Abstract: Described herein is a method and apparatus for transmission that provides the performance of space time spreading (STS) or orthogonal transmit diversity (OTD) and the backwards compatibility of phase sweep transmit diversity (PSTD) without degrading performance of either STS or PSTD using a symmetric sweep PSTD transmission architecture. In one embodiment, a pair of signals s1 and s2 are split into signals s1(a) and s1(b) and signals s2(a) and s2(b), respectively. Signal s1 comprises a first STS/OTD signal belonging to an STS/OTD pair, and signal s2 comprises a second STS/OTD signal belonging to the STS/OTD pair. Signals s1(b) and s2(b) are phase swept using a pair of phase sweep frequency signals that would cancel out any self induced interference. For example, the pair of phase sweep frequency signals utilize a same phase sweep frequency with one of the phase sweep frequency signals rotating in the opposite direction plus an offset of ? relative to the other phase sweep frequency signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that can automatically facilitate busy line validation (BLV) and emergency interrupt (EI) services with the aid of various sensors and systems that can automatically determine the status of a given phone-line, and further provide a menu of services to a calling party. A calling party that encounters a busy signal during an attempt to call a called party can validate the status of the called line without the intervention of a human operator. If the called line is currently used for a voice conversation, as opposed to a modem or facsimile call, then the calling party can optionally interrupt the ongoing conversation with the permission of the called party.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling administration of Automatic Call Distributor (ACD) queues of an ACD or network of ACDs by a caller, and of communicating data to an ACD Agent. The caller receives information concerning the status of queues in one or a plurality of ACDs. If the caller wishes to communicate with a particular Agent, wait time for that Agent is provided to the caller. The caller can select a particular Agent, and will be connected when that Agent becomes available subject to other restrictions of the ACD queue. The caller can prepare information for transmission to an answering Agent while the caller waits. Advantageously, the caller can control which Agent or which sub-group of Agents should respond to his/her call, taking into account the different waiting times associated with a particular Agent or the first available Agent when the caller reaches the top of the queue.

Abstract: A phone protector and storage case for protecting and holding a cellular phone. The phone protector and storage case includes a housing having a bottom wall, a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The front wall has a top half and a bottom half. The top half comprises a door extending into the top wall and the side walls. A hinge hingedly couples the door to the first side wall. The door is selectively positioned between an open position and a closed position. A cellular phone is removably positionable in the housing.

Abstract: A rear cover (1) for a telephone handset (2) is described. An inner area of the handset (2) is adapted to receive electronic circuitry (27) for the operation of the telephone. A portion of the rear cover is adapted to provide a housing (4) for a SIM card (5). The rear cover (1) is provided with electronic terminals (8b) adapted to enable electronic communication between a SIM card (5) and the electronic circuitry (27) within the telephone. The rear cover (1) desirably additionally provides a housing for a battery.

Abstract: An intelligent network comprising service switching points (2) and at least one service control point (1), whereby for one or more call state models there are two or more service logic programs located at the service control point (1), the intelligent network being arranged to direct the call state model to a certain detection point or call phase in response to an operation sent by the intelligent network service, wherein at the service switching point at least one operation is defined, for the execution of which the service switching point can select from two or more alternative routes or detection points to which the service switching point can direct the call state model whereby the service control function is arranged to indicate the route or detection point to which the service switching point is to direct the call state model in connection with said sending of an operation.

Abstract: A system for providing a backup network is disclosed that includes a glare detection circuit, an arbitration circuit, and a line control circuit. The glare detection circuit receives a dial signal associated with the call control circuit and a cause value from a backup circuit, and asserts a glare present signal responsive to the dial signal and the cause value being asserted. The arbitration circuit receives the glare present signal and produces an arbitration signal responsive to an arbitration procedure. The line control circuit receives the arbitration signal and determines whether the call control circuit will discontinue an outgoing call on the backup circuit and wait a specified period of time for an incoming call on the backup circuit or wait for the outgoing call on the backup circuit to be answered. Methods and other systems are also provided.

Abstract: A system for improving the level of service to the user, and billing according to user intentions while making effective use of telephone lines. The system includes a host computer (3) that controls communication services provided by telecommunications carriers, a base terminal (1) having base ID information which the host computer can identify, and a plurality of remote terminals (2A-2n.) having remote terminal ID information which the host computer can identify, to which control is transferred from the base terminal, and which communicate with the host computer.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a dialed digit unlock and edit feature for an analog telephone connected to an advanced intelligent network (AIN) wireline network is disclosed. The analog telephone sends at least one digit of a called party number to an originating central office. The originating central office determines whether an initial address message (IAM) has been sent from the originating central office to a destination central office. If so, then the dialed digit unlock and edit feature is disabled. However, if the IAM has not been sent, then the originating central office determines whether a key to enable the dialed digit unlock and edit feature has been entered on the analog telephone. If the key has been entered, then the last digit(s) entered for the called party number are erased and the originating central office awaits a new digit(s) to be entered into the analog telephone.

Abstract: A key arrangement for a telephone including a common plane in which all of the keys are arranged, the plane having a radial focal point and a peripheral area about the focal point. A set of twelve independently manually actuable keys are arranged in the plane with each key having an upper contact surface. Ten of the keys are arranged radially on the peripheral area of the plane about the focal point of the plane along a path defining a closed curve. Two keys are located at opposite sides of the radial focal point. Each key also has means for tactily indicating its position with respect to the other keys including the cross sectional shape of the upper contact surface of each key having a slope indicating the radial location from the central axis of the key arrangement.