Abstract: A system and method dynamically process video data received by a video decoder by determining a throttling amount, at a decoder throttling device, based on a measure of computational processing power required to decode at least one bitstream of the video data or the decoder's processing capabilities. The computational processing requirements of the decoder are controlled based on the throttling amount, including reducing the processing performed on the decoded video data prior to displaying a picture associated with the decoded video data. The decoder may reduce the amount of processing by limiting functions of at least one post filter or conversion filter. The computational processing requirements may also be controlled by comparing temporal references of two motion vectors of a picture of the video data, determining which motion vector has a closer temporal distance from the picture being decoded and processing only the motion vector having the closer temporal distance.

Abstract: A video data storage and transmission system for security surveillance using a combination of data compression techniques which enable the system to operate effectively in limited bandwidth scenarios such as those found in commercial aircraft communication. High quality video is captured in the cabin or cockpit of an aircraft and stored or transmitted with sufficient update rate to enable a ground operator to confidently assess the conditions on board the aircraft in a short time. The quality of the video may be dynamically changed, and the transmission of video from air to ground initiated, at either the on-board transmitter or ground-based receiver.

Abstract: This invention is an MPEG decoding apparatus (10) for decoding a compression-coded image data stream, the apparatus including a motion compensation circuit (15) and error map table holding means (19) for holding an error map table with respect to a decoded frame to be referred to in performing motion compensation. When the error map table is referred to and an error block is found to be included in a reference area, or when dynamic image data of a decoding target block is broken, the motion compensation circuit (15) performs error conceal processing to interpolate a pixel in the decoding target block with a pixel in the decoded frame and output the resulting data. The motion compensation circuit (15) generates an error map table showing the error-concealed block as an error block and stores this error map table. This MPEG decoding apparatus (10) restrains propagation of an error due to the error conceal processing and reduces deterioration in image quality.

Abstract: A serial communication transceiver includes a trapezoidal wave signal generation circuit for producing a trapezoidal wave signal responsive to a control signal. The trapezoidal wave signal generation circuit decreases harmonic components in the trapezoidal wave signal and suppresses superimposed noise. The serial communication transceiver also includes a driver circuit for delivering the trapezoidal wave signal to a communication line and a receiver circuit for receiving the trapezoidal wave signal over the communication line. The receiver circuit includes a filter circuit that has a filtering time at the rise of a logically bi-leveled signal substantially equal to a filtering time at the fall of the logically bi-leveled signal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a communications channel comprising a link level protocol, a driver, a receiver, and a canceller/equalizer. The link level protocol provides logic for DC-free signal encoding and recovery as well as supporting many features including CRC error detection and message resend to accommodate infrequent bit errors across the medium. The canceller/equalizer provides equalization for destabilized data signals and also provides simultaneous bi-directional data transfer. The receiver provides bit deskewing by removing synchronization error, or skewing, between data signals. The driver provides impedance controlling by monitoring the characteristics of the communications medium, like voltage or temperature, and providing a matching output impedance in the signal driver so that fewer distortions occur while the data travels across the communications medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically adjusting an output driver are invented and disclosed. One embodiment comprises receiving a first signal. Applying the first signal to a first tuning element to generate a reference signal. Receiving a second signal. Applying the second signal to a second tuning element to generate a test signal, wherein the second tuning element is configured similarly to the first tuning element. Sampling the reference signal to generate a time-sampled reference signal. Sampling the test signal to generate a time-sampled test signal. Integrating the time-sampled reference signal and the time-sampled test signal to generate an error signal. Then, applying the error signal to adjust an output driver.

