Abstract: A service module is provided for use in a mobile communications system. The service module provides services to a calling user such as an answering service comprising several individual mailboxes. In various situations, the service module can automatically forward an incoming call to the desired mailbox by using an identification code to allow the user to retrieve or deposit messages. In other situations, the service module is responsive to an indicator during the call by which the user can indicate that the service module did not receive a correct identification code and is therefore required to prompt the user to enter the correct identification code. In other situations, the service module is responsive to an indicator during the call by which the user can indicate whether he/she desires to retrieve a message from his/her mailbox or to deposit a message in another user's mailbox.

Abstract: A method of transferring communication between communication channels of differing bandwidth comprises establishing data communications on a first channel having a first bandwidth, establishing data communications on a second channel in response to a trigger indicating changes in the data to be communicated, wherein the second channel has a bandwidth providing resources different from the first bandwidth of the first channel. The method further comprises releasing communications on the first channel in response to set up of data communications on the second channel.

Abstract: A manifold having a tubular body including effluent retention areas formed within the body and conduit portions having opposing ribs extending radially from an outside surface for use with a pipe anchoring mechanism when installing the manifold and connected flexible corrugated pipe within a septic tank drain field. The manifold includes longitudinally opposing input and output ports for connection to a cooperating manifold or pipe. Multiple transverse ports provide connection from the manifold to an effluent source such as a septic tank or drain field distribution pipe.

Abstract: A method and system for providing group services in a telecommunications network. Groups of subscribers can be created and each group associated with its own telephone number. A member of a group can communicate with others in that group using a group service and the telephone number associated with the group. In one aspect, a number of different, and separately processed, group services are provided which can be accessed using a common group telephone dialing number.

Abstract: A technique for managing access from a mobile terminal (10) to a plurality of communications networks (20, 21, 22, 50). The techniqe is noteworthy in that one or more of said communications networks (50), referred to as input network(s), has one or more home pages displayed on said display means of the mobile terminal and containing one or more names identifying said communications networks (20, 21, 22, 50). The technique can be applied to mobile networks providing access from a mobile terminal (10) to a plurality of independent communications networks (20, 21, 22, 50) each offering a set of services.

Abstract: The present invention includes a denture device having a base configured to be positioned on a natural gum and at least partially surround the natural gum, at least one artificial gum attachable to the base, and at least one artificial tooth attached to the artificial gum. The artificial gum preferably includes a retaining portion. When the artificial gum is attached to the base, the retaining portion of the artificial gum preferably abuts to an undercut of a natural tooth to substantially secure the base, the artificial gum, and the artificial tooth to the natural gum.

Abstract: In order to store data in a mobile telecommunications system, a data storage unit (HLR) has data functions (72, 74) providing data redundancy therebetween, control functions (79, 80) and signalling point (30, 31, 32) to enable the data storage unit to pass data to and from a mobile telecommunications network under the control of the control function. The control functions are physically separate from the data functions. The data functions (72, 74) may operate on the basis that one has a primary data function, a second has a primary standby function to achieve synchronised updating. The use of separate and hence distributed functions enables greater flexibility in the retrieval of data from the data storage unit (HLR).

Abstract: A system for managing access from a plurality of communications networks (20, 21, 22) to a mobile terminal (10) connected to a mobile telecommunications network. The system is adapted to set up a connection from at least one of the communications networks (20, 21, 22) to the mobile terminal (10). Application to mobile telecommunications networks enabling access from a mobile terminal (10) to a plurality of independent communications networks (20, 21, 22) each offering a set of services.

Abstract: In order to store data in a mobile telecommunications system, a data storage unit (HLR) has data functions (72, 74) providing data redundancy therebetween, control functions (79, 80) and signalling point (30, 31, 32) to enable the data storage unit to pass data to and from a mobile telecommunications network under the control of the control function. The control functions are physically separate from the data functions. The data functions (72, 74) may operate on the basis that one has a primary data function, a second has a primary standby function to achieve synchronised updating. The use of separate and hence distributed functions enables greater flexibility in the retrieval of data from the data storage unit (HLR).

Abstract: A billing center for a mobile communications system is provided which allows groups of subscribers sharing a single account to be identified both during the call rating procedure, during which call detail records are related to add a charge to the call detail record, and/or to add a usage of a pre-paid usage allocation to be added to the call detail records, and during the production of billing details at the end of a billing period. A relational database holds usage allocation records which pertain either to a single subscriber, or to a group of subscribers. The group of subscribers may consist of any of 2 to 50, or more, subscribers, depending on the subscription type held by the group.

