Abstract: The heater includes a resistance heating element comprising a resistance heating wire having a pair of terminal ends connected to a pair of electrical connectors and encapsulated with a thin electrically insulating polymeric layer. The resistance heating wire is capable of maintaining a fluid initially heated by a primary heat source substantially at the desired use temperature. A first connecting body is configured to couple to the section of piping containing the fluid. The connecting body includes a fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port, a fluid passageway defined between the fluid inlet and outlet ports, and an electrical connection port. The resistance heating element is disposed at least partially within the fluid passageway and at least a first one of the terminal ends is coupled to a respective one of the pair of electrical connectors through the electrical connection port.

Abstract: The fluid heating apparatus, in accordance with the present invention, developed to solve the technological problems described above is characterized by comprising at least a heating tube heating fluid to be supplied from fluid supply source, a heater section spirally formed on an outer periphery of the heating tube and a housing accommodating the heating tube and the heater section, wherein the heater section comprises a carbon wire heating element and a quartz glass tube in which the carbon wire heating element is enclosed.

Abstract: In a film unit, a charge operation member is held on a fron side of a guide member to be slidable between an ON position to turn on a flash charge switch of a built-in flash device and an OFF position to turn off the flash charge switch. The guide member is mounted stationarily to a front side of a flash circuit board of the flash device. Joints between front and rear cover of the film unit are set away from those circuit portions of the flash device where high voltage current flows. The flash charge switch is constituted of a metal contact blade and contact chips provided on the flash circuit board. The metal contact blade is bent roundly at a base portion of a pair of resilient arms. The charge operation member keeps on pressing the arms onto the contact chips in the ON position. The flash device charges a main capacitor while the flash charge switch is on, and automatically stops charging when the charge voltage goes above a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: A waterproof camera includes a camera body having an actuation member that actuates an internal mechanism when pressed. A waterproof case is arranged to contain the camera body in a watertight fashion, with an opening arranged to face the actuation member and a stepped portion around the opening on an inside wall of the waterproof case. A resilient operation member having a button portion exposed to the outside through the opening has a mounting portion which fits on the stepped portion around the opening. The operation member can be resiliently deformed to press the actuation member when the button portion is depressed. A supporting member pushes the mounting portion against the stepped portion from inside the waterproof case, so as to secure the operation member. In one embodiment, the supporting member is fixed on the camera body.

Abstract: An actuator using a novel shape memory alloy which, even when there is a large difference between a transformation start temperature of the shape memory alloy and a heating start temperature, can diminish a time lag based on the temperature difference from the time when an operation start command signal is outputted until the start of movement of an actuating member, thereby causing, the actuating member to start deformation quickly and permitting a driven member to be actuated quickly. When the driven member is moved from an initial position to a reference position in operation, if the amount of movement of the driven member is larger than a normal amount of movement, an electric current larger than an electric current value calculated from the amount of movement is fed to the actuating member which is constructed of the shape memory,alloy, thereby causing the actuating member to be displaced quickly to actuate the driven member quickly.

Abstract: A method of controlling exposure of a scene image comprising the following steps: sensing a scene for image data; deriving values representative of a brightness map of the scene; sensing the scene for image data; deriving values representative of a range map; comparing the range map with the scene brightness map; and controlling the exposure by controlling artificial illumination upon the scene. In an alternate aspect, a system is provided for controlling exposure of a scene image comprising the following elements: at least one sensor assembly; a source of artificial illumination; and a processing means.

Abstract: A barrel assembly of a zoom camera includes a zoom ring at which a front lens group is installed and which is moved back and forth along the optical axis, a rear lens group frame at which a rear lens group is installed along the same optical axis as the front lens group and which is coupled to the zoom ring, and a cam means for correcting the optical position of the rear lens group with respect to the front lens group during operation of zoom.

Abstract: An automatic focusing camera has a release button (15) on a top wall of its camera body, and a release switch (32) is disposed underneath the release button such that the release switch is turned on by pressing down the release button. An autofocus IC (31) for calculating a subject distance is placed behind the release switch at about the same height as the release switch.

