a femidom comprising a local anaesthetic and optionally a penetration enhancing formulation for postponement of ejaculation, especially for the treatment of premature ejaculation (PME). The local anaesthetic is, in case the occlusive dressing is a condom, applied on the whole or substantially the whole inside of the occlusive dressing when the condom is in essentially unrolled condition. The product can also be used by partners, not suffering from PME but who simply want to have a longer sexual intercourse. The invention further comprises the use of local anaesthetic in the manufacturing of a means for postponement of ejaculation.

Abstract: An antenna assembly, and associated method, for a radio, such as a portable radiotelephone, which is of minimal physical dimensions and which is operable over a wide range of frequencies. A length of wire is helically-shaped and includes at least a portion of a winding. A capacitive top-hat is positioned at an end portion of the wire. By increasing the number of windings of the wire, the height of the antenna assembly is reduced, but such reduction also reduces the size of the bandwidth of frequencies over which the antenna assembly is operable. Increase in the size of the surface area of the capacitive top-hat increases the size of the bandwidth over which the antenna assembly is operable. Selection of the top-hat size and the number of windings permits beth physical dimensions of the antenna assembly and the size of the bandwidth to be selected.

Abstract: A system including a laser survey instrument for determining positional data of a selected target. The laser survey instrument generates optical pulses which are transmitted to and reflected from the selected target back to the survey instrument. The survey instrument determines the range to the selected target responsive to the transmission and reflection of the optical pulses. The survey instrument also determines horizontal and vertical angles between the survey instrument and the selected target. Values of the range and the horizontal and vertical angles form positional data. Once determined, the positional data is modulated upon the optical pulses to form an optical signal which is transmitted to a remote site.

Abstract: A portable data acquisition device, including a position-determining device and data collector, determines and stores positional data associated with objects positioned in a geographical area within sight of the device. Data representative of attributes associated with the objects are also stored in the device. The data stored in the device can be transferred to processing circuitry of a computer and absolute positional coordinates of the objects are determined. The absolute positional coordinates and the data representative of the attributes associated with the objects are placed in files accessible by geographic information system (GIS) software which utilizes the data to form a geographic information system (GIS) database from which GIS maps may be formed.

Abstract: An assembly, and associated method, for dissipating thermal energy contained in a circuit element of an electrical circuit which is releasably connectable with a substrate to form an electrical connection with the substrate when connected therewith. A fluid conduit extends through a plate member which is positionable proximate to the circuit element to be moveable therewith. The fluid conduit is coupled to a fluid manifold when the electrical circuit forms the electrical connection with the substrate. Coolant fluid is supplied to the manifold and, when the fluid conduit is coupled to the fluid manifold, also the fluid conduit. Thermal energy generated during operation of the electrical circuit is transferred to the coolant fluid flowing through the fluid conduit. The location of the fluid conduit is repositionable responsive to reconfiguration of the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A media lockout device and associated method for a combined media drive. The combined media drive permits the insertion of storage media into two separate insertion openings of the combined media drive to be received therein. The media lockout device permits reception within the media drive of storage media inserted through one of the insertion openings of the combined drive. Once a storage media is inserted through an insertion opening of the combined drive, the media lockout device prevents the insertion of another storage media through the other of the insertion openings while the first storage media is received within the combined drive.

Abstract: A duty cycle control circuit, and an associated method, generates an output clock signal having a duty cycle which differs by a desired amount with the duty cycle of an input clock signal. Offset bias signal circuitry generates an offset bias signal which offsets a copy clock signal and an inverted copy clock signal relative to one another by a selected offset bias. The duty cycle of the output clock signal differs with the duty cycle of the input clock signal by an amount which is related to the amplitude of the offset bias signal.

Abstract: A protective cover for the frame surrounding the front windshield of a motor vehicle which prevents the paint and metal of the auto body frame from being damaged by airborne debris. The protective cover is a single unit molded from a semi-rigid material and designed to conform to the natural shape of the frame surrounding the front windshield. The protective cover contains an area of no material at its center whereby a driver's vision is totally unobstructed while driving. Two main attachment mechanisms are located respectively on the right and left vertical portions of the protective cover. The attachment mechanisms are continuous extensions of the same semi-rigid material comprising the overall structure of the protective cover. The outer edges of the attachment mechanisms hook around the backside of the vertical frame post of the motor vehicle and create a sufficient pulling force as to secure the protective cover to the vehicle.