Abstract: A method including the steps of receiving a mobile identification number identifying a mobile unit (36), performing a multilateration location measurement based on a nonperiodic signal received from the mobile unit (116), retrieving a location zone from a memory based on the mobile identification number (210), comparing the multilateration location measurement with the location zone, and generating a billing record for the mobile unit (214).

Abstract: A method including the steps of receiving a mobile identification number identifying a mobile unit (36), performing a multilateration location measurement based on a nonperiodic signal received from the mobile unit (116), retrieving a location zone from a memory based on the mobile identification number (210), comparing the multilateration location measurement with the location zone, and generating a billing record for the mobile unit (214).

Abstract: This invention relates to an arrangement for efficiently transmitting facsimile signals from a facsimile source to a facsimile destination using a standard facsimile user interface. The connected switched communications network recognizes that the call is from a facsimile source or to a facsimile destination and causes the facsimile signals to be transmitted at the transmission speed of the source to storage in a network. Subsequently, the signals are transmitted from storage to a facsimile destination at the transmission speed of the destination when the destination becomes available. Advantageously, the source need not wait for the destination to become available before transmitting, and the transmission can take place at a bit rate that matches the source and the destination even when these bit rates are different. Retransmission because of errors in one link is only required for that link, i.e., from the source to the storage or from the storage to the destination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a lottery system. Customers purchase lottery entries using their customer stations to send lottery entry data to a toll switching system equipped to prompt customers and accept lottery entries. Customer identification data for identifying purchasers is transmitted to that toll switching system in the form of automatic number identification signals from switching systems connected to the customers and personal identification codes keyed by customers. Lottery data is stored in the toll switching system and transmitted to a centralized lottery data base system for determining lottery winners. Advantageously, customers may purchase entries in existing, periodic draw lotteries from their own customer stations, using the shared facilities, and the high peak capacity for handling lottery traffic of a public switched network.

Abstract: An improved removable cooking surface assembly for the upper movable heated platen of a two-sided cooking device is disclosed. The assembly includes a planar rigid heat conducting metal plate which is coated on its lower surface with a layer of non-stick synthetic plastic material. The coated platen is removably connected with the heated platen and extends in contiguous relation across the lower surface thereof for uniform heat transfer from the platen to the food product being cooked. Following cooking of the product when upper platen is raised, the food product remains on the lower grill surface since the coating of the upper surface prevents the product from sticking thereto. After extended use, the cooking surface assembly is easily removed from the upper movable platen for refurbishing or replacement.

Abstract: A loop communication system, interconnecting a number of nodes around the loop, in which two oppositely directed unidirectional loops service the two directions of transmission. Each of the loops comprises a time division multiplexed transmission facility. Each of the nodes has facilities for connecting the communications on each incoming channel to a utilization device connected to that node, for connecting the communication from a utilization device connected to that node to each outgoing channel, or for repeating the communication from any incoming channel to a corresponding outgoing channel. Assignment of a communication to a given channel is accomplished using a centralized control means which causes the communicating devices to be connected using corresponding channels in the two loops, and using that portion of the loop which has the smaller number of intermediate nodes.