Abstract: A dialable directory number is assigned to a particular location area or cell area. A telecommunications user wanting to transmit user defined messages, such as a text message, to mobile stations within that location area or cell area transmits a signal encapsulating the message towards the assigned directory number. The transmitted signal is then routed through the conventional telecommunications network and delivered to the MSC providing mobile service to that particular location area or cell area. If the specified directory number is associated with a location area within a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), the serving MSC queries the attached visitor location register (VLR) to identify the mobile stations currently located within the specified location area. If the specified directory number is associated with a cell area, the serving MSC communicates with a base station controller (BSC) providing mobile service to that particular cell area.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit (10) and a method for increasing linearity of the amplifier circuit. The amplifier circuit (10) has a limiter (13) that generates a phase modulated signal (30) in accordance with a phase modulated component (22) of an RF input signal (20). The amplifier circuit (10) also has an envelope detector (16) that generates an envelope signal (40) in accordance with the amplitude modulated component (21) of the RF input signal (20). A delay compensation circuit (17) receives the envelope signal (40) and generates a lead phase envelope signal (50) and an envelope amplifier (18) receives the lead phase envelope signal (50) and generates a bias signal. An RF amplifier (14) amplifies the phase modulated signal (30) in accordance with the bias signal.

Abstract: Optimal handover margins in a cellular communication system (100) are determined by computing a power budget (701) for each base station/neighbor combination in the communication system (100) and determining a probability distribution function (703) for each base station/neighbor combination in the communication system (100). Once the probability distribution function for each base station/neighbor combination is known, optimal handover margins are determined by maximizing communication system traffic over all base stations while at the same time holding call quality to acceptable levels.

Abstract: A memory register correlating an access code for accessing a particular long distance carrier within a particular telecommunications network is coupled either to a mobile station or to a telecommunications node serving the mobile station. Whenever the mobile station travels outside of its home Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) and dials an access code in an attempt to access that particular long distance carrier, an application module associated with the mobile station or the telecommunications node automatically determines the current network serving the mobile station and converts the dialed access code to another access code appropriate for accessing the desired long distance carrier within the current PLMN. A call connection, thereafter, is established with the indicated long distance carrier utilizing the converted access code.

Abstract: A portable handset (7) in a radio cellular telephone system undergoes a channel scan routine to establish the identity of a base station (8a, 8b, 8c) producing the strongest valid signal at the handset. The routine (FIG. 3) involves detecting the signal strengths of all channels, ranking the channels in order of decreasing signal strengths and then checking the validity of each channel in the ranking order. This is likely to be quicker and to require less storage space than the conventional routine which involves saving channel number, signal strengths and validity of all channels, storing these details in a channel table and then selecting a valid channel with the strongest signal.

Abstract: A mobile radio telephone apparatus operating in a plurality of zones.

Abstract: A cordless telephone system achieves synchronism for each one of multiple portable units to the same communication channel for communicating with a common base unit. The cordless system uses a dual channel process to allow both the freedom to dynamically change channels as needed to avoid interference while simultaneously providing a capability to resynchronize any portable unit with the base unit on a selected active channel. This is achieved through the use of a fixed service channel and an active channel which changes as needed. If a channel change is made during a call, after the call is completed, the base unit returns to the previous active channel and broadcasts a message to the multiple portable units indicative of the new active channel. Also, any portable unit that attempts to communicate with the base unit on the wrong channel and fails to get a response will transmit a message on the fixed service channel requesting the current active channel from the base unit.

Abstract: A method and system for accurately accounting for an amount of satellite communications system resources that are allotted to and utilized by a user terminal on a per call or connection basis. The method accumulates data at periodic intervals during a connection, the data indicating what portion of the overall system resources are utilized on both a forward link (gateway to satellite(s) to user terminal) and on a reverse link (user terminal to satellite(s) to gateway). The usage data can include power levels, data rates, user terminal location, and user terminal type. A Gateway (18) that is assigned to handling the call for the user terminal (13) accumulates the data and subsequently transfers the data over a terrestrial data network (39) to a Ground Operations Control Center (38). The center uses the data to determine an amount to be billed to a service provider associated with a service area that includes the gateway.

Abstract: A base station for a time division duplex (TDD) cordless telephone system has a frequency division duplex (FDD) transmit signal path for outputting FDD transmit signals, the transmit signal path including a transmit signal timing generator for controlling the timing of the transmit signals, and an FDD receive signal path for processing FDD receive signals input into the base station. The receive signal path includes a demodulator for demodulating the receive signals, a bit timer responsive to bit clock timing in the receive signals for controlling the timing of the receive signals in dependance on the receive signal bit clock timing and a data processor responsive to the demodulator and the bit timer for correspondingly varying the timing of the receive signals.

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: A system and apparatus controls an appliance situated within a premises, such as a home or office. A premises recording unit is able to receive and store telephone information from a telephone network and includes a wireless transmitter for generating and transmitting a packet of control information to a premises appliance such as a coffee pot. An appliance controller is spaced from the premises recording unit, but within range of the generated packet transmission, for interfacing with the premises appliance. The appliance controller includes a packet receiver for receiving the packet of control information and is responsive to the information for controlling operation of the appliance.