Abstract: There is disclosed a distance measuring equipment capable of performing efficiently a greater accuracy of focusing without troubling an operator, and a camera incorporating thereinto such a distance measuring equipment. By the use of the first focusing algorithm switches 61, 62 and 63 set up to the turn-off state, the turn-off state and the contact 62a side, respectively, so that AF-dedicated photo detector circuit 40 performs once a ratio arithmetic processing in accordance with photo-currents I1 and I2 from the PSD 30. In case of the short distance area, they are dealt with as the focusing data. In case of the middle distance area, the ratio arithmetic processing is performed by n times.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a camera (1) that projects a pattern of visible light (28) onto an object such as a document (10) to be photographed to indicate to a photographer the area of the object within view of the camera. The camera comprising image capture means (18), a lens (2) arranged to image the document (10) in an object plane onto the image capture means (18), an image framing projector (2,20,22) operable to project visible optical radiation (24,26) onto the object plane to indicate to a user of the camera (1) the bounds (28) of the document (10) imaged onto the image capture means (18), and a camera attitude sensor system (9,15) for sensing the attitude of the camera (1). The image framing projector (2,20,22) is operable in response to the attitude sensor system (9,15) to project the optical radiation (24,26) onto the object plane only when the attitude sensor system (9,15) senses that the camera (1) is oriented so that the optical radiation (24,26) will be projected downwards.

Abstract: A focusing screen for use in a camera has a diffusive surface having a plurality of random pattern cells of one or a plurality of types arranged two-dimensionally so as to form a macroscopically flat surface. The random pattern cells are each composed of a plurality of minute rectangular elements having one of two to eight types of heights, and the individual rectangular elements are arranged irregularly so as to constitute a plurality of types of diffraction gratings having different grating pitches.

Abstract: A capacitor charging apparatus includes a DC/DC converter for stepping up the voltage of a battery and charging the capacitor; a detection circuit that determines whether a primary current of the DC/DC converter reaches a predetermined limit current; a control circuit that controls the DC/DC converter according to a detection signal received from the detection circuit; and a battery-information detection circuit that detects battery information of the battery. The control circuit performs a predetermined calculation using the battery information received from the battery-information detection circuit to determine the predetermined limit current and to vary the primary current of the DC/DC converter so as to control the DC/DC converter each time the capacitor is charged by the DC/DC converter.

Abstract: In a method and camera, a scene is captured as an original electronic image. The original electronic image is stored as an archival image in memory in the camera. A plurality of parameters of the scene are evaluated. The parameters are matched to one or more of a plurality of editorial suggestions to define a suggestion set. One or more editorial suggestion images are generated. Each editorial suggestion image is a copy of the original electronic image modified in accordance with a respective editorial suggestion. The editorial suggestion images are displayed. User input is accepted designating one depictions as a user selection. The user input is recorded for later use in preparation of a final image or the stored archival image is edited in accordance with the selected suggestion.

Abstract: In a camera having a data setting device capable of setting data peculiar to a film to be imprinted on the film, when a film presence/absence detecting device has detected that a film is loaded in the camera, a data changing control circuit inhibits the data peculiar to a film from being changed. Accordingly, the unintended change of the data peculiar to a film by a photographer can be prevented. Further, when the film presence/absence detecting device has detected that a film is loaded in the camera, the data setting device is made to function for setting data other than the data peculiar to a film. Accordingly, the number of operation members of the camera can be decreased, thereby reducing the size of the camera.

Abstract: A camera including a liquid crystal display in which an image formed by a photographing lens system of the camera is indicated; an ocular viewing optical system which includes a half-mirror surface and an eyepiece lens system, the half-mirror surface reflecting the image of the liquid crystal display toward the eyepiece lens system, so that the reflected image can be viewed through the eyepiece lens system; and a direct viewing optical system for viewing the image of the liquid crystal display through the half-mirror surface.

Abstract: A printing system includes a printer, a center side data processor, and a remote user side processor (input terminal) all interconnected via a network. A print request and information related to a printing operation is sent from a user side processor to a reception device at the center side data processor. A printing cost is calculated and transmitted back to the user side processor via the network. Upon determination that payment has been received, the front data is sent to the printer for printing. The period of time of retaining the print data 8 is modified depending upon whether payment has been received.

Abstract: A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus, includes an image bearing member, a charging member for charging the image bearing member while the charging member is in contact with the image bearing member, and a storage device for storing information concerning the type of the charging member.

