Abstract: A multi-point to point communication system. The system includes a distribution network between a head end terminal and a plurality of remote units, the head end terminal for downstream transmission of downstream control data and downstream telephony information in a first frequency bandwidth over the distribution network and for receipt of upstream telephony information and upstream control data in a second frequency bandwidth over the distribution network. The head end terminal including a head end multicarrier modem means for modulating at least downstream telephony information on a plurality of orthogonal carriers in a plurality of regions of the first frequency bandwidth and for demodulating at least upstream telephony information modulated on a plurality of orthogonal carriers of a plurality of regions in the second frequency bandwidth.

Abstract: Telecommunications networks for originating and terminating calls are described to include a wireless enhanced service platform coupled to a home location register database and a prepaid platform which may also include a mobile switching center for accepting calls from a wireless handset, an interexchange network that carries calls to the prepaid platform, and a local network for terminating calls. Also described is a method for setting up a call in a telecommunications network by a wireless enhanced service platform or mobile switching center encapsulating one or more prepaid call parameters within a super generic digit field of an initial address message. The method also includes sending the initial address message with the prepaid call parameters encapsulated within the super generic digit field from the wireless enhanced service platform or mobile switching center to a prepaid platform.

Abstract: An information distribution and processing system contains a central site, a transmitter and a receiving device. The central site contains a first set of digital data. The transmitter delivers a second set of digital data to the receiving device. In one embodiment of the present invention, the receiving device contain a timing device for automatically receiving the second set of digital data at predetermined times. In another embodiment, the transmitter transmits an alert signal indicating a transmission of the second set of digital data. 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 central site.

Abstract: A communication device, such as a mobile telephone, has a digital signal processor, fast randomly accessible storage and relatively slow storage devices. Instructions are transferred from the slow storage devices to the fast storage devices for execution by the digital signal processor. The device is configure to operate at a full data rate or at a reduced data rate (usually half-rate) within a time division multiplex. Transmission data is stored in the fast storage device during reduced data rate operation. The device is configured to change from reduced data rate operation to full data rate operation, while maintaining communication. While processing previously stored half-data rate data, program instructions for the full data rate mode of operation are written to the fast storage means, while said data is being processed and thereby being removed from said storage means.

Abstract: A combination personal audio device and emergency phone provides a user with personal audio entertainment while also providing full duplex wireless communication with an emergency response service. The apparatus includes an audio information access device, such as a compact disc player, for accessing audio information and generating an electrical audio information signal based upon the audio information. A transmitter generates an outgoing communication signal that is capable of reaching and being received by the emergency response service. A single emergency response switch is the user's sole means for activating the transmitter. When pressed, the emergency response switch activates the transmitter to generate the outgoing communication signal. A receiver receives an incoming communication signal from the emergency response service, and generates an audio communication signal based upon the incoming communication signal.

Abstract: The communication system includes a hybrid fiber/coax distribution network. A head end provides for downstream transmission of telephony and control data in a first frequency bandwidth over the hybrid fiber/coax distribution network and reception of upstream telephony and control data in a second frequency bandwidth over the hybrid fiber/coax distribution network. The head end includes a head end multicarrier modem for modulating at least downstream telephony information on a plurality of orthogonal carriers in the first frequency bandwidth and demodulating at least upstream telephony information modulated on a plurality of orthogonal carriers in the second frequency bandwidth. The head end further includes a controller operatively connected to the head end multicarrier modem for controlling transmission of the downstream telephony information and downstream control data and for controlling receipt of the upstream control data and upstream telephony information.

Abstract: A bidirectional multipoint-to-point communications system for sending payload information over a distribution network is provided. The system includes a head-end terminal coupled to the distribution network to a plurality of service units. The head-end terminal includes a head-end controller for sending payload data to and from an external communications network and for producing and processing control messages at the head-end terminal, a head-end multicarrier transmitting modem coupled to the head-end controller for modulating downstream payload information and downstream control messages onto multiple orthogonal carriers spread throughout substantially all of a first frequency band, and a head-end multicarrier receiving modem coupled to the head-end controller for demodulating multiple orthogonal carriers spread throughout substantially all of a second frequency band and carrying upstream payload information and control messages.

Abstract: A mobile satellite system includes a network engineering/systems engineering (NE/SE) system. The NE/SE performs the processes of comparing expected traffic loads with capability and availability of space and ground resources in the mobile satellite system, formulating tactical plans to maximize available resources of the satellite, and producing frequency plans for different geographical regions and defining circuit pools for different groups of users of the METs. The NE/SE also performs the processes of defining contingency plans for failure situations, such as failure in the satellite or a ground-based equipment outage, configuring the mobile satellite system including logical resources and physical components generating logical and physical configurations, the logical and physical configurations designed to expand the mobile satellite system capacity for increases in traffic demand, while also supporting new features and services of the mobile satellite system.

Abstract: Methods for switching a mobile between operation in an mobile satellite system mode and a terrestrial wireless mode. When operating in the terrestrial wireless mode, the mobile terminal will initiate an attempt to switch into the MSS mode when it nears the boundary of the coverage area for a terrestrial wireless system to which it is registered. Conversely, a mobile terminal operating in the MSS mode will regularly attempt to switch into the terrestrial wireless mode. For both, a switch between modes is contingent on the mobile terminal identifying a suitable system for registration therewith upon completing the switch between modes. The criteria for identifying a suitable system for selection purposes include the following: (1) the selected system is available, i.e., the mobile terminal is physically located within a coverage area for the selected system; (2) the mobile terminal is compatible with the selected system; and (3) the selected system is willing to accept the mobile terminal.

