Abstract: An accessory device for a mobile station is disclosed that allows one or more mobile subscribers to conveniently and simply use two or more mobile stations at the same time. In addition, the accessory device also provides the ability to bridge the two or more calls into a multi-party call. The accessory device includes two or more connectors, each having a plug on either end. One plug of each connector is inserted into the hands-free port of each mobile station, while the other plug is inserted into the accessory device. The plug that is inserted into the accessory device attaches to leads to a single speaker/microphone combination in the accessory device. The accessory device also includes at least one switch to allow the mobile subscriber to select between the calls or establish a bridge between all of the calls.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for operating a network system and a network system operated correspondingly for improving network resource reservations and allocations. Information included in signaling messages of a given protocol, like the resource reservation protocol (RSVP), which do not provide information about the actual communications status in the network. According to the invention, information concerning the communications/service quality of the network are collected from all over the network. In particular, such information is collected from all network domains and their routers, respectively. The collected information is communicated in the network by extending the signaling messages obtained on the basis of the given protocol. Utilizing the collected information, service quality negotiations between a server and its client are improved. This improvement can be achieved for network systems comprising a network domain serving a single client, and multicasting networks.

Abstract: A telecommunications network architecture and method of providing failover operations between mobile switching centers (MSCs). A plurality of MSCs and at least one base station controller (BSC) are connected to an Internet Protocol (IP) network in which transmission paths and control paths are logically separated. The BSC reports to a primary MSC and includes an alternative MSC list identifying at least one backup MSC for the primary MSC. The BSC determines when the primary MSC has failed, and utilizes a control path in the IP network to notify the backup MSC that the BSC has switched its reporting to the backup MSC. The BSC also utilizes a transmission path in the IP network to send mobile station communications from the BSC to the backup MSC. Mobile station location updating requests are sent from the backup MSC to a home location register (HLR). The requests include a new element that informs the HLR that the backup MSC is now serving the mobile station due to a failure of the primary MSC.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for preventing sub-optimal routing of new incoming calls to a mobile station (MS) that has been re-registered at a remote optimal Mobile Switching Center/Visitor Location Register (MSC/VLR) for an optimized call. When the MS is re-registered at the remote optimal MSC/VLR, the Home Location Register (HLR) associated with the MS stores an optimization indication indicating that the MS has been re-registered to the optimal MSC/VLR. Thereafter, when an incoming call to the MS is received during the time that the MS is re-registered, the HLR can handle the call based upon the optimization indication. For example, the HLR can forward the incoming call to a local voice mail box associated with the MS.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for preventing sub-optimal routing of new incoming calls to a mobile station (MS) that has been re-registered at a remote optimal Mobile Switching Center/Visitor Location Register (MSC/VLR) for an optimized call. When the MS is re-registered at the remote optimal MSC/VLR, the Home Location Register (HLR) associated with the MS stores an optimization indication indicating that the MS has been re-registered to the optimal MSC/VLR. Thereafter, when an incoming call to the MS is received during the time that the MS is re-registered, the HLR can handle the call based upon the optimization indication. For example, the HLR can forward the incoming call to a local voice mail box associated with the MS.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements are provided that allow for an Internet gateway to directly request or otherwise access routing and/or location information within a home location register (HLR) within a mobile communications network. This allows for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications to be conducted without requiring excessive signaling and/or processing within the mobile communications network. The methods and arrangements can be provided in the form of a standalone node or incorporated into existing nodes, such as, for example, a gateway node within the Internet or a similar network. Verification and/or policing functions are also provided to limit access to the routing and/or location information.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for extending the life of the battery within a Mobile Station (MS), while still allowing the mobile subscriber to use the MS. A new battery gapping feature can be implemented within both the MS 20 and the cellular network. On the MS side, the feature will allow the subscriber to select the desired battery gapping mode, which is a combination of the stand-by mode with the MS power on and the stand-by mode with the MS power off. When in this battery gapping mode, the MS will alternate between power off and power on states depending upon the subscriber defined stand-by times for each of these states. On the network side, the MS will inform the network when the MS powers off, as well as indicate when the MS will be powered on again. Therefore, the network can inform calling parties of the next time that the MS will be reachable.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for decreasing the average call setup time in a cellular network by using an Internet Protocol based cellular network. Call information (such as routing information, channel types, etc.) for a particular call initiated by a calling Mobile Station (MS) can be stored in a call cache within a serving Mobile Switching Center (MSC) to immediately allow the same call to be re-established without tying-up circuits. A call cache identifier (CCI) is assigned to that call cache and passed to the calling MS. When the MSC receives a call from the calling MS, the MSC determines whether a CCI is included with the call. If not, call setup proceeds as normal, and the MSC creates a call cache for the call, assigns a CCI to the call cache and returns the CCI to the calling MS. If a CCI is received with the call, the MSC accesses the call cache associated with the received CCI, and uses the call setup information stored in the call cache to re-establish the call.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for allowing a mobile station involved in a single-hop satellite call to complete a conference emergency call. One of the mobile stations involved in the single-hop satellite call activates an emergency call feature, which triggers one or both of the mobile stations to perform a call release and call re-establishment procedure. When one or both of the mobile stations performs call re-establishment, the call is marked as an Emergency Call to prevent the mobile stations from being reconnected in a single-hop call. After re-establishment, the mobile station that activated the emergency call feature transmits an Emergency Setup message to the MSC/VLR, which initiates a call connection to the Emergency Call Center (ECC). Once the MSC/VLR completes the call to the ECC, the MSC/VLR bridges all parties together in a conference call.