Abstract: A Viterbi decoder is configured for outputting a prescribed plural number of decoded bit pairs upon execution of each backtracing operation based on accessing a second prescribed number of state history table entries from a surviving state history table. The outputting of more bits per backtrace operation lowers the number of memory accesses, and enables the Viterbi decoder to maintain a high throughput of data flow while maintaining an acceptable bit error rate.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatuses for use in wireless communication between a transmitter having plural transmit antennas and a receiver having plural receive antennas. A first data stream using a first transmit antenna weight vector and a second data stream using a second transmit antenna weight vector simultaneously are transmitted to the receiver. In addition, a first perturbation signal corresponding to the first transmit antenna weight vector and a second perturbation signal corresponding to the second transmit antenna weight vector are transmitted. Feedback regarding the first transmit antenna weight vector and the second transmit antenna weight vector is received from the receiver and is utilized to modify the first transmit antenna weight vector and the second transmit antenna weight vector.

Abstract: A method for reducing out-of-band emission in an AM transmitter for digital transmission includes generating, from a digital modulation signal, an amplitude signal and a phase-modulated radio frequency signal configured to control the AM transmitter. A digital modulation process is used in which a hole is formed around a 0/0 point so that a zero crossing is avoided by a substantial margin in a vector diagram representation. Thereby a respective bandwidth of the amplitude signal and the phase-modulated radio frequency signal is limited so that the out-of-band emission decreases as a function of a shoulder distance achievable by the AM transmitter at a rate where a spectrum mask is not exceeded.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing high-speed digital communications through a communications channel. In one aspect, the present invention employs an automatic slicer level adaption to enhance the performance of a high speed communications system.

Abstract: A device for the transmission of digital signals between two units mobile relative to each other, in particular via non-contacting rotary joints, comprises a coding means on a transmitter side along a signal transmission path for matching a coding of the digital signals to transmission characteristics of the signal transmission path, so that an optimum transmission is achieved. An optional decoder means on a receiver side regenerates original signals so that the coding remains hidden, but a substantially more reliable transmission is achieved.

Abstract: A frequency-dependent phase pre-distortion technique is applied to an input signal in order to reduce spurious emissions resulting from subsequent amplification of the signal. In preferred embodiments, the frequency-dependent phase pre-distortion of the present invention is implemented in combination with the (frequency-independent) magnitude and phase pre-distortion technique described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/395,490 (“the '490 application”), where one or more frequency-dependent phase pre-distortion signals are either advanced or delayed relative to the main pre-distorted signal generated in accordance with the '490 application. Each frequency-dependent phase pre-distortion signal is preferably based on a 180° phase difference between a pair of (critical) frequencies located outside (e.g., one on each side) of the signal channel.

Abstract: A coefficient computing section, for computing a characteristic reverse to an input/output characteristic of the power amplifier, is configured by a fixed coefficient storing section and an error coefficient computing section. The fixed coefficient storing section is previously stored with the characteristic reverse to a pre-measured input/output characteristic. The error coefficient computing section computes an error coefficient between a characteristic stored in the fixed coefficient storing section and a current characteristic of the power amplifier. When the determining section determines that the adjacent-channel leak current power ratio is greater than a predetermined value, an operation halt is instructed to the power amplifier.

Abstract: A nonlinear distortion compensating circuit for compensating for a nonlinear distortion caused by a power amplifier for amplifying an input signal has a power calculator for calculating a power value of the input signal, an operating point setting unit for calculating an apparent power value from temperature information, supplied from an external source, representative of the measured temperature of the power amplifier and the power value calculated by the power calculator, based on a relationship, given beforehand to the operating point setting unit, between input vs. output characteristics of the power amplifier and the temperature of the power amplifier, an inverse characteristics calculator for calculating an inversion of the nonlinear distortion from inverse characteristics data, given beforehand to the inverse characteristics calculator, and a complex multiplier for adding the inversion calculated by the inverse characteristics calculator to the input signal.

Abstract: Closed loop wireless communication of signals using an adaptive transmit antenna array, in which multiple copies of signals to be transmitted by the transmit antenna array are produced with delays and weights that are functions of the multi-path transmission channel characteristics from the transmit antenna array to a receive antenna array of a receiver and are combined before transmission by the transmit antenna array. The delays and weights of the transmit copies for each transmit antenna element are functions of the respective multi-path transmission channel characteristics from that transmit antenna element to the receive antenna array such that the multi-path signal components propagated to each receiver element are received with distinguishable delays according to the propagation path. The receiver combines the received signal components from each receive antenna element with delays and weights that are respective functions of the multi-path transmission channels.

