Abstract: To support communications system repairability, a scalable multi-level data bit stream, capable of supporting variable bandwidth ATM network access, includes an embedded operation channel used by a transport network management system to support connection maintenance, performance monitoring, path tracing, service management and testing functionalities. The transport network management system effectuates a service specific convergence sub-layer functionality to convert between Common Management Information Protocol (CMIP) formatted operation and maintenance managed objects and a message format for the embedded operation channel data. The conversion comprises a Remote Operations Service Element (ROSE) encapsulation, with the encapsulated data incorporated within the embedded operation channel of the multi-level data bit stream. An interface is provided with the ATM network through an ATM adaptation layer to segment the multi-level data bit stream into a plurality of ATM cells.

Abstract: A frequency plan revision proposal is evaluated to determine whether it is compatible with the current cell configuration by insuring that sufficient frequencies having appropriate operating modes are available for assignment to meet the traffic and control channel requirements and availability of the included cell transceivers. A record is kept of previously approved proposals resulting in a revision to the frequency plan assignment. A determination is then made as to whether the current proposal if implemented would have an adverse effect on the network in view of the previously approved proposals maintained by the record.

Abstract: A first cipher stream generated from a private key negotiated as a result of a public key exchange is partitioned to form a sequence of secondary keys. The secondary keys are then indexed. In one instance, each plaintext data packet is encrypted with a second cipher streams generated from a different one of the secondary keys. In another instance, a second cipher stream generated from a single secondary key is used to encrypt a plurality of plaintext data packets. A new second cipher stream generated from another one of the secondary keys is then used for encryption following each instance of the loss of a ciphertext data packet. The index is communicated with the ciphertext to identify which secondary key is to be used in generating the second cipher stream needed for decryption. With knowledge of the secondary key to be used, re-synchronization (along with new private key negotiation) at each instance of a ciphertext data packet loss is obviated.

Abstract: A highly stable single chip crystal controlled oscillator with automatic gain control. An amplitude detector monitors the output of a crystal controlled oscillator amplifier and produces a feedback signal proportional to the output signal of the amplifier to ensure oscillation is induced at startup and that the amplitude of oscillation is limited to a preselected value during operation to conserve power consumption by the amplifier. The capacitor tank circuit connected to the input of the amplifier includes a voltage variable capacitor the voltage across which is initially established at manufacture to tune the oscillation frequency to a preselected value. The voltage across the voltage variable capacitor is also adjusted to compensate for temperature variations in the circuit.

Abstract: Utilizing a three pass processing procedure, a frequency plan revision proposal is defined, verified, implemented and confirmed by a network operator. In a first pass (evaluation), interference and bit error rate measurements are evaluated and used to create one or more proposals. These proposals are evaluated to confirm compatibility with the current cell configuration, coordination with previous proposals, and assignment of frequencies. In a second pass (pre-update verification), more measurements are evaluated to confirm the first pass proposals. A single proposal for each selected cell is then chosen for implementation in a network update. In a third pass (post-update verification), the measurements are again evaluated to verify, following the update, that the implementation of the proposal had a positive effect on the network.

Abstract: A method, and associated apparatus, for the selective transmission of packet data to a mobile terminal operable in a radio communication system. When packet data is to be terminated at the mobile terminal, an SMS (short message service) message is first transmitted to the mobile terminal. A determination is made at the mobile terminal whether to permit transmission of packet data thereto. The packet data is transmitted to the mobile terminal if permission is granted by the mobile terminal.

Abstract: A telecommunication system coordinates telecommunication services rendered from an intelligent network and a human operator. An operator assistance call center includes one or more human operators each of which has a telephone and an operator workstation. The intelligent network includes a service switching element and a service control element. A party placing a call requests a service having one or more features. The intelligent network receives the call, processes the service request, and integrates one or more service features provided by one of the human operators from the operator assistance call center in rendering the requested service. The operator assistance call center includes a call center server communicating with the plural operator workstations and interfacing with the service control element of the intelligent network. The integration between automated IN services with operator-assisted services broadens the service portfolio that a service provider may offer to subscribers.

Abstract: A cellular telephone network includes plural areas each having a plurality of cells. The cells individually supporting certain service capabilities. Inter-exchange messaging is provided for distributing from a second exchange to a first exchange information on the service capabilities supported by a cell serviced by the second exchange. Using the distributed service capability information, the first exchange may identify, in the context of a potential inter-exchange hand-off, whether to request that cells serviced by the second exchange be instructed to make verification signal strength measurements. Furthermore, responsive to received verification signal strength measurement reports, the first exchange screens candidate cells based on the distributed service capability information to select an appropriate target cell served by the second exchange for hand-off.

Abstract: An imaging system and method for alleviating perceptional problems of a viewer during the transmission and display of high resolution still images on a video system is disclosed. Through modifications to an encoder and decoder within the imaging system, the viewer may select a still image or portion thereof from a video image sequence for viewing. The imaging system and method ameliorate perceptional delays in displaying the lengthy high resolution still image by immediately displaying a lower-resolution, shorter-length video image frame corresponding to the still image. The lower resolution video image being displayed is then updated and refined with the image data from the high resolution still image as it is received.

Abstract: An inexpensive high gain antenna for use on terminals communicating with low earth orbit (LEO) satellites which include an elevation table mounted for arcuate movement about a transverse axis on an azimuth turntable mounted for rotational movement about a central axis. A plurality of antenna elements forming a phased array antenna are mounted on the top of the elevation table and have a scan plane which is parallel to and extends through the transverse axis of the elevation table. The antenna may be both mechanically and electrically scanned and is used to perform handoffs from one LEO satellite to another by positioning the elevation table of the antenna with its boresight in a direction intermediate the two satellites and with the scan plane of the antenna passing through both satellites. At the moment of of handoff, the antenna beam is electronically scanned from one satellite to another without any loss in data communication during the process.

