Abstract: Using a combination of auto-correlation and cross-correlation techniques provides a symbol timing recovery in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) environment that is extremely robust to wireless channel impairments such as noise, multi-path and carrier frequency offset. An auto-correlator provides an estimate for a symbol boundary, and a cross-correlator is subsequently used to more precisely identify the symbol boundary. Peak processing of the cross-correlation results provides further refinement in symbol boundary detection. In receiving a packet conforming to the IEEE 802.11a standard, the method requires a minimum of only three short symbols of the 802.11a short preamble to determine timing, and guarantees timing lock within the duration of the 802.11a short preamble. This method and system can be easily applied to any other preamble based system such as 802.11g and High Performance Radio LAN/2 (HIPERLAN/2).

Abstract: Techniques and systems for estimating the spreading factor of data in a channel in a spread spectrum radio communication system is described. An illustrative method includes communication between a base station and a mobile station that takes place over a multirate data channel having a corresponding control channel. The control channel is transmitted in parallel with the data channel and is decoded to extract control information in order to decode the data channel. An illustrative method and system for estimating the spreading factor of data in a channel in a spread spectrum radio communication system includes a transmitter and a receiver, wherein the transmitter transmits a data unit at one of a plurality of spreading factors over a data channel and transmits in parallel over a control channel a control unit including information for decoding the data unit.

Abstract: A communication system performs burst noise cancellation. A transmitter produces and transmits a spread signal that comprises at least one known-value symbol spread by a plurality of non data-carrying orthogonal codes and data symbols spread by at least one data-carrying orthogonal code. The transmitter transmits the spread signal across a communication link that introduces burst noise. A burst noise detector determines burst noise affected chips of the orthogonal codes. A weight computation functional block calculates a plurality of complex-valued combining weights based upon the burst noise affected chips. A vector de-spreader and a linear combiner operate in combination to use the plurality of non data-carrying orthogonal codes, the at least one data-carrying orthogonal code, and the plurality of complex-valued combining weights to de-spread the received spread signal to produce the data symbols with the burst noise substantially removed.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a system for communicating data includes a data switch coupled to one or more CPE devices. The data switch may communicate with one or more CPE devices using a first predetermined PSD and using a second predetermined PSD. The operability of the switch is provided by software embodied in a computer-readable medium. In a more particular embodiment, the data switch may also communicate substantially simultaneously with two or more CPE devices using at least two different PSDs.

Abstract: A method for estimating uncorrelated noise in a distributed record of data including data samples that represent both signal and noise, provided that the signal is substantially in phase between adjacent data samples. The method begins with dividing the record of data into an even number of equal intervals. The method proceeds compiling a reduced data record by subtracting from every other data sample in the record of data one data sample that is adjacent to it. Finally, the method entails a step of estimating the noise power in the signal relative to the signal power by calculating the standard deviation as a measure of the magnitude of the noise.

Abstract: Transmit amplitude independent adaptive equalizers are provided that compensate for transmission losses in an input signal when the transmit signal amplitude is unknown. Several embodiments are provided, including a first embodiment having an equalizer core, a controllable-swing slicer and an amplitude control loop, a second embodiment having an equalizer core, a fixed-swing slicer and a control loop, a third embodiment having an equalizer core, a variable gain amplifier, and a variable gain amplifier control loop, and a fourth embodiment having an equalizer core, a fixed-swing slicer, a variable gain amplifier, and a variable gain amplifier control loop.

Abstract: Adaptively analyzing an observed signal to estimate that part of the signal that best corresponds to a steering vector. Modifying the steering vector by convolution of the steering vector with a vector estimating the effect of multipath on the observed signal.

Abstract: Modulation-demodulation format selectable (MFS) processor, cross-correlator and transmit filter for processing, cross-correlating and filtering in-phase and quadrature-phase baseband signal and providing a first bit rate and a second bit rate baseband signal to a modulator and a transmitter for modulation and transmission of the processed filtered baseband signal. Transmit amplifier operated in a first radio frequency (RF) band for amplification of the first bit rate modulated signal and a second RF amplifier operated in a second RF band for amplification of the second bit rate modulated signal. Switch for selecting the first or the second bit rate or first or second modulation format signal and providing selected signal to a transmitter. Receiver for receiving transmitted signal. Demodulator and demodulator filter mis-matched to transmit baseband filter.

Abstract: An FDTS/DF equalizer using absolute value calculation includes: a feed-forward filter receiving and filtering a sampled signal; a feed-back filter filtering a restored data; a subtractor obtaining a difference between signals respectively filtered by the feed-forward filter and the feed-back filter; and a detector receiving the subtracted signal and detecting a data using absolute value calculation. The FDTS/DF equalizer in the reproducing terminal which reproduces a data passing through a channel performs an absolute value operation by using the adder, so that the number of gates can be reduced, the calculation speed can be improved, and the size of a chip can be reduced.