Abstract: A developer amount indicating method of successively indicating a developer amount in a developer containing portion mounted on an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, the method including the steps of successively indicating the developer amount based on a detection result of a first detector for successively detecting the developer amount in the developer containing portion, and subsequently and successively indicating the developer amount based on the detection result of a second detector for successively detecting the developer amount in the developer containing portion.

Abstract: The invention includes a method, a computer readable medium, and an apparatus of estimating toner usage based on pulse width count and pulse edge count. In one respect, the invention includes a method for estimating toner usage. The method comprises determining a pulse width count, determining a pulse edge count, and calculating a toner usage value based on the pulse width count and the pulse edge count. In another respect, the invention includes a computer readable medium on which is embedded computer software. The software comprises a program. The program performs the above mentioned method. In yet another respect, the invention includes a system. The apparatus may be configured to perform the above mentioned method.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member and an image formation unit for forming an image on the image bearing member. The image formation unit is provided with a charger for charging the image bearing member. A potential detector detects a surface potential on the image bearing member charged by the charger. A controller controls an image formation condition of the image formation unit on the basis of a potential detected by the potential detector. The controller controls the image formation condition on the basis of a plurality of detected potentials corresponding to respectively different non-image areas between sequentially formed images.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing decrease in image density at a rear end part of an image. A change in waveform in sensor outputs which is produced when a toner patch image is read by an optical sensor used for the process control is detected. The difference (Vg−Vd) between grid voltage Vg and development bias voltage Vd is changed only between a target value of 300 V corresponding to low-output side threshold value Va and a target value of 100 V corresponding to high-output side threshold value Vb according to the sensor output deflection &Dgr;V so that the difference (Vg−Vd) decreases as the image loss level increases. The difference between the grid voltage Vg and the development bias voltage Vd is set so as to prevent the image loss in the rear end part of an image.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that has an image bearing member, a moving member, transferring device for transferring an image formed on the image bearing member onto the moving member at a transferring position by applying a voltage thereto, and detecting device for detecting an image for density control and an image for gradation control on the moving member transferred from the image bearing member, wherein a density and gradation of the image formed on the image bearing member are controlled on the basis of a result of a detection by the detecting device, and wherein a voltage when the image for density control formed on the image bearing member is transferred onto the moving member and a voltage when the image for gradation control formed on the image bearing member is transferred onto the moving member differ from each other.

Abstract: A thermostatic device has a temperature detecting portion for detecting temperature, the portion including a bimetal and a heat conductive cap for covering the bimetal, and an opening/closing portion for opening and closing electric contact point in accordance with an operation of the temperature detecting portion, and the opening/closing portion is extended long, and a length of the opening/closing portion in the longitudinal direction is greater than a length of the heat conductive cap in the same longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus in which an unfixed image is fixed on a recording medium for bearing the unfixed image by pinching and conveying the recording medium by using a fixing body and a pressure body, wherein in the fixing apparatus in which the pressure body has a core metal, an elastic body layer for covering an outer periphery of the core metal, and a mold releasing layer for covering an outer periphery of a elastic body layer, the controller sets electric energy per predetermined time supplied from the power supply to the pressure body heater to a predetermined quantity or a lower quantity in such a manner that a temperature of the core metal of the pressure body is maintained at a predetermined temperature or a lower temperature.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an image fixing apparatus for fixing an image formed on a recording material, which has a heating member, a back-up roller cooperating with the heating member to form a nip therebetween for conveying the recording material, and control device for controlling generation of heat by the heating member, wherein the control device is capable of effecting first control for permitting the heating member to generate heat in a state where an image fixing process is completed and the back-up roller is stopped, and second control for maintaining the heating member at a target temperature, differing from a fixing temperature, during a warm-up period from when the heating member starts to generate heat until the temperature of the heating member reaches the fixing temperature.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus has a controller which performs monitoring and control over a directly connected option apparatus by communicating with a controller of the directly connected option apparatus. Monitoring and control over another option apparatus that itself has a controller is performed not by the controller of the image formation apparatus but by the controller of the option apparatus close to the image formation apparatus. The image formation apparatus can keep track of the situation of a far-off option apparatus without performing direct monitoring or control thereof, by the controller of the option apparatus sending to the controller of the image formation apparatus a notice indicating the situation of the option apparatus sent from the controller of yet another option apparatus.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to the main assembly of an image forming apparatus includes a developing frame provided with an opening; a developer carrying member in the opening to carry developer; a developer containing portion for storing developer, the developer containing portion supplying developer to the developing frame through the developer supplying opening; a sealing member for removably sealing the developer supplying opening; and a driving source substantially exclusive for providing the force for opening the sealing member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a photoreceptor having an image forming portion; a charging roller having a gap forming member on both ends thereof to form a gap between the photoreceptor and the charging roller and configured to charge the photoreceptor, wherein the gap forming members do not contact the image forming portion, and wherein the relationship t≧2g is satisfied; a light irradiator configured to form a latent image in the image forming portion; an image developer configured to form a toner image on the photoreceptor; and an image transferer configured to transfer the toner image onto a receiving material, wherein g is the gap and t represents a distance between an inside edge of one of the gap forming members and one of the two ends of the image forming portion closer to the inside edge of the gap forming member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image reading device for reading images on a document; an image recording device for recording images read by the image reading device on a recording material; an inputting device that makes it possible for an operator to select either area from plural imaginary areas established in advance and to adjust a position in the selected area, for setting, on a given position on the recording material, a recording position for additional information to be recorded on the recording material by the image recording device in addition to the images stated above; and a controller that controls the image recording device for recording the additional information on the recording position that is set by the inputting device.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic apparatus having a photosensitive member, an exposing device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive member, four developing devices which attach toner on the photosensitive member and form a toner image and a transfer member for transferring the toner image onto a printing medium. The four developing devices include respectively a developing device for a yellow image, a magenta image, cyan image, and a black image. Each developing device includes a toner storing chamber for storing toner of a nonmagnetic one-component developer, a toner carrying member for forming a toner layer of the toner, a regulating member for regulating an amount of toner attached to the toner carrying member, a toner recovery chamber having an agitating member for agitating recovered toner, and a separating member for separating a toner supply chamber for the toner carrying member from the toner recovery chamber.

