Abstract: Subscriber-associated authentication, authorization and policy control information is stored on a SIM (preprogrammed or user programmed) to facilitate an NIU at a location granting or denying access to a plurality of services when the programmed SIM or virtual SIM resides in the NIU. A provider stores a message in the SIM based on a payment, which determines the level and period of services to be provided. The SIM can be removed and transported among a plurality of NIUs so that paid-for services follow the SIM Each NIU may receive data from a single source and distribute appropriate telephony, data and video services to telephones, computers and televisions, respectively, based on the level and duration of the services requested by a user/subscriber. Thus, services access and billing are user-associated and location-independent. The SIM can be renewable or disposable, and can be programmed before or after purchase by a subscriber.

Abstract: A switchboard apparatus and method for a telecommunications system, for switching incoming calls through to subscribers, with an input device for entering connection data of a required subscriber, a condition device for determining the telephone condition of the required subscriber, and a switching device, which automatically forwards the incoming call to the required subscriber.

Abstract: This invention relates to an administration device (1) for administering and modifying operating functions of exchanges (6a . . . 6n) in a telephone network. The operating functions are administered and modified by means of administration commands. Said device comprises co-ordination means (2) for co-ordinating operating functions concerning several exchanges (6a . . . 6n). The invention also relates to a method for administering and modifying operating functions of exchanges (6a . . . 6n), used in this administration device (1).

Abstract: In a folding portable terminal equipped with the imaging camera, in order to prevent deformation-induced damage to an imaging camera when the folding portable terminal is dropped and gets a strong shock, each face of a camera module housed in an imaging camera casing is retained in place in the camera casing by cushioning members made of a material having excellent shock absorbency, thereby preventing deformation-induced damage to the camera module.

Abstract: The invention relates to an exchange for connecting telecommunications terminals of subscribers to a telecommunications network, comprising subscriber lines via which the respective telecommunications terminals are linked with the exchange. Said exchange is operated by a first network operator and is used by further network operators. The subscriber lines and subscribers are associated with one of said network operators each and the subscribers select the exchange via the telecommunications terminals to establish a telecommunications link via the respective network operator. The invention further relates to a method for operating an exchange that is used in the inventive exchange.

Abstract: An antenna unit includes an antenna, a high-frequency amplifier, an attenuator circuit, an output cable, and a voltage detector circuit. An operating voltage is supplied from a receiver to the high-frequency amplifier through the output cable. The operating voltage changes in accordance with an automatic gain control (AGC) voltage. The voltage detector circuit detects a change in the operating voltage. In response to the voltage detector circuit output, one of the high-frequency amplifier and the attenuator circuit is selectively connected to a signal line between the antenna and the output cable.

Abstract: Methods and devices provide identification for telecommunications equipment by displaying identification information on a display screen proximal to the equipment. The identification information may be entered through a user input device such as a keypad or may be pre-stored in memory of the telecommunications equipment, such as through a network connection used to maintain the equipment. The identification information may include a unique name of the equipment and/or a description of the function that the equipment performs. A technician may then determine information about the telecommunications equipment by approaching the equipment and viewing the information on the display screen.

Abstract: A facility for adjusting a number of servers assigned to server pools for performing certain work types on the basis of unmet service needs in a work processing facility. Servers may include service agents, both human and robotic. A server assignor and corresponding server assignment method may each be employed in a work distributor or an automatic call distributor (“ACD”) to conditionally adjust server availability in server pools. The server assignor compares a composite preference value for a work type against each server's threshold value for the work type. When the server assignor determines that the composite preference value is greater than or equal to a server's threshold value, then the server assignor indicates that the server may be included in the server pool for that work type. Each server has preference values and threshold values for different kinds of work. The magnitude of a preference value represents an affinity for the work type.

Abstract: An electronic device such as a mobile telephone is provided with a reader for reading data from a physical data carrier. Physical data carriers are incorporated into accessories of the device, for example a telephone carrying case. The act of inserting the telephone into the case causes the reader to read data from the data carrier and the data is used to implement required device settings of the electronic device. The data carrier may be a bar code, RF tag or contact tag. By providing a number of carrying cases each with its own data carrier, merely exchanging cases initiates a number of associated device settings to be selected. Each case may be associated with a particular environment or user context allowing the user to alter the behavior of the device to suit context merely by interchanging carrying case. Data carrier may also be provided in other accessories such as car-telephone kits and battery chargers to alter device behavior accordingly.

