Abstract: A radio communication system (100) includes equipment (112) that manages communication initiated at a subscriber unit (122) and targeted at another subscriber unit (124). At the initiating subscriber unit, a communication mode is selected (410) from among multiple communication modes supported by the target subscriber unit. A mode independent identifier is obtained (420) for the target subscriber unit, and transmitted (430) to the system equipment along with the selected communication mode. The system equipment uses information based on the mode independent identifier to access (510, 520) the target subscriber unit. The system equipment then operates to enable (530, 540) the communication mode at the target subscriber unit, and to establish (550) communication between the initiating and target subscriber units.

Abstract: A transceiver switching apparatus and method for maintenance and repair of a troubled transceiver in a cellular base station in a CDMA mobile telecommunication system. The apparatus has a switching module having a plurality of switches in combination, capable of simultaneous control of the switches with a single control signal.

Abstract: A method for seamlessly transmitting application specific messages over cellular radio system control channels and switches, for use in wireless gaming and wagering, including the steps of: transmitting application specific messaging bits, configured to appear as origination data packets having from eight to thirty-two digit fields, utilizing control channels, remote feature control request features, and IS-41 protocols. The messaging bits are transmitted over cellular control channels, for example, an AMPS, D-AMPS and TACS FSK modulated reverse control channel (RECC) 10 Kbps 48 word BCH hamming coded control channel. The messaging bits are then applied to communicate with, identify, monitor, and locate the application specific system, such as a wagering game, board game or other application specific system, thereby allowing for an integrated application specific two-way communications system. The application specific system may comprise card games, board games, video games, wagering games, and the like.

Abstract: According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, mobile stations are provided with a preferred roaming selection list at a predetermined memory location in a subscriber identity module (SIM). The preferred roaming selection list identifies and prioritizes network operators to which that mobile station can be connected. Pointers are provided in the preferred roaming selection list to memory locations in the SIM where lists of networks associated with each entry in the list are stored. The memory locations are specified to be compatible with existing standards. The preferred roaming selection list can be modified over the air interface, e.g., via SMS class 2 messages, or by the user via the keypad of the mobile station.

Abstract: A mobile communication device includes power supply control switches corresponding to a local oscillator, transmitting frequency converter, receiving frequency converter, receiving amplifiers and transmitting power amplifier in a radio unit, and a battery saving control circuit in a control unit. By individually controlling the ON timing of the switches by means of the battery saving control circuit, it is possible, prior to a time slot period allocated to an individual mobile station, first to supply power to the local oscillator, then supply power to the frequency converters, and then supply power to amplifiers. By doing so the mobile communication device is set in a standby state for transmitting/receiving operation.

Abstract: A cellular telephone subscriber who wishes directory assistance services is connected in the conventional manner to an operator who identifies a destination telephone number desired by the subscriber. As in the prior art, the operator then initiates a call connecting the subscriber to the destination telephone number. However, rather than dropping all further involvement with the call, the preferred embodiment of the present invention continually monitors the connection thereby established for a predetermined DTMF signal issued by the customer, such as that obtained by pressing the "*" button. If such a signal is detected, the customer is transferred back to a directory assistance operator, who can then provide whatever further assistance is needed (e.g. redialing a busy number, or providing further directory assistance). This feature can be disabled, manually or automatically, if the destination number makes its own use of the DTMF signals.

Abstract: A method for re-selecting control channels in a mobile station reduces the use of resources by limiting an evaluation of candidate control channels to those channels which satisfy certain criteria and are deemed to be eligible control channels. As a consequence, resources are not spent on attempting to re-select a control channel that is not compatible with the mobile station.

Abstract: In a communication system which is composed of portable personal communication terminals, a base station for transmitting and receiving a radio signal to and from each of the personal communication terminals and an exchange connected to the base station, each of the personal communication terminals is provided with a storage means for storing communication control information for controlling the communication state of the personal communication terminal, and the exchange is provided with a storage means for updating the communication control information of each of the personal communication terminals and storing the updated information.

Abstract: A slave switch having a number of connections for traffic with switch-external users, and a number of extensions intended for connection with switch-internal users, is disclosed. The slave switch is characterized in that it is constructed to initiate originating calls only, and in that the switch includes by-pass signalling means. A method of communication between the slave switch and a master switch is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for combining signals and a receiver implemented on the RAKE principle. The receiver includes a plurality of branches by which the receiver receives a signal, a precombining circuit which combines signals received via the branches of the receiver, a transmitter which transmits the precombined signals to a second receiver, and a combining circuit which combines the signals received via the receiver branches with the precombined signal.

Abstract: A portable communication unit that operates based upon predetermined discrete blocks of airtime. The unit may be operated as a conventional portable communication unit when airtime is available, and operation of the unit for conventional communication is disabled when all the airtime has been used. By entering a specific code, which may be supplied by a dealer, the user may activate an additional block of airtime. Two classes of airtime may be provided; home time airtime which is used when the unit is within the area of a local or primary communication service provider, and roam time airtime which is used when the unit is outside of the area of a local or primary communication service provider. The unit may be programmed, preferably only by the dealer, with toll restrictor codes that limit the available range of numbers with which the unit may initiate a communication session.

