Abstract: A method and system automatically activates a mobile station in a wireless communications network. The system includes an over the air activation function (OTAF) processor in the network that initiates an activation process in response to receiving a registration message from a mobile switching center serving the mobile station requesting the activation. Each mobile station has a unit of information stored into it at the time of its manufacture to enable it to request over the air activation. That unit of information is either the network routing address of the OTAF processor, or alternately, it is a value that is translatable into that address, either an OTAF ID number that is the same value for every mobile station or it is a sequentially serialized dummy value for the mobile identification number (a dummy MIN). When the mobile station is turned on for the first time in the network, it requests activation over the air by transmitting to the local mobile switching center a registration order.

Abstract: A combination of a dual wheel for a vehicle and clamping nuts for securing this wheel to studs on a wheel hub including inner and outer wheel assemblies having respectively inner and outer metal wheels. Each wheel includes a wheel disk having a number of stud-receiving holes of predetermined length. Each nut has a central, threaded passageway, wrenching surfaces formed on a head portion, and an integral, cylindrical skirt portion which has an outer diameter slightly less than the diameter of the holes in the outer metal wheel. A washer is rotatably mounted on each nut and has an outer side engaging an inner end of the head portion. During use of the nuts and the washers, a section of each skirt portion projects only into a respective one of the holes formed in the wheel disc of the outer wheel. The length of this section is equal to or less than the length of the holes in the outer wheel.

Abstract: A portion of the bits within an assigned Temporary Mobile Station Identification (TMSI) number are encoded based upon a subscriber's group classifications (i.e., classifications based on the user's characteristics, such as subscriber services and affiliation). When a mobile station user requests service in a visiting location, the user's service profile is accessed to determine the user's group classifications (if any). The mobile station is assigned a TMSI number according to the user's accessed service profile and a portion of bits associated with the TMSI number are encoded based on the identifiable user group classification. The length of the assigned TMSI number may be adjusted depending upon the particular application to maximize the number of TMSI numbers that may be transmitted in a single paging slot.

Abstract: An optical fiber conduit (32) comprising an optical fiber core (22) surrounded by a cladding (24) with a reflective material or holder and/or reflector (34) attached adjacent to or in contact with the cladding (24) covered optical fiber core (22) along its longitudinal length and includes a plurality of illuminators (28-30) that are formed by uniform cuts (41) in the optical fiber core (22) emit reasonably even light perpendicularly along the length of the conduit (32) outwardly. The light pattern can be made to emit various beam patterns from very narrow to very wide by altering the shape of the optical fiber core (22) and/or by the cuts (41). The cut optical fiber is embedded in a clear environmentally protective coating to protect the cuts (41) from dust and moisture and to maintain the alignment of the holder and/or reflector (34) with optical elements (106) and the optical fiber core (22).

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method of providing the information necessary for geographically-based mobile services by translating public geographic information to corresponding mobile network structure. When an indication of a geographic area is received, the indication is translated to an indication of a portion of the mobile network corresponding to the geographic area and an indication of the service is transmitted to the indicated portion of the mobile network. In a preferred embodiment, a broadcast message is transmitted over a mobile network to a plurality of mobile stations within a geographic area. When the system receives a message to be broadcast and an indication of the geographic area of the broadcast, the indication of the geographic area is translated to an indication of a portion of the mobile network corresponding to the geographic area. The message is then transmitted to the indicated portion of the mobile network.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing unauthorized use of a remotely operated system, by using a sophisticated bi-directional verification schemes. The bi-directional verification schemes are based on random challenge and response between a mobile station and a cellular network. The cellular network discriminates between "pirate" mobile stations and mobile stations authorized to use the cellular network. The security afforded by bi-directional verification is applied to a system and method for use in conjunction with remotely operated systems, including one or more pieces of application equipment or a home automation system.

Abstract: A method for monitoring of a tachometer signal is suggested, wherein the tachometer output signal is not only monitored with respect to its presence, but in addition also with respect to its plausibility. One exemplified embodiment may be realized with the assistance of a correspondingly programmed computer, wherein the tachometer signal change is checked to determine whether it is within predetermined limits. Furthermore, a possibility of reciprocating switching between erroneous and non-erroneous speed signals is eliminated.

Abstract: A floated gyroscope having a float pivoted within a housing for limited rotational movement is provided with a rotational limit control for limiting rotation when the gyroscope is not in use. The rotational limit control includes a locating pin mounted on either the float or the housing, and cooperating limit arms mounted on the other of the float and housing.