Abstract: When a discharged toner box 3 is detached, discharged toner is prevented from being scattered. A discharged toner collecting apparatus 1 includes a discharged toner box 3 for storing discharged toner, a discharged toner nozzle 4 for injecting discharged toner into the interior of the discharged toner box 3, and a connecting portion 5 to which the nozzle 4 is connected. At the position where the nozzle 4 and the connecting portion 5 are connected, a washing fluid feeding unit 6 for feeding washing water to wash the inner surface of the nozzle 4 is provided. The washing fluid feeding unit 6 is constituted by a washing fluid tank 14 for storing washing water, a washing fluid nozzle 15 for ejecting the washing water to an inner surface of the nozzle 4, and the washing fluid feeding unit 16 for feeding the washing water to the nozzle 15.

Abstract: Development electrode wires for use in a Scavengless or Hybrid Scavengless Development system are treated using Ion Implantation so as to minimize the creation of charge potential between the electrode wires and developer material during frictional contact therebetween. Treatment of the wires using Ion Implantation for minimizing the creation of a charge potential is effected without diminishing the hardness of the wire material. In fact, wire hardness and resistance to wire contamination are enhanced using Ion Implantation in fabricating the wires. A bare wire used for the electrode is first plated with a Gold/Platinum alloy. The ions become implanted in the substrate without altering the surface finish of the wire electrodes yet alter the tribo-charging properties or Electronegativity of the wire. The result of Ion Implantation is to tune or match the Electronegativity of the electrode wire with the Electronegativity of the toner material used in the development system.

Abstract: The developing apparatus includes a developer roller for supplying a developing agent to an electrostatic latent image carried on a photosensitive belt such as to visualize it, and a layer thickness regulating device for regulating a thickness of a layer of the developing agent on the developer roller to a constant thickness, wherein the layer thickness regulating device further includes a metal-made support spring member having a bent portion in the middle there of, and an elastic member set on the support spring member via a metal-made substrate having a thickness larger than that of the support spring member, such as to be brought into contact with the developer roller.

Abstract: A color image forming apparatus and method includes a plurality of recording medium arranged along a conveying path for forming electrostatic latent images, a plurality of developing units installed respectively in the neighborhood of the plurality of recording medium for feeding developers having different lightness to the respective electrostatic latent images formed on the plurality of recording medium and forming developed images a plurality of transfer units for multiple-transferring the developed images formed respectively on the plurality of recording medium sequentially on a material to be transferred which is conveyed along the conveying path, and a plurality of collectors for collecting the respective residual developers on the plurality of recording medium after passing the transfer units in the plurality of developing units respectively.

