Abstract: A program schedule user interface for use in television applications, such as cable or satellite broadcast programming. The interface allows for display of program scheduled information in full screen or minimized mode and provides additional useful configurations of the program schedule information.

Abstract: Telecommunication equipment, such as mobile radios, cellular telephones, pager systems and central controllers, etc., can be programmed to be operational during certain periods of time. A predefined period of usage, such as daylight hours (6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) can be programmed into the telecommunication equipment. When a request for service is made, the actual time thereof is compared to the programmed window of operation. If the requested time of operation is within the window, telecommunication services are established. On the other hand, if the requested time of operation falls outside the window, telecommunication services are denied.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing satellite update information are disclosed. In the preferred embodiment satellite update information, comprising satellite position, polarity, name, and abbreviation, are accumulated at a first location and transmitted via satellite to at least one of a plurality of satellite receivers. The satellite receiver is operable to receive and automatically utilize the satellite update information such that the end user of the satellite receiver in unaware of the automated process of updating satellite information in the satellite receiver. The satellite receiver uses a portion of the satellite update information to calculate a pulse count for positioning an antenna to receive radio signals from a satellite for which satellite update information has been received.

Abstract: A land mobile radio communication system has a plurality of cell sites, each of which typically has a plurality of repeaters. The over-the-air radio communications between the cell site repeaters and the mobile radios in the system include both a voice component and a data component. The data component is carried as low-frequency subaudible information. Communication channels are provided between the radio users at each site as well as between users at different sites and between mobile radio users and the public telephone network. Within a cell site, the transmitted and received communications are digitized and passed through serial buses in a time multiplex fashion. The digitized voice is transferred between time slots to provide the required switching function. The system includes operational software to provide direct inward dial telephone number recognition, automatic voice prompts for a user entering a new cell, call priority override, fraud control for radio fleets and a dynamic control channel.

Abstract: A relay lifter comprises a hook switch unit for turning ON/OFF a hook switch in response to a talk switch, a voice switching unit for switching connection of an aural signal in said corded telephone set between a transmitter/receiver of said corded telephone set and a cordless telephone set, and a bell sound detection signal transfer unit, a bell sound is outputted from said cordless telephone set when a bell sound is detected and an incoming call is accepted, a hook switch is turned ON/OFF using a hook switch ON/OFF unit, and connection of an aural signal in said corded telephone set is switched to said cordless telephone set for transmitting and receiving voice using said cordless telephone set.

Abstract: The is provided by the present invention a telephone system with high versatility comprising a corded telephone set, a cordless telephone set, and a relay lifter, wherein said relay lifter comprises a hook switch unit for turning ON/OFF a hook switch of the corded telephone set according to a first control signal responding to the talk switch, and a voice switching unit for switching connection of an aural signal in the corded telephone set according to a second control signal between a transmitter/receiver of the corded telephone set and the cordless telephone set, and switches connection of an aural signal in the corded telephone set to the cordless telephone set using the voice switching unit to transmit or receive voice using the cordless telephone set.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for checking the cell of preference in a multi-cell communications system is disclosed. While a communications receiver or transceiver is currently receiving an acceptable signal from a current cell, a cell of preference is checked for a brief period of time for a cell beacon. If a cell beacon is received, the receiver or transceiver continues to receive the cell of preference. If not, the receiver or transceiver returns to the current host cell. The preferred embodiment is directed to a land mobile radio system which broadcasts cell ID codes at periodic intervals. In the preferred embodiment, the transceiver checks-in to the cell of preference to announce its presence such that future communications can be directed to the radio after check-in.

Abstract: A method of searching for active signal frequencies from a plurality of frequency bands is disclosed. Bands of frequencies are defined by upper and lower limit frequencies. The bands are stored as chains in a chain memory. A controller searches for active signal frequencies by sequentially recalling each chain and searching the band of frequencies defined by the upper and lower limit frequencies. Active signal frequencies may be stored in a channel memory.

Abstract: A land mobile radio communication system has a plurality of cell sites, each of which typically has a plurality of repeaters. The over-the-air radio communications between the cell site repeaters and the mobile radios in the system include both a voice component and a data component. The data component is carried as low-frequency subaudible information. Communication channels are provided between the radio users at each site as well as between users at different sites and between mobile radio users and the public telephone network. Within a cell site, the transmitted and received communications are digitized and passed through serial buses in a time multiplex fashion. The digitized voice is transferred between time slots to provide the required switching function. The system includes operational software to provide direct inward dial telephone number recognition, automatic voice prompts for a user entering a new cell, call priority override, fraud control for radio fleets and a dynamic control channel.

Abstract: A method and two-way radio apparatus are disclosed which provide for the storage and recollection of call history information, in a call history memory, based on a system ID codes and group ID codes which are linked to receive ID codes and transmit ID codes in an ID code memory. The call history memory may be arranges as a FIFO queue, and calls may be automatically replied to upon reviewing the contents of the call history memory.