Abstract: A software definable DLC architecture (75) based on high speed analog-to-digital converters (64) and digital signal processors (66) capable of sampling to at least several MHz. Multiple copper pair wires (102) are attached to a single DSP (66) and upbanding is applied at staggered intervals so that all copper pairs reside in distinct spectral bands. Signals arriving from a single copper pair is sampled and digitized within the spectral band associated with each subscriber side service. The encoded digitized result is transmitted back to the central office (35) for decoding into the relevant signaling scheme according to the type of service attached to the subscriber (15).

Abstract: Improved methods and arrangements are provided for use in mobile communications networks that require re-registration of mobile stations to optimal gateways to support improved call optimization. For example, mobile stations may be required to re-register with gateways that provide more efficient use of terrestrial trunk circuits. When a mobile station is requested to re-register with a more optimal gateway, there is an associated burden on the mobile communications network and supporting signaling system networks. Because of this, there is an inherent potential for intentional or unintentional abuse by one or more subscribers who repeatedly, continually, or simultaneously initiate signaling and/or processing required to optimize the call and re-register the mobile station(s).

Abstract: A wireless communications system and methods having at least two interconnected mobile switching centers (12, 14), each coupled to a corresponding media gateway (74, 76) and to an IP network (40) reduces the use of circuit connections (32) during inter-MSCs handover. Speech packets (84) are transmitted between a first MSC (12) and a second MSC (14) over an IP network (40) rather than over the circuit connections (32). An IP address (80) is used as a transaction identifier which can include the IP address, socket, and/or session number associated with the media gateway 74 for a call. The anchor MSC (12) sends the IP network address (80) that is currently being used for the call to the non-anchor MSC (14).

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method for transmitting digital images produced by a digital camera attached to or integrated with a mobile station (MS) from the MS to a receiving terminal through the Internet. A calling mobile subscriber can select the digital image to transmit and dial the number associated with the receiving terminal on the MS. The digital image is then sent in parallel through the Internet while a telecommunications connection, such as a call setup request, is being sent through the cellular or fixed network. At the end office serving the receiving terminal, the call setup request is associated with the digital image and a call connection is established between the calling MS and the receiving terminal. When the call connection is established, the end office serving the receiving terminal sends the digital image to the receiving terminal.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for optimizing the Call Forwarding on Busy (CFB) feature for optimized mobile stations (MSs) within a satellite network. The CFB feature for optimized calls can be stored within the Home Location Register (HLR) associated with the MS. Therefore, when the MS becomes engaged in an optimized call, the HLR sets a busy indication associated with the optimized MS. Thereafter, when another incoming call arrives, the HLR can check the busy indication, and if it is set, the HLR determines that the MS is busy, and invokes the CFB feature.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) is disclosed for automatically controlling the volume level of an audio signal transmitted to or received by a mobile station and/or terminal within a telecommunications network, the apparatus including a noise measuring device (102), a volume controller (104) communicably coupled to the noise measuring device, and a memory module (108) communicably coupled to the noise measuring device. In a wireless telecommunications network, the memory module may comprise a subscriber identity module (SIM) and contain preferred volume levels for given levels of noise for that particular subscriber.

