Abstract: A system and method for performing call handoff in a mobile communication system. The system is employed on commercial aircraft and enables calls to be transferred between different traffic service channels in order to continue and/or improve communications. In a conservation handoff scenario, user service channels are transferred between partially utilized traffic service channels resulting in unused traffic service channels that are released, thus freeing more traffic service channels for use by other aircraft. In a seizure handoff scenario, signal quality on one traffic service channel has begun to deteriorate prompting a call handoff wherein a call on the deteriorating traffic service channel is transferred to an unused user service channel on another traffic service channel already in use aboard the aircraft, thus allowing users to continue their calls.

Abstract: Mobile communication systems and methods consistent with the present invention include a central station, a mobile unit and a plurality of radio base stations The mobile unit communicates with the central station through one of the radio base stations. The central station receives from the mobile unit registration information identifying the radio base station the mobile unit is currently communicating with This registration information is then stored in a registration database located at the central station. Files are then transferred from the central station to the mobile unit using the radio base station identified by the registration information stored in the registration database.

Abstract: A system and method for performing call handoff in a mobile communication system. The system is employed on commercial aircraft and enables cans to be transferred between different traffic service channels in order to continue and/or improve communications. In a conservation handoff scenario, user service channels are transferred between partially utilied traffic service channels resulting in unused traffic service channels that are released, thus freeing more traffic service channels for use by other aircraft. In a seizure handoff scenario, signal quality on one traffic service channel has begun to deteriorate prompting a call handoff wherein a call on the deteriorating traffic service channel is transferred to an unused user service channel on another traffic service channel already in use aboard the aircraft, thus allowing users to continue their calls.

Abstract: An armrest telephone assembly comprises an armrest unit and a telephone handset. The armrest unit includes an upper side and a lower side, and the armrest unit has a release mechanism mounted therein. The telephone handset includes a latching mechanism for releasably mounting the handset to the lower side of the armrest unit. The release mechanism of the armrest unit is mechanically linked to the latching mechanism of the handset such that the latching mechanism releases the handset from the lower side of the armrest unit in response to actuation of the release mechanism.

Abstract: A cord reel assembly is provided which includes a housing including a funnel-shaped port, a spool journalled within the housing, and a cord wound about the spool and having an end portion exiting the housing via the funnel-shaped port. The housing typically includes first and second opposing walls generally perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the spool, and a bridging wall connecting the first and second walls. The funnel-shaped exit port extends outwardly from the bridging wall.

Abstract: An avionic connector interface distribution unit interfaces a central controller with a plurality of avionic devices. The distribution unit comprises a large avionic connector (16), a mother input/output (I/O) printed wiring board (18), first and second daughter I/O printed wiring boards (20, 22), first and second parallel headers (28, 30) formed of matable connector pairs, and a plurality of miniature connectors (14). The mother board (18) includes first and second planar surfaces, and each of the daughter boards (20, 22) includes first and second planar surfaces. The first and second daughter boards (20, 22) are generally co-planar and adjacent to each other, and these daughter boards (20, 22) are parallel to the mother board (18). The second surface of the mother board (18) faces the first surfaces of the daughter boards (20, 22). The first header (28) is situated between and mounted to the second surface of the mother board (18) and the first surfaces of the first daughter board (20).

Abstract: A strain relief arrangement includes a strain relief, a shield bead, a shrink tube, and an outer jacket. The strain relief includes a hub and a plurality of spokes extending outwardly from the hub. The hub forms a channel for permitting passage of one or more wires therethrough. The shield bead is disposed within the channel of the hub. The shrink tube is disposed adjacent to the strain relief. The outer jacket is composed of woven material and is braided over the shrink tube and over the hub of the strain relief with the plurality of spokes protruding through the braided outer jacket.

Abstract: A ground fault interrupter, operable in a measurement state, is employed with a DC circuit having a DC power source and a load. The DC source supplies DC current to the load along a supply current path and receives DC current from the load along a return current path. The ground fault interrupter comprises a first resistance in series with the supply current path, a second resistance in series with the return current path, and a current interrupter disposed in series with one of the current paths. The current interruptor interrupts the one of the current paths in response to actuation of the current interrupter. The ground fault interrupter further includes a measurement unit for measuring voltage drops across the respective first and second resistances during the measurement state, obtaining a measurement value using a difference between the voltage drops, and comparing the measurement value to a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A cord reel assembly is provided which maintains a length of stationary wire and a length of shielded retractable wire around a spool. The assembly dispenses the retractable wire as an attached handset is extended away from the assembly, while the stationary wire is concurrently being wound. A portion of the stationary wire internal to a housing enclosure is unshielded, while a portion extending outside the housing enclosure is shielded. The unshielded stationary wire is shielded by applying conductive paint or electroplating to the housing enclosure, thereby reducing EMI emissions. A spring cover retains a recoil spring and provides a bearing surface against a spindle member. The winding direction of the stationary and retractable wires is chosen, and the stationary wire conductors are arranged with shield ground wires, such that EMI emissions are reduced.