Abstract: A reconfigurable communication transmitter core includes a digital pulse-shaping filter to perform pulse-shaping operations upon a digital modulated signal and a finite state machine to controls operation and reconfiguration of the digital pulse-shaping filter. A first memory stores coefficients and a second memory stores data. A multiplier multiplies a data value stored in the second memory with a corresponding coefficient value stored in the first memory. An adder adds each multiplication product from the multiplier with the content of an accumulation register wherein the accumulation register accumulates the sum from the adder. A rounding unit rounds off the content of the accumulation register and to provide rounded-off content as an output of the reconfigurable communication transmitter core. The finite state machine reconfigures a look-up table value set in the first memory, the first memory having pre-stored therein pulse shaped filtered waveforms.

Abstract: A system to communicate digital data symbols with higher than QPSK modulation comprises a transmitter and receiver. The transmitter comprises, a modulator and circuitry to split and encode the data into a first block of more significant bits and a second block of less significant bits for modulating by. The receiver receives digital data bits by iterative determination of soft estimates of bits followed by a hard decision as to what bit was intended, and comprises a first processor to provide first soft estimates of bits of the received signal, and a second processor to decode the first soft estimates and to provide second soft estimates of the bits.

Abstract: An algorithm for computing an efficient, reduced complexity, windowed optimal linear time domain equalizer for a dispersive channel comprises the steps of determining a window of maximum energy in the impulse response of length equal to or less than a number of cyclic prefix samples associated with a received digital data signal, computing the corresponding inside and outside matrices, performing an inverse Cholesky decomposition of the inside matrix, creating a resultant matrix as the product of the outer and the upper and lower square root inner matrix, followed by Householder reduction and QL transformation to thereby compute the time domain equalizer as the linear transformation of the eigenvector corresponding to the smallest eigenvalue at the receiver. The smallest eigenvalue is determined using the aforementioned orthogonal transformations without determining all the eigenvalues efficiently but without the loss accuracy associated with iterative methods like the conventional power method.

Abstract: A digital baseband (DBB) radio frequency (RF) receiver used for receiving and processing a wireless communication signal. The DBB receiver includes a demodulator, first and second analog low pass filters (LPFs), first and second digital gain control circuits, and a digital time domain compensation module which removes group delay variation distortion, introduced by the first and second analog LPFs, from real and imaginary signal components of the communication signal.

Abstract: A coding/decoding trellis structure circuit included in a maximum likelihood sequence estimator (MLSE) sub-receiver having one or more distance calculation units (distus) responsive to equalized data generated by said MLSE sub-receiver from wireless transmission of transmitted data, said distu further responsive to MLSE codewords for processing the same, said equalized data including one or more equalized data chips and each of said MLSE codewords including one or more MLSE codeword chips, each of said distus for processing an equalized data chip and an MLSE codeword chip to generate a chip output, said distu for using said chip output to generate distance measures, a distance measure being the distance between said equalized data and said MLSE codeword, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Abstract: A reduced search space minimum distance decoding algorithm provides average probability of error performance close to that of optimal MAP decoding. The decoding algorithm provides dramatic complexity reductions compared with MAP decoding. A sub-optimal decoder receives signal vectors y1 . . . yk. Soft output bits are generated as is a reduced search space V via a reduced search space table creation unit in response to the soft output bits and an estimated channel H. A signal vector b is generated via a maximum likelihood decoding unit in response to the reduced search space V and the signal vectors y1 . . . yk.