Abstract: A transferring body apparatus has a cylindrical base and an elastic member covering the cylindrical base therewith on which an image is transferred. The elastic member has a hardness (JIS-A) of 60 to 80 degrees, a thickness of 0.2-0.8 mm, a tensile stress of 40 kgf/cm2 or more. Assuming an outer diameter of the base is an inner diameter of the elastic member is r, 1.03≦R/r≦1.15 is R, and satisfied. Assuming a surface roughness of the outer surface of the base is S1 &mgr;m Rz, and a surface roughness of the inner surface of the elastic member is S2 &mgr;m Rz, S1+S2≦12, S1≦5, is satisfied.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus for fixing a toner image onto a recording sheet with heat includes a fixing roller having ribs formed at a sheet passing area in an axial direction thereof so as to protrude from an internal circumferential surface toward a cross-sectional center thereof. The ribs are provided along the axial direction such that a number of ribs per unit length at a center part of the sheet passing area is different from that at other parts of the area. A heating source is provided for heating the fixing roller and a pressing roller opposes and rotates with the fixing roller. The toner image is fixed onto the recording sheet while the sheet is being sandwiched and conveyed between the fixing roller and the heating roller.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes an original document size detector device for detecting a size of an original document to be processed and a non-standard size input instruction screen for inputting a size of an original document to be processed. Normally, the detector device detects the size of an original document, and the original document image data is processed based on the obtained original document size to reproduce an image on the recording material. The non-standard size input instruction screen includes an X key and a Y key that enable the operator to input a new original document size by inputting a difference between the actual document size and reference values, where the reference values are provided based on the original document size obtained by the detector device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an intermediate transfer belt to which a toner image is transferred from an image carrier. A transfer roller contacts the intermediate transfer belt, forming a nip for image transfer. The transfer roller causes the toner image to be transferred from the intermediate transfer belt to a recording medium at the nip. A first and a second guide member cooperate to guide the recording medium to the nip. The end of the second guide member is positioned at the intermediate transfer belt side with respect to a line connecting a restriction point included in the first guide member and the inlet of the nip. This configuration causes a portion of the recording medium rearward of a portion entered the nip to bend in a convex configuration. The recording medium therefore surely remains in close contact with the intermediate transfer belt in a region where pretransfer is apt to occur.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus such as a printer and a copier has rotating devices such as a drum and a press roller to print an image on a paper sheet while rotating and a paper-transporting mechanism having guide rollers and timing rollers for transporting a paper sheet to these rotary devices, controlled by a control device such that irregularities in the printed images due to fluctuations in the speed of transportation of the paper sheets. The guide rollers may be operated to transport the paper sheet at a faster speed than the paper sheet is transported by the rotary devices such that the paper sheet becomes bent before being delivered to the rotary devices to be printed on. The control may be such that the guide rollers transport the paper sheet while the timing rollers downstream is released from the transportation of paper sheets. The control device may also operate so as to stop the guide rollers when the paper sheet comes to a position where the rotary devices can start transporting it.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises in combination a storybook and a separate audio recording and playback device which may be joined for using prerecorded or spontaneously recorded information corresponding to the storyline of the storybook. The audio device may be used with several storybooks by recording the storyline of each book separately. Buttons corresponding to the several pages of the storybook are provided so that a young reader is able to correlate a button with each page to hear the story as well as read it.

Abstract: A high gain input stage for a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transponder uses an amplifier for increasing a magnitude of an input signal. A DC bias circuit is used for controlling the operation of the amplifier. A resonant circuit is coupled between the amplifier and the DC bias circuit. The resonant circuit is used for receiving a signal generated by an electromagnetic field and for generating the input signal which is sent to the amplifier. The resonant circuit has an inductive portion which is used to bias the amplifier thereby removing the requirement of using a decoupling capacitor.

Abstract: To address problems associated with interference in a received signal of a direct conversion receiver within a transceiver, an error estimator is employed to reduce errors induced on the baseband of the received signal. Knowledge that the transmitter within the transceiver is the strongest interferer can be used by the error estimator to subtract the interference caused by transmitter from the received signal. Additionally, this can be achieved even though the interference on the I and Q channels of the receiver is not equal.

