Abstract: An information distribution and processing system contains a remote site, a sender and a plurality of processing units. The remote site contains a first set of digital data and one or more communication channel for receiving a request from the processing units. The sender delivers a second set of digital data to the processing units. In one embodiment of the present invention, some of the processing units contain a timing device for automatically receiving the second set of digital data at predetermined times. In another embodiment, the communication channel is wireless. The second set of digital data contains a first set of displayable data, a second set of displayable data, at least one non-displayable symbol, and at least one linking reference associated with the second set of displayable data. If desired, a user can select the second set of displayable data. The associated linking reference is sent to the remote site.

Abstract: An information distribution and processing system has a broadcast channel for delivering a first set of digital data and a bi-directional channel for allowing a user to obtain additional information. The additional information is stored in a database. In one embodiment of the present invention, the broadcast channel uses a satellite to broadcast the data. In another embodiment of the invention, the bi-directional channel is a telephone system. At predetermined locations of the first set of digital data, linking references are embedded. If desired, the user can select a linking reference and send a request to the database via the bi-directional channel. The database uses the selected linking reference to search for information, and returns the requested information to the user.

Abstract: An information distribution and processing system uses a transmitter to deliver a set of digital data and a bi-directional channel for allowing a user to obtain additional information. The additional information is stored in a database. The set of digital data contains a first set of displayable data, a second set of displayable data, at least one non-displayable symbol, and at least one linking reference associated with the second set of displayable data. If desired, the user can select the second set of displayable data. The associated linking reference is sent to the database via the bi-directional channel. The database uses the selected linking reference to search for information, and returns the requested information to the user.

Abstract: A cordless telephony device includes a base station for radio communication with a handset on an operating frequency selected from a set of frequencies. The base station and handset include a scanning element for receiving and analyzing a connection request transmitted on a transmit frequency between the base station and handset. The receiving one of the base station or handset detects the transmit frequency and selects the transmit frequency as the operating frequency for radio communication between the base station and handset.

Abstract: A pager system for monitoring the operation of a plurality of controllers in each one of a plurality of agricultural field equipment in a group. A plurality of sensors are provided at each location of agricultural field equipment wherein a sensor connects through an isolation device to one of the controllers for issuing a status signal corresponding to the present status of the connected controller. Whenever the status of a controller changes, the remote terminal unit immediately transmits the changed status symbol as well as the status of the other sensors to a central control computer. The central control computer analyzes the transmitted status signals for generating a changed status paging message and delivers the changed status paging message, identifying the agricultural field equipment having the changed status, as well as the unchanged status messages from all remaining agricultural field equipment in the group.

Abstract: A method of staggering the arrival of frames of data at a head end in a communication system. The method includes receiving at a first service unit upstream telephony data is described. The telephony data includes a first payload message. The method includes receiving at a second service unit upstream telephony data, wherein the telephony data includes a second payload message. The method further includes formatting the first payload message at the first service unit as a first sequence of frames and formatting the second payload message at the second service unit as a second sequence of frames. In addition, the method includes transmitting the first sequence of frames on a first carrier so as to arrive at the head end at a first time and transmitting the second sequence of frames on a second carrier so as to arrive at the head end at a second time.

Abstract: A position enhanced cellular telephone system wherein a cellular telephone device incorporates an RF position finder facility, a data modem and controller and a car alarm device, having a system for flexibly merging the functionality of the telephone device, position finder facility, data modem, controller, and car alarm, reduce overall components and lower the cost. A microprocessor, with a memory, is provided with a plurality of data input and output terminals. Car alarm and position signals from said RF position finder facility to an input terminal on the microprocessor. A signal conversion circuit converts RF to baseband and vice versa, and electronic switch device controlled by the microprocessor for coupling RF signals to and from the cellular telephone device to the signal conversion circuit.

Abstract: A portable radio telephone handset operates as a data transfer terminal as well as an analog cellular telephone subscriber station. Two modes of operation, an analog cellular communication mode and a Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) mode, are available in the handset. The handset distinguishes between paging signals indicating CDPD mode communications and those indicating analog cellular communications. The handset also automatically preempts CDPD communications in favor of analog cellular communications such as those carried out in an AMPS configuration. The handset maintains an active status on a CDPD communication channel during a “sleep mode”, when the handset can carry out AMPS activity.

Abstract: A method for monitoring at least one telephony communication n-bit channel, wherein one of the bits is a parity bit, includes sampling the parity bit of the n-bit channel. A probable bit error rate is derived from the sampling of the parity bit. The probable bit error rate can be compared to a pre-determined bit error rate value to determine if the at least one telephony communication n-bit channel is corrupted. If the at least one telephony communication n-bit channel is corrupted, the at least one telephony communication n-bit channel is re-allocated to an uncorrupted and unallocated telephony communication n-bit channel. Further, at least one unallocated telephony communication channel can be periodically monitored and error data accumulated to indicate the quality thereof.

