Abstract: Call features for an Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) system implemented within a packet-based telephone environment are disclosed. Within a packet-based network, data messages are transferred between the ACD system and customer telephone stations while the customer waits for an attendant to become available. These data messages allow the customer to be informed of his/her current status within the priority order and further allows the customer to initiate a number of customer oriented operations. These operations include selecting music to listen to while waiting, requesting to be alerted when an attendant becomes available, and initiating a browser session for accessing data information. Overall, the status reports in combination with the initiating of one or more of the customer oriented operations can make the time spent waiting for an attendant a more productive and pleasant experience for the customer.

Abstract: Call features for an Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) system implemented within a packet-based telephone environment are disclosed. Within a packet-based network, data messages are transferred between the ACD system and customer telephone stations while the customer waits for an attendant to become available. These data messages allow the customer to be informed of his/her current status within the priority order and further allows the customer to initiate a number of customer oriented operations. These operations include selecting music to listen to while waiting, requesting to be alerted when an attendant becomes available, and initiating a browser session for accessing data information. Overall, the status reports in combination with the initiating of one or more of the customer oriented operations can make the time spent waiting for an attendant a more productive and pleasant experience for the customer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a firewall for use in association with real-time Internet applications such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). The firewall applies an application proxy to the signaling and control channels and a packet filter to the bearer channels. One of the features of hybrid firewall is that the application proxy can instruct the packet filter as to which bearer channels to enable and disable for the duration of a real-time Internet application session. The hybrid firewall can also intelligently perform network address translation (NAT) on Internet protocol packets incoming and outgoing to the firewall.

Abstract: A digital cellular handset capable of supporting voice communications over the Internet, in addition to the digital cellular handset's usual mode of voice communications over the digital cellular network/public telephony network is disclosed. Internet protocol software such as H.323, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), and Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP) is stored within the digital cellular handset device run on an H.323 Digital Signal Processor (DSP) and H.323 microcontroller to packetize and unpacketize the digital data streams received by or transmitted from the handset. There is also disclosed the use of the Short Message Service (SMS) with PCS digital cellular communication systems to allow call alerting for digital cellular call set-up, initiation and establishment.

Abstract: The calculation of encryption keys is a processor intensive undertaking that is not suited for “thin client” terminal devices typically used for session applications in an Internet Protocol network. The present invention provides an encryption scheme for use with such terminal devices for the secure transmission of session data that minimizes session set-up delays associated with the exchange of encryption keys. First, keys are negotiated between network elements using prior art techniques (e.g. shared secret, IKE, Diffie-Hellman, RSA). Then, security is maintained by refreshing symmetric keys after each session under cover of an existing key. Perfect Forward Security (PFS) can be provided by “breaking the chain” through periodic key refreshes during system idle times.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for establishing a non-obtrusive data channel within a voice communication channel to transmit data during an audio transmission without disruption. This audio transmission can be for example, an audio conversation between a first and a second party. The invention uses spread spectrum modulation to hide the reception and transmission of data from the first and second party and allow the ongoing conversation to proceed uninterrupted. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is used to provide an enhanced call waiting feature whereby caller identifying (ID) information of a third party is transmitted over a telephone line from a local central office (CO) to a first party engaged in a telephone conversation with a second party. Advantageously, the use of spread spectrum modulation to transmit data in a voice channel carrying a telephone conversation prevents any interruption in the on-going conversation and does not result in any noticeable disruption.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for establishing a non-obtrusive data channel within a voice communication channel to transmit data during an audio transmission without disruption. This audio transmission can be for example, an audio conversation between a first and a second party. The invention uses spread spectrum modulation to hide the reception and transmission of data from the first and second party and allow the ongoing conversation to proceed uninterrupted. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is used to provide an enhanced call waiting feature whereby caller identifying (ID) information of a third party is transmitted over a telephone line from a local central office (CO) to a first party engaged in a telephone conversation with a second party. Advantageously, the use of spread spectrum modulation to transmit data in a voice channel carrying a telephone conversation prevents any interruption in the on-going conversation and does not result in any noticeable disruption.

Abstract: A portable cellular telephone comprising a main body for housing at least a microcontroller, a display screen, an audio receiver and a microphone. An extendible section that houses a number of function keys such as the standard telephone keys, slides out of the main body to expose the display screen in its entirety. The extendible section also includes LED's to back light the keys when desirable. The electrical connections between the extendible section and the main body are achieved through wiper contacts in the main body that slide over conductive strips on the under surface of the extendible section. The keys in the extendible section are each connected to resistors of different values, these resistor/key combinations are all connected in parallel to two conductive strips. A resistor bridge is formed by connecting a resistor in the main body to the resistor key combinations.

Abstract: A mobile handset is able to receive and transmit to base stations operating in compliance with different standards, for example CDMA, TDMA or AMPS. The mobile handset converts the received signal down to baseband and digitizes only a single channel at a time rather than the whole band. The channel chosen is the biggest of the various transmission systems used. For example, the channel widths for CDMA, TDMA and AMPS are, respectively 1.25 MHz, 30 KHz and 30 KHz. Accordingly to deal with these three systems a 1.25 MHz channel is digitized. Thereafter a digital signal processor determines which of the three systems is being used and appropriate processing and demodulation is carried out.

Abstract: A telephone base unit for use with a mobile telephone handset comprises means for interfacing the handset with the base unit for enabling user definable data entry key settings of the handset to be downloaded and emulated at the base unit such that when interfaced with the base unit, the mobile telephone handset operates to enable the use of the base unit as a wireless desktop interface. The interface means is comprised of means for transferring user definable data entry key settings of the handset to the base unit, means for storing the user definable data entry key settings of the handset at said base unit and controller means to enable a user to use the user definable data entry key settings with the user interface of the base unit to receive incoming and make outgoing calls from the base unit via the mobile telephone handset.

Abstract: An interface unit for interconnecting a telephone central switch to a personal computer. The interface unit receives power and data from the switch over a two wire twisted pair. The data is in a half duplex T.C.M. format and is transformed into standard digital data with the logic "1" and "0" being represented by +5V and 0V respectively. The standard digital data is then arranged into 8 bit words and encoded in either an asynchronous or synchronous manner depending on the type of computer. The interface unit has a line interface circuit which provides the physical interface between the interface unit and the computer. The interface unit has a transmitter circuit which converts the +5V and 0V digital signals to -5V and +5V, respectively. These values are recognized by the computer as logic "1" and "0".