Abstract: A system and method provides data representative of geographical information to equipment for providing weather-related information, such as a NOAA weather radio (NWR). A telephone call is placed over a telephone network from the equipment to an information server, which receives information corresponding to an origin of the telephone call in conjunction with the telephone call. The received information is processed to generate data representative of geographical information, which is then sent to the equipment in conjunction with the telephone call. The equipment is then programmed using the data representative of geographical information to provide geographically based weather-related information.

Abstract: A system and method in which a feature is selected for a busy terminal from a calling terminal. This results in a method with an improved selection of features that is specifically more user-friendly than other current methods.

Abstract: A communications network with user presence availability and a capability of locating call forwarded users or other users. Network stations display selection of do-not-disturb (DND) at other stations, e.g., by fluttering corresponding line keys. Network stations also may selectively display call forward locations, numbers for call forwarded stations or other designated user locations that may not normally be related to call forwarding.

Abstract: A system and method for providing one or more advertisements, services, surveys, offers for goods/services, and/or offers to modify a telephone service plan (“intercept actions” collectively) to one or more parties to a telephone call are provided. One or more advertisements may be provided during one or more points along an unsuccessful or successful telephone call. One or more services may be provided gratuitously or in exchange for the presentation of one or more advertisements to recipient of the service. Additionally, a telephone service plan associated with the caller or callee may be analyzed and the caller/callee may be presented with the option to activate one or more service features that, at the time of the attempted call, are not activated in the telephone service plan. A survey may be provided to the caller/callee and the responses recorded. The caller/callee may also receive an offer for goods or services.

Abstract: A telecommunication product demonstration system is comprised of three major components, including customer facility equipment, sales agent facility equipment, and telecommunication service simulation equipment. The system allows a sales agent to demonstrate various long distance services and telecommunications services to potential customers.

Abstract: In a call forwarding system, a call from a calling party for a called party is received at a switching device and in response to the received call the switching device issues a request for call processing instructions to a control device. The call processing instructions request is received at the control device and in response to the received request the control device checks with the destination station to determine the availability thereof. The control device returns call processing instructions to the switching device including a telephone number of the destination station if the destination station is available. Similarly, the control device returns alternative call processing instructions to the switching device if the destination station is not available.

Abstract: A telephone number searching system supporting an automatic telephone connection in which a telephone number is searched for through the internet and automatically dialed, and a method therefor. A web server is connected to a telephone number database for storing multiple predetermined telephone numbers. An information terminal is equipped with a web browser which is selectively connected to the web server for submitting a search request to receive a telephone number service and searching a telephone number from the telephone number database to display at least one searched telephone number. One number is selected by a user among the displayed telephone numbers and dialed automatically by a telephone plug-in to set up a communication channel through the telephone.

Abstract: An automatic dialing device, system, and method for automatically dialing telephone numbers, placing orders and making announcements are provided. A user of the device places the device near the receiver of a telephone and presses a button on the device. By pressing the button, the user activates a circuit board in the device, and a tone necessary to dial a telephone number or otherwise relay an electronic code is generated. The generated tone is recognized by the telephone receiver, and the telephone number or code is transmitted. The code transmitted may be directed to a business, a person, or the like.

Abstract: A service management system for a communications network which accepts requests for communications services from service order sources. The service management system includes an interface to the service order sources, a database, and an interface to network elements which provide the communications services. The service order sources may have differing order input formats which are converted by the system into a single internal format for processing and determining of provisioning information to be output to the network elements. The service management system includes table-driven logic which is used to validate and process the requests to determine the provisioning information. Once the provisioning information is determined, it is queued to the appropriate network element, and an acknowledgment is sent to the originating service order source. The service management system also includes a interface to query the database and network elements to perform debugging and error correction.

Abstract: A wireless interface module interfaces a machine control system, such as a vending machine controller, with one of plural wireless networks through one of plural removably coupled wireless transceivers. Communication between geographically distributed vending machines and a desired wireless network is supported by coupling a transceiver associated with the desired network to the wireless interface module. This advantageously provides flexibility in selecting from one of plural wireless networks for a distributed vending machine so that communication between the control system and a distal operating center is supported over a preferred wireless network through a standardized wireless interface module incorporated in the vending machine by changing the wireless transceiver removably coupled to the wireless interface module.

Abstract: In the method and apparatus of controlling power of a transmitted communication signal, a communication signal is amplified and transmitted. At least one parameter on the transmitted signal is received, and a measure of interference with the transmitted signal is determined based on the received parameter. An average power level of the communication signal is increased by clipping the communication signal prior to amplification by an amount based on the determined measure.