Abstract: Methods and systems for enhanced Colorful Ring-Back Tone (eCRBT) services by mixing multiple digital content streams in real time are provided, including audio, video, data, text-based message, and hypermedia object streams. One or more properties of the content streams, such as volume or pitch of an audio stream, or brightness and layout of a video stream, are gradually altered such that a prominence of the an individual content stream is dynamically and seamlessly changed relative to other content streams with time. An eCRBT controller controls mixing and playing of digital content either based on an internal algorithm in an application server, or selections received from subscribers through provisioning interfaces. Personalized content streams can be mixed and played in real time based on interactive response received from a calling subscriber. Content may also be personalized based on caller by service provider.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, systems and apparatuses for an enhanced voice mail system. The enhanced voice mail system provides integrated access to media rich content such as e-mail, voice mail, fax, video clips, or digital still images accessed from a variety of Internet communities. The enhanced voice mail system provides the ability for a subscriber to participate in the community of activities that the Internet provides via a voice mail box while maintaining the anonymity associated with the Internet. This ability includes the retrieval of information from specific web postings and/or messages intended for the member and retrieval of responses to the web postings. In addition, the enhanced voice mail system provides the capability for developing continuation messages which mix (or superimpose) messages from a plurality of users.

Abstract: An integrated land mobile dispatch radio capable of accommodating both standard audio transmissions and video transmissions. The push-to-talk switch controls these activities. Video images can be stored and reviewed prior to transmission. Also, video transmissions can be interrupted to accommodate a current need to conduct an audio transmission.

Abstract: A bulletin board coordinates the service authorization for other communication systems. Service authorizations are periodically updated, with authorized communication units returning to the bulletin board at pre-scheduled times to receive the updates that extend service authorization for authorized communication services. The bulletin board transmits authorization information on known communication resources at predetermined times known only by authorized communication units.

Abstract: A radio system user (126) is alerted (129) as to the occurrence of a financial transaction by a customer (118). Data (122) is obtained from the customer (118) and used to identify a radio system user (126), who is authorized to conduct the financial transaction. A message, indicative of the financial transaction, is automatically provided to a radio system and broadcast (129) to the radio system user (126), thereby alerting the user (126) to the financial transaction.

Abstract: A method of allowing use of small, low-power communication systems (20) within the coverage area (11) of larger trunked communication systems. A low-power communication system re-uses the same communication resources used by the larger trunked system whenever sufficient distance exists between large system communication units and the low power system so as to avoid interference. Large system communication units may also be constructed to operate in a dual mode format so as to transmit and receive in a low power mode and on re-used resources, whenever near a low power system or to transmit and receive in a high power mode whenever else necessary.

Abstract: A dispatch communication system wherein a communication unit may move from the service coverage area of a first system to the service coverage area of a second system during a communication transaction without the need to re-initiate the call. Communication units and base sites under this invention are constructed to relay signals to and from the system where the call originated.

Abstract: Within a communication system having a plurality of communication system sites, each communication system site has a one cell re-use pattern of a limited number of communication resources. Communication units within the communication system utilize a redundant transmission of information such that the geographic separation of communication system sites utilizing the same communication resources is reduced.

Abstract: A bulletin board communication resource provides a message to communication units regarding available communication systems in a particular geographic area. The bulletin board resource also supports registration of the communication unit with one or more of these systems as selected by the communication unit.

Abstract: A radio having two signal processing paths, one including a digital signal processor that consumes a relatively large amount of power and one including a signal processor that consumes a relatively small amount of power. The low power processor operates to monitor for broadcast signals of interest. Upon detecting such a signal, the low power processor enables the digital signal processor to facilitate proper signal processing.

Abstract: Shown, herein, is a method of allowing use of small, low-power communication systems within the service coverage area of larger trunked systems. The small, low-power systems are constructed to reuse at least some of the communication resources, also used by the larger system. The large system measures signal strength values of large cell communication units and transfers such values to the small systems. A small system compares the transferred values with a threshold and when the threshold is exceeded, reuses the communication resources under a TDM format within the small system.

Abstract: Shown, herein, is a method of allowing use of small, low-power communication systems within the service coverage area of larger trunked systems. The small, low-power systems are constructed to reuse at least some of the inbound frequencies of communication resources, also used by the larger system. The large system measures signal strength values of large cell communication units and transfers such values to the small systems. A small system also measures the signal strength and compares the measured and transferred values with thresholds and when the thresholds are exceeded, reuses the communication resources under a TDM format within the small system.

Abstract: A way of allowing small, low-power communication units to reuse trunked system communication resources within the service coverage area of the larger trunked system without experiencing significant interference from the trunked system. The low power units (requestors and targets) avoid interference through spread spectrum transmissions.

Abstract: Independent communication systems are provided with additional receivers that allow the systems to monitor one another's outbound control signalling channels. Secondary control signalling can be interleaved with the primary control signalling information on this communication resource, which secondary control signalling information is intended for reception and use by the monitoring system.

Abstract: A communication system supporting dispatch-like communications in a geographic reuse system environment. An originating user provides a verbal alias corresponding to a target communication unit. The system utilizes the verbal alias to locate a corresponding system identification code for the target unit. The system then determines the general whereabouts of the target unit, and establishes a communication path between the two units. The original voice message may be stored and subsequently transmitted to the target unit upon properly identifying, locating, and establishing a communication path to the target unit.

Abstract: Communication systems having dedicated communication resources are provided with receivers that monitor the communication resources of other communication systems, and roamers are preregistered in non-home systems. Using this infrastructure, a group call can be sourced in one system and relayed to roamers located in other systems.

Abstract: A trunked communication system wherein less than all of the communication units may transmit an identifying data word thereby registering their location to a system controller every time they enter a different coverage area, while the remainder of the communication units do not. The identity of the communication units which operate in each mode is known to the system resource controller in advance. Pre-registration allows the system controller to know the locale of target units in advance when communications to those units is requested. The locale of units that do no pre-register their location are identified through system wide paging. Coordinating the identification of locales of units in both modes permits greater optimization of spectral resources.

Abstract: Reusing radio frequency specta in a trunked radio system by establishing small cell trunked radio systems within a large cell trunked radio system wherein low power radio transmission occurs permits multiple small cell trunked radio systems in geographically separate locatiosn to use a limited number of radio resources simultaneously, increasing usage of a finite number of communication resources. As used in cellular telephone systems, very low power trunked radio systems separated from each other can reuse the same frequency without interfering with each other or interfering with a large cell trunked radio system license holder.

Abstract: A method for allocating RF communication resources among RF communication systems. This allocation may be base strictly upon demand or it may be based upon the loading of an RF communication system or the relative loading among a group of RF communication systems.

Abstract: A console interface for a trunked communication system is disclosed wherein unique interface modules are coupled to the central controller and console network to establish communication therebetween. A console interface constructed and arranged to transceive trunking channel call information couples the dispatcher console to the console network thereby allowing the dispatcher to interact with the trunked system.