Abstract: A method of communicating data securely between a terminal and at least one communicating equipment. The communicating equipment in communication with the terminal is identified by at least one first security device installed in the terminal to recognize the nature of the communicating equipment. The communicating equipment is authenticated by acquiring data processed by at least one security server so that it is executable only by the communications equipment. The integrity of the communicating equipment is checked by at least one approval device of the security server using the data transmitted at the time of the authentication, and, in the event of correct identification, authentication and integrity checking at least one management device installed in the terminal is commanded to set up secure data communication with the communicating equipment.

Abstract: Voice and/or image data packets are transferred by a packet handler between user stations in a GSM-type mobile communications system using a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) data link. Control data for controlling a call is stored in a data store accessible by the packet handler. The control data identifies call participants and the identity of a participant who has currently seized the call. A mobile station capable of video conferencing is operable in a half-duplex video conferencing mode, in which intermittent transmission of video data is controlled by depression of a transmit button.

Abstract: A mobile videophone capable of transmitting and receiving information in mobile telecommunications systems, particularly cellular radio networks. The videophone includes a first portion and a second portion, the second portion being rotatable with respect to the first portion, the second portion including a camera for image capture, the camera including a lens, the second portion being rotatable with respect to the first portion from a first position, in which the camera lens is protected by said first portion, to a second position in which the first portion does not protect the camera lens.

Abstract: In a telecommunications system a data function and a date control function are replicated in a plurality of databases (50, 51, 52, 53, 54). In order to synchronize updating of the databases (50, 51, 52, 53, 54), one database is identified as a primary database (50), at least one is identified as a primary standby database (51), and the others identified as secondary databases (52, 53, 54). Then, in normal operation, the data control function of the primary database (50) is arranged to generate signals for synchronized updating of the other databases. In the event of a failure of the primary database, the or a standby primary database (51) takes over the up-grading operating. Tee present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, directed to a telecommunications system for mobile telephones.

Abstract: A service node is provided in a mobile communications network which collects radio link measurement reports which are transmitted to the service node by mobile stations. The mobile stations transmit the measurement reports in encapsulated form, in the form of SMS messages, in order to prevent the interception of the measurement report by the serving base station. The service node is able to perform handover decision algorithms using the measurement reports collected from the mobile stations in order to determine appropriate radio access nodes to be allocated to the mobile stations.

Abstract: A removable data store (34) for a mobile station (8) used in a mobile communications system, the data store being provided with two alternative fixed dialling number lists (70, 72) which are accessible by the mobile station. The data store itself determines a mode of operation of the mobile station, for example a telephone line mode, in order to select between accessing the first list or the second list. This allows the alternate list feature to be implemented without requiring the mobile station (8) to be modified for compatibility with the removable data store (34).

Abstract: A public mobile communications network is configured in accordance with an established protocol which includes a private network portion to which only a selected set of mobile stations have access. The selected set of mobile stations has a private network identity code which is different from a public network identity code. A base transceiver station of the private network portion broadcasts the private network identity code on its broadcast control channel. A mobile switching center prevents public subscriber mobile stations from registering via the private network portion, while the private subscriber mobile stations are allowed to register over the entire network.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus for inputting data by writing characters on a touch sensitive display screen. The data processing apparatus comprises a character recognition processor operable to generate an estimate of a character hand written by a user on the touch sensitive screen. The data processing apparatus includes a processing unit operable to receive the estimated character, and a graphics display device operable to receive the estimated character from the processing unit. The graphics display device is operable to display the estimated characters within a text input window of the display screen. The processing unit is operable in combination with the graphics display driver to display the estimated character on the display screen, substantially at a position proximate to a location to where the user has written the character.

Abstract: A mobile videophone capable of transmitting and receiving information in mobile telecommunications systems, particularly cellular radio networks. The individual components of the videophone are arranged such that the videophone has several different operational configurations to enable a user to select the appropriate configuration for the circumstances in which the videophone is being used. In one embodiment, a videophone can be used as a portable video conferencing device for multiple parties to a call, but should the user wish to hold a private discussion in a public place, the doors can be moved towards the closed position to retain privacy by shielding of the video display. In a further embodiment, a videophone includes two displays mounted on different portions, one of which includes a video camera, which are pivotable from a closed position by approximately 270°.

Abstract: A dentition image reading apparatus (1) includes an in-mouth insert (11) to be inserted into mouth and image pick-up optics (21), the in-mouth insert including a light-transmitting portion (15) at least on one of front and back sides and a hollow portion (12) provided thereinside, the image pick-up optics (21) including: a light source (22) inserted in the hollow portion of the in-mouth insert for irradiating light on the dentition through the light-transmitting portion; a reflection mirror (23) for reflecting the light from the dentition toward the outside of the in-mouth insert; a scanner 31 for moving the light source and the reflection mirror along the depth direction of the hollow portion of the in-mouth insert; and an image pick-up optical system (41) for receiving the light reflected by the reflection mirror.