Abstract: Systems and methods for providing communications path through a selected communications network in the event of a transmission failure on the initial, real-time, communications network are presented. The selected network operates in a non-real-time manner and is configured such that communications may be scheduled for transfer, rather than requiring instantaneous access. The use of the selected network reduces both the loading of and access costs to the real-time network. For example, a user who places an unanswered long-distance call may leave a message for the recipient, and that message is transferred to the recipient over the alternate network as time is available on the network, rather than over the primary long-distance voice network. The selected network may be a network that is entirely separate from the real-time network or, the “two” networks may be a single coextensive network having voice and data attributes.

Abstract: A method for providing access to services during communication between subscribers over a communication path on a switched communication network is provided. In a first step, the injection of a DTMF service request signal by a first subscriber is detected. In a second step, a service is provided to a subscriber that corresponds to the DTMF service request signal from a set of services. The set of services includes a service that terminates the communication path to a second subscriber.

Abstract: A method for providing a menu to a subscriber on a switched telecommunications network is provided. In a first step, a menu of service options is provided to a subscriber. The menu includes a menu modification option. In a second step, a service request code corresponding to one of the service options is received from the subscriber. And, in a third step, the corresponding service option is provided to the subscriber.

Abstract: An icon positioning device with a keypad, telephone circuit, speaker and microphone is used as part of an interface system to a computer and a telephone network. The icon positioning device is used to control a position of an icon on the computer's display. The keypad on the positioning device is used to enter information into the computer and to control communication over a telephone network. In addition, the computer displays icons that are representative of the keys composing the positioning device's keypad. When one of the keys is activated, the corresponding icon on the computer's display changes appearance. Thus, the positioning device serves as a multi-featured control apparatus, as a pointing device, and as a telephone.

Abstract: A computing interface system includes a mouse with a keypad, and a computer display that displays a group of icons that have a one-to-one correspondence to the keys composing the mouse's keypad. The icons have the same relative positioning as the keys composing the mouse's keypad. This arrangement permits the user to enter digits into the computer without repeatedly shifting his or her gaze back and forth between the keypad and display.

Abstract: A versatile device is obtained with a PDA that includes means for cordless connecting to specialized accessories. The PDA can operate in its conventional mode, or it can be enhanced by interconnecting it with some or all of its accessories. In one embodiment, the PDA is combined with a cellular telephone that is adapted to physically mate with the PDA and form thereby a single integrated apparatus. In another embodiment, the PDA is combined with a landline telephone that is adapted to mate with the PDA and form thereby another single integrated apparatus. In a still another embodiment, the PDA (whether or not mated with a telecommunication device) is combined with a keyboard to form a laptop computer.

Abstract: An arrangement to provide credit to customers via cellular telephones. In one embodiment, a customer seeking credit for the purchase of goods and services from a merchant activates his or her cellular telephone, authenticates the cellular telephone with his cellular service provider's base station, and proceeds to establish a connection to obtain credit. Credit is obtained by sending unique sequence to the cellular service provider that is different from the normal sequence of numbers that correspond to a telephone number of the called party. That sequence may include a merchant ID code and the amount of credit desired.

Abstract: A universal wireless radiotelephone communication apparatus is operative in both a first radiotelephone communication system including a first base station having a wide area of coverage, transmitting radiotelephone signals at a first band of frequencies and in a second radiotelephone communication system including a second base station having a localized area of coverage, transmitting radiotelephone signals at a second band of frequencies higher than said first band of frequencies. The second band of frequencies is optimally selected with an offset of less than twice a frequency contained within said first band.

Abstract: A communication apparatus (e.g., a fax apparatus) provides secure message transmission by sending messages having an unrestricted portion (e.g., a header) and a restricted portion (e.g., the body of the message). The unrestricted portion is always outputted at the receiving apparatus; however, access to the restricted portion is provided only in response to receiving predetermined information from a user (e.g., a message recipient). This information may include either the use of a password or the use of a PIN code following the insertion of a user's smart card into the receiving apparatus. If the restricted portion is encrypted, the user must either provide the decryption key to enable the receiving apparatus to decrypt the restricted message or his/her smart card must perform the actual decryption of the restricted message.

Abstract: A carrier of telecommunications traffic provides different call treatment when the carrier receives a code indicative of that carrier as opposed to when no code has been entered. For example, by entering the access code of the telecommunications carrier, a caller may invoke a special service. One such service is the "follow me anywhere" service whereby the carrier completes a call originally directed to a called party to another telephone number previously specified by the called party. Another service that may be invoked by entering the carrier access code is voice messaging whereby a call originally directed to the called party may be stored in a voice mail box when the called party is unable to answer the call.

Abstract: A telephone station set is arranged to automatically prefix calls with the access code of a particular, preselected IXC. In one embodiment, the telephone station set is arranged to have at least one locking button that corresponds to an IXC and whenever the locking button is in the selected state, any calls originated from that telephone station set are automatically prefixed with the access code of the IXC to which the button corresponds. Whenever there aren't any IXC buttons selected, only those digits corresponding to the buttons dialed by the calling party are transmitted to the LEC. In another embodiment, the telephone station set incorporates a slide switch having IXC positions and a "No IXC" position.

Abstract: The indication may be transmitted as a signaling system 7 (SS7) message, or a portion thereof. The LEC may also provide an indication that the carrier whose access code was entered was not the carrier to which the calling telephone line was PIC'd. Advantageously, using the transmitted indication, an IXC can determine the number of instances in a predetermined time period that calls were placed using its access code, thereby verifying of the effectiveness of its advertisements for use of the access code.

Abstract: In connection with cellular telephones, the divergent call treatment technique of the present invention is used to particular advantage. A list of accepted callers is maintained by a service supplier. When a call comes in, a determination is made as to whether the caller is an "accepted" caller. If so, the call is forwarded to the cellular telephone. Otherwise, the caller is offered the option to pay for the call. A willingness on the part of the caller to pay for the call is indicated by a signal from the caller, such as pressing a key on a DTMF pad. In response to such a signal, the call is forwarded to the cellular telephone. In the absence of such a signal, the call is disconnected or diverted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for concurrent communication of analog information and digital information. In general terms, when the communication channel is viewed as a multi-dimensional space, the digital information signal is divided into symbols, and the symbols are mapped onto the signal space with a preset distance between them. The analog signal, generally limited in magnitude to less than half the distance separating the symbols, is converted to component signals and added (i.e., vector addition) to the symbols. The sum signal is then transmitted to the receiver where the symbols are detected and subtracted from the received signal to yield the analog signal components. The transmitted analog signal is recreated from those components. Both half-duplex and full-duplex operation is available in accordance with this invention.

Abstract: A universal wireless radiotelephone communication apparatus is operative in both a first radiotelephone communication system including a first base station having a wide area of coverage, transmitting radiotelephone signals at a first band of frequencies and in a second radiotelephone communication system including a second base station having a localized area of coverage, transmitting radiotelephone signals at a second band of frequencies higher than said first band of frequencies. The second band of frequencies is optimally selected with an offset of less than twice a frequency contained within said first band. The wireless radiotelephone communication apparatus has a common baseband circuitry for operating with both the first base station covering the wide area and with the second base station covering the local area.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and method for selecting and transmitting a still image in a telephone network. A series of images is stored in at least one storage unit coupled to the network, each image associated with a particular customer in the network. Upon the placement of a call, the system will automatically select and transmit the calling party's image to the called party's video telephone or terminal prior to or during the ringing sequence, or after the calling party has answered.