Abstract: The message waiting notification update system is operable in the serving Mobile Switching Center and, upon receipt of a message-waiting acknowledgement from the mobile subscriber station, updates the local copy of the subscriber's data in the Visited Location Register and forwards this information to the subscribers Home Location Register. The Home Location Register stores this received data for use when the next successive Registration Notification is received from a new serving Mobile Switching Center or in response to the subscriber initiating a local access. When the serving Mobile Switching Center receives a Registration Notification message return result from the subscriber's Home Location Register and the message waiting notification count is the same as the count previously sent to the Home Location Register, the serving Mobile Switching Center does not have to transmit a message waiting notification over the forward control channel to the mobile subscriber station.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for completing wireless calls directed to an improper called number (such as may occur when an area code is changed or split) without requiring the caller to redial. A mobile switching center (MSC) analyzes dialed digits of a call to determine a projected called party/number. If the dialed digits do not comprise a proper called number, a proper calling number is derived from the dialed digits, the dialed digits are interpreted as a request to complete the call to the proper calling number and the call is completed to the projected called party. The call may be completed with or without an announcement.

Abstract: Low profile wash pads, usable alone or with other like pads in a module array, are disclosed whereby one or more motor driven or motorless vehicles may be wheeled onto or across (or other object placed upon) a full drainage impervious washing platform such that substantially all spent wash liquid and removed debris are caused to flow off from the washing platform to an edge collector or gutter. Debris accumulation at the washing platform is avoided and processing of gutter-contained spent wash liquid and removed debris can occur in offset relation to and without interfering with ongoing washing on the washing platform. Several modes for processing the drainage comprising spent wash liquid and removed debris contained in the gutter are disclosed, one mode comprising automated processing using a screw conveyor.

Abstract: In response to a mobile subscriber station to mobile subscriber station call, the intelligent coding process transmits data during the call setup process from the originating mobile switching center to the mobile switching center that serves the called party, indicative of the characteristics of the originating end user device and the coding processes in use at the originating end user device. The intelligent coding process also signals the inter-mobile switching center network to indicate that this call connection does not require the use of a vocoder in the network transmission of the call. The inter-mobile switching center trunks then pass the coded data received from the codec in the originating mobile subscriber station to the mobile switching center that serves the called party, where the coded data is transmitted to the mobile subscriber station of the called party. The codec in this mobile subscriber station performs the speech decoding necessary to transmit the data to the called party.

Abstract: Methods for locating a missing called mobile unit in a telecommunications network are disclosed. With various equipment manufacturers present in the telecommunications industry, methods for use with a variety of equipment made by those manufacturers are necessary. The equipment in the network would include mobile units, home location registers and mobile switching centers. Through alterations in the operation of the home location registers and/or the mobile switching centers, the responses to page requests and/or routing requests are varied from the typical responses. Through those variations, missing called mobile units may be located in an efficient manner, regardless of the equipment provider.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a home location register (203) that stores records for mobile units in a home system (201). A visited location register (213) stores records for mobile units presently registered in a visited system (211) in which the visited location register (213) is located. The visited system (211) identifies a last accessed technology by a mobile unit (221) in the visited system (211) and forwards the identification of the last accessed technology to the home location register (203). The identification of the last accessed technology may be forwarded to the home location register (203) in a registration notification. The home system (201) may forward a routing request including the identification of the last accessed technology to the visited system (213).

Abstract: The Mobile Subscriber Station paging system makes use of a Standalone Home Location Register SHLR, where the mobile subscriber station records are removed from the present Mobile Switching Center and placed on a processor that manages only the subscriber's records and does not process call service requests. The ANSI-41 standard is then adapted to add a new parameter (CALLTIMEFEATURE) which includes the information required to apply Short MIN paging to a mobile subscriber station when certain conditions are met. These conditions are: the mobile subscriber station is capable of responding to a Short MIN page (the last 24 bits that represent the last 7 digits of the mobile subscriber station number), and the System ID that is immutably entered into the mobile subscriber station is the same as the System ID that is being broadcast by the cell on the overhead message train.

