Abstract: A communication system is disclosed that uses a received wireless signal combined with stored location data about the received signal to determine a location of the communication system or a component of the communication system. The communication system can include a receiver, a processor, and a memory. The processor is adapted to detect identification information in the received wireless signal, search the memory for identification data that matches the detected identification information, and retrieve location data associated with the matching identification information, thereby determining a general location or geographic region in which the receiver is located.

Abstract: A GPS unit receives a list of contacts from an external source and automatically processes the list of contacts, creating a point of interest for each contact in the list of contacts and saving the created points of interest in a point of interest database.

Abstract: A telescoping antenna is disclosed having a plurality of telescoping hollow elements, including an inner-most hollow element. A button latches onto the top of the inner-most element. The inner-most element also includes a tab for preventing its full retraction into the other hollow elements. A wire antenna element is connected to the button, extends through the hollow elements, and is operably connected to a retracting mechanism. The button can be detached from the hollow elements in order to extend the wire antenna elements from out of the hollow elements. The wire antenna element is electrically connected to the receiver circuit such that the wire can act as a long-wire antenna of a calculable radio frequency (RF) resonance when extracted to a particular length.

Abstract: A communication coupling includes a communication port, which communicates with a network component. The communication port includes first and second paths of communication with the network component. A switch may be coupled with the communication port. The switch includes a first position in which the communication port receives a first communication signal from the network component using the first path of communication and transmits a second communication signal to the network component using the second path of communication. The switch may also include a second position in which the first communication port receives the first communication signal from the network component using the second communication path and transmits the second communication signal to the network component using the first communication path.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for generating a map using a global positioning system (100). According to one embodiment, the present invention is a mapping apparatus capable of automatically loading the most relevant local map data to a handheld mapping device (112) as needed. The mapping apparatus comprises a handheld mapping device (112) incorporating a wide area base database (158) and a local area detail database (160). The apparatus further comprises a mobile docking station (114) incorporating a wide area detail database (172) and software operable to update the local area detail database (160).

Abstract: A method and system of remotely managing phone menus in a phone system of one or more intelligent phones is disclosed. The method includes: providing a configuration server, wherein the configuration server includes custom phone menu options and default phone menu options; creating a custom phone menu that includes one or more of the custom phone menu options for at least one of the one or more intelligent phones; coupling the at least one of the one or more intelligent phones to the configuration server; and sending the custom phone menu to the at least one of the one or more intelligent phones via the configuration server.

Abstract: A system includes a base unit, a plurality of connectors disposed in the base unit each operable to couple to a module, and each module operable to couple to at least one terminal unit. The system further includes a host processor residing in the base unit and coupled to a communications network, and a first high speed switch residing in the base unit having a plurality of ports coupled to the plurality of connectors and further coupled to the host processor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unique intelligent communications device. The intelligent communications device in this disclosure can be embodied by an intelligent VoIP phone and can include a system and method of having more phone lines than can be shown at one time. Moreover, the device can also include a system and method of using the way a line appears on the phone to indicate status of that line and/or actions that can be taken using an associated line key. In addition, the device can also include a system and method for improved features for a conference call. Furthermore, the device can include the capability to port a line from one phone to another without network provisioning.

Abstract: A marine radio wireless communication system (10) incorporating a remote wireless handset (26) and a fixed mount marine radio (18) for wireless communication on board a waterborne vessel (12) is disclosed. At least one marine radio remote wireless handset (26) is associated with and wirelessly linked to the fixed mount marine radio (18) for onboard remote acoustic communications between the two. Each fixed mount marine radio (18) and marine radio remote wireless handset (26) incorporates a speaker (80, 106) and a microphone (72, 102).

Abstract: A system (100) for automatically redialing a telephone number includes a first telephone component (104, 106, 108, 132) operable to initiate a call to the telephone number and operable to transmit the telephone number and a second telephone component (104, 106, 108, 132, 302) operable to initiate telephone calls and operable to receive the telephone number transmitted by the first telephone component (104, 106, 108, 132, 302). A memory unit (162, 182, 306, 312), disposed within the second telephone component (104, 106, 108, 132, 302), is operable to store the telephone number transmitted by the first telephone component (104, 106, 108, 132, 302). A redial module, disposed within the second telephone component (104, 106, 108, 132, 302), is operable to retrieve the telephone number from the memory unit (162, 182, 306, 312) and operable to automatically initiate a call to the retrieved telephone number.