Abstract: A method for using a mobile switching center (MSC) having a large capacity, particularly a method for using a MSC such that many service providers can use the MSC in common, comprises confirming a caller group to which a corresponding caller belongs by checking a number when a call is initiated from the caller, receiving a called number, authenticating and authorizing the caller, and processing the caller and the call according to the caller group to which the caller belongs. When the authentication and authorization succeed, the process searches for a predefined greeting announcement for the particular caller group and, if one is found, connects the predefined greeting announcement to the caller. The process also determines according to the caller group whether a certain trunk should be used and, if so, connects the call to that trunk.

Abstract: A telecommunications network provides communications links between network terminations, and includes switches, two or more network terminations interconnectable by the switches to establish communications links between network terminations and a service control point for providing service to or for the network termination and/or the switches. The network determines the occurrence of a service request from a network termination and for the switches independent from a request for establishing a communications link between network terminations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a radio phone composed of separate modules, comprising a basic module (1) and at least one additional module (2 or 3) detachably plugged thereto. The basic module (1) comprises at least the components and functions which are common to phones operating both in analogue and digital mode. The additional module (2 or 3) includes the main part of the electrical circuits required in transmitting and receiving an analogue or a digital signal. The phone operates as a single-mode phone when one of the additional modules (2 or 3) is plugged into the basic module (1), and as a dual-mode phone when both the first additional module (2) and the second additional module (3) have been plugged into the basic module (1).

Abstract: According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, multiple hyperband capable mobile stations and base stations are described. These mobile and base stations support multiple hyperband operations including, for example, mobile assisted channel allocation (MACA), mobile assisted handover (MAHO), cell reselection, traffic channel assignment, control channel location and registration. By bridging multiple hyperbands, service quality can be enhanced.

Abstract: A secure radio personal communication system and method includes a base station which relays cellular verification signals between a wide area cellular network and a cellular terminal via the wire telephone network. Thus, cellular telephone calls which are routed to a cellular terminal via a base station, when the cellular terminal is within a local region covered by the base station, may be exchanged between the cellular network and cellular terminal over the wire telephone network. Calls from the wide area cellular network which are routed through the base station can thus employ the same security systems and methods which are employed by the wide area cellular network. Signals between the base station and the cellular terminal are preferably exchanged when the cellular terminal is parked in the base station. Verification and encryption signals may be exchanged.

Abstract: A transmitter/receiver in a base station comprises an antenna failure detection system including a receiving antenna for receiving a first signal from own station through a transmitting antenna and a second signal from another station, a channel filter for separating the first signal and the second signal, a detector for detecting the second signal, and a comparator for comparing the level of the detected signal, which is proportional to the coupling factor between the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna, against a threshold to output an antenna failure signal based on the result of the comparison. The antenna failure detection system operates in a normal operation mode of the transmitter/receiver without reducing the number of service channels.

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: Messages received through information delivery are classified by a message identification section. The thus-classified messages are stored into a specified folder by means of a folder management section and are managed for each level in a hierarchy. When a new message is stored into the specified folder, a folder setting section causes a paging control section to page the user by means of a speaker, a vibrator, or an LED or causes a display control section to display the arrival of a message on an LCD. So long as the folder is set to a shortcut folder, a desired information item can be read in a prioritized manner.

Abstract: Apparatus for locating a mobile phone in a cellular phone system, in which the cellular phone system comprises plural base stations, each base station being associated with a cell, and in which the mobile phone is programmed to communicate signal strength of received signals to the base stations. Each base station, has a processing unit operably connected to the plural base stations by first communications links, the processing unit having as input the received signal strength measurements, the processing unit being programmed to operate upon the received signal strength measurements to solve a channel model equation in which the position of the mobile phone and the path loss exponent of the cell are unknowns and produce as output position location signals representing the position of the mobile phone in the cell, and a user interface operably connected to the processing unit by a second communication link for communicating signals indicative of the position of the mobile phone in the cell.

Abstract: A mobile telephone programming and accounting system that includes an integrated hardware system interlinking a telephone unit, a telephone interlink receiver, and a central processing unit connected to the interlink receiver. The hardware system also preferably includes a receipt printer and a credit card reader. The telephone unit is preferably equipped with an internal real time clock and calendar circuit and memory store to record the time and date of calls for reporting to the central processing unit to enable tracking and detailed accounting of calls. The interlink receiver in the improved design includes a gang platform for programming multiple phone units, which may be phone units of different manufacturers, and provides for automatic programming of the multiple units and, in the retail distribution setting, programming the operating parameters and assignment of the phone unit to a service provider with encryption keys to reduce service churning.

Abstract: A roaming arrangement enables roaming between different types of networks in a telecommunication system that includes a first standardized type of mobile network, a so-called home network, and a second standardized type of mobile network, a so-called guest network. A subscriber has an identity that is common for both the home network and the guest network. The roaming arrangement includes a signal handling arrangement, at least one home interface towards the home network, and at least one guest interface towards the guest net. A first signalling format between the arrangement and the home network is of the same type as a corresponding format in the home network. Also, a second signalling format between the arrangement and the guest network is of the same type as a corresponding format in the guest network.