Abstract: The priority incoming call alerting system for a wireless communication system functions to automatically identify the subscriber's need for privacy in terms of the present location of a wireless subscriber or the subscriber's manually indicated preference, and process incoming calls as a function of this desired privacy and the priority of the incoming call. This is accomplished by providing a wireless communication system with a priority incoming call alerting system that includes call priority identification apparatus and optionally subscriber location identifying apparatus to thereby enable the wireless communication system to automatically screen incoming calls that are directed to the wireless subscriber and only alert the subscriber of the presence of a priority incoming call from a calling party, yet routes all non-priority calls to a call coverage point.

Abstract: The incoming call routing system for a communication system that serves a facility, and which functions to automatically direct the incoming call to the specific service provider who is presently assigned to provide services for an identified resident of the facility. This is accomplished by providing an incoming call routing system, and optionally an integrated wireless communication system, to automatically effect the desired communication connections. The present description uses the hospital communication system as a well known example of such a communication environment in which the present system incoming call routing system is operational. The incoming call routing system of the hospital communication system functions to identify the hospital patient about whom the calling party is requesting information.

Abstract: An alphanumeric messaging system for exchanging alphanumeric messages over a communications connection. The alphanumeric messaging system comprises a communications circuitry, an alphanumeric telephone, and a switching system. The communications circuitry is configured to originate a communications connection in response to receiving a stimulus and exchange alphanumeric messages over the communications connection. The alphanumeric telephone configured to originate a call connection and exchange the alphanumeric messages over the call connection. The switching system is configured to establish the communications connection and the call connection and exchange the alphanumeric messages for the alphanumeric telephone and the communications circuitry.

Abstract: A snap mounted electrical power connector for a printed circuit board. The electrical power connector is included of an input power receptacle that forms a first portion of a current carrying path through the electrical power connector and an output power receptacle that forms a second portion of the current carrying path through the electrical power connector. The input power receptacle and the output power receptacle are configured to connect along a common axis perpendicular to the printed circuit board by a snap connection.

Abstract: When a wireless terminal enters a new location, the telephone number assigned to the wireless terminal is automatically changed to a telephone number assigned to that location based on an assignment level of the wireless terminal for that location. The features associated with the wireless terminal will also be changed to the features assigned to the location. In addition, this invention allows flexibility for the telephone number of the wireless terminal to remain fixed and not to be changed to a telephone number assigned to a particular location. Further, a wireless terminal has a plurality of assignment levels with different assignment levels being utilized for different locations. This allows the user of the wireless terminal to perform different functions within different locations. In addition, each wireless terminal has a personal telephone number assigned to it.

Abstract: The communication device provides the capability to automatically convert between voice and text messages. This communication device enables the calling party to input a message in voice mode, then activate the communication device to automatically convert the message into a text message format for transmission to the called party. The communication device can display the content of the text message prior to transmission or can retrieve the message from its memory and play the message back to the calling party in an audio mode. The communication device automatically initiates the outgoing call and, since the message is transmitted in a text mode to the called party, the destination can be a computer system or output to a printer. This feature therefore enables hands free operation for E-Mail.

Abstract: Utilizing a wireless telephone functioning as a transaction device. The wireless telephone places a call to a site computer controlling a transaction unit. For example, the transaction unit may be a cash register at a supermarket. The wireless telephone then transfers to the transaction unit account information specifying the type of account against which the transaction is to be billed and identification of that transaction. The site computer controlling the transaction unit responds with a transaction number which is transmitted to the transaction unit and wireless telephone. The user of the wireless telephone then confirms the transaction when the correct transaction number is displayed on the transaction unit. After the transaction is completed, the site computer controlling the transaction unit transmits the data defining the transaction to the wireless telephone which stores this information in a database associated with the account against which the transaction was charged.

