Abstract: A method for augmenting communications between called and calling parties with context information helps either or both parties decide whether and how to accept or initiate a communications event.

Abstract: The Enhanced Network Subscriber Service (ENSS) operates with a public switched telephone network 200. A caller 112 enters a number which is in service, but belonging to subscriber 114 who is a registered member of the ENSS. The call triggers an intercept at the SW 110. The SW 110 signals the CCP. The CCP 116 searches the NSHDB 108 for the called number and its subscribers, past and present, and their associated access codes. If the called number is found, the CCP 116 signals the AS 120 to request an access code from the caller. An Audio System 120 conducts a dialog with the caller to obtain the required access code, using either DTMF or voice recognition, and forwards the access code to the CCP 116. The CCP 116 compares the submitted code to the access code(s) for the current subscriber. If it matches one of these codes, the CCP 116 conferences in the number corresponding to the code, and drops off the call.

Abstract: In a generic, end-to-end address resolution methodology, destination addresses in one format are translated into local addresses of different formats for purposes of routing calls across a plurality of interconnected networks which use different address formats. Translation of addresses is accomplished through either database query or by conversion algorithm. To facilitate routing across a particular network, the signaling message of the call is repacked with the local address as the routing address. The original destination address is preserved and carried transparently across that network. The signaling message is then repacked with the destination address as the routing address. Bi-level addressing schemes are supported, so that a network-level destination address and user-level destination address may both be carried transparently across a particular network.

Abstract: A blind convergence process for an adaptive decision feedback equalizer that includes an quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) slicer having a index n, a forward filter defined by a plurality of forward tap coefficients and a feedback filter defined by a plurality of feedback tap coefficients. The blind convergence process includes initializing the forward tap coefficients of the forward filter and the feedback tap coefficients of the feedback filters with predetermined values. The slicer operates in two modes: a clustering mode and a decision directed mode. In the clustering mode the following steps are performed: (1) update the forward tap coefficients of the forward filter using an error estimate (e.g. Sato error), and (2) update the feedback tap coefficients of the feedback filter using an error estimate (e.g. Sato error).

Abstract: A conventional antenna 114 at a cell site of a sectored cell in a cellular radio communications system has a low angle of coverage in elevation and therefore has low gain for close-in subscriber units (near the cell site). In a sectored cell, a main beam antenna in a first sector generates sidelobes and backlobes which may fall within the close-in area in other sectors. A close-in mobile in one of the other sectors may move into such an out-of-sector lobe and cause unexpected interference to the base station transceiver (BTS) of the first sector. A downward-looking antenna (DIA) 110 supplements the conventional antenna in each sector and has a beam 112 covering the close-in area. The gain of the DLA beam is greater than that of any out-of-sector lobes and so provides a subscriber unit with a higher gain link to the BTS of its own sector than is provided by out-of-sector lobes to the BTS of any other sector.

Abstract: A server in a telecommunications network connects to subscriber equipment of at least one type and to caller equipment of several different types via a communications medium. The server includes a receiving element, a translating element, and a routing element. The receiving element receives messages intended for the subscriber equipment from the caller equipment in caller formats. The translating element translates the messages to a subscriber format compatible with the subscriber equipment. The routing element automatically transfers the translated messages to the subscriber equipment without requiring the subscriber to initiate the message transfer.

Abstract: Methods for switching a mobile between operation in an mobile satellite system mode and a terrestrial wireless mode. When operating in the terrestrial wireless mode, the mobile terminal will initiate an attempt to switch into the MSS mode when it nears the boundary of the coverage area for a terrestrial wireless system to which it is registered. Conversely, a mobile terminal operating in the MSS mode will regularly attempt to switch into the terrestrial wireless mode. For both, a switch between modes is contingent on the mobile terminal identifying a suitable system for registration therewith upon completing the switch between modes. The criteria for identifying a suitable system for selection purposes include the following: (1) the selected system is available, i.e., the mobile terminal is physically located within a coverage area for the selected system; (2) the mobile terminal is compatible with the selected system; and (3) the selected system is willing to accept the mobile terminal.

Abstract: A digital communication trunk employing digital discrete multitone communication over twisted pair copper network segments to increase the effective bandwidth therethrough. Each central office includes an end unit to connect to the network segments and digital discrete multitone repeaters are employed throughout the trunk at defined distances to maintain signal quality. A multiplexer can be employed at the central offices to combine multiple baseband signals before transmission and to extract those multiple signals after reception. In one embodiment of the present invention, four T1 rate baseband signals are combined by the multiplexer into a single signal which is transmitted at T2 rates through the trunk.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing an interworking function to interface a frame relay LAN to an ATM network. Data from a broadband packet switched data data communications network which uses data packets of a fixed size is transferred to a narrow-band packet switched network which uses data packets of variable size by queuing input fixed length data packets data packets of variable size; processing the data payloads of said input data packets received from said queue to line-encode said data so it may be transmitted in said data packets of variable size; and generating output fixed length data packets of the same size as the input fixed-length data packets for transmitting said processed data payloads to a fixed-length to variable lengh data packets conversion device.

Abstract: A communications network, eg a distributed network, comprises a plurality of distributed physical resources in the form of components, assemblies of components, and systems based on components and composites. A network management system of such a network comprises an application level which represents the functionality of a plurality of different composites being hardware and/or software components of different proprietary manufacture and different function capability, and an implementation level which implements control of the composites. The application level is sub-divided into a plurality of application level elements each of which correspond to a function capability of a composite or system, a system being a highest level of composite. The implementation level is sub-divided into a plurality of implementation level elements each of which represents a system, a composite or a component.