Abstract: A multi-band transceiver for receiving and transmitting signals within selected GSM frequency bands. Transmission and reception occurs simultaneously and within the same time slot of a TDMA frame. The transceiver includes a first local oscillator LO1 that selectively oscillates within a bandwidth corresponding to the selected GSM band and outputs a signal having a frequency fLO1. A second local oscillator LO2 selectively oscillates at a frequency corresponding to the selected GSM band and outputs a signal having a frequency fLO2. A receiver receives a signal having a frequency fRx and mixes the signals from the first and second local oscillators to generate a demodulating signal having a frequency fRx, wherein fRx=fLO1±fLO2.

Abstract: A direct conversion type transceiver system incorporates an offset correction and automatic gain control system. The automatic gain control system includes an amplifier amplifying a baseband signal which is directly converted from a received incoming RF signal, a feedback offset canceller controllably canceling DC offset, an automatic gain controller controlling gain of the amplifier, and a feed forward offset canceller coupled to a signal peak detector. The signal peak detector controlling the automatic gain controller and the feed forward offset canceller simultaneously, the feed forward offset canceller further canceling the DC offset.

Abstract: In an image-rejection receiver having a first frequency conversion stage (1, 2, 9) having a pair of frequency mixers (1,2) each supplied external radio frequency signal (RF) and first local frequency signal (LOCAL1) with quadrature phase relations (9), a second frequency conversion stage (3-6, 10) having two pairs of frequency mixers (3-4, 5-6) at each output of each first stage mixer and second local frequency signal (LOCAL2) with quadrature phase relations (10), and an adder (7) and a subtractor (8) for providing sum and difference of amplitude of outputs of said second frequency conversion stage to provide inphase component (BBI) and quadrature-phase component (BBQ), no filter is used for removing an undesirable image signal which is generated in frequency conversion. A control circuit (11) is provided to keep accurate quadrature phase relations for said first local frequency signal, and said second local frequency signal, by measuring D.C. component of a product of outputs of two of mixers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for correcting the DC offset caused by self-conversion of the oscillator signal in an RF-to-baseband converter. The circuit comprises: a subtractor for subtracting an amplified DC offset signal from a filtered mixer signal to generate a corrected signal; a baseband amplifier coupled to the subtractor to receive the corrected signal to generate a baseband output signal; a low-pass filter coupled to the baseband amplifier to generate a DC offset signal representative of the DC offset; and a DC offset amplifier coupled to the low-pass filter and the subtractor to generate the amplified DC offset signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for acquiring an emergency service from one or more candidate mobile radio communication systems. An attempt is made by the mobile radio unit to acquire normal non-emergency service. If the attempt of acquiring normal non-emergency services fails and the user needs to originate an emergency call, an emergency scan list containing one or more candidate mobile radio communication systems is scanned, and an attempt is made to acquire emergency service from one of these systems. The emergency scan list is different from the normal preferred roaming list stored in the mobile radio unit. Next, the invention originates an emergency call in accordance with the service acquired from the emergency scan list.

Abstract: A system and method for gathering data from wireless communication networks, the wireless communication network including a plurality of cell sites, mobile subscriber units, and a mobile telephone switching office. The data gathering system comprises a plurality of data gathering nodes and a control center. Each data gathering node comprises multiple receivers, with each receiver gathering data from a different wireless communication network. Stored data at the control center is processed to generate marketing information on each wireless communication network.

Abstract: Rate charging rules and principles concerning mobile calls in a cellular communication system can be improved by providing the mobile station with a locator object which, at certain intervals, determines the cell in which the mobile station is currently located. Stored in the mobile station is a list of cells or areas in which a special rate is to be applied in charging for calls originating from the mobile station. The locator object monitors calls made from the mobile station and, when it detects that a call is being made, it determines whether the mobile station was in a denoted special rate area at the time that its location was most recently determined. If so, then the object informs the network that the call is entitled to the special rate. Since the last location function was executed just before call setup commenced, a special rate call is possible even if the mobile station has thereafter moved some distance into a cell applying a normal rate.

Abstract: A hypertext protocol for Internet browsing applications includes hyperlinks that address traffic channels in a wireless system. Broadcast information content may be transmitted by the wireless system in one or more broadcast traffic channels. Multiple mobile stations may receive the broadcast information content simultaneously. Because the mobile stations share the broadcast traffic channels, a high throughput is achieved with proportionately less bandwidth being broadcast into a cell site.