Abstract: Providing by a telecommunication switching system an automatic call distribution function using agents having wireless terminals by determining the location of the agents, determining the agents' skills, and routing calls to agents based on their physical location and the agents' skills. The telecommunication switching system determines the location of particular agents based on information obtained from wireless base stations. In addition, the telecommunication switching system transmits to the agent, who has been selected to help, the location where the agent is to go. This notification can be done utilizing a display on the wireless terminal or by using an audio message to the agent. Also, if an individual needing help goes off hook on a special wired telephone connected to the telecommunication switching system, the telecommunication switching system determines the location of the wired telephone and selects an agent who is then directed to the location of the wired telephone.

Abstract: Detecting a wireless terminal being taken from a facility. In a first embodiment, a base station is assigned to each exit from the facility. The base station uses a directional antenna which only communicates with wireless terminals within the exit area. When a wireless terminal enters the exit area and registers on the base station, the base station transmits the registration information to a wireless switching system that immediately places a telephone call to the user of the wireless terminal to inform them that they have not turned in their wireless terminal. Alernatively, in a third embodiment, after the wireless terminal is registered, the base station rather than the wireless switching system places a telephone call to the user of the wireless terminal to inform them that they have not turned in their wireless terminal.

Abstract: Utilizing a wireless telephone to function as a transaction device in conjunction with central computer that establishes the validity of the wireless telephone to make transactions. In a first embodiment, a wireless telephone places a call to a central computer which provides a central verification of the wireless terminal's authorization to make transactions. The central computer requests from the wireless telephone personal information of the user that can be used to verify a transaction. Once the wireless telephone is verified, the wireless telephone transmits to the central computer account information. The central computer then contacts a site computer that is controlling a transaction unit with which the wireless telephone wishes to complete a transaction. The site computer then transmits to the transaction unit and the central computer a transaction number. The central computer relays this transaction number to the wireless terminal which displays it to the user.

Abstract: Utilizing a wireless telephone to function as a transaction device. In a first embodiment, the wireless telephone places a call to the transaction unit directly. For example, the transaction unit may be a cash register at a supermarket. The wireless telephone then transfers to the transaction unit account information specifying the type of account against which the transaction is to be billed and identification of that transaction. The transaction unit responds with a transaction number that is transmitted to the wireless telephone. The user of the wireless telephone then confirms the transaction when the correct transaction number is displayed on the transaction unit. After the transaction is completed, the transaction unit transmits the data defining the transaction to the wireless telephone which stores this information in a database associated with the account against which the transaction was charged.

Abstract: When a wireless terminal enters a new location, the telephone number assigned to the wireless terminal is automatically changed to be a telephone number assigned to that location. The features associated with the wireless terminal will also be changed to the features assigned to the location. In addition, this invention allows flexibility for the telephone number of the wireless terminal to remain fixed and not to be changed to a telephone number assigned to a particular location.

Abstract: Assigning a wireless terminal as the only piece of telecommunication equipment for providing an individual user with full business telephone operations. The wireless terminal can be inserted into a plurality of different types of auxiliary desktop units, recognize the type of auxiliary desktop unit, and customize the displays of the auxiliary desktop unit to be that designated by the user of the wireless terminal. Each type of auxiliary desktop unit has a plurality of programmable buttons and indicators. The labels for the programmable buttons and indicators are LCD displays. The wireless terminal utilizes these LCD displays to customize the programmable buttons and indicators of the user interface for each individual user when the user's wireless terminal is in communication with the auxiliary desktop unit. This allows the user to receive the same label information regardless of the auxiliary desktop unit they are utilizing.

Abstract: Providing by a wireless terminal the sole communication link to a wireless telecommunication switching system, and inserting the wireless terminal into an auxiliary desktop unit to provide the full functional capabilities of a business telecommunication terminal. The result is that a user has one telephone number for the wireless terminal, and yet, when the wireless terminal is inserted into the auxiliary unit, the user is provided the full capabilities of a modern business telecommunication wired terminal. Also, no wired telephone links must be installed since the wireless terminal communicates solely over a wireless media.