Abstract: An improved OFDM receiver is disclosed that repositions peaks in an OFDM frame to a desired position away from the frame boundary to reduce the probability of timing ambiguity. Each OFDM frame is divided into at least two windows during an acquisition mode to identify the index within each window having the maximum correlation. The improved timing acquisition of the present invention permits the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) operation to operate on the correctly aligned symbol for improved accuracy. In addition, the present invention provides improved mechanisms for declaring when timing is acquired or when timing has been lost. In one implementation, the peaks are shifted from the frame boundary to the center of the OFDM frame, thereby removing the ambiguity of whether a given peak is associated with a previous or subsequent frame.

Abstract: A radio frequency receiver includes an amplifier and a detector that produces a bias control signal based on a signal environment. A bias level of the amplifier is set according to the bias control signal. Bias levels other receiver circuits may have similarly adjusted bias levels, including buffers, IF oscillators, mixers, and converters. The invention can be used to increase range of linearity, intermodulation immunity and reduce power consumption by reducing the bias level under typical conditions and relying on the bias control to increase bias levels under adverse signal conditions. The invention has advantages where power is at a premium, particularly when a device is in standby mode, including mobile, portable and hand held pagers and wireless telephones and Internet connections. If standby mode operation in non-maximum signal environments dominates the usage of the receiver, then the invention can substantially increase battery life.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling a gain of I-channel signal and compensating Q-channel signal in response to the gain imbalance based on the gain-controlled I-channel signal as a reference channel signal is disclosed. The apparatus includes: an auto gain controller for controlling a gain of a signal selected from the I-channel signal and the Q-channel signal to have a predetermined amplitude, thereby generating a gain-controlled signal; a detector for detecting a gain imbalance between the gain-controlled signal and the remaining channel signal; and a compensator for compensating the gain imbalance of the remaining channel signal based on the detected gain imbalance.

Abstract: A receiving unit (2) receives a modulated signal resulting from modulating a carrier signal with a digital encoded train resulting from error-correction encoding a digital signal train. A demodulating unit (4) demodulates the digital encoded train from the received modulated signal. A decoding unit (8) decodes the digital signal train from the demodulated digital encoded train. The receiving unit (2) outputs a received-signal strength indicative signal indicative of the received-signal strength of the modulated signal. During demodulating, a bit error rate computing unit (18) of the decoding unit (8) computes a bit error rate. The received-signal strength indicative signal and the bit error rate are inputted to a control unit (14), and, on the basis of these inputs, it is judged which one of the receiving conditions defined by received-signal strength indicative signals and bit error rates, the current receiving condition corresponds to.

Abstract: A digital convertible radio optimizes signal-to-noise ratios by substantially canceling undesired components of a plurality of input data streams present in sector signals in a cellular network. The sector output power is then scaled to optimize the total power at the sector output ports. The input data streams are cross-correlated with each other and with digital representations of the sector signals to produce a plurality of cross-correlated signals. The plurality of cross-correlated signals is combined to identify the undesired cross-correlated signals. The portion of the undesired signal measurement representing the correlation between the input signal streams are removed using the input signal cross correlation and system transfer function determination. A weighted vector adjustment module produces a plurality of complex weighted vector values that are mixed with the plurality of input data streams.

Abstract: Method for suppressing interference and arrangement for same, and radio communications receiver. The method includes: computing at least one transform of a received, analogue-to-digital converted radio signal; computing metrics defining the concentration of the interference present both for the transformed radio signal and the non-transformed radio signal; selecting the transform whose metrics indicate the highest concentration of the interference in the transfer domain as the transform to be used, or selecting no transform if the metrics indicate the highest concentration of the interference for the non-transformed signal; suppressing the localized interference from the transformed radio signal by using weighting and computing inverse transform of the transformed radio signal if the transform was selected, or suppressing the localized interference from the non-transformed radio signal by using weighting if no transform was selected; and detecting and decoding the interference suppressed radio signal.

Abstract: A clock generation circuit for a dual system radio frequency station is provided. The station includes a digital synthesis circuit clocked by a first clock signal for a first RF system that is adapted to generate a base signal output of a predetermined frequency. A second clock signal is derived from the sum of the frequency of the base signal and the frequency of the first clock signal.