Abstract: A communication device (101) includes multiple antennas (201-203), multiple receivers (222-224), and a processor (225). The communication device receives a first radio frequency (RF) signal via a first antenna (201) of the multiple antennas and a second RF signal via a second antenna (202) of the multiple antennas. The communication device determines a signal metric for the first RF signal and a signal metric for the second RF signal, compares the determined signal metrics to produce a signal metric comparison, and generates an error signal based on the signal metric comparison. The error signal may be remotely monitored for prompt corrective action.

Abstract: A nonreusable cellular telephone includes a programmable timer for providing a predetermined period of calling time during which the cellular phone may be used for cellular communications. The amount of remaining calling time is monitored and the phone is disabled when the calling time has expired rending the phone inoperative so that it may be disposed of.

Abstract: A method of burst identification in a communication is described. The method includes receiving, at each of a first set of m service units, a plurality of modulated orthogonal carriers having information modulated thereon in a plurality of bands of a first frequency bandwidth transmitted from a head end terminal, wherein the first band includes at least one control channel. The method further includes scanning, at each of the m service units, the at least one control channel to detect identification information corresponding to each of the m service units to identify a particular band of the plurality of bands that each of the m service units is to use for receiving information from the head end terminal.

Abstract: A module for detachable connection to a telephone and a telephone employing such a module. The module includes a device for generating a silent alarm and a system for actuating the silent alarm when connected to the telephone for indicating an incoming call. A pin which provides information about the temperature of the module during charging provides the connection for actuating the silent alarm.

Abstract: An information distribution and processing system uses a transmitter to deliver a set of digital data and a bi-directional channel for allowing a user to obtain additional information. The additional information is stored in a database. The set of digital data contains a first set of displayable data, a second set of displayable data, at least one non-displayable symbol, and at least one linking reference associated with the second set of displayable data. If desired, the user can select the second set of displayable data. The associated linking reference is sent to the database via the bi-directional channel. The database uses the selected linking reference to search for information, and returns the requested information to the user.

Abstract: An information distribution system encodes a first set of digital data on a plurality of portable read-only storage devices. Additional information is stored in a database that is accessible by using a bi-directional channel. The first set of digital data contains a plurality of special displayable terms, a first non-displayable symbol, a plurality of linkage references, and a second non-displayable symbol. A user can select at least one special displayable term. The linking reference associated with the selected special displayable term is sent to the database via the bi-directional channel. The database uses the linking reference to search for information, and returns the resulting information to the user.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic transducer for a sound reproducing system includes an electro-acoustic transducer in a cabinet and a sound guide tube for conducting the sound from the transducer unit out of the cabinet. The sound guide tube has a sound radiating end with a smaller diameter than the external acoustic meatus to allow the sound radiating end to be inserted into the external auditory meatus.

Abstract: A device for implementing a multimedia communication dissemination system is disclosed herein. The communication system integrates heterogeneous satellite transmission systems, local area computer networks, and the public telephone system to implement a flexible, high-speed communication system. The preferred communication dissemination system includes a broadcast server for broadcasting an information signal, a mobile base station for receiving the information signal broadcast from the broadcast server, and a local area network for distributing information received by the mobile base station. The preferred mobile base station includes a receiver for receiving information signals transmitted from a broadcast server, a network interface for distributing processed information signals, and a software proxy process for processing information signals. A software proxy process controls the dissemination of information through the network.

Abstract: A telecommunication system incorporates individual station instruments simplified by wireless operation, voice dialing, prepaid accounting and out-call operation, all enabled by cooperative system operation including supporting central equipment. Wireless operation of the central equipment involves a multiple port wireless platform along with other units for interfacing a multitude of mobile station instruments simultaneously for interactive audio communication to, regulate control, monitor and record operations of the instruments, and bridge communication with selected remote terminals through the public switched telephone network. Message capability, emergency abort to an operator station and security features supplement the basic system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a subscriber terminal for communicating over a wireless link with a central terminal of a wireless telecommunications system, the subscriber terminal comprising a first signal processing unit associated with an antenna to transmit and receive signals over the wireless link at first frequencies within an operating frequency band. The first signal processing unit comprises a frequency converter for converting signals between said first frequencies and a second frequency. Further, a second signal processing unit is provided remote from the first signal processing unit and associated with an item of telecommunications equipment to pass signals between said item of telecommunications equipment and the first signal processing unit.

Abstract: Cellular telephone systems may have to handle high rate data calls that utilize multiple full rate channels within a frequency. It is important to increase the availability of the system for these high rate data calls while maintaining the quality of the radio links within the cellular radio network. A first sort is performed to find full rate channels that meet a requested call service type below the operator allowed cost threshold related to the radio conditions. Using the previously sorted FR channels, a second sort is performed to find the multi-full rate channel combinations that meet a requested call service rate. The call is then assigned to the found channel combination with the lowest cost. Otherwise, the system reduces the requested service rate of the call and attempts to place the call into a multi-full rate channel combination channel again.