Abstract: A process for converting the format of an image sequence wherein, for a coded pixel group to be converted, if the mode of coding used is of the inter type with no residue, the conversion is performed by a copy of a converted pixel group of a preceding image linked by the motion vector associated with said coded pixel group.

Abstract: A method for activating and deactivating parameter sets comprising the steps of: (A) activating a first parameter set in response to a reference to a first identification value associated with the first parameter set and (B) deactivating the first parameter set in response to a reference to a second identification value associated with a second parameter set.

Abstract: When a digital broadcast receiver selects a channel and thereby changes an MPEG picture stream, a video decoder starts a decoding operation in response to an instruction to start decoding. When a predictive coded picture includes an intra slice and an intra macroblock, the video decoder decodes the intra slice and the intra macroblock of the predictive coded picture without waiting for an intra picture to be decoded. When a macroblock to be referred to has previously been decoded, the video decoder further decodes a non-intra slice and a non-intra macroblock of the predictive coded picture by using a decoding result of the macroblock to be referred to. Thus, when changing the channel, for example, it is possible to quickly obtain output picture data, shorten interruption of the pictures, and check a picture of the next channel in a short time.

Abstract: When a digital broadcast receiver selects a channel and thereby changes an MPEG picture stream, a video decoder starts a decoding operation in response to an instruction to start decoding. When a predictive coded picture includes an intra slice and an intra macroblock, the video decoder decodes the intra slice and the intra macroblock of the predictive coded picture without waiting for an intra picture to be decoded. When a macroblock to be referred to has previously been decoded, the video decoder further decodes a non-intra slice and a non-intra macroblock of the predictive coded picture by using a decoding result of the macroblock to be referred to. Thus, when changing the channel, for example, it is possible to quickly obtain output picture data, shorten interruption of the pictures, and check a picture of the next channel in a short time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive control for an electric drive with a secure electrical separation of power element and control element. The aim of the invention is to reduce the number of components such as optic couplers and buffer amplifiers between the power element and a control electronics. To this end, a suitable electrical transformer (U) is inserted in a digital communication interface (K) between the control unit (R) and the control electronics (A) for the purpose of providing a secure electrical separation. To make use of a transformer (U) possible, a non-zero frequency encoding, for example a Manchester encoding, is carried out. Alternatively, an Ethernet physics can be used to provide a suitable communication interface. The transformer electrically insulates the two communication paths from each other that are provided in an Ethernet physics and preferably has little coupling capacity and a low attenuation factor.

Abstract: A method and system provides for execution of calibration cycles from time to time during normal operation of the communication channel. A calibration cycle includes de-coupling the normal data source from the transmitter and supplying a calibration pattern in its place. The calibration pattern is received from the communication link using the receiver on the second component. A calibrated value of a parameter of the communication channel is determined in response to the received calibration pattern. The steps involved in calibration cycles can be reordered to account for utilization patterns of the communication channel. For bidirectional links, calibration cycles are executed which include the step of storing received calibration patterns on the second component, and retransmitting such calibration patterns back to the first component for use in adjusting parameters of the channel at first component.

Abstract: In a wireless transmitting device which performs transmission by an OFDM using a plurality of subcarriers orthogonal to each other, a plurality of preambles to which a plurality of different subcarrier groups selected from a plurality of subcarriers within an OFDM signal band are allocated are transmitted by using a plurality of transmit antennas, and data is transmitted by using the antennas after the preambles are transmitted.

Abstract: A multi-rate encoder and decoder system is disclosed. The multi-rate encoder and decoder system is capable of operating with a mother code or a subset code of the mother code and includes a trellis encoder having a set of inputs and a set of outputs corresponding to the mother code and a select unit capable of removing the set of inputs into the trellis encoder that correspond to the mother code but not the subset code prior to encoding. The multi-rate encoder and decoder system further includes a decoder having a set of decoder inputs and a set of decoder outputs corresponding to the mother code and a decoder select unit capable of ignoring transitions in the trellis code produced by the encoder that belong to the mother code but not to the subset code.

Abstract: A communication system for transmitting encoded signals over a communication channel is disclosed. The system includes a transmitter, which has a source that is configured to output a message signal, and an encoder that is configured to generate a code word in response to the message signal. The code word is based upon a stacking construction that is generalized for the communication channel. The communication channel is characterized as a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) block fading channel. The transmitter also includes a modulator that is configured to modulate the code word for transmission over the communication channel. Further, the transmitter includes a plurality of transmit antennas that are configured to transmit the modulated code word over the communication channel. The system also includes a receiver, which has a plurality of receive antennas. The receiver is configured to receive the transmitted code word via the plurality of receive antennas.