Abstract: A method is provided for acquiring incoming signals in a wireless network device. This method uses three different types of preamble: a normal preamble, a short preamble, and a long preamble. One of these preambles will be used as a default preamble. Then, depending upon signal parameters, the device can change from one preamble to another, trading off data transmission speed and acquisition time to achieve the maximum data transmission speed by using the minimum acquisition time. These signal parameters could be signal strength, the number of packet retransmissions the device must request, or any other metric that is required. And thresholds will vary with the quality of service.

Abstract: A method for tracking transitions in a bit stream of a signal includes taking a first sample of said bit stream at a first sampling point of a first sampling sequence, taking a second sample of said bit stream at a second sampling point of said first sampling sequence, and taking a third sample of said bit stream at a third sampling point of said first sampling sequence, wherein said second sampling point is adjusted so that within a first time period, defined by said first and said second sampling points, the number of transitions in said bit stream is equal to the number of transitions within a second time period, defined by said second and said third sampling points.

Abstract: An integrated circuit arrangement clocked by a single clock having variable delays to different regions of said arrangement such that said regions are partially synchronized to each other, the arrangement comprising: a data transfer buffer for buffering a data stream for transfer between respective first and second ones of said regions, and a data transfer controller, associated with said data transfer buffer and said respective regions, configured to control transfer of said data stream by: initially synchronizing between said respective regions at a start of said data stream, receiving data, in said buffer, from said first region, at a predetermined rate, and outputting said data stream to said second region at said predetermined rate in accordance with said initial synchronization. The arrangement allows deterministic data patterns to arrive at the receiving domain at minimal hardware cost.

Abstract: A symbol timing derivation system derives receiver timing from received symbols which avoids the need for a pilot tone, thereby reducing power consumption and expanding usable bandwidth. The system is implemented by using a calculation that finds the timing phase error. The timing phase error is then averaged and controls a phase locked loop (PLL). This PLL in turn controls a voltage-controlled oscillator, which handles the modem receiver timing. A centroid calculation can be included to bias the voltage-controlled oscillator to push the equalizer coefficients back to the ideal position. The system can be implemented in either a point-to-point modem environment or a multi-point environment, for example, but not limited to, MVL or DMT. The voltage-controlled oscillator may also be implemented to control transmitter timing, so that the central office modem and the remote modem will operate more-or-less synchronously, reducing the need for large equalizer corrections at either end.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for transforming data transmission speed that transforms data transmission speeds of data transmitting apparatuses that have different data transmission speeds using a DPRAM. By using a DPRAM to transform transmission speeds, the apparatus and method for transforming data transmission speed is simplified, thereby improving the procedure for transforming data transmission speed. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent data from being lost at the time of transforming data transmission speed.

Abstract: A time-sliced discrete-time Phase Locked Loop which is suitable for simultaneously synchronizing multiple input signals to multiple output signals is provided by implementing a discrete-time phase detector, loop filter, and voltage controlled oscillator that together operate as a single discrete-time PLL in hardware and applying control logic to retrieve the history for each signal pair from a context memory (RAM), to enable the discrete-time PLL hardware, and to store the resulting history in the context memory for use in subsequent operations for a particular input/output signal pair.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Dual-Modulus Prescaler (DMP) dividing an input signal into an output signal, comprising: a synchronous counter, including a D-Flip-Flop (DFF), a first NOR-Flip-Flop and a second NOR-Flip-Flop, receiving the input signal, the division ratio thereof being based on an intermediate signal; a control logic, controlling the division ratio of the synchronous counter and selecting the output frequency based on first and second control signals, and outputting the intermediate signal to the synchronous counter; and an asynchronous counter, coupled to the control logic and the synchronous counter, having a chain of five DFFs.

