Abstract: A multicarrier transmitting modem is described. The modem includes means for receiving strings of digital data each having one of a set of different possible values, means for mapping the strings into symbols each having the same fixed amount of phase of predetermined different waveforms corresponding to the different possible values in the set, means for modulating the fixed amount of phase plus an excess amount of phase of the predetermine waveforms onto multiple orthogonal carriers in response to the symbols, and means for transmitting the modulated carriers to a distribution network.

Abstract: A method for reducing ingress in orthogonal carriers is described. The method includes receiving a plurality of orthogonal carriers in an upstream frequency bandwidth and polyphase filtering the plurality of orthogonal carriers into a first and second plurality of carrier bands.

Abstract: A method of communicating errors to a head end of a telecommunications system is described. The method inclues monitoring a downstream transmission channel at a service unit for transmission errors, generating a signal at the service unit that indicates errors in the downstream transmission and transmitting the signal to the head end on an associated upstream communication channels.

Abstract: A portable telephone is designed to realize portable telephone functions and game device functions, particularly music games, which are embodied by a vibration device such as a vibration sensor and a vibration motor. When the user swings and vibrates the portable telephone like a maraca in synchronization with the rhythm of a prescribed musical tune, the vibration device produces vibration pulses, which are compared with rhythm pulses. Then, a score is marked on user's operation to swing the portable telephone on the basis of time differences detected between the vibration pulses and rhythm pulses and is displayed on the screen of a display.

Abstract: In the communications network disclosed herein, each of a plurality of similar stations is operated so that the group automatically organizes or configures itself into a multi-layered network for relaying messages from station to station, with some of the stations operating at a relatively high power level as message gateways for a cluster of stations operating at lower power thereby to form, through the gateways, a network backbone providing longer distance network links. Initially, individual stations attempt to affiliate at a lower power level with an existing cluster gateway and, if that attempt is unsuccessful, the station switches to a higher power level and commences operation as a cluster gateway. Each cluster gateway periodically communicates data at least identifying to other cluster gateways the non-gateway stations which are affiliated with it.

Abstract: A method of distributed loop control is described. The method includes receiving at a service unit downstream control and telephony information modulated on orthogonal carriers in a first frequency bandwidth over a distribution network. The method further includes transmitting from the service unit upstream telephony information and control data modulated on orthogonal carriers in a second frequency bandwidth over the distribution network. In addition, the method includes adjusting at least one local transmission characteristic when an adjustment command from a head end terminal is received in the downstream control data. The downstream control data is based on prior upstream transmissions from the service unit.

Abstract: A portable telephone system in which a portable telephone set which enters a site where the use of the set is limited receives a signal from a portable telephone output limiting management device containing output limiting command information, causing the portable telephone set to halt direct exchange with a base station and send to the output limiting management device, using a low powered radio wave, the portable telephone set management number, telephone number reply message and a notification information flag. The output limiting management device then takes the place of the portable telephone set to reply to a call-out from the base station until the portable telephone set exits the site.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for permitting global roaming between two communication networks which utilize different authentication schemes. The authentication interoperability function (AIF) and method translate between the authentication schemes of each network, for example, a triplet-based network and a shared secret data (SSD) network. When a user from a network that natively uses SSD authentication roams into a triplet-based network, the authentication interoperability function produces triplets from the current SSD. When a triplet user roams into an SSD network, the AIF produces SSD from the triplet.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for providing subscriber services to a mobile terminal are provided. The mobile switching centers (MSCs) transmit an MSC capabilities message which informs the Home Location Register (HLR) of the services the MSC supports. When a mobile terminal roams to a particular MSC, the HLR compares the subscriber profile and the MSC capabilities message to determine whether the MSC can support a particular subscriber service. Where the MSC cannot support a particular subscriber service, the HLR determines a comparable service which the MSC does support and modifies a copy of the subscriber profile to include the comparable service as a replacement for the subscriber service that is not supported.

Abstract: A wireless telephone subscriber who wishes directory assistance in the form of directions from one specified location to another is connected to a directory assistance agent. The subscriber identifies a destination location and any requested travel criteria. The directory assistance agent collects the subscriber's travel parameters and a routing algorithm on the server draws upon geographic, transportation, and related information stored on the server to generate an appropriate route to the destination location. The selected route may be divided into multiple segments. Directions according to each segment are provided to the subscriber. The subscriber may remain connected to the directory assistance center for all or any portion of the travel, may disconnect and reconnect as necessary, or may receive the entire route of travel in a single communication.

