Abstract: The invention relates to a personal communicator which includes an electromagnetic antenna for receiving signals from a wide-area paging system coupled to a receiver for receiving a number assignment module from the antenna. The receiver delivers the number assignment module to a controller which programs the number assignment module into a memory element. The number assignment module is stored in the memory element. The controller retrieves the number assignment module from the memory element for use in communication with a cellsite which forms a part of a cellular communications system. Advantageously, the present invention permits remote programming of a personal communicator by a cellular service provider, eliminating the need for an authorized agent to manually program the personal communicator.

Abstract: A subscriber to a chat service is provided with at least one announcement by the chat service provider about product and/or service offerings available to the subscriber from the chat service provider. The announcement typically takes the form of a menu of choices, thereby prompting the subscriber to respond. Following the announcement, the chat service provider listens for the subscriber's response. If the subscriber elects to accept the offer, then the chat service provider undertakes the necessary action to provide the offered product and/or service. The announcement may be made to the subscriber prior to bridging of the subscriber's call to facilitate entry of the subscriber into a chat session. Alternatively, or in addition, the announcement may be made after the subscriber has entered the chat session, but before (or after) the subscriber has requested an enhanced chat service feature, such as a private conversation or information access.

Abstract: A single channel carrier system for telephone service is disclosed including a remote terminal having a ringing generator included therein for generating ringing signals to operate the ringers of remote subscribers. The ringing generator is a dc-to-dc converter for stepping up a battery voltage to ringing voltage lvel that is interrupted at a 20 Hz rate.The generation of ringing signals is controlled by a carrier signal interrupted at a ringing rate. Detection of the ringing signals on the carrier utilizes a delay circuit to prevent response to inadvertent signals as well as delay hysteresis to ensure the bridging of detection from one 20 Hz cycle to the next. The ringing generator must also be regulated, both in current and in voltage, to prevent danger to personnel, damage to equipment, and excessive power consumption.

Abstract: An inverter for direct current power generation is shown in which both voltage regulation and logical control of the output are achieved by digitally controlling the application of clock signals to the inverter circuit. A standard clock source is used to drive the inverter and digital circuitry, timed from the same clock source, is used to control the gating of clock pulses to the inverter. Entire clock pulses including both positive going and negative going transitions are blocked so as to preserve the balanced excitation of the inverter transformer. Logical control signals can also be used to disable the application of clock pulses.

Abstract: A digital subscriber loop transmission system is disclosed through which a number of remote subscribers are serviced with a smaller number of time division channels.The digital transmission system includes an automatic channel testing unit which selects digital channels one at a time and in sequence for a series of automatic tests. Channels which fail these tests are withdrawn from service.One such test involves ringing and automatic number identification circuits by means of which subscribers' telephones are rung and the off-hook subscriber on a two-party line is identified, both by the use of supervisory codes in the digital pulse stream. These supervisory codes are used to test the supervisory circuits themselves and, incidentally, large portions of the overall system.

Abstract: A single channel carrier system is disclosed including a remote terminal having a battery charger for charging a battery during idle periods to power the remote carrier electronics. The remote electronics include a ringing generator and a supervisory circuit to implement normal telephone supervision over the carrier channel.The ringing generator is a dc-to-dc converter for stepping the battery voltage up to the ringing voltage level. In order to interrupt this unipolar ringing voltage and thereby to energize the telephone ringer, a switching circuit is provided including a transistor in shunt with the ringing voltage supply to provide a return path for alternate half cycles of ringing current. A constant current source from a low voltage supply connected to the base of the transistor provides bias current to saturate the transistor yet minimizes the amount of dissipated power.

Abstract: A single channel carrier system for telephone service is disclosed including a remote terminal having a ringing generator included therein for generating ringing signals to operate the ringers of remote subscribers. The ringing generator is a dc-to-dc converter for stepping up a battery voltage to ringing voltage level that is interrupted at a 20 Hz rate.The generation of ringing signals is controlled by a carrier signal interrupted at a ringing rate. Detection of the ringing signals on the carrier utilizes a delay circuit to prevent response to inadvertent signals as well as delay hysteresis to ensure the bridging of detection from one 20 Hz cycle to the next. The ringing generator must also be regulated, both in current and in voltage, to prevent danger to personnel, damage to equipment, and excessive power consumption.