Abstract: An X-ray computed tomography apparatus includes a substantially annular frame, a mechanism configured to support rotatably the frame, an X-ray tube mounted on the frame, an X-ray detector mounted on the frame, a position detecting unit configured to detect that the frame passes a reference position, a counting unit configured to count the cumulative number of revolutions of the frame on the basis of an output from the position detecting unit, and a storage unit configured to store data of the cumulative number of revolutions of the frame.

Abstract: An illumination system, particularly for wavelengths ?100 nm, with an object plane and a field plane, comprises a grating element and a physical diaphragm in a diaphragm plane, which is arranged downstream to the grating element in the beam path from the object plane to the field plane.

Abstract: Compression devices and mammography units using the same, and methods of using the same during imaging of a patient's breast are provided. The devices compress the breast against a bucky without the need for a traditional mammography unit compression paddle. The devices comprise at least one x-ray transparent inflatable chamber for containing a fluid, for example, a pressurized gas. In use, at least one surface of the chamber expands in the direction of the bucky. The devices secure the breast to the bucky by wrapping over the tube-side surface of the breast. Compressed air, for example, can be introduced, manually or automatically, to inflate the chamber. As the chamber expands, breast motion is limited and the breast is compressed against the surface of the bucky.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing a membrane structure by fitting simulated operation data to measured data obtained by X-ray reflectivity measurement to analyze the membrane structure. The analysis result obtained by the fitting can be prevented from falling into a local solution, so as to obtain an analysis result of the membrane structure with high accuracy. The method for analyzing a membrane structure for analyzing a structure of a membrane specimen having a single layer membrane or a multi-layer membrane by an X-ray reflectivity measurement, includes a step of simultaneously analyzing plural pieces of measured data obtained by measuring the membrane specimen under plural sets of measuring conditions different from each other in at least one of a resolution and a dynamic range.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical assembly with a laterally graded reflective multilayer whose reflecting surface reflects incident X-rays under low incidence angles to produce a two-dimensional optical effect. The reflecting surface comprises a single surface conformed along two curvatures corresponding to two different directions. The invention also relates to a manufacturing method of such an optical assembly. The method includes coating a substrate already having a curvature. The invention also relates to a device for generating and conditioning X-rays for applications for angle-dispersive X-ray reflectometry. The device includes the optical assembly connected to an X-ray source so that X-rays emitted by the source are conditioned along two dimensions so as to adapt the beam emitted by the source to the sample, with the X-rays having different angles of incidence on the sample under consideration.

Abstract: An X-ray diagnosis apparatus including an X-ray detector which has a plurality of detection elements. On the X-ray detector, there is a first area and a second area. A readout unit reads out an electric charge from a detection element on the first area before reading out the electric charge from a detection element on the second area. A display unit displays an X-ray image data which is created by the electric charge read out from the detection element on the second area.

Abstract: An x-ray source provides both a line focus output and a point focus output, and is mounted on a rotatable support to allow easy changing between the two. A housing has ports at different angular positions relative to an anode, and each port has an associated optic appropriate for an x-ray beam passing through that port. Three or four ports may also be used to allow for different types of beam conditioning. The different beam optics may also do conditioning based on wavelength, and the anode may be of a composite material to provide different wavelength ranges. The rotatable support may be manual or motorized, and a lockout mechanism may be used to ensure that only one port is active at a time. The support may also be located on a movable table that is movable in multiple perpendicular directions.