Abstract: A radio pager device includes a display having a zoomed-out multiline mode and a zoomed-in single line mode for display of at least a portion of a series of characters at a time extracted from a message having an address or identification code which is among those from which the pager is authorized to extract message data. The zoom mode is selectable on either a system basis, by default, or a message basis. The message specific zoom mode is determined by accessing display per address information stored in volatile memory and programmable by the user. In the single line mode, continuous horizontal character by character scrolling may be selected by the user and controlled by key actuation to toggle between a stationary paused state and a continuously scrolling state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for diversity-combining two electromagnetic signals (11,21) within a receiver (25). Two separated antennas (10,20) are employed. The antennas (10,20) are separated by some combination of spatial, polarization, and pattern separation. The first antenna (10) receives the first signal (11), and the second antenna (20) receives the second signal (21). Coupled to at least one of the antennas (10,20) is a circuit (12) for varying the gain and the phase of the signal (11,21) received at said antenna (10 or 20, respectively). The gain and the phase are constrained to be selected from within a finite set of preselected discrete gains and a finite set of preselected discrete phases. A search module (6) searches through all of the gain/phase combinations to optimize the signal-to-impairment ratio within the receiver (25). When the signal-to-impairment ratio is optimized, the gain and the phase are fixedly established.

Abstract: A Mobile Switching Center (MSC) includes a cellular modem pool that comprises a number of pairs of modems in which the data terminal equipment (DTE) ports of each modem pair are cross-connected in a "back-to-back" fashion. This allows the two modems of each pair to interchange data via their DTE ports and thereby isolate that portion of the cellular fax call over the cellular communications channel from that portion of the cellular fax call through the public-switched telephone network (PSTN). Fax information is transmitted over both the PSTN-portion of the cellular fax call and the cellular portion of the cellular fax call using standard fax modulation techniques. The cellular-side modem of each modem pair is adapted to recover fax handshaking and data signaling from the received--fax modulated--signal and translate the recovered fax information into "AT-type commands" for application to the corresponding PSTN-side modem of the modem pair.

Abstract: The Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) wireline system connects to and controls processing of calls to a Personal Communication Service subscriber's wireless handset via a home base station or a wireless communication network. Depending on its current location, the subscriber's handset automatically registers with the base station or with a mobility controller of the wireless network. A new registration with the base station when the handset comes within range causes that station to update the subscriber's home location register in a central data base of the AIN. Similarly, when a handset first registers with a mobility controller, that controller updates the subscriber's home location register in the central data base of the AIN. In response to calls directed to the subscriber, the AIN accesses the home location register to determine the current location where the handset is registered. The AIN then uses that data to route the call to the current location.

Abstract: A technique for sharing radio frequency spectrum between multiple satellite communication systems. A first and a second satellite communication system each contain a plurality of satellites in a plurality of non-geostationary (non-GSO) Earth orbits. Each of the plurality of non-GSOs has a predefined orbital plane. Within each orbital plane, satellites of the first and second satellite communication systems are alternating, such that each orbital plane contains satellites from each of the satellite systems. In this manner, it is possible to achieve satisfactory discrimination between satellites and Earth-based stations. The Earth-based station of each communication system will communicate with the closest satellite of its respective communication system.

Abstract: A personal communications system permits a wireless handset to access either a cellular mobile telephone system (CMTS) or a private wireless telephone system (WTS) which shares the CMTS frequency band by utilizing those CMTS channels which are idle in the area serviced by the WTS. The wireless handset automatically selects between the WTS and CMTS operating modes by maintaining a list of previously accessed WTS control channels and periodically scanning that list for a WTS available at the location of the handset. If a WTS control channel is not found in that list, then the handset periodically scans all possible WTS control channels for the purpose of registering on an available WTS. If no WTS is found, then the handset switches to CMTS mode. The scanning methodology permits the wireless handset to rapidly lock on to an available WTS which will provide service to the handset, so as to reduce the possibility of the wireless handset missing incoming paging signals.

Abstract: A combined radiotelephone and paging device (101), hereinafter the combined unit, normally operates as a radiotelephone. In response to a predetermined condition, the combined unit operates as a paging device. The predetermined conditions include low battery voltage and poor communication channel quality or a request signal from a remote transceiver (109) of the radiotelephone system. The paging system and the radiotelephone system may be independent communication systems or they may be a single communication system. The combined unit (101) and its unique switching characteristics allows the combined unit (101) to utilize the paging devices beneficial qualities of lower power consumption and broader service range to enhance the usefulness of a radiotelephone.

Abstract: A telephone having a speaker, microphone, processor, control unit, inhibit unit, and audible indicator. When the telephone is used to communicate conventionally with another telephone, for example to enable respective users to speak to each other, electronic signals corresponding to the speech are transmitted to and received by the telephone at an input and output, respectively. The processor electronically processes the signals. Signals from incoming calls are relayed from the input to the speaker, and signals from outgoing calls are relayed from the microphone to the output. The control unit identifies the presence of a command signal with the incoming calls. If a user of another telephone wishes to call the telephone, the user dials the number of the telephone in the conventional way.

Abstract: An interworking apparatus for roaming among a plurality of mobile network having different inter-network signaling protocols is connected to the plurality of mobile networks and has a database record for holding network identity information for identifying a mobile network to which at least one mobile user (mobile station and another mobile terminal such as IC device) to be traced is visited.