Abstract: The present invention relates to recording voice data using a voice communication device connected to a communication network and converting the voice data into a text file for delivery to a text communication device. In accordance with the present invention, the voice communication device may transfer the voice data in real-time or store the voice data on the device to be transmitted at a later time. Transcribing the voice data into a text file may be accomplished by automated computer software, either speaker-independent or speaker-dependent or by a human who transcribes the voice data into a text file. After transcribing the voice data into a text file, the text file may be delivered to a text communication device in a number of ways, such as email, file transfer protocol (FTP), or hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP).

Abstract: A method and system for routing position-determining requests to position-determining platforms. The method includes receiving into a position-determining system a position-determining request specifying a given processing-duration within a given range. The processing-duration defines a maximum amount of time that the system should spend determining position and thereby defines a corresponding granularity of position-determination by the system. All processing-durations in the given range, although different from each other, define the same corresponding granularity of position-determination by the system. The method further includes the system selecting, based on which processing-duration of the range the given processing-duration is, a position-determining platform of the plurality to process the received position-determining request. The method then includes routing the received position-determining request to the selected position-determining platform for processing.

Abstract: A method and system for providing connections from a wireless access point. The wireless access point has multiple VPN tunnels. The access point detects a wireless-network identifier (such as a service set identifier (SSID)) provided by a terminal via an air interface, and the access point uses the wireless-network identifier as a basis to select one of the VPN tunnels. The access point then sends communication from the terminal via the selected VPN tunnel.

Abstract: A method and system for providing connections from a wireless access point. The wireless access point has multiple sets of predefined VPN security settings. The access point detects a wireless-network identifier (such as a service set identifier (SSID)) provided by a terminal via an air interface, and the access point uses the wireless-network identifier as a basis to select one of the sets of predefined VPN security settings and to responsively establish a VPN tunnel extending between the access point and a remote VPN terminator.

Abstract: A text messaging system conveys text messages between a sender and a recipient in a wireless carrier network. A sender mobile handset includes manual input for identifying text characters in a message to be sent to the recipient and an audio-band encoder coupled to the manual input for representing the text characters with a keyed modulation stream. The keyed modulation stream is transmitted over a non-signaling channel of the wireless carrier network to a base station. At least one mobile switching center in the wireless carrier network transports the message between the sender mobile handset and the recipient mobile handset. A demodulator operating on behalf of the recipient converts the keyed modulation stream to decoded text. A recipient mobile handset including a display interface and a display receives the decoded text and displays the text characters of the message to the recipient.

Abstract: A method and system for configuring one or more prospective-participant nodes as participant nodes so as to enable the prospective-participant nodes to engage in a peer-to-peer communication is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the method and system may be embodied as a common application that includes logic, in hardware or software form, for carrying out one or more of the functions for configuring one or more prospective-participant nodes as a participant node in a peer-to-peer network. In carrying out these functions, one of the participant nodes discovers its network-connection settings, and based on these settings, generates participant-node-configuration data that includes one or more network connection settings that define how to address the prospective-participant node as a participant node.

Abstract: A multi-mode mobile station is able to wirelessly communicate with a wireless wide area network (WWAN) and with a wireless local area network (WLAN). The WLAN includes a “virtual” visitor location register (VVLR) for storing information about multi-mode mobile stations being served by the WLAN. The VVLR communicates with a home location register (HLR) in the WWAN in order to facilitate roaming between the WWAN and WLAN by the multi-mode mobile station.

Abstract: Papermaker's forming fabrics including extruded thermoplastic monofilaments formed from a polymer blend consisting of from about 51%-90% pbw (parts by weight) of a poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN) polymer having a melt point of from 249° C. to about 278° C., most preferably between about 262° C. and 273° C., and an intrinsic viscosity of from 0.45 to about 0.95, preferably from about 0.65 to about 0.85, along with from about 49%-10% pbw of a poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) polymer having an intrinsic viscosity of between about 0.55 to about 1.05, preferably from about 0.85 to 1.0. Monofilaments formed from the novel polymer blend exhibit physical properties differing from those obtained from monofilaments formed of 100% PEN polymer, making them particularly suitable for use in weaving and processing the forming fabrics of the present invention.

Abstract: A cellular handset and video game manipulator has first and second beam generators projecting first and second beams from a selected surface of the handset. First and second detectors proximate the selected surface detect first and second manual interactions of a user with the beams. Command logic coupled to the first and second detectors interprets a first manual interaction preceding a second manual interaction as a downstroke command and interprets a second manual interaction preceding a first manual interaction as an upstroke command. The command logic is adapted to be coupled to a game controller to transmit the downstroke and upstroke commands as input to a video game, such as a guitar simulation. The player enjoys natural strumming and fretting techniques without reducing the utility of the phone for use as a cellular telephone.