Abstract: An integrated component mounting system that includes a component mounted to a shaft and secured in place by a nut. The component and the nut each define respective annular shaped surfaces. The shaped surfaces are each inclined at a similar angle and are arranged for sliding contact with respect to each other. As the nut is tightened on the shaft, the shaped surface of the nut exerts both radial and axial forces on the shaped surface of the component, thereby automatically centering the component radially on the shaft as well as securing the component at a desired location along the shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a diaphragm unit 4 or a diaphragm unit 4 and an associated x-ray emitter 1 with adjustment option for displaying an asymmetrical area under examination, with the diaphragm unit 4 being able to be tilted in accordance with the invention relative to the x-ray emitter 1, preferably by moving it on a rail system 12 attached isocentrically to the tube focus 9 on the tube housing 2 and/or the unit 1;4 made up of diaphragm unit 4 and x-ray emitter 1 being able to be tilted isocentrically to the tube focus 9 of the x-ray tube 2.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a voice call to a PSTN extension for a networked client computer, and routing the voice call off of the network, is provided. In a first embodiment, the apparatus comprises a storage medium having stored therein a plurality of programming instructions for implementing a set of communication services for facilitating establishment of the voice call to the PSTN extension, and an execution unit, coupled to the storage medium, for executing the plurality of programming instructions. The set of communication services include services for receiving a Push-To-Talk™ request from the networked client computer, requesting the voice call, and in response, determining the PSTN extension. The Push-To-Talk™ request includes identification information of an originating web server of the Push-To-Talk™ option, and the determination of the PSTN extension is made in accordance with the originating web server's identification information.

Abstract: A method of operating a call management system enables a subscriber to acknowledge a call, without taking the call. When the system receives the call, it identifies the called subscriber, obtains caller information, and presents the caller information to the subscriber when notifying the subscriber of the pending call. Caller information is information relating to the caller or to the call, such as the caller's name and telephone number. If the subscriber chooses to acknowledge the call, the system records an acknowledgement message from the subscriber. The system then plays the acknowledgement message to the caller. After playing the acknowledgement message, the system offers the caller an opportunity to leave a message for the subscriber. The system may allow such message exchange between the caller and subscriber to continue, enabling the subscriber to acknowledge the caller's additional messages, and the caller to leave messages in response to the acknowledgements.

Abstract: A mobile telephone which can supply or post ‘pre-answer’ information which the device owner considers of relevance to a potential call recipient. This information enables a potential call recipient to be given useful information about a potential call before actually answering that call. The information is dynamic, unlike Caller ID information. Examples include: information about the subject of an intended voice call, a mood, a current activity, part or whole of a schedule of meetings or events, information about the urgency of an intended voice call, personal information, expected call duration, commercial inducements to a consumer to answer a call (special offers, loyalty points etc.), location information.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for routing and information collection for telephone calls are described. Upon initiation of a revenue generating call, a data management module creates a call interaction record, including a unique call identifier and information generated by an exchange originating the call. Call accounting information such as user identification and billing account information are collected from the user by presenting audible queries from the user and receiving voice responses. The voice responses are matched to stored information, which is stored in the call interaction record. If a voice response does not unambiguously identify the requested information, further queries may be presented to elicit more refined responses or request responses for recording and later playback. Routing information is then collected, again through audible queries and voice responses, and stored. Upon completion of the call, the call interaction record is closed and stored for later retrieval and analysis.

Abstract: A PBX connected to a public exchange includes a separate caller ID service unit for providing a caller ID and/or a system tone by performing a digital signal process. To display the caller ID on a receiver terminal, or caller ID phone, a line is established with the PBX through general switched telephone network, and a CID received through the line is converted and stored in the caller ID service block mounted with at least one memory through a switching block, under control by a control block. Then, the control block transmits all or part of the stored CIDs to the caller ID phone through the switching block and/or a subscriber line convergency unit.

Abstract: A telephone station interface is provided with apparatus for detecting when a called party has or is attempting to patch or bridge one telephone call with another telephone call. The detecting of such bridging or conferencing is accomplished through the detection of tones which are commonly associated with such activities, such as a ring signal, a busy signal, special information tones (SIT tones), dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) tones or so-called Touch Tones, call progress tones, or other tones that occur when calls are placed. The present invention does not have the capability of sensing clicks, pops, or other audio signals associated with the conferencing of multiple communications circuits. The method and apparatus herein are for managing institutional telephone activity, and utilize a computer control unit to control a trunk management unit, which connects institutional telephones to outside telephone lines.