Abstract: Speech or voice activity in an audio signal is defected without using a speech coder. Pitch period information and signal energy information are extracted from the audio signal, and a decision regarding the presence or absence of voice is made based on that information.

Abstract: A conventional utility meter has numeric information supplied to a display. The utility meter is modified by the addition of a module port for a telecommunications module. The telecommunications module receives the numeric information which is supplied to the display, and communicates that numeric information as data signals to one of the plurality of standardized wireless telephone networks.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed by which a round-trip calculation is used to determine the distance between a mobile radio station (MS) and a radio base station (BS) using the apparent uplink and downlink signal propagation air-times (e.g., T-up and T-down). As such, no absolute time reference is required. The MS and BS report to a service node in the mobile network the local departure and arrival times of the uplink and downlink signals, and calculate the apparent air-times, T-up and T-down. The distance, D, between the MS and BS can be calculated as D=c(T-up+T-down)/2, where "c" equals the speed of light. The distances, D1, D2 and D3, to at least three base stations whose locations are known, can be used in a triangulation algorithm to determine the MS's position.

Abstract: An electronic device operates with an external accessory by initiating a serial data communication over an accessory control bus. If data communication is established with the external accessory, the electronic device operates in a first interface mode, when one or more operating parameters are transferred over the bus. If data communication is not established, the electronic device operates in a second interface mode, when no operating parameters are transferred over the bus.

Abstract: The package type identifier of "conversation with permission" is utilized in certain ANSI-41 Mobile Application Part (MAP) messages to allow a node receiving the message to generate an appropriate response message necessary for MAP operation closure within a Transaction Capability Application Part (TCAP) transaction. In one implementation, an ANSI-41 MAP error or reject message includes a package type identifier of "conversation with permission" instead of "response" thus allowing the node receiving the error or reject message to appropriately respond in connection with the closure of an open MAP operation. In another implementation, the "conversation with permission" package type identifier is specified for an ANSI-41 MAP instruction request message to support MAP operation closure in the event of an error or rejection in that operation.

Abstract: An antenna switch for selectively connecting an output differential signal pair of an output power amplifier to a single-ended signal of an antenna when transmitting and selectively connecting an input differential signal pair of a low noise input amplifier to the single-ended signal of the antenna when receiving. A first balun having a single ended-signal connected to an antenna connects a first and second output differential signal to a power output amplifier. A second balun having a single-ended signal connected to the antenna connects a first and second input differential signal to a low noise input amplifier. A first diode selectively shorts the first output differential signal to the second output differential signal of the first balun when receiving and a second diode selectively shorts the first input differential signal to the second input differential signal of the second balun when transmitting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining more accurately, in a radio environment with time dispersion, the distance between a radio receiver and radio transmitter, by special processing of received radio signals that have been transmitted repeatedly from the same radio transmitter and are possibly subject to multipath propagation. The Time of Arrival (TOA) of the received radio signals is repeatedly estimated using channel power profiles. A TOA value near the minimum occurring TOA is selected wherein each estimated TOA is derived from incoherent integration of a randomly chosen number of the received bursts having the same known bit sequence, in order to eliminate the influence of noise.

Abstract: A number of different solutions are described for gathering access delay and distance measurement information for use in determining the position of a cellular mobile station. For all of these solutions, one frequency and one uplink channel in each cell are dedicated for position determination. In one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for determining the position of a mobile station using handover procedures for all of the cells or certain predefined cells in the network. One uplink channel is dedicated within each cell in the network to be used for position determination. These positioning channels continuously listen for handover access requests. Cells detecting the access bursts can measure the access delay and determine the distance to the requesting mobile station. A triangulation calculation is used to pinpoint the mobile station's position.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating the automatic or programmatic set up of calls and store-and-forward services by or under the direction of an IP in an Intelligent Network (IN) telecommunications system comprising several Intelligent Peripherals (IPs) connected to a Service Control Point (SCP) over a network. The various IPs are also linked with each other over a distinct telecommunications backbone. When a subscriber opens a dialogue with an IP to schedule an automatic call set up at a later time and date, the IP orders the SCP to set up a call at the desired time to the desired number by issuing a "Set Up Call" command. In response the SCP sets up the call to one or more subscriber(s) and confirms this to the initiating IP. The SCP then returns call set up results to the IP.

Abstract: A transmitter diversity assembly and an associated method for a radio transmitter. When coupled to a radio transmitter to form a portion thereof, signal diversity is created to overcome multi-path fading. A plurality of antennas are freely selectable to be coupled to receive bursts of a communication signal, modulated to be transmitted on any of selected carriers. By altering the carriers upon which the bursts of the communication signal are transmitted and the spatially-separated antennas used to transduce the bursts of the communication signal, both transmission space diversity and frequency diversity is created.

Abstract: External entity data access to the customer administrative system and database network elements of a telecommunications network is provided through a web-server and an Internet connection. The integrity and security of any stored data is protected through the use of a firewall implemented at the web-server. In one aspect, an interface is connected between the customer administrative system and database network elements and is also connected to the web-server to handle external entity requests by specifying not only which actions need to be taken but also routing the request to a proper destination. In a second aspect, the interface is by-passed with respect to the handling of external entity requests, with the web-server specifying the actions to be taken and routing the request to the proper destination.

