Abstract: An application usage time limiter monitors certain pre-configured application programs when opened or otherwise executed on a computer (e.g. a PC). The application usage time limiter is itself a program running either as a front end to various selected programs for monitoring, or as a separate program running in a time-sharing operating system environment. Pre-configurable options in a usage limiter configuration file or other memory area are set to limit real time ranges that particular application programs on a particular computer can be started and run, and a limit to a length of time that a specific program (or category of programs-an be operated given a number of available credits for a current user. The user is given credits at a pre-configured rate per hour of usage of an application program designated in the usage limiter configuration file as being beneficial, and the user gives back (or looses) credits at a pre-configured rate per hour of usage for use of programs designated as non-beneficial.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to perform a real-time drift correction of a remote handset's local oscillator in a digital cordless telephone. The remote handset begins in a standby (sniff) mode. The remote handset periodically wakes from a sleep mode and goes into a normal link verification mode. Once in the link verification mode, the remote handset enters a time division duplexing (TDD) mode and attempts to establish a link with a base unit based on the timing of the TDD data frame. After the remote handset establishes a link with the base unit, the remote handset requests a security word from the base unit. Upon receiving the requested security word, the remote handset determines if the requested security word matches a security word of the remote handset. The remote handset implements a software frequency adjustment of its local oscillator. Once per frame, the remote handset enters a timing recovery state where the current state of the frame is compared with a previous state.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for adaptively, reliably, and accurately measuring the duration of an alerting or other signaling tone. A tone detector in accordance with the principles of the present invention accurately measures a duration of a tone burst (i.e., tone pulse) using a long frame length DFT and a short frame length DFT. Based on information obtained by the short frame length DFT, the long (i.e., standard) frame length DFT may be interrupted and reset to begin a new frame of data synchronized with the start of the next short frame corresponding to the processing by the short frame length DFT to minimize noise in the processing by the long frame length DFT and to greatly improve the resolution of the measurement of the duration of a particular tone to correspond to the lengths of the short frames used by the short frame length DFT.

Abstract: A virtual coach is provided in the form of a master communications device and one or more player associated communications devices. The master communication device includes a processor which receives information on game play conditions and/or player and game object locations, analyzes the information, and formulates an appropriate coaching instruction which is transmitted to one or more selected players.

Abstract: Cordless telephone technology provides a long range and highly sophisticated wireless extension between a plurality of wireless piconet networks. In one embodiment, base units of separate cordless telephones include respective piconet front ends (e.g., Bluetooth protocol bearing RF front ends) in addition to the otherwise conventional RF front end. The piconet-capable base units are placed and made members of separate piconet networks, but within conventional cordless telephone range of one another, e.g., within one mile of one another. To allow communications between piconet devices on the separate wireless piconet networks, the cordless telephone base units pass piconet content information (i.e., the messages passed by a piconet device on a first piconet network including a first cordless telephone base unit intended for receipt by another piconet device on a second piconet network serviced by the other cordless telephone base unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to perform a real-time drift correction of a remote handset's local oscillator in a digital cordless telephone. The remote handset begins in a standby (sniff) mode. The remote handset periodically wakes from a sleep mode and goes into a normal link verification mode. Once in the link verification mode, the remote handset enters a time division duplexing (TDD) mode and attempts to establish a link with a base unit based on the timing of the TDD data frame. After the remote handset establishes a link with the base unit, the remote handset requests a security word from the base unit. Upon receiving the requested security word, the remote handset determines if the requested security word matches a security word of the remote handset. The remote handset implements a software frequency adjustment of its local oscillator. Once per frame, the remote handset enters a timing recovery state where the current state of the frame is compared with a previous state.

Abstract: A method for screening of an active voice mail message enables real time monitoring by a subscriber to the voice mail system of incoming calls. Once the identity of the subscriber is established, the subscriber is presented with the option of screening an incoming message. A subscriber desiring to screen the message responds by activating a predetermined key or sequence of keys to enter a listen-only mode for monitoring of the incoming message. The subscriber may then interrupt the message and take the call, continue listening to the incoming message, or terminate listen-only mode and simply permit the message to be stored for later retrieval.

Abstract: A telephone answering device uses capacitive fingerprint minutia analysis to provide individualized user access to messages stored by the device. The capacitive sensor provides inputs to an fingerprint identification module which compares identifying patterns in the ridges of a finger touching the telephone answering device's playback key to patterns registered for access to one or more categories of messages stored by the telephone answering device. If the identifying patterns match those of a registered user of the device, the categories of messages for which the user is registered are played back. A different category of messages is played back when the same user touches the playback key repeatedly, until all categories of messages for which the user is registered have been played back. The playback key includes a capacitive or push button switch for activating the fingerprint identification module.

Abstract: An audible signal associated with an event is provided as part of the audio path of a telephone. In particular, a telephone according to one embodiment of the invention includes a microphone adapted to receive audible signals from a user and to convert the audible signals to electrical signals for transmission to a distant party, and a speaker adapted to receive electrical signals associated with input from the distant party and to convert the electrical signals to audible signals. According to the invention, the telephone also includes a processor adapted to produce electrical signals associated with an external event, and to integrate these electrical signals with the received electrical signals. In an alternative embodiment according to the invention, a method of alerting a party to a telephone conversation of an external event includes the step of providing an indication of the external event to the party from a speaker of the telephone during the telephone conversation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to transmit a speakerphone active indication signal to another party over a telephone line upon use of a speakerphone feature, and to transmit a speakerphone inactive indication signal upon cessation of the speakerphone feature. A speakerphone indication transmit module provides an audible or data signal relating to the activation or inactivation of a speakerphone feature to a receiving party's telephone system, which either audibly confirms use of the speakerphone at the opposite end, and/or displays a speakerphone active indication, e.g., on an LED or LCD display. The speakerphone indication active and inactive signals can be, e.g., a single tone, a DTMF tone, FSK signaling, or ADSL signaling.