Abstract: A wireless telephone for telephonic communications during subscribed periods of airtime and for the purchase of selected goods and services in purchase amounts is responsive to the purchase amounts so as to enable the purchase amounts to be converted to additional periods of airtime during which telephonic communications are enabled independent of the subscribed periods of airtime. A method of using a wireless telephone for telephonic communications during subscribed periods of airtime and for the purchase of selected goods and services in purchase amounts enables the purchase amounts to be converted to additional periods of airtime during which telephonic communications are enabled independent of the subscribed periods of airtime. Preferably the purchase amounts are placed through a purchase account and are converted to additional periods of airtime in proportion to the purchase amounts.

Abstract: A low cost alphanumeric paging entry and page receiving device for entering alphanumeric messages remotely from a telephone and receiving pages via radio frequency signals. The device is designed so that both page reception and alphanumeric page entry can be provided using substantially the same hardware. The entry functionality uses simplex communications, using a system of Baudot tones to send page messages to a paging system for transmission to other similar devices.

Abstract: Wireless transmission process and apparatus include a frequency diversity process for carrying out spectral spreading of a modulated SHF (Super High Frequency) carrier. The modulated SHF carrier transports information between a transmitter and at least one receiver. The frequency of the SHF carrier is varied continuously in a specified band so as to transmit to the receiver a signal having a spectrum containing a plurality of frequencies representing a plurality of uncorrelated signals each transporting the information to be transmitted.

Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a voice response unit that communicates rapidly and directly with a metered cellular telephone network with minimum human intervention. The rapid communication is achieved by knowing the question or prompt posed by the voice response unit and preparing a response which is speed dialed to the voice response unit. The voice response unit also calculates a check sum to determine if there is an error in the information transmitted to the voice response unit. The check sum may be the total of the absolute value of the request code, account number, serial number, access code and amount desired to be added to the cellular phone divided by ten. If, the check sum calculated by the voice response unit is not divisible by ten, the voice response unit knows that the information it received is incorrect. Then, the voice response unit would ask for the information it received to be retransmitted at a different rate of speed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for programming a cellular telephone with activation parameters. A cellular telephone to be programmed is connected to a computer via a communications interface. A user input device is provided to allow a user to provide programming information, including a cellular telephone type, to the computer. A visual representation of the cellular telephone type is displayed on a display monitor to allow the user to interactively verify the inputted programming information. Upon such user verification, the computer determines activation parameters and transmits the activation parameters to the cellular telephone. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, certain activation parameters are dynamically computed based on the user provided programming information. In one embodiment, the user enters a cellular telephone number to be assigned to the cellular telephone. The computer looks up a system identification associated with the cellular telephone number in a memory unit.

Abstract: In this approach to implementing a wireless communication system, in band translator components are located in the center of remote cells which would normally contain a base transceiver system (BTS). Selective diversity processing is implemented in the translators by providing for at least two spatially separated receive antennas and two receive path circuits in the up link direction. A diversity circuit is time synchronized to the downlink signal to provide for proper detection and selection of the appropriate signal to be forwarded to a centralized BTS. As a result, a separate diversity path need not be maintained for the remainder of each backhaul link, and radio frequency components such as a second upconverter, synthesizer and power amplifier associated with the range extender can be eliminated.

Abstract: Known hand-held mobile radiotelephones and cordless telephones have the dimensions of a handset, and their antennas radiate near the user's head; such may be improved by providing a hand-held radiotelephone which is of a compact design and fully user-controllable and exposes the user to only little RF radiation. A hand-held radiotelephone (HH1) is provided whose earpiece (R) and/or microphone (M) are spatially separated from the other components of the radiotelephone. It is also possible to provide an infrared link between the earpiece and/or microphone and the housing of the radiotelephone in order to further increase the user's freedom of movement. During operation of the hand-held radiotelephone, the keyboard and display are fully accessible.

Abstract: When a second mobile machine requests the communication of priority data with a base station while a first mobile machine conducts the communication of non-priority data with the base station, the base station transmits wait information to the first mobile machine by using a down link control channel to control the first mobile machine to the waiting state and allocates the down link control channel to the second mobile machine to control the second mobile machine to conduct the communication of the priority data. When the communication of the priority data with the second mobile machine is completed, the base station transmits communication resumption information to the waiting first mobile machine by using the down link control channel to resume the communication of the non-priority data.

Abstract: A routing system, and an associated method, for routing a call to a multi-mode transceiver. Selection of a service subscription pursuant to which calls are to be routed to the transceiver is made at the transceiver, and information related to the selected service subscription is transmitted to a service node and stored at the service node. When an originating party desires to place a call to the transceiver, the originating party accesses the information stored at the service node. Responsive to the information stored at the service node, the call is routed to the transceiver pursuant to the selected service subscription.