Abstract: A method is disclosed such that when a call is being set up from or to a mobile (or fixed) pre-paid subscriber, a portion of the value in the subscriber's pre-paid account is withdrawn to cover the cost of the call. Preferably, the amount withdrawn is large enough to cover the cost for a call of typical duration (e.g., 4 minutes). At call set up, for example, in an Intelligent Network, this amount is withdrawn from the account and allocated to the call being set up. If this amount is not completely used up, the remainder is returned to the pre-paid account. If, however, the allocated amount is depleted before the call is completed, a second allocation or withdrawal from the account is requested for that call. If the value left in the account is large enough to cover the second withdrawal request, a second amount is withdrawn and allocated to cover the ongoing call. If needed, additional withdrawals can be made to cover the ongoing call until it is completed.

Abstract: A testing assembly, and an associated method, for testing an integrated circuit device. The testing assembly is capable of testing an integrated circuit device having a large number of input and output terminals formed of either single-ended terminals or differential terminals. Static testing, both functional and parametric, can be performed upon the integrated circuit device. Additionally, dynamic testing of the integrated circuit device, even integrated circuit devices operable at high frequencies, is possible through operation of the testing assembly. Test signals are applied by way of signal rails to the device undergoing testing. A test signal response indicator is coupled to observe responses to the test signals.

Abstract: Each frame of a pilot channel transmission in a spread spectrum communications system is divided into a plurality of synchronization slots. Each of the synchronization slots includes a pilot code, and at least one of the synchronization slots further includes a framing synchronization code. To extract frame and slot synchronization information from the pilot channel transmission, pilot code timing is first identified by applying a matched filter or correlation to a received pilot signal, identifying peaks, and using the peaks to find a timing reference indicative of synchronization slot boundaries. Next, the set of known framing synchronization codes are correlated with the received signal over the included found synchronization slots. Given that the location within the frame of the known framing synchronization code(s) is known, once a correlation match is found at a certain slot location, the boundary of the frame (i.e., the frame synchronization) relative thereto is then also known.

Abstract: A D-AMPS+ cellular communications air interface is presented wherein a packet data control channel and packet data traffic channel is supported in addition to the conventional digital control channel and digital traffic channel. In particular, the packet data control channel and packet data traffic channel support multiple modulation level operation (high versus low). Procedures are provided for mobile station selection, as well as re-selection, of either the high or low-level modulation for the packet channels. Procedures are further provided for facilitating a fall-forward to the high-level modulation packet data control channel, or a fall-backward to the low-level modulation packet data control channel with respect to both uplink and downlink packet data communications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antenna unit for a portable radio unit capable of operating in a satellite communication mode. The antenna unit includes a first and a second conformal u-shaped antenna body which are movably arranged to each other. Each of the antenna bodies have a top surface and two outer surfaces. The second antenna body can be slid in and out of the first antenna body. The first antenna body has an array of patches on the top surface and on both of its outer surfaces to receive radio signals. The second antenna body has an array of patches on the top surface and on both of its outer surfaces to transmit radio signals. The antenna unit is coupled to the terminal unit by a hinge which enables the antenna unit to be folded onto the terminal unit.

Abstract: A .SIGMA..DELTA. modulator-controlled, phase-locked-loop circuit, and an associated method, generates a frequency-regulated signal which does not exhibit undesired tones. Dithering signals are generated and are provided to a .SIGMA..DELTA. modulator. The .SIGMA..DELTA. modulator forms a division-factor control signal used to control the division factor of a frequency divider forming a portion of the PLL circuit. The dithering signals applied to the .SIGMA..DELTA. modulator reduce the likelihood that the .SIGMA..DELTA. modulator shall enter a limit cycle and generate repetitive output signals.

Abstract: A system and method monitors telephone networks and/or data communication networks, especially cellular mobile telephone networks (CeN), and provides good evidence of performance and quality of the services to be delivered by the network. At the same time, the system and method is easy to handle and includes components that require only small spaces and that are effective in use. According to the invention, a method and system (CeNA) includes one or more fixed and/or mobile units (FTU, MTU), herein designated as field units or test units, that enable quality observations and communication with a network operator or operation center (CU).

Abstract: Responsive to receipt at an originating switching node of an incoming call, a location request (send routing) message is sent to the home location register for the called mobile station. A routing request (provide roaming) message is then sent from the home location register to the switching node identified by the home location register as currently serving the called mobile station. The serving switching node then sends a routing number request message to the base station controller currently serving the called mobile station. The base station controller then assigns an appropriate one of its routing numbers, and responds back to the originating switching node via the home location register and the visited switching node with the assigned routing number. The assigned routing number is then used to establish a trunk connection between the originating switching node and the base station controller for purposes of effectuating call delivery.

Abstract: The registration notification signal sent to the home cellular system when an internationally roaming cellular mobile station registers in a foreign cellular system includes an identification of the currently serving switching node. Upon subsequent receipt of an incoming call dialed to the roaming mobile station home directory number, the home cellular system signals the serving cellular system and a temporary local directory number is assigned and returned to the home cellular system. The switching node identification is then processed to identify the proper international dialing digits for calling the country where the serving switching node is located. The returned temporary local directory number is then appended to the identified international dialing digits to form an international telephone number which is used by the home cellular system to route the received call to the currently serving cellular system for delivery to the called internationally roaming mobile station.