Abstract: A double talk and echo path change detector is provided for use in an echo canceller that makes a determination about whether a residual signal is dominated by echo or by a "near end" signal. In order to make this determination, a first measure of linear dependency is computed between the residual signal and an echo estimate, and a second measure of linear dependency is computed between the residual signal and a desired signal. The two results are compared with each other, and if they are of about the same order, no further action is needed. However, if the comparison determines that the dependence between the residual signal and the desired signal is much stronger than the dependence between the residual signal and the echo estimate, the present detector assumes that double talk has been detected and a signal denoting that result is output.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a novel Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) method and system for determining the position of a first mobile radio terminal within an associated mobile radio system, which is based on Time of Arrival (TOA) measurements, including a plurality of radio base stations, measuring devices, network controller, and service node. The measuring devices are synchronized in otherwise unsynchronized radio base stations. The measuring devices measure TOA on demand and (optionally) Direction of Arrival (DOA), on a digital uplink time slot or on digital information on an analog uplink traffic channel in one or more radio base stations. The TOA and DOA information and the traffic channel number are reported to a Mobile Services Switching Center, which obtains the first mobile terminal's identity from the traffic channel number and sends the terminal identity and TOA and DOA measurement information to a Service Node.

Abstract: A communications system is provided that uses a multiple access packet reservation type of protocol. The physical channels required for the packet transfers are specially allocated to one mobile station (referred to as a "VIP MS"). The VIP MS has the exclusive priority to use these allocated physical channels for packet data as needed. Consequently, the VIP MS always has the negotiated bandwidth available for the packet transfers. Furthermore, since the VIP MS is given the highest exclusive priority to access these physical channels ("VIP priority"), by allocating a reserved random access channel dedicated to the VIP MS (e.g., on one allocated uplink channel), the variable random access delays experienced by prior systems no longer exist Since the VIP MS is always scheduled first for transmissions on the downlink, and reserved access is provided for the VIP MS on the uplink, only a constant delay period for the uplink and downlink is involved.

Abstract: A method for establishing a new broadcast control channel carrier frequency within a cell without disturbing ongoing call traffic is disclosed. A cell having a base station transmitting broadcast control channel data over an existing BCCH carrier frequency establishes a second BCCH carrier frequency within the cell. During a first time period BCCH data is transmitted on the existing first BCCH carrier frequency. During a second time period, both the existing and new BCCH carrier frequencies carry BCCH data to enable surrounding mobile stations to detect and recognize both carriers. The transmission of the old BCCH carrier frequency is then discontinued during a third time period, such that the broadcast control channel data is only transmitted on the new BCCH carrier frequency.

Abstract: Wireless mobile communication devices automatically transmit therebetween information regarding the status of the devices. This permits the devices to be used effectively by members of a group or team performing a given task.

Abstract: Feature dispatching within a wireless intelligent network is provided by routing feature request messages to a service control point. For example, such routing is made to bypass transmission to a home location register for the mobile station. Alternatively, such routing is made by the home location register to dispatch requests relating to service features provisioned to other nodes. Still further, dispatching of requests to the home location register is made by the service control point for feature request message implicating certain service features.Feature arbitration within a wireless intelligent network is provided by involving a service control point in call set up and delivery. In a first instance, a request message for a routing/roaming number is sent by the home location register through the service control point. In another instance, the home location register queries the service control point as to whether a service feature is implicated by the call set up and delivery.

Abstract: A system for inhibiting the transmission of an access request message from a mobile station when either the system is incapable of granting access at the class of service desired by the mobile or access by the mobile at that class of service would increase the interference level of the target base station or a neighboring base station past its interference capacity. In one embodiment, each base station broadcasts a maximum data rate access parameter and any mobile receiving that parameter and seeking access at a greater data rate refrains from transmitting an access request message. In another embodiment, each mobile calculates from its path loss to the base station the power level it must transmit in order to gain access as well as the effect of that transmission on the interference level of both the target base station and neighboring base stations. If transmission at the required power level would increase the interference level of any base station past its maximum capacity, the transmission is inhibited.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electronic monetary systems in general, and in particular to measures for making their use easier for an average user. The present invention is based on the idea that the use of electronic money is greatly simplified for a non-expert user, if the Internet Service Provider of the user takes care of the payments, and adds corresponding charges on the user's telephone bill. Such functionality requires the intervention of the ISP in the transmissions between a user and a third party, i.e. intercepting the electronic payment requests sent by a merchant. According to the present invention, the ISP uses electronic money on behalf of the user, and charges the payments on the user's telephone bill. The ISP can take care of all technical details necessary for obtaining different forms of electronic money in a centralized manner, and all users of the ISP can use the electronic money obtained by the ISP simply by allowing the ISP to add corresponding charges to their telephone bills.

Abstract: Sparseness is reduced in an input digital signal which includes a first sequence of sample values. An output digital signal is produced in response to the input digital signal. The output digital signal includes a second sequence of sample values, which second sequence of sample values has a greater density of non-zero sample values than the first sequence of sample values.

Abstract: A subscription record within a telecommunication system is sub-divided into three separate registers, namely, a user, a subscription and a terminal register. The use of three separate registers within the system allows several terminals to be associated with one user, several users to be associated with one terminal, several subscriptions to be associated with one user, and several users to be selectively associated with one subscription. The subscription records include a list of allowed users for each subscription account. Additionally, the subscription records include a schedule that defines allowable usage time for each user. The user records include a schedule which defines what subscription accounts will be charged at specified times during the week.