Abstract: A detachable wireless transceiver module (306, 308) operable to communicate with a marine radio wireless communication system (10) on board a waterborne vessel (12) is disclosed. The module is designed to be secured and operably connected to a handheld marine radio (250) in order to provide local wireless communications capability thereto. The enhanced handheld marine radio (250) is operable to communicate directly with one or more fixed mount marine radios (18, 38) and/or wireless handsets (26, 46, 50, 52) via local wireless channels.

Abstract: A system (100) for tracking incoming telephone calls includes a first caller identification decoder (166) that decodes caller identification data for a first incoming telephone call including a time stamp having a value reflecting a first time. The system (100) also includes a database (170) for storing the value of the time stamp, a second caller identification decoder (164) that decodes caller identification data relating to a second incoming telephone call initiated at a second time and a frequency counter (156) having a first value at the first time and a second value at the second time. A central processing unit (152) is operable to retrieve the value of the time stamp, identify the first and second values of the frequency counter and thereby determine the second time. A database (170) stores a record reflecting the second time for the second incoming telephone call.

Abstract: A marine vessel (102) is operable to emit an audible signal based upon the velocity status of the marine vessel (102). The marine vessel (102) includes a first processor component (340) operable to determine the velocity of the vehicle based upon signal inputs (140, 142, 144). The marine vessel (102) further includes a database (310) containing a set of at least two audible signals. A second processor component (300) is operable to select an audible signal from the set of at least two audible signals based on the velocity of the marine vessel (102). A loudspeaker (110) emits the selected audible signal from the marine vessel (102).

Abstract: A marine vessel (102) is operable to set the operating mode of its marine radio (108) based upon the location of the marine vessel (102). The marine vessel (102) includes a first processor component (340) operable to determine the location of the marine vessel (102) based upon signal inputs (140, 142, 144). The marine radio (108) incorporates a database (310) containing a set of at least two operating modes and a second processor component (300) operable to select an operating mode from the set of at least two operating modes based on the location of the marine vessel (102).

Abstract: A mobile communications apparatus (84) for wireless communication with a fixed mount marine radio (82) is disclosed. A radio-frequency communicator (120) is selectively operable to transmit wireless communications to the fixed mount marine radio (82) in a sending mode and to receive wireless communications from the fixed mount marine radio (82) in a receiving mode. A speaker (114) and microphone (112) are coupled to the radio-frequency communicator (120) to enable audio communication. An actuator (122) operates the radio-frequency communicator (120) between the sending mode and the receiving mode.

Abstract: A system for transmitting data includes a receiver that receives data at a first data transfer rate. A processor buffers the data into sequential frames of a predetermined length of time and arranges the frames into a byte of data. A transmitter transmits the byte of data a number of times greater than one and equal to a second data transfer rate divided by the first data transfer rate.

Abstract: A technique for determining the last digit of a dialed sequence. Different interdigit time-out periods are pre-assigned to each digit received. If the time-out period expires, it is considered that a full complement of digits has been received, whereupon the received digits are then transferred toward the destination.

Abstract: A telephone communication system having a cordless telephone operating in conjunction with a cellular transceiver. A subscriber line interface circuit (SLIC) is controlled by a microprocessor in the cellular transcriber. The SLIC can be controlled to provide standard telephone service to other telephone sets, and includes circuits for testing for foreign voltages on the telephone lines prior to providing SLIC service. Standard RJ-11 jacks are utilized for coupling the telephone sets to the communication system to provide standard telephone service by way of the cellular network.

Abstract: A system for screening telephone calls is provided. The system includes a ring detector that generates ring status data, such as a first data value when a ring signal is being received and a second data value when no ring signal has been received for a predetermined period of time. A message detector generates message status data, such as a first data value when an outgoing message end tone has been detected and a second data value when no outgoing message end tone has been detected for a predetermined period of time. A message screener is connected to the ring detector and the message detector and amplifies a message based on the ring status data and the message status data, such as when the ring status data and the message data indicate that an incoming message is being recorded.

Abstract: A temperature compensation technique employing a directional coupler providing signals from a forward sample port to a detector circuit for providing a DC output representative of transmitted power. A temperature compensation circuit including a current source is coupled to a reverse sample port of the directional coupler for providing a compensating DC bias current via said coupler, to the detector circuit. The detector circuit and the temperature compensation circuit each include matched diodes and corresponding circuits for tracking temperature and offsetting the effects of temperature on the DC output of the detector circuit.