Abstract: A method and system for sharing voice messaging support includes a voice messaging system coupled to a wireless network and wireline network. A given mailbox in the system can be shared between telephones on multiple ones of the networks in question. Once a message is received at the VMS, a message waiting indicator can be sent to the subscriber over both of the networks to which the subscriber subscribes.

Abstract: A method and system provide efficient, flexible, and convenient data communication services over public wireless systems. The system includes a data communication server, having a plurality of interface units, for facilitating data communication between a moving object and one or more ground terminals via a radio communication path. The data communication server establishes the radio communication path over one of a plurality of wireless data networks including packet data networks and satellite data networks and preferably includes a pre-determined software architecture.

Abstract: Several testing methods and apparatus for wireless communications, such as a cellular telephone communications, are described. One method for use in troubleshooting a problematic call in a wireless communication system by a computer test station includes the steps of receiving a telephone call from a wireless telephone unit while the wireless telephone unit is simultaneously connected in a call; receiving, during the telephone call, first information which identifies the wireless telephone unit and second information which identifies a wireless switch utilized in the call; sending, during the telephone call, a trace command having the caller ID information to an address associated with the wireless switch; and receiving, in response to sending the trace command, call trace information including information that identifies a plurality of devices of the wireless switch utilized in the call.

Abstract: A cellular messaging network includes a switching controller connected to the wireless telephone network. One or more base station micro/picocell retransmitters are coupled to the switching controller. The base station micro/picocell transmitter uses simplified control equipment having no digital traffic channel capability. Each base station micro/picocell retransmitter is able to discriminate between voice channel assignment signals and short messaging signals in the digital control channel, discard the voice channel assignment signals, and rebroadcast the short messaging signals in the digital control channel. One or more receivers are coupled to the base station micro/picocell retransmitters by way of an IS-136 protocol digital control channel. The base station micro/picocell retransmitter can be connected to the switching controller through a twisted-pair telephone line.

Abstract: An air-to-ground telecommunications system allows callers to store messages on an aircraft data server when sufficient air-to-ground communication bandwidth is unavailable for transmitting a call. The system allows aircraft callers to leave voice, fax, e-mail or other data messages. The messages are stored on the aircraft until sufficient bandwidth becomes available for transmission to the ground. Transmitting messages requires shorter air time and more efficient bandwidth usage because messages do not require a high degree of interaction between parties. The messages can also be compressed before transmission for further efficiently using aircraft-to-ground bandwidth.

Abstract: Coverage areas for wireless networks are divided into a plurality of cells that are arranged in rows. Channel frequencies are assigned to cell sectors and associated with respective antenna axes. The antenna axes of adjacent rows are alternatingly rotated, thereby reducing co-channel interference. In an example, an available bandwidth is divided into twelve channel frequencies, so that a cell cluster includes four cells. Co-channel cells associated with half the channel frequencies are assigned to cells in the first row of cells, and the remainder are assigned to cells in the second row.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a system and method for providing an automatic response to a telephone call. The automatic response module may be integral to a wireless phone or may be added afterwards, such as with a plug-in module, or may be provided by a third party provider, such as on a network. In one embodiment, the user of a wireless phone may select one or more automatic responses in the form of pre-recorded messages that will be played to a caller when an incoming telephone call is received. In another embodiment, the pre-recorded messages may be text or other graphical messages. In an alternative embodiment, a selection algorithm may be used that selects the appropriate automatic response based on pre-determined criteria, such as information in the user's calendar, contact list, etc. Many other alternatives and alternative embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a apparatus for coupling with a vehicle having a wireless protocol-enabled device, such as a hands-free car kit, and a power supply and for coupling with a wireless device. The wireless protocol may be a protocol such as Bluetooth, and the wireless device may be a wireless phone. The apparatus comprises a charge cord, a vehicle adapter located at a first end of the charge cord, and a connector located at a second end of a charge cord. The vehicle adapter couples the power supply to the charge cord, and the connector couples the charge cord with the wireless device. The apparatus also comprises a wireless protocol module operably connected to the charge cord, wherein the module comprises logic to exchange communications signals between the wireless protocol-enabled device and the wireless device.

Abstract: A wireless communication system is configured to allow for the provisioning of partitioned telecommunication service to subscribers. A wireless switch contains a partition table which associates a service provider with each wireless terminal which has the switch as its home switch. When providing telecommunication services to a subscriber using a wireless terminal, the switch provides such services using resources associated with the service provider associated with the subscriber. In one embodiment, such a resource may be a subscriber profile database such that multiple service providers maintain separate subscriber profile databases connected to the switch. The switch, upon determining the service provider associated with a subscriber requesting service, will retrieve the subscriber's profile from the subscriber database associated with the identified service provider. The switch then provides services in accordance with the retrieved profile.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a mobile communication device that automatically receives signals indicating predetermined events, and automatically takes actions in response to the events. The actions include executing one or more software applications on the device. The applications include native applications and downloaded applications that are individually configured.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a method for automatically managing wireless device actions based on network provider-controlled financial conditions, such as the current rate (e.g., cents/minute) for a voice or data communication. In one embodiment, the user configures preferences indicating how the device should behave based on certain financial conditions. The device and the provider communicate transparently to the user to monitor current financial conditions and take actions automatically based on the user preferences. The provider communicates current financial conditions, and the device takes actions according to the user preferences, including executing downloaded applications on the device.