Abstract: The present locking mechanism for rotatable fastener functions to reliably and inexpensively secure a rotatable fastener in place once it is seated. This is accomplished by the formation of an aperture into the body of the rotatable fastener in a lengthwise direction coaxial with the axis of the cylindrical shaped rotatable fastener. A second aperture is formed in the body of the rotatable fastener perpendicular to the first aperture and intersecting same. A locking pin is placed in the second aperture such that one end of the locking pin is flush with the surface of the body of the rotatable fastener, non-interfering with the operation of the threads formed on the exterior surface of the body of the rotatable fastener. A second end of the locking pin protrudes into the first aperture. A locking post is placed in the first aperture, located above the locking pin and accessible via the open end of the first aperture in the head of the rotatable fastener.

Abstract: A software application program terminating a directory number for all incoming calls directed to the directory number and determining the operations that should be performed with respect to a mobile unit and a telephone station set. The software application program then directs the incoming calls to the mobile unit and telephone station set regardless of where these units are connected to a telecommunication system. An outgoing call from the mobile unit or telephone station set is switched to the software application program which then switches the outgoing call to the destination telephone station set as if the outgoing call had originated at the location of the software application program. Also, the originating directory number used in placing the outgoing call is the directory number associated with the software application program. Two dialing number plans are used: the directory number plan which consists of standard telephone numbers and a secondary dialing plan.

Abstract: A digital port includes a passive bus and, at least, the registration and call transfer features associated with a switch to provide cellular wireless capability. The passive bus allows a base station to be connected to the channel and thereby interface a plurality of wireless terminals to the switch. While only some of the wireless terminals in the neighborhood of a base station can be active concurrently (as is the case in all wireless systems) by way of a digital communication channel that is included in the passive bus, the switch can register and, hence, keep track of, a larger number of wireless terminals that are present in the base station's neighborhood. The passive bus also includes at least one circuit switched channel to allow communication with one or more wired or wireless terminals.

Abstract: A wireless headset telephone whose base station interconnects to a standard electronic telephone station set via the speaker phone port of the standard electronic station set. The user of the wireless headset telephone is able to answer incoming telephone calls having been alerted by an audible signal and can originate calls by utilizing the dialing pad associated with the headset. The wireless headset telephone comprises a headset with a microphone and a mobile unit with an associated key pad. The mobile unit is designed so that it may be worn by the user of the headset in a manner similar to the well known Walkman radio sets. The mobile unit includes all of the communication circuits required to maintain a radio frequency link with a base station which is connected to the electronic telephone set.

Abstract: In a wireless telecommunications system (FIG. 1), over-the-air operations of a plurality of base stations (11 ) are synchronized via a synchronization signal that is embedded in the normal communications protocol that is used to convey traffic between a control switch (12) and the base stations. In the physical-layer protocol of the ISDN S or T basic-rate interface, the S or M bits are employed to conduct the synchronization signal. The synchronization signal is generated in the control switch and broadcast therein to port circuit packs (310) via a synchronization bit of a dedicated time-slot of a TDM bus (303).

Abstract: Interconnection apparatus for electrically connecting the contact areas (22) of a printed wiring board (20) and the contact springs (e.g., 33, 34) of a backplane (10) for increasing the board terminations without increasing the width of the board leading edge (21). A coordinate array of contact areas (22) is provided at least on one side of the leading portion of the board (20) which corresponds to an array of contacting surfaces of the springs (e.g., 33, 34) extending from a backplane (10). A mask (e.g., 23) having an array of apertures (24) corresponding to the contact area array overlies the leading portion (21) of the board (20). The mask apertures (e.g., 24) are individually dimensioned and formed within the array rows to accept therethrough only correspondingly formed individual contact springs (e.g., 33, 34) of the spring rows.