Abstract: A terminal coupled to an intelligent telecommunication network may invoke dynamically modifiable subscriber services by transmitting information to a switch to which script files, each containing programming script needed to initiate a calling feature or other advanced subscriber service and a criteria statement used for triggering execution of the programming script, were downloaded thereto from a home location register where the script files may be added, deleted or otherwise modified by a system administrator. A program execution module residing at the switch compares the received information to the criteria statement for each script file downloaded thereto and executes the programming script of the script file having a criteria statement which matches the received string of digits. In wireless systems, the script files are downloaded to an MSC whenever a roaming terminal registers therewith.

Abstract: A number of user IDs are assigned to each wireless device. The number of user IDs required is based on the type of information transmitted (e.g., video, voice, or data). The user ID's generate the orthogonal Walsh codes used to cover a data signal to be transmitted. Each Walsh code is 2n-bits in length and the memory size is 2n×2n where n is the number of bits in the Walsh code. Each unique user ID addresses a memory to generate a unique Walsh code corresponding only to that user ID. The orthogonal codes output from the memory cover the information to be transmitted. This results in the transmitted signal being orthogonal to other users and also orthogonal within the transmitting user's own signal bursts.

Abstract: When the frame rate changes from eighth rate to full rate, the power control process increases the Eb/No target by &Dgr;1. If the frame rate changes from full rate to eighth rate, the power control process decreases the Eb/No target by &Dgr;2. In both cases, a decision threshold for a Frame Quality Metric is determined. If the Frame Quality Metric is less than the threshold, normal power control is resumed. If the Frame Quality Metric is greater than or equal to the threshold, the newly set target Eb/No is decreased by A3. The target Eb/No is continually decreased by A until the frame rate changes or the target reaches the required Eb/No, indicated by a bad frame or lower frame quality metric (i.e., lower than the frame quality threshold).

Abstract: In a LEO satellite system with the implementation of a virtual network, a method and a system are proposed for arranging an optimal route for data packets to travel. The method and system will diversify the traffic between satellites, and accordingly enhance the efficient use of the entire satellite system. An intermediary satellite is first selected between a source satellite and a destination satellite. Further, an optimal route is found among a plurality of shortest paths between the source satellite and the intermediary satellite, and subsequently another optimal route is found between the intermediary satellite and the destination satellite. Once an optimal route is determined, the route information can be encoded in the header segment of data packets.

Abstract: A new ANSI-41 networking message, designated “MessageWaitingNotificationDirective” or “MWNDIR,” for communicating message waiting notification information to an HLR is described. In a preferred embodiment, the MWNDIR message comprises several existing ANSI-41 parameters, including MobileStationIdentity (“MSID”), MobileDirectoryNumber (“MDN”), and MessageWaitingNotificationCount (“MWNCOUNT”). In operation, when the HLR receives an MWNDIR INVOKE message from a node, if the received message can be processed, the target Mobile Station (“MS”) can be identified, and the target MS subscribes to a Message Waiting Notification (“MWN”) service, the HLR stores the message waiting information received in the MWNCOUNT parameter and returns an empty parameter list (referred to as MWNDIR RETURN RESULT) to the node. Otherwise, the HLR sends a TCAP RETURN ERROR or TCAP REJECT with a proper Error or Problem Code to the node.

Abstract: A method and system provide enhanced caller identification information to a called party. The system determines whether or not standard caller identification information associated with a calling party can be provided to the called party. The system preferably determines whether the standard caller identification information is unavailable, incomplete or has been blocked. When the system determines that the standard caller identification information cannot be provided, the system transmits a request for audible caller identification information to the calling party. If the calling party provides the requested audible caller identification information, the audible caller identification information is transmitted to the called party. The called party is thus provided with information about the calling party that can assist the called party in deciding whether or not to answer the call.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing a wireline or wireless carrier or service provider to transparently provide a virtual private network to wireless callers of the network. The method works in a telecommunications network including a service switch point, a service control point, and a first and second telephone. The method provides a virtual private network for the first and second telephone by performing a series of steps. First, an identifier for the first telephone is stored in a memory accessible by the service control point. Next, a first dialed number is received from the first telephone by the service switch point. The service switch point notifies the service control point to determine if the identifier for the first telephone is in the memory. If so, the service control point converts the number dialed by the first telephone to a second dialed number. The service control point then provides the second dialed number, being assigned to the second telephone, to the service switch point.

Abstract: A robust method for determining the boundaries of cells and the associated reliability of the RF coverage within these boundaries is presented. The invention accurately determines the average range from the base station to the cell edge from RF signal strength measurements with a linear regression approach. The accuracy of this estimate is quantified both as a range uncertainty (e.g. ±100 meters) and as a cell coverage reliability (i.e. area/edge) through 1) simulation, 2) analysis of real data, and 3) theoretical analysis. It is shown that if the estimate of the cell radius meets the desired accuracy, then the corresponding estimates of coverage reliability (both area and edge) are more than sufficiently accurate. It is recommended that radio survey analyses incorporate this test as part of the coverage validation process.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates an inter-mobile switching center (MSC) soft hand-off by creating a communication link between the MSCs through the base station controllers (BSCs). The routers in the BSCs are linked to form a virtual router. This faster link between the BSCs enables the same protocol to be used for intra-MSC soft hand-off used for inter-MSC soft hand-off.

Abstract: A mobile handset is able to receive and transmit to base stations operating in compliance with different standards, for example CDMA, TDMA or AMPS. The mobile handset converts the received signal down to baseband and digitizes only a single channel at a time rather than the whole band. The channel chosen is the biggest of the various transmission systems used. For example, the channel widths for CDMA, TDMA and AMPS are, respectively 1.25 MHz, 30 KHz and 30 KHz. Accordingly to deal with these three systems a 1.25 MHz channel is digitized. Thereafter a digital signal processor determines which of the three systems is being used and appropriate processing and demodulation is carried out.