Abstract: The invention specifies a transmission arrangement, particularly for mobile radio, which has a homodyne design and in which a feedback path is routed from the input or from the output of the vector modulator (10, 11, 12, 14) via a switch (20) and an A/D converter (19) back to the digital signal processing (3) in baseband (1). As a result, it is a particularly simple matter to detect offsets and amplitude mismatches and to correct them without difficulty in a digital signal processor (3). This allows both significantly improved carrier frequency suppression and significantly improved sideband suppression to be achieved with little complexity. The mobile radio transmitter described is particularly suitable for use in modern mobile radio systems such as GSM EDGE and UMTS.

Abstract: A method and pre-processor for processing a MCPM signal including a phase multiplier for multiplying a MCPM signal by a scaling factor. The pre-processor also includes a frequency shifter for shifting the scaled MCPM signal to create a frequency offset. The pre-processing allows a MDPSK demodulator to demodulate the received MCPM signal. This Abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an Abstract that allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain subject matter of the technical disclosure. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: Decoder design adaptable to decode coded signals using min* or max* processing. A very efficient means of min* processing or max* processing may be performed within a communication device to assist in the very complex and cumbersome calculations that are employed when decoding coded signals. The types of coded signals that may be decoded using min* processing or max* processing are varied, and they include LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) coded signals, turbo coded signals, and TTCM (Turbo Trellis Coded Modulation) coded signals, among other coded signal types. Many of the calculations and/or determinations performed within min* processing or max* processing are performed simultaneously and in parallel of one another thereby ensuring very fast operation. In a finite precision digital implementation, when certain calculated bits of min* or max* processing are available, they govern selection of resultants from among multiple calculations and determinations made simultaneously and in parallel.

Abstract: A method of detecting a predetermined complex data sequence in a received signal, representing for example a broadcast burst preamble in a wireless LAN transmission, involves (a) performing an auto-correlation on the data extracted from the received signal to provide an auto-correlation output, (b) combining the auto-correlation output with a delayed version of the auto-correlation output to produce a combined output and (c) providing a signal representing the predetermined data sequence if the combined output meets a predetermined condition, preferably also taking into account the phases of the auto-correlation output.

Abstract: Reception timing of a signal consisting of a valid symbol section and a guard interval section is controlled properly. According to a result of auto-correlation calculation performed by a guard correlation processor, a timing adjustment block generates a control voltage for adjusting the reception timing of the valid symbol section. A first and a second loop filter filter the control voltage signal generated by the timing adjustment block and sends it to a switch. An inter-symbol interference decision block decides whether an inter-symbol interference is generated according to the result of the auto-correlation calculation performed by the guard correlation processor, and controls the switch according to the decision result. Where, in the first loop filter, a comparatively large gain is set while in the second loop filter, a comparatively small gain is set.

Abstract: A receiver includes a matched filter matched to a synch pulse and generates a matched filter output signal having peaks and valleys with one of the peaks corresponding to the synch pulse. An orthogonal filter is inversely matched to the synch pulse and generates an orthogonal filter output signal having peaks and valleys with one of the valleys corresponding to the synch pulse. A detector determines the synch pulse based upon a largest difference between the matched filter output signal and the orthogonal filter output signal.

Abstract: Automatic gain control (AGC) and synchronisation acquisition by a communication unit in a wireless communication system, e.g. a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) system, is described. AGC is performed using a downlink beacon function, for example a power level (Pbeacon) . Amplitude-equalising (limiting) is performed as part of synchronisation acquisition. Separate AGC processes are used for different stages of synchronisation acquisition. One AGC process uses a peak power (P(k)) of a received signal over a frame. Another AGC process uses a peak power (P(k)) of a received signal over only a portion of a frame, the portion comprising an initial synchronisation code. Another AGC process uses measurements of a received signal (P0(k)) taken in a downlink beacon timeslot. These processes tend to provide tolerance to a varying number of codes (M) transmitted on a timeslot-by-timeslot basis and robust initial synchronisation in the presence of strong uplink interference.

Abstract: The invention provides embodiments to facilitate cell search. In one embodiment, received samples are split into a plurality of sample sets for processing. Each of the sets is processed and an accumulated result is divided by an estimated noise value. In another embodiment, a code correlator correlates the received signal with a primary synchronization code and an auxiliary code correlator having a same length as the code correlator correlates the received signal with a code having a low cross correlation with the primary synchronization code. In another embodiment, a division of an accumulated result with a noise estimate is performed using indexes of the most significant bits.