Abstract: A communication system includes a distribution center which collects and processes signals from one or more program sources, and distributes these signals in compressed format to one or more airline terminals, each terminal in communication with one or more parked aircraft. An airline issues a program request identifying certain ones of the program sources, and sends this request to the distribution center where a composite signal is prepared including representations of the program source signals and the program request. The composite signal is transmitted to receiver units at subscriber airline terminals of airports where individual program orders are stored and subsequently distributed to the appropriate aircraft for subsequent in-flight playback of the programs.

Abstract: A telephone holder and latching mechanism for use in conjunction with a hand-held, credit-card telephone in, for example, a commercial aircraft is disclosed. An integrally formed face plate, an integrally formed handset holder, and an integrally formed latching mechanism cooperate to firmly secure a hand-held telephone in a cavity of the holder while discouraging unnecessary tampering and permitting easy removal of the telephone when desired. A first end of the telephone includes a collar which fits into a collar opening at one end of the cavity. An opposing end of the cavity has a latching opening that permits a finger from the latching mechanism to extend therethrough. The latching mechanism is spring-loaded so that the finger is urged through the latching opening. A second end of the telephone incorporates a latching protrusion which the finger engages when the telephone is secured in the holder. A slot in the face plate is dimensioned to accommodate a credit card and prevent insertion of larger objects.

Abstract: An improved telephone handset dispenser to store and dispense a telephone handset from the seat back of an airplane, including a housing for retaining the handset, a handset electrically attached to a cord which is dispensed from a cord reel contained within the housing, a protective bezel, and a self-resetting latching mechanism to retain the handset.

Abstract: An improved telephone handset dispenser stores and dispenses a telephone handset and dispenses the handset upon insertion of an implement such as a credit card. A rectangular front face of a generally box-shaped housing has a longitudinal trough defined therein for receiving the handset. Upon insertion of the implement into a slot defined in the front face of the housing, the handset is dispensed for use. The telephone is electrically attached to the housing by a cord. A rotatably cylindrical cord reel dispenses the cord through the longitudinal trough as the handset is removed, and also stores unused cord. Cord is directed between the cord reel and the longitudinal trough perpendicular to the circumference of the cord reel by a cord guide, thereby permitting the cord reel to be centered in the housing with respect to the longitudinal trough. The housing has two sides and two ends, tapered toward the front face to prevent objects from being placed and retained thereon.

Abstract: For use in conjunction with vehicular, hand-held, pay telephone, a telephone dispenser and latching mechanism for securing the telephone in the dispenser and, in response to actuation by a telephone user, releasing the telephone from the dispenser. The dispenser includes an elongated dispenser channel or stepwise construction. The dispenser channel is enclosed at one end by a latch plate including a credit-card-actuated latching mechanism. The dispenser channel is enclosed at an opposite end by a face plate having an opening for the insertion and extraction of the telephone from the dispenser channel and a slot for the insertion of a credit-card. The latch-release actuator is located behind the face plate slot and is mechanically linked to the latching mechanism. A credit card, once inserted into the slot, causes the latching mechanism to disengage from the telephone, permitting an ejector mechanism to urge the telephone out of the dispenser.

Abstract: In conjunction with a hand-held, credit-card telephone for use aboard, for example, commerical aircraft, a telephone dispenser and credit-card unlatching mechanism ("CCUM"). The dispenser includes a dispenser channel of generally longitudinal stepwise construction. The dispenser also includes an outer cover affixed substantially over the dispenser channel and a face plate secured to a first end of the outer cover. A latch plate is secured to a second end of the dispenser channel, so that the dispenser channel, the outer cover, the face plate, and the latch plate, in cooperation, define a telephone-receiving cavity in which a hand-held telephone is secured when not in use. The face plate includes an opening providing access to the telephone-receiving cavity and a slot for the insertion of a credit card. The CCUM itself includes a latch plate secured to the dispenser channel.

Abstract: For use in conjunction with vehicular, hand-held, pay telephones, a telephone dispenser and latching mechanism for securing the telephone in the dispenser and, in response to actuation by a telephone user, releasing the telephone from the dispenser. The dispenser includes an elongated dispenser channel of stepwise construction. The dispenser channel is enclosed at one end by a latch plate including a credit-card-actuated latching mechanism. The dispenser channel is enclosed at an opposite end by a face plate having an opening for the insertion and extraction of the telephone from the dispenser channel and a slot for the insertion of a credit-card. A latch-release actuator is located behind the face plate slot and is mechanically linked to the latching mechanism. A credit card, once inserted into the slot, causes the latching mechanism to disengage from the telephone, permitting an ejector mechanism to urge the telephone out of the dispenser.