Abstract: Apparatus, method, media and signals for controlling a wireless communication appliance are disclosed. A method implemented by the apparatus, media and signals involves producing a message signal comprising an address portion and a payload portion, in response to an action signal received at an adjunct apparatus, causing the adjunct apparatus to perform a function identified in the payload portion when the address portion satisfies a condition and transmitting the message signal to the wireless communication appliance when the address portion fails to satisfy the condition.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for telephone signal collection, processing, and analysis is provided. The apparatus includes a portable field unit for capturing telephone signal data including (a) a connection interface for connecting to the telephone line and receiving telephone signal data; (b) a signal recorder for digitally capturing the telephone signal data over a specified period by a plurality of simultaneous sampling methods, wherein a plurality of data streams result from each sampling method; (c) data storage for storing the data streams as a data file; and (d) an output port for transmitting the data file to a remote system. The sampling methods comprise distinct sampling rates and/or distinct input sensitivity levels. The apparatus includes in an alternate embodiment a voice recorder for recording a voice file, wherein the voice file is associated with the data file. This will enable the technician to provide input of his observations of the telephone signal.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the above need by providing a communications unit comprising a first wireless transceiver port operable to communicate with a first wireless transceiver operable to conduct wireless communications with a wireless base station; and a first expansion interface in communication with the first wireless transceiver port and operable to communicate with a second communications unit on a plurality of communications channels, to permit the second communications unit to access the first wireless transceiver. Effectively, a plurality of communications units of the type described above may be connected together to create a system for providing multiple access to a wireless transceiver, where the wireless transceiver may be a wireless transceiver on any of the so connected communications units. Using a system of this type, users may add the ability to add additional communications appliances and/or additional wireless communications paths to the system.

Abstract: A docking station, which connects a cellular telephone with one or more landline telephones, includes a connection switch configured to detect a condition of at least one landline of a premises and to establish a connection with a landline based on a detected condition, an interface configured to connect with any of a plurality of types of cellular telephones, and a processor configured to control a plurality of functions of the docking station and to communicate with each of the plurality of types of cellular telephones. An electrical characteristic of a cable or a wireless module connected to the cellular-telephone interface is used by the processor to identify a type of a cellular telephone connected to the docking station. The processor is programmed to enable a landline telephone connected to the docking station to send or to receive calls via the cellular telephone connected to the docking station, based on an identified type of the cellular telephone connected to the docking station.

Abstract: Apparatus, method, media and signals for controlling a wireless communication appliance are disclosed. A method implemented by the apparatus, media and signals involves producing a message signal comprising an address portion and a payload portion, in response to an action signal received at an adjunct apparatus, causing the adjunct apparatus to perform a function identified in the payload portion when the address portion satisfies a condition and transmitting the message signal to the wireless communication appliance when the address portion fails to satisfy the condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for signalling a telephone switch to indicate the presence of a telephone of a pre-defined type on a subscriber loop. A subscriber loop is sensed to detect whether or not a telephone of a pre-defined type is connected to the subscriber loop. A first acknowledgement signal is transmitted to the telephone switch if the telephone of the pre-defined type is connected to the subscriber loop and off-hook and a second acknowledgement signal is transmitted to the telephone switch if the telephone of the pre-defined type is not off-hook.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating information. The apparatus comprises memory and a transmitter. The memory stores information in a data record having pre-defined information fragments and identification fields associated with respective information fragments for identifying respective information fragments. The transmitter transmits the information fragments and identifications of the information fragments in respective messages. A receiver operable to receive the messages transmitted by the transmitter reconstructs the data record.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling communications between a base and a handset capable of communicating with each other on at least one communication channel within a channel set. The method involves transmitting a new channel message including a preferred channel identifier from the base to the handset, on different channels of the channel set until an acknowledgement signal is received from the handset. In response to the acknowledgement signal, the preferred channel identifier is stored in a base working channel transmit buffer. Further communications between the base and the handset are conducted on a communications channel identified by the preferred channel identifier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining subscriber services available from a service provider, in a telephone in communication with the service provider. The method includes the step of receiving a subscriber services message at the telephone, where the subscriber services message includes a feature identifier for identifying at least one of a plurality of features available in the telephone and a feature controller for controlling whether or not the feature is to be enabled at the telephone. The method further includes the steps of displaying at the telephone a display message including an indication of features enabled at the telephone and transmitting to the service provider a feature request code associated with an enabled feature selected by a user of the telephone, the subscriber services request identifying to the service provider a request for the enabled feature selected by the user. The enabled feature is then provided to the telephone by the central office.

Abstract: A telephone apparatus for screening calls on the basis of messages containing message data, the messages being transmitted by a central office before a first ring burst is transmitted by the central office. The apparatus includes a message receiver, a decoder, a ringer and a ringer controller. The message receiver is in communication with the central office line and is operable to receive a message while the telephone is on-hook. The decoder decodes the message to extract the message data from the message. The ringer is operable to sound an audible alarm when a telephone call is received and the ringer controller prevents the ringer from sounding in response to the first ring burst, when the message data satisfies a pre-defined condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for notifying a user of a call waiting while a telephone is on hold. A transmit signal path and a receive path between a central office line and transmitter and receiver elements in the telephone are muted to place a call on hold. A customer premise equipment alerting signal is received from the central office while the transmit signal path and receive path are muted. The receive path is un-muted after the customer premise equipment alerting signal is received and an audible message signal is generated and inserted into the receive path in response to the customer premise equipment alerting signal to notify a user that the customer premise equipment alerting signal has been received. The receive path is then re-muted.

Abstract: When two or more telephone sets are in use on the same subscriber's loop, their activities may not be properly detected or monitored by the central office switch. The present invention provides a method of and an apparatus for coordinating activities so that call waiting caller ID or off-hook caller ID or other service features can work even if there are off-hook extensions on the same loop. The invention ensures that only one set among a plurality of off-hook sets responds to the switch.