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 communication system includes a communication utilizing apparatus connectable to a communications network and service provision apparatus for making services available to the communications utilizing apparatus. An accounting device is associated with the communications utilizing apparatus and includes a digital data storage device arranged to store details of the receipt of services by the communications utilizing apparatus a signalling circuit arranged to receive, via the communications network, signals indicating a payment due in respect of services provided by the service provision apparatus, and a comparison device arranged to compare the received indications with data derived from the stored details.

Abstract: The communication method of the invention applies to communication stations adapted to communicate with each other when at least one of said communication stations supplies a control signal, said station then functioning in “base station” mode and the stations not supplying a control signal then functioning in “mobile station” mode. It includes, performed by at least one communication station functioning initially in base station mode: an operation of determining the presence of a station functioning in mobile station mode, and when, during the presence determination operation it is determined that no station is functioning in mobile station mode, an operation of switching into mobile station mode, during which said station goes into mobile station node.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing embedded messages at a mobile station including a subscriber identity module (SIM) identifying the subscriber, for example, a GSM or a non-GSM wireless telephone. The process includes receiving a message having a protocol identifier, transferring at least a portion of the message to the subscriber identity module if the protocol identifier satisfied a condition, extracting information from the at least portion to of the message at the subscriber identity module if a protocol identified by the protocol identifier is supported by the subscriber identity module.

Abstract: A data center for providing access to subscriber information from a remote enterprise network in real-time is presented. The data center includes a data network interface system for interfacing with a data network and a login system, which includes a login server and a data center messaging server. The login server receives a request inputted by a subscriber on a remote access device across the data network to access the subscriber information and authenticates the subscriber and the remote device, while the data center messaging server hosting the subscriber information. Upon authenticating the subscriber and the remote device, the login server, accesses the subscriber information on the data center messaging server and provides the subscriber information to the remote access device in response to the received request.

Abstract: Device and method for the remote diagnosis and/or remote monitoring and/or remote initialization of a microprocessor-controlled door, door system or garage door system operated by an electric motor. The microprocessor control can be connected with a data transmission device for the performance of a remote diagnosis and/or remote monitoring and/or remote initialization of the microprocessor control. The data transmission device can have a modem adapter. The modem adapter can connect the microprocessor control to a cellular telephone, which cellular telephone can be dialed through a cellular data network. The cellular telephone can also be part of the data transmission device. The data transmission device can simultaneously be effectively connected to a service center.

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: Method and apparatus for managing a telecommunications call in a telecommunications network from a caller to an end user. The method includes the steps of: (a) receiving the call from the caller, the call including caller identification information; (b) screening the call based on the caller identification through automated access to a data base; then (c) transmitting a first radio signal to a computer having a display screen which computer is locationally independent of the telecommunications network; (d) receiving the first radio signal; (e) presenting a first message including data relating to the call; (f) receiving user selection data representing a selection by the end user to identify the a function to be performed in response to the call; (g) transmitting a second radio signal representing a second message identifying the function to be performed; (h) processing the second message in response to said second radio signal; and (i) performing the identified function in the telecommunications network.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of a mobile radio telephone in a satellite communication system is disclosed. First, a mobile radio telephone scans a plurality of paging channels and measures the signal strength of the paging channels. The mobile radio telephone then selects the paging channel with the strongest signal strength and decodes the information broadcasted on the selected channel. The information contained in the paging channel can include frequencies or timeslots of paging channels in surrounding spot beams. The mobile station then measures the signal strength of paging channels in surrounding spot beams and quantizes the measurements to determine a coarse position of the mobile radio telephone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effectively monitoring quality of a traffic channel in a communication, and in response, modifying transmission coding or data transmission rates, or both, improves communication quality and increases data transfers rates in digital wireless communication systems. A channel quality estimator determines and evaluates the bit error rate (BER) of a signal on a control channel and estimates the quality of the traffic channel based on the quality of the control channel signal. Accordingly, the processing and control circuitry of either a mobile station or base station adjusts the error correction applied to traffic channel transmissions. The traffic channel data transmission rate may also be modified based on the control channel signal quality.