Abstract: A mobile switching center (MSC) in accordance with the principles of the present invention provides access to a subscribers voice message center from the subscriber's roaming mobile station. The MSC is responsive to a “RemoteFeatureRequest” Invocation by the roaming mobile station in which the subscriber's directory number is the same as the dialed digits by routing the call from the mobile station to the subscriber's voice message center. The MSC may also be responsive to a “OriginationRequest” employing the subscriber's directory number as the dialed digits by routing the roaming mobile station's call to the subscriber's voice message center.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for limiting the number of simultaneous call forwarding attempts for a mobile unit. A call is made for a mobile unit. The call request is sent to the MSC associated with the mobile unit. When the mobile unit is not currently active at the MSC, the MSC sends a location request to an SCP. The SCP responds with a return message that includes a temporary location directory number (TLDN) and an indicator. The MSC checks the current number of simultaneous call forwarding attempts being made for the mobile unit. If the current number of simultaneous call forwarding attempts exceeds a threshold, the MSC does not forward the call. If the number of simultaneous attempts does not exceed a threshold, the MSC forwards the call to the mobile unit by sending it to the TLDN.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are provided for automatic telecommunication conferencing and broadcasting. The system embodiment includes a switch for reception of a first incoming call leg designating a multiple leg service, such as a telecommunication conference, and also designating a subscriber group. Each particular subscriber group is predefined, and consists of a list of directory numbers to be included within the conference or broadcast session. The system embodiment also includes a conference bridge coupled to the switch, in which the conference bridge includes instructions to receive the first incoming call leg routed from the switch, to determine the plurality of directory numbers associated with the subscriber group, and to return to the switch a plurality of intermediate incoming call legs corresponding to the plurality of directory numbers for routing by the switch to form a plurality of outgoing call legs.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are provided for a handoff of a mobile broadcast of information specific to a geographic region. The mobile broadcast is typically transmitted on a first broadcast channel from a serving switching center and a serving transceiver to a mobile unit, such as to a cellular telephone. The preferred system includes a plurality of mobile switching centers coupled via signaling and trunk lines to a plurality of transceivers. The serving switching center selects a target switching center and transmits a handoff directive, the handoff directive including a broadcast parameter designating the mobile broadcast. In the preferred embodiment, the broadcast parameter is an eight bit designation of the broadcast channel, and may be included within a field of ANSI-compatible messages, such as Facilities Directives and Handoff Measurement Requests, and distinguishes the handoff of the information broadcast from other types of communication handoffs.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a home location register (203) that stores records for mobile units in a home system (201). A visited location register (213) stores records for mobile units presently registered in a visited system (211) in which the visited location register (213) is located. The visited system (211) identifies a last accessed technology by a mobile unit (221) in the visited system (211) and forwards the identification of the last accessed technology to the home location register (203). The identification of the last accessed technology may be forwarded to the home location register (203) in a registration notification. The home system (201) may forward a routing request including the identification of the last accessed technology to the visited system (213).

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are provided for roamer originated automatic telecommunication conferencing and broadcasting. The system embodiment includes a first switch for reception of a first incoming call leg from a roaming mobile unit or from another telecommunication device outside its assigned serving area. The first incoming call leg preferably designates a multiple leg service, such as a telecommunication conference, and also designates a subscriber group. Each particular subscriber group is predefined, and consists of a list of directory numbers to be included within the conference or broadcast session. In the various embodiments, the first switch communicates with a second switch or a database, and obtains a routing directory number to reroute the first incoming call leg, to form a second incoming call leg to the second switch.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing fuel with oxidizing agent is disclosed comprising an outer body and an inner body. The outer body has an interior surface extending between an inlet end toward an outlet end. The interior surface includes a first plurality of openings. The inner body has an exterior surface extending between the first end and the second end of the inner body. The exterior surface of the inner body includes a second plurality of openings. At least a portion of the exterior surface of the inner body is positioned within the outer body to define a mixing channel between the exterior surface of the inner body and the interior surface of the outer body. In one form the first and second plurality of openings substantially longitudinally span at least one of the outer body and the inner body. In another form the first and second plurality of openings are substantially radially oriented. In yet another form the first and second plurality of openings are offset from one another.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system provide or broadcast information within a given geographic region that is also specific to a given geographic region, such as traffic reports, sightseeing interests, public services information, or weather conditions. The apparatus, method and system of the present invention also provide for different or varying information to be broadcast from region to region; specific hand-off procedures as mobile units change regions; the capability for multiple mobile units to utilize the same broadcast channel containing the information; and the muting of the reverse voice channels of such mobile units during such broadcast sessions. The system of the present invention includes a plurality of serving transceivers located in a corresponding plurality of geographic areas, and a switching center coupled via a plurality of trunk lines to the plurality of serving transceivers.

Abstract: A method for automatically updating shared secret data stored in a mobile terminal comprises initiating a shared secret data update procedure upon receipt of an access attempt by a mobile terminal in a mobile switching center. The shared secret data update procedure is initiated in accordance with a schedule determined by the wireless service provider. Reporting of the outcome of the shared secret data update attempt is issued by the mobile switching center to wireless service provider personnel for telecommunications system maintenance purposes. Advantageously, shared secret data updates occur automatically without intervention by wireless service provider personnel.

Abstract: A method for determining the operational status of base stations deployed in a cellular telecommunications system comprises continually sharing operational status data with adjacent base stations in accordance with a primary diagnostic protocol. Upon non-receipt of an operational status message, a supplemental diagnostic protocol is executed to identify a malfunctioning base station. The failed status of an identified malfunctioning base station is extended to a mobile switching center over an established data interface. In some circumstances, the mobile switching center extends radio allocation information to a functional base station so that the functional base station may perform temporary administrative services for the adjacent failed base station until permanent repairs can be made.