Abstract: A wireless control system (30, 70) for distributing electrical control signals to a plurality of controlled devices (36a, 36b, 36c, 74a and 74b), including an electronic control unit (ECU) (32, 72) adapted to communicate with one or more controlled devices (36a, 36b, 36c, 74a and 74b) and an induction loop (34, 73) coupled to the ECU (32, 72) and adapted to provide a magnetic field within the range of the controlled devices (36a, 36b, 36c, 74a, and 74b). Each controlled device (36a, 36b, 36c, 74a and 74b) includes an induction coil (42a, 42b, 42c, 76a and 76b) tuned to couple signals modulated within the magnetic field of the induction loop (34, 74). The controlled devices (74a and 74b) may include a sensor (82a, 82b) and may be adapted to send a status signal (84) to the ECU (72) via the induction loop (73).

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for optimizing satellite resources to prevent overconsumption of the satellite resources of a first network operator by subscribers associated with a second network operator. During call optimization, an indication is included in a Location Update request sent by a Mobile Station (MS) to an optimal Mobile Switching Center/Visitor Location Register (MSC/VLR) that suggests to the optimal MSC/VLR that the reason for the Location Update is the equivalent of “satellite radio access registration.” The optimal MSC/VLR examines this indication, and based on the amount of available satellite radio resources, either accepts the Location Update request or returns a rejection message indicating that radio access registrations are either permanently or temporarily not allowed.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for restricting optimization of calls between mobile terminals within a satellite network to allow implementation of supplementary services. Either the network operator or the mobile subscriber can decide whether supplementary services or optimization of calls between mobile subscribers in a satellite network has priority. For instance, prior to placing a call, the mobile subscriber can enter a service code on the mobile terminal indicating that the call should or should not be optimized, depending upon the default parameters of the service provider. Alternatively, the network operator can determine whether a conflict exists between optimization and supplementary services, and if one exists, forego optimization in favor of the supplementary services.

Abstract: A method of sending a short message service (SMS) message to a mobile station operating within a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) radio telecommunications network which utilizes a satellite air interface link. A paging server is implemented in the network and interfaced with a mobile switching center/visitor location register (MSC/VLR) serving the mobile station. When a SMS service center receives a mobile-terminating SMS message, it sends the message to the paging server. The paging server stores a copy of the message and sends the message from the paging server to the MSC/VLR. The MSC/VLR makes a first attempt to deliver the message to the mobile station via the satellite air interface radio link. If the SMS service center times out before receiving an acknowledgment that the message was delivered, the service center sends the message to the paging server a second time. Upon receipt, the paging server determines whether the message received the second time has already been sent to the MSC/VLR.

Abstract: A method of handling an incoming call to a mobile station (MS) in a radio telecommunications network having a gateway mobile switching center (G-MSC) and a home location register (HLR), and the MS communicates with the network via a satellite link comprising a satellite and a satellite gateway. The method includes storing in the HLR, a plurality of primary gateways and an associated backup gateway for each primary gateway in the network. If the primary gateway serving the MS fails while the satellite is still operational, the incoming call is routed from the G-MSC to the backup gateway. The backup gateway's base station subsystem (BSS) is reconfigured to cover the service area of the primary gateway, and the MS is notified that the backup gateway has replaced the primary gateway as the MS's serving gateway. Subscriber data for the called MS is provided to the backup gateway by the HLR.