Abstract: A cellular telephone includes a receiver for receiving cellular communications and a transmitter for transmitting cellular communications. A controller is coupled to the receiver and the transmitter and controls the receiver and the transmitter based on the command signals. The controller includes a first memory for storing call rate information indicative of rates charged for the cellular communications. A timer provides a timer signal indicative of a time during which the cellular communications take place. The controller determines the amount of currency to be charged for the cellular communications based on the call rate information and the timer signal. An administrator station is provided for loading a threshold amount of currency into the cellular telephone. The entire system can be tracked and managed, and system wide statistics are available to the system operator.

Abstract: The cellular mobile telephone and system is provided wherein the cellular telephone automatically dials one or more prescribed emergency telephone numbers in the event of an emergency. Automatic dialing of an emergency telephone number is initiated by the user pressing a dedicated push button on the cellular telephone handset, or alternatively, upon the occurrence of an accident which is detected by the cellular telephone. After the cellular telephone dials the predetermined emergency number, the cellular telephone plays a recorded message which indicates that an emergency has occurred and that the telephone user is in distress. Alteratively, the cellular telephone user is allowed to participate in the emergency call upon receiving notification that the cellular telephone has successfully completed the automatic dialing and a connection has been established.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling a signal from one node to another node prepares a signal for transmission, performs error checking on such signal while simultaneously transferring such signal within a transmitting node, transmits the signal from the transmitting node, receives and formats the signal at a receiving node, including an identifying portion and a data portion, and directly stores the data portion in memory that is directly accessible by a user process executing in the receiving node while simultaneously performing error checking.

Abstract: A switching circuit, comprising a first input for receiving power from an external power supply; a second input for receiving power for rapid charging a battery; means for selectively coupling to a power output for driving a device at least one of such power from the external power supply and power from the battery; and means for coupling such power for rapid charging a battery to the battery at the same time such power from the external power supply is coupled to the power output.