Abstract: A land mobile radio communication system has a plurality of cell sites, each of which typically has a plurality of repeaters. The over-the-air radio communications between the cell site repeaters and the mobile radios in the system include both a voice component and a data component. The data component is carried as low-frequency subaudible information. Communication channels are provided between the radio users at each site as well as between users at different sites and between mobile radio users and the public telephone network. Within a cell site, the transmitted and received communications are digitized and passed through serial buses in a time multiplex fashion. The digitized voice is transferred between time slots to provide the required switching function. The system includes operational software to provide direct inward dial telephone number recognition, automatic voice prompts for a user entering a new cell, call priority override, fraud control for radio fleets and a dynamic control channel.

Abstract: A land mobile radio communication system has a plurality of cell sites, each of which typically has a plurality of repeaters. The over-the-air radio communications between the cell site repeaters and the mobile radios in the system include both a voice component and a data component. The data component is carried as low-frequency subaudible information. Communication channels are provided between the radio users at each site as well as between users at different sites and between mobile radio users and the public telephone network. Within a cell site, the transmitted and received communicatios are digitized and passed through serial buses in a time multiplex fashion. The digitized voice is transferred between time slots to provide the required switching function. The system includes operational software to provide direct inward dial telephone number recognition, automatic voice prompts for a user entering a new cell, call priority override, fraud control for radio fleets and a dynamic control channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing calls in a multi-system land mobile radio network. A plurality of call destinations are linked or grouped together into a call group. Each call destination has a preferred system. Selection of a first call destination points to or is linked to at least a second call destination. If the preferred system for a current call destination is not accessible, then a second call destination, selected in accordance with the first call destination is made the current call destination. Selecting a call group causes a radio to attempt a plurality of call destinations, each in sequence, until an accessible preferred system is found, indicating that the current call destination is valid. If an accessible system is found, then the call is placed thereto.

Abstract: A select call receiver, such as a pager, is disclosed which comprises a canned message memory. The canned message memory has canned message memory storage locations that are linked to message tag identifiers. The pager recalls and displays canned messages upon receipt of message tag identifiers. In the first embodiment, the pager provides a programming mode wherein the user of the pager can remotely program canned messages into the pager by accessing a convention paging terminal and keying numeric data into a telephone keypad. The numeric data is converted to alphanumeric data according to a mnemonic entry scheme and stored in the pager's canned message memory. In a second embodiment, the message tag identifier is also remotely programmable by the user, allowing great flexibility in the definition of the message tag identifiers.

Abstract: A land mobile radio communication system has a plurality of cell sites, each of which typically has a plurality of repeaters. The over-the-air radio communications between the cell site repeaters and the mobile radios in the system include both a voice component and a data component. The data component is carried as low-frequency subaudible information. Communication channels are provided between the radio users at each site as well as between users at different sites and between mobile radio users and the public telephone network. Within a cell site, the transmitted and received communications are digitized and passed through serial buses in a time multiplex fashion. The digitized voice is transferred between time slots to provide the required switching function. The system includes operational software to provide direct inward dial telephone number recognition, automatic voice prompts for a user entering a new cell, call priority override, fraud control for radio fleets and a dynamic control channel.

Abstract: A scan receiving system comprising an antenna circuit, a radio-frequency reception circuit connected to the antenna circuit and for converting a received radio-frequency signal into an audio-frequency signal, an audio-frequency circuit connected to the radio-frequency reception circuit and for amplifying the audio-frequency signal supplied from the radio-frequency reception circuit, an input circuit for inputting a desired reception frequency, and a controller connected to the radio-frequency reception circuit, the audio-frequency circuit and the input circuit, the controller including a plurality of channel memories which are provided in one-to-one correspondence with a plurality of carrier frequency channels so that a plurality of desired reception frequencies inputted through the input circuit are programmed in the plurality of channel memories, the frequencies programmed in the plurality of channel memories being scanned in the order of frequency ascending or descending in accordance with a scan instructi

Abstract: A receiver is disclosed which includes an automatic display illumination capability. Upon the receipt of a signal, the display is illuminated until either an interval timer expires, or the signal goes away. In the preferred embodiment, a portable scanning receiver employs a liquid crystal display and an incandescent light. The automatic display capability can be enabled and disabled to a manual display illumination mode of operation. Benefits include improved ease of use in low ambient light conditions and improved battery life.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for secure, remote programming of a receiving device by instructions transmitted in data format, whereby previously stored messages may be selectively updated, capcodes may be reprogrammed, and the pager display may be activated or deactivated.

Abstract: A scanning technique that is preferential as to communication channels actually utilized in the past. A programmable queue is written with a communication channel identity code based on a predefined criteria, such as each time the channel is actually used. The preferential queue is scanned in association with all the remaining communication channel identity codes, thereby providing a weighting factor that is skewed toward the selection of channels that have experienced actual use. System identification codes utilized in a mobile radio complex are stored in the queue in accordance with a roaming function, and group identity codes are stored in the queue when scanning home channels of mobile radio systems to determine incoming calls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently monitoring a plurality of radio channels in a data communication system in which mobile message receiving devices are programmed to receive messages on a plurality of channels by selecting a group of channels for scanning, based upon detection of signal activity in the radio channels.