Abstract: A method for searching for a lost asset equipped with a short-range wireless transceiver includes a finder service sending out a search request including a lost-asset identifier, this request being sent over a mobile radio infrastructure to a plurality of mobile devices. These devices transmit on the request in their immediate vicinity using short-range wireless transceivers. Upon a mobile device receiving back a response from the lost asset, it returns a found message over the mobile radio infrastructure to the finder service. This message includes location data concerning the whereabouts of the lost asset or the message enables such data to be obtained by the finder service.

Abstract: A call administration service for processing incoming calls during service activation times. One embodiment permits a subscriber to provision the administration service using configuration files, which provide the capability to establish flexible scenarios for the allowance, denial and routing of incoming calls. The present invention automatically routes authorized incoming calls, and permits unauthorized incoming calls to be routed in accordance with a caller's interactive responses. An embodiment provides multiple methods for interacting with the system, including file and speech input of subscriber provisioning information, and speech input of caller interactive responses.

Abstract: An information distribution and processing system contains a sender and a plurality of processing units. The sender delivers a set of digital date without receiving a request signal, to the plurality of processor units. The set of digital data contains a first set of displayable data, a second set of displayable data, at least one non-displayable symbols 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 a database. The database contains additional information. The associated linking reference is used by the database to search for the additional information, and returns the requested information to the user.

Abstract: A transmitter for transmitting a high frequency transmit signal generates a low intermediate frequency quadrature signal, and up-converts the low intermediate frequency quadrature signal to the high frequency transmit signal. The frequency spectrum of the high frequency transmit signal has a transmit band and a sideband corresponding to the transmit band. The transmit band is confined to a total transmit band outside of which severe sideband filtering requirements.apply. Before up-converting, the transmitter provides that the sideband falls at a side of the transmit band such that the sideband falls within the total transmit band.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating message status in a wireless communication system comprising a base station configured to communicate with at least one mobile unit over a wireless interface. The mobile unit includes an indicator having first and second human perceptible states, with the first state indicating a lack of message waiting condition, and the second state indicating a message waiting condition. The base station monitors communications from a messaging system. When a communication is received indicating message status or a change in message status, the base station transmits a command regarding message status to the mobile unit over the wireless interface. In response, the mobile unit maintains or changes the state of the indicator to reflect the message status as determined by the command.

Abstract: A VSAT communications outdoor unit for satellite communications has a saturated amplifier transmission circuit and a voltage detector. The voltage detector detects insufficient voltage to operate the transmission circuit. A signal generator connects and is responsive to a voltage detector output. The signal generator indicates with an external output that the transmitter is disabled. Preferably, the external output is separate from a link to the indoor unit. A switch for switching between the signal generator and an antenna pointing output responds to the voltage detector output.

Abstract: A portable mobile unit for conducting information communication by using at least one of character information and picture information, comprising: a sound source being enable to generate a plural number of sounds; an input means for inputting a kind an a condition of the sound to be generated; and a controller means for controlling said sound source upon basis of the input from the input means, and for controlling processing when conducting said information communication, wherein said controller means makes the kind of sound which is set by the input made from said input means generate under the condition which is set by the input made from said input means, during a connecting process to a communicating party of said information communication or during the information communication. With this, there is provided the portable mobile unit, which also supplies aural information to the user when communicating visual information, such as character information or picture information, etc.

Abstract: A signal monitoring apparatus and method involving devices for monitoring signals representing communications traffic, devices for identifying at least one predetermined parameter by analyzing the context of the at least one monitoring signal, a device for recording the occurrence of the identified parameter, a device for identifying the traffic stream associated with the identified parameter, a device for analyzing the recorded data relating to the occurrence, and a device, responsive to the analysis of the recorded data, for controlling the handling of communications traffic within the apparatus.

Abstract: A position-discovery method is provided for a mobile device equipped with non-wired short-range communication means for receiving locally-transmitted messages. At least some of the messages include position data concerning the originating point of the message. The device determines its position as being that of the most common originating point for messages in a set of most recently received messages.

Abstract: A mobile telephone, or personal communication services 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 known in the prior art, the operator then initiates a call connecting the subscriber to the destination telephone number. In a preferred embodiment, the operator locates a desired destination telephone number in a computer database, and can select automatic dialing of the located number. Further, 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 to a directory assistance operator, who can then provide whatever further assistance is needed (e.g., providing further directory assistance).