Abstract: Papermaker's forming fabrics including extruded thermoplastic monofilaments formed from a polymer blend consisting of from about 51%-90% pbw (parts by weight) of a poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN) polymer having a melt point of from 249° C. to about 278° C., most preferably between about 262° C. and 273° C., and an intrinsic viscosity of from 0.45 to about 0.95, preferably from about 0.65 to about 0.85, along with from about 49%-10% pbw of a poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) polymer having an intrinsic viscosity of between about 0.55 to about 1.05, preferably from about 0.85 to 1.0. Monofilaments formed from the novel polymer blend exhibit physical properties differing from those obtained from monofilaments formed of 100% PEN polymer, making them particularly suitable for use in weaving and processing the forming fabrics of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for reconnecting a dropped mobile telephone call without input from the dropped party or the remaining party. In accordance with the present invention, the system determines that a call has been terminated abnormally, possibly due to an unsuccessful transition between cell towers. The system then initiates reconnection of the dropped party with the remaining party with no input from either party. The remaining party may optionally hear a recorded message while the call is reconnected.

Abstract: A multi-mode mobile station is able to wirelessly communicate with a wireless wide area network (WWAN) and with a wireless local area network (WLAN). The WLAN includes a “virtual” visitor location register (VVLR) for storing information about multi-mode mobile stations being served by the WLAN. The VVLR communicates with a home location register (HLR) in the WWAN in order to facilitate roaming between the WWAN and WLAN by the multi-mode mobile station.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine is specially adapted to protect pocket-portable electronic devices from damage. A basket is aligned with an opening for receiving clothes to be washed. A door covers the opening during washing of clothes. An electromagnetic loop is positioned at the periphery of the opening so that all clothing loaded into the clothes washing machine passes through the electromagnetic loop. The electromagnetic loop is also positioned so that no permanent ferrous structures of the clothes washing machine are located between the electromagnetic loop and the opening. A detector circuit is coupled to the electromagnetic loop for generating an electronic detection signal in response to a predetermined change in an electromagnetic characteristic sensed across the electromagnetic loop corresponding to a pocket-portable electronic device being present at the opening.

Abstract: A method and system for providing prepaid data service. A subscriber terminal may establish a connection with a communications network. Based on a balance of a prepaid account, traffic from the subscriber terminal may be directed to a self-service portal. At the self-service portal, a user of the subscriber terminal may provide a credit card to add value to a prepaid account and to select a type of prepaid data service. The subscriber terminal may then be granted access to a data network. The balance of the prepaid account may be adjusted in accordance with the prepaid data service that is provided. When the balance of the prepaid account meets a threshold, the subscriber terminal's access to the data network may be redirected back again to the self-service portal.

Abstract: A method and system for providing connections from a wireless access point. The wireless access point has multiple connections to remote endpoints. The access point detects a wireless-network identifier (such as a service set identifier (SSID)) provided by a terminal via an air interface, and the access point uses the wireless-network identifier as a basis to select one of the connections over which to send traffic from the terminal.

Abstract: A method for allowing multiple service providers to provide services via a common access network. The access network is arranged with multiple logical network layers, each specific to a respective service provider. Upon successful authentication of a subscriber by a given service provider, the access network assigns that subscriber to the logical layer specific to the authenticating service provider. The access network then handles communication traffic in that logic layer in a manner specific to the service provider.

Abstract: A system for providing coordinate-based location information may include first, second and third wireless location transmitters. The wireless location transmitters may be located at fixed positions within an enclosure, such as a building. The wireless locations transmitters may each be programmed with a respective coordinate-based location, which the wireless location transmitters can in turn wirelessly transmit to a wireless device. The wireless device can then use the three respective coordinated-based locations of the wireless location transmitters to determine a coordinate-based location for the wireless device.

Abstract: A cellular handset and video game manipulator has first and second beam generators projecting first and second beams from a selected surface of the handset. First and second detectors proximate the selected surface detect first and second manual interactions of a user with the beams. Command logic coupled to the first and second detectors interprets a first manual interaction preceding a second manual interaction as a downstroke command and interprets a second manual interaction preceding a first manual interaction as an upstroke command. The command logic is adapted to be coupled to a game controller to transmit the downstroke and upstroke commands as input to a video game, such as a guitar simulation. The player enjoys natural strumming and fretting techniques without reducing the utility of the phone for use as a cellular telephone.

Abstract: A mobile station is identified by a plurality of directory numbers. One or more of the directory numbers are associated with distinct identifier codes that identify a directory number or “personality” in transmissions over the air interface, e.g., for call origination from the mobile station and/or call termination to the mobile station. When the mobile station receives an identifier code when it receives a call, the mobile station provides a distinct user-discernible indication that is specific for that identifier code. From this distinct user-discernible indication, the use may determine which directory number is being called. When originating a call, the mobile station may transmit an identifier code to indicate which directory number to use as the calling party number.

Abstract: A telephony relay enables a portable communication device that is communicatively coupled to a packet-switched network to originate calls over a circuit-switched telephone network. The telephony relay has a first interface communicatively coupled to the packet-switched network, e.g., via a modem, and a second interface communicatively coupled to the circuit-switched telephone network, e.g., via an analog telephone line. To originate a call to a called number, the portable communication device transmits the called number to the telephony relay, via the packet-switched network. The telephony relay then uses an analog signaling format, e.g., DTMF tones, to transmit the called number to the circuit-switched telephone network. When the call is answered, the telephony relay conveys media between the portable communication device and the circuit-switched telephone network, converting between the analog format used by the circuit-switched network and the packet format used by the packet-switched network.