Abstract: An on-hook EOH indicating telephone includes a parallel set detector, an EOH signal detector, and an indication module to activate a configurable audible and/or visual alert indicating that another telephone is off-hook and should be hung up. The audible alert may be a unique ringing of the otherwise conventional ringer (e.g., every 5 minutes, at a unique cadence or frequency, etc.), or may be an audible tone output from the speaker of the on-hook EOH indicating telephone. The visible alert may be, e.g., a text message on a display of the on-hook EOH indicating telephone, a blinking, flashing, etc. of an LED, or other visible attention getting technique. When the central office presents the extended off-hook (EOH) notification signal to the desired telephone line, the invention-equipped telephone detects a parallel set in use, and then listens for the EOH signal.

Abstract: A telephone or similar device/system may be equipped or used to select preferred call back numbers. These preferred numbers may be programmed into a device by a user. When an incoming call comprising caller identity (“CID”) data is received, preferred call back numbers associated with a portion of the data are selected. A responsive, outgoing call is transmitted using one of the preferred call back numbers. The selected, preferred call back numbers may or may not be identical to a telephone number indicated in the CID data.

Abstract: A call related information detector/receiver system which is capable of downloading call related information received at that device to another call related information detector/receiver system remote from the system which initially received the call related information, back over the telephone line. Thus, a remote user while away from the home or office can receive and synchronize call related information at a system other than the one which initially received the call related information. Thus, a remote user can update a local call related information system and review past callers to their home or business telephone at their leisure. Upon establishment of a telephone call between customer premises equipment respectively associated with the two relevant call related information detector/receiver systems, a remote call related information system will request download of call related information logged from another call related information system using the established telephone call.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for scheduling and controlling access to physical fitness devices. A prospective user makes an entry into a reservation system reserving the timeframe to use a particular fitness device. Each physical fitness device is provided with a biometric sensor that allows a prospective user to enter biometric data into a database. The database contains records of each prospective user's biometric data. The reservation system and the biometric characteristics database are associated with a central controller. A prospective user is identified by providing biometric data to the database via the sensor associated with a particular fitness device. The central controller determines whether or not to allow the user access by determining if the user is scheduled in the reservation system.

Abstract: A lost or stolen wireless device is restricted by the activation of a temporary recovery mode service by their service provider pursuant to a call from the subscriber on another phone. The temporary recovery mode service permits the user to select any one of a plurality of possible temporary recovery mode options. Preferably, the temporary recovery mode options limit or entirely restrict further expense incurred by the use of the wireless device until it is found and the recovery service is deactivated. Exemplary temporary recovery mode options include allowing the missing wireless device, e.g., to only receive calls, to allow local outgoing calls only, etc. Another temporary recovery mode option allows full functionality only until the monthly plan allotment of free minutes is used up, and then automatically disables use of the wireless device, or then automatically allows only calls to be received, only local calls to be made, only calls to certain telephone numbers to be made, etc.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a communication device according to the invention includes an accelerometer, and an operational aspect of the communication device is adapted to be influenced by an output of the accelerometer. The communication device may be a telephone, such as a wireless telephone, and the accelerometer may influence the operational aspect of the wireless telephone to advantageously make the wireless telephone operate more like a wired telephone. An exemplary wireless handset according to the invention may include a wireless transceiver, a controller, and an accelerometer, wherein the controller is adapted to receive an output from the accelerometer and affect a state of the wireless transceiver based thereon. In another embodiment according to the invention, a method of operating a communication device includes the steps of determining a motion characteristic of the communication device, and affecting an operational aspect of the communication device based on the motion characteristic.

Abstract: The present invention provides, for use with a multi-user device, an availability alerting apparatus comprising a device status monitor, a waiting party queue, and a waiting party informant. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the device status monitor is coupled to the multi-user device and configured to report an inactivity of the multi-user device; the waiting party queue is configured to collect waiting party identifiers; and the waiting party informant is coupled to the device status monitor and the waiting party queue. The waiting party informant is configured to alert a one of the waiting parties when the device status monitor reports the inactivity.

Abstract: A method for screening an active incoming voice mail message broadcasts the incoming message in real time on a speaker in or associated with the subscriber's telephone set upon and concurrent with receipt of the same by the voice mail system. Upon detection during the broadcast of an interrupt request provided by the subscriber via the subscriber's telephone set, the calling party is connected with the subscriber, and normal recording of the message by the voice mail system is discontinued.

Abstract: Call related information regarding a called party (i.e., callee information) is provided back to the calling party using a telephone capable of receiving information regarding a called party back from either the central office, from the called party's telephone itself, or in limited applications from a local identification module capable of confirming the identity of the called party based on the dialed telephone number. The receiving telephone may be capable of determining or storing local call related information for transmission back to select callers. The callee ID information may be transmitted using conventional FSK techniques, e.g., between the second and third rings, to avoid collision with conventional transmissions of caller ID information.

Abstract: A wireless multi-user hands-free gateway particularly suited for a vehicle. The wireless hands-free gateway is capable of wireless operation with any of a plurality of wireless phones established on a piconet network (e.g., a BLUETOOTH™ standard piconet network) within the vehicle. In the disclosed embodiments, the wireless multi-user hands-free gateway automatically identifies users within range, and preferably gives priority use to the user detected or otherwise identified to be the driver of the vehicle. All passengers other than the driver may be similarly prioritized and given access on a first come-first served basis.