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 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 o allow the user to interactively verify the inputted programming information. Upon such user verification, the computer determines activation parameters and transmits the activation parameter 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 memory unit.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, by which to provide a digital image, created at the mobile station by a digital camera forming a portion thereof, to an assistance center, such as an emergency dispatch center. The digital image is created automatically upon initiation at the mobile station of a request for assistance from the assistance center. Initiation of a 911 emergency call, for example, causes a digital image to be created by the digital camera, and signals representative of the created digital image are automatically sent to the assistance center. Once received at the assistance center, viewing of the digital images provides personnel at the assistance center with additional information by which best to respond to the request for assistance. And, the digital image is storable thereat for evidentiary purposes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling communications between a mobile cellular telephone and a cell of a cellular telephone network. The apparatus comprises a serving transceiver for transmitting and receiving communications between the cell and the mobile cellular telephone, a scanner, coupled to an antenna, for selectably scanning the communication channels to measure a characteristic of the signal transmitted from the mobile telephone, and a controller, coupled to the scanner and the serving transceiver, for commanding the antenna based on the measured signal characteristic.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing and sending e-mail communications using a wireless communications device are disclosed. In one embodiment, input data comprising audio, image, and/or video data is encoded and transmitted to a cellular network. An integrated e-mail processor connected to the cellular network processes the coded data into a composite e-mail message and forwards the message to a server. The server then forwards the composite e-mail message to the indicated recipient(s). In another embodiment, the wireless communications device processes the coded data into a composite e-mail message and forwards it to a server via a cellular network. In either embodiment, the server may be dedicated to the cellular network. The invention thus enables users of handheld wireless communications devices, users of other devices lacking typing keyboards, or users presently unable to use a typing keyboard to prepare and send e-mail messages.

Abstract: A mobile station communicates with both a cellular network, by which it is assigned a mobile identification number, and to a cordless cellular base station utilizing the same cellular frequency range and communications protocol. The cordless cellular base station is preferably connected to a public switched telephone network and is assigned a landline number. The cordless cellular base station acts as a conduit between the mobile station and the public switched telephone network. When the mobile station comes within range of a cordless cellular base station, it deregisters automatically from the cellular network and register with the cordless cellular base station. Once the mobile station is communicating with the cordless cellular base station, the cordless cellular base station communicates with the cellular network to instruct the cellular network to route all calls for mobile identification number to the cordless cellular base station's landline number.

Abstract: A branch candidate selecting method by a mobile station and a diversity handover control method on a network side in DHO performance are provided which consider a maximum cable branch number and a maximum radio branch number of the mobile station, when the mobile station detects a plurality of addition branch candidates and deletion branch candidates. The mobile station inserts a plurality of addition branch candidates and deletion branch candidates, that is, all the DHO candidates into one handover trigger signal, and notifies the network. The addition branch candidates are put into addition information parameters in the handover trigger signal, and the deletion branch candidates are put into deletion information parameters. To simplify processing on the network side, the network side separates the addition branch candidates from the deletion branch candidates, and carries out sequential processing of them independently.

Abstract: A dispatch service is provided for a cordless communication system. The system includes a dispatch group that includes multiple portable parts (PP's). When an originating PP desires to engage in a dispatch communication, the PP selects a traffic bearer over which to transmit, reserved the selected traffic bearer via a fixed part (FP), and identifies the reserved traffic bearer to the other members of the dispatch group via the FP. The other members tune to the identified traffic bearer and the originating PP begins transmitting. When the originating PP is finished transmitting, the originating PP releases the reserved traffic bearer and another member of the dispatch group may then transmit on the reserved traffic bearer. A handoff is also provided in the event that the signal performance of the reserved traffic bearer degrades to an unacceptable level and an acceptable traffic bearer is available.

Abstract: A calibration device detects a delay or amplitude characteristic of a radio reception section. The characteristic is detected using a calibration signal of a band equal to or close to that used for radio communication.

Abstract: A system and method of integrating outbound text messaging capabilities to a telephone call center management system, wherein outbound text messages are a secondary means by which a customer can be contacted, the primary means being voice communications between a call center agent and the customer. The system includes a telephone call management system including a dialer for dialing a plurality of contact telephone numbers included in said at least one call record in a call list. Each call record includes a primary customer contact identifier, such as a voice line telephone number and at least one text message destination identifier, which is included as a secondary customer contact identifier. The system also includes a text message processing system, including text message memory for accepting and storing at least one text message for transmission to a text message receiving device and for transmitting the text message upon connection to the text message receiving device.

Abstract: Position data and spot data of explanation contents are stored in a spot data database in a center. Preference data of the individual users are stored in a preference data database. Group's preference data of user groups are stored in group's preference data database in the center. When the center extracts each user's present time and present position from data received from the user, it selects spot data on the basis of the user's resent time and present position and also preference data and user group's preference data obtained with user ID from the preference data database and the user group's preference data database, and instructs transmission of the selected spot data to the pertinent user's portable data terminal. Thus, it is possible to provide apt data to users even when the users take action patterns different from a usual action pattern.