Abstract: A method for use in forwarding a call intended for a GSM-roaming subscriber unit (106) is performed by a mobility gateway (102) connected between an ANSI-41 network and a GSM network. The method includes associating the roaming subscriber unit (106) with one of a plurality of temporary transfer-to telephone numbers homed on a mobile switching center (118). The temporary transfer-to telephone number is used for an intermediate and temporary transfer of a call intended for the roaming subscriber unit (106) in response to some predetermined condition, such as a busy indication or expiration of time. This number is used to facilitate both the forwarding of the call to a voice mail system (116) and the tearing down of international long-distance connections.

Abstract: A new method makes the most efficient use of the scarce spectral bandwidth in a wireless discrete multitone spread spectrum communications system by updating the spectral and/or spatial spreading weights at a rate that is determined by the measured quality of the link. Low quality links require more frequent updates of the spreading weights than do higher quality links. Spreading weights and despreading weights for a station are adaptively updated, depending on the error in received signals. If the error value is less than a threshold error value, then the method maintains the existing spreading weights as the current spreading weights to apply to an outgoing data signal. Alternately, if the error value is greater than the threshold error value, then the method adaptively calculates updated despreading weights at the base station from the first spread signal and calculates updated spreading weights as the current spreading weights from the updated despreading weights to apply to the outgoing data signal.

Abstract: A method of locating a mobile telephone includes steps of receiving, transmitting, increasing and determining. In the receiving step, a first base station receives a call from a mobile telephone, the call including a dialed number and a TDMA signal. In the transmitting step, the base station transmits a control message to the mobile telephone when the dialed number meets a predetermined criterion, such as being 911. The control message instructs the mobile telephone to transmit the TDMA signal at a maximum power. In the increasing step, the mobile telephone increases the TDMA signal to maximum power in response to the control message. Then in the determining step, location information for the mobile telephone is determined based on at least one characteristic of the TDMA signal received at at least one of the first base station and other base stations.

Abstract: A method is provided for multiple remote units (RU)s to efficiently utilize resources on a shared OFDM high speed data channel without collisions. A collision occurs when two or more RUs transmit on the same frequency at the same time. The method defines two distinct states for accessing the channel. These are the Arbitration state and the Data Transfer state. A base station transmits a flag on the downlink to notify the RUs of which state is in effect. RUs having a data message notify the base station by transmitting a frequency tone, which acts as a request to transmit data, during the arbitration state. The tone frequencies are frequency spaced to be mutually orthogonal, so that the base station can receive all the uplink requests simultaneously. Upon receiving the uplink request signals, the base station establishes the data transfer state and orders the uplink data messages from the remote units is a non-interfering sequence.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating a channel in a wireless receiver is disclosed. The method preferably applies to a communication system using the OFDM standard. The method comprises receiving a block of “n” transmitted symbols, the symbols including pilot symbols and “d” data symbols, estimating a channel using the pilot symbols to create a channel estimate, choosing a group of “m” strongest symbols from the “d” received symbols, compensating the “m” strongest symbols using the channel estimate to create a group of “m” compensated symbols, re-estimating the channel using the group of “m” compensated symbols and pilot symbols; and either (1) repeating the steps of choosing a group of “m” strongest symbols, compensating the group of “m” strongest symbols and re-estimating the channel, or (2) using a latest channel estimate to compensate all symbols within the block.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system detects a loss of synchronization between a transmitter and a receiver in a multiple-carrier communication system such as an OFDM system. A phase-frequency synchronization detector determines when the receiver has lost synchronization with the transmitter based on a phase-frequency relationship of plurality of pilot signals transmitted at different frequencies from the transmitter and received at the receiver. A loss of synchronization is detected when a slope of a line defined by the phase-frequency relationship exceeds a timing threshold more at a rate in excess of an occurrence threshold within a time period.

Abstract: A system and method for automated management of the behavior of a wireless communication device is disclosed herein. Behavior preference settings are configured and provided to a wireless network and the wireless communication device. The wireless network provides current conditions or events to the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device enforces the preference settings based on current conditions and counters for incoming and outgoing communications to a third party.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system detects a loss of synchronization between a transmitter and a receiver in a multiple-carrier communication system such as an OFDM system. A plurality of synchronization indicators are observed to determine whether a loss of synchronization between a transmitter and a receiver in the wireless system has occurred. In one embodiment, the receiver is determined to have lost synchronization with the transmitter if two or more of the three synchronization indicators indicate a loss of synchronization. In such an embodiment, the three synchronization indicators include a timing error indicator, an energy guard band indicator and a phase-frequency slope indicator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use in reducing residual phase error (RPE) in orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) communication signals are described. One method includes the steps of calculating a phase of each one of a plurality of channel-compensated data symbols to generate a plurality of data symbol phases; performing a hard-decision on each one of the plurality of channel-compensated data symbols to estimate a plurality of information symbols; calculating a phase of each one of the plurality of information symbols to generate a plurality of information symbol phases; calculating a phase difference between each data symbol phase and its associated information symbol phase to generate a plurality of phase differences; and determining a residual phase error based on the plurality of phase differences.