Abstract: An OFDM receiver receives an OFDM signal transmitted from an OFDM transmitter by using a sub-carrier. The OFDM receiver includes a channel estimator configured to obtain a channel estimated value of each multi-path based on OFDM signals received through a plurality of multi-paths; a transmission signal estimated value calculator configured to calculate a transmission signal estimated value as an estimated value of the OFDM signal; and an inter-carrier interference compensator configured to extract a multi-path not becoming a form to contain a signal component only of a target symbol in an FFT window based on the transmission signal estimated value and the channel estimated value of each multi-path, and to compensate for inter-carrier interference in the OFDM signal based on signal components corresponding to all sub-carriers of the multi-paths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for processing two or more encoded signals received over a multi-channel communication system to cancel or mitigate coupling and the effects of the channel on the two or more encoded signals. In one embodiment a multi-channel communication system utilizes DMT processing and some form of encoding, such as block coding or convolutional coding. To recover the transmitted signal, processing in the receiver may comprise MIMO processing in conjunction with decoding. The MIMO processing may be configured with decision directed processing to thereby generate one or more cancellation signals based on isolated error terms. Decoding occurs on encoded signals after MIMO processing. Memory may be interspersed or available throughout the system to store incoming symbols that have not yet undergone decoding and MIMO processing. Decoding and MIMO processing may occur sequentially through the channels.

Abstract: Data is communicated through two separate circuits or circuit groups, each having clock and mode inputs, by sequentially reversing the role of the clock and mode inputs. The data communication circuits have data inputs, data outputs, a clock input for timing or synchronizing the data input and/or output communication, and a mode input for controlling the data input and/or output communication. A clock/mode signal connects to the clock input of one circuit and to the mode input of the other circuit. A mode/clock signal connects to the mode input of the one circuit and to the clock input of the other circuit. The role of the mode and clock signals on the mode/clock and clock/mode signals, or their reversal, selects one or the other of the data communication circuits.

Abstract: Techniques for processing incoming signals conforming to a plurality of standards or communication formats with a single baseband receive section are disclosed. In one aspect, a plurality of analog processing components are adjusted in response to a format select signal, set according to one of a plurality of supported formats or standards. In another aspect, the operating mode of an A/D converter is tuned in response to the format select signal. In yet another aspect, the response characteristics of a jammer filter are tuned in response to the format select signal. In yet another aspect, the adjustment of the plurality of analog processing components is carried out by varying the frequency of a sample clock in response to the format select signal. Various other aspects are also presented. These aspects have the benefit of allowing a single baseband receive section to be deployed to process analog signals conforming to a plurality of communications standards or formats, in a power and area efficient manner.

Abstract: A system for clock and data recovery (“CDR”) includes a clock generator, a half-rate phase detector for receiving the input data, an encoder, a phase selector outputting recovered clock, a confidence counter, and a multiplexer outputting recovered data. The clock generator generates an 8-phase clock signal at half a rate of the transmitted serial data. The phase detector samples input data at four times the standard sampling rate, takes the oversampled data and detects phase transitions therein, i.e., phase lead and lag. The encoder encodes the phase transition data. The confidence counter receives the phase transition data and generates a signal representing the accumulated net effect of the phase transitions. The phase selector receives the confidence counter signal and the 8-phase clock from the clock generator, and determines the optimum phase for data sampling.

Abstract: A receiving device of a multiple communications channel system includes: a noise detector that detects channel noise among the received data signals and selects at least one channel among a plurality of channels in the multiple channel communications system on which the received data signals are largely unaffected by noise; a magnitude checker that selects at least one channel among the plurality of channels on which the received data signals have a magnitude greater than a predetermined magnitude among the received data; a QAM unit constellation detector that detects a QAM unit constellation using a reference constellation from a constellation value on a QAM coordinate plane of the selected signal channel; and a constellation rotation unit that rotates and maps the detected QAM unit constellation value onto a Real=Imaginary axis.

Abstract: A multiple frame rate synchronous detecting apparatus for synchronous-detecting received serial data having one frame rate among a plurality of predetermined frame rates is provided. The apparatus comprises a serial-to-parallel converter for serial-to-parallel converting the received serial data with matching with highest frame rate, a coincidence detector for comparing a portion of the converted parallel data corresponding to a predetermined region defined based on the frame rate, with a pattern for synchronous detection to detect coincidence, and a synchronous determiner for determining to have been synchronized with the frame rate when a periodic cycle of the coincidence detection is the same as a previous one.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for low wander timing generation and/or recovery are disclosed here. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a communication system for high speed communications between a first location and a second location. The communication system, may include a transmitter module at the first location associated a first clock. The transmitter module may further include a phase detector module that is operable to generate a one or more data bits to indicate phase offset between the first clock and a second clock, the first clock can be associated with a transmission rate and the second clock can be associated with a network link rate and/or a receiver module at the second location associated with the second clock. The receiver module may be coupled to the transmitter module via a network.

Abstract: ECG and ultrasound data of the heart are acquired in real-time during a scan. A data acquisition module is controlled during the scan to prospectively gate acquisition of CT data as a function of the real-time ECG data and the real-time ultrasound data. An image is reconstructed from the acquired CT data.

Abstract: A security screening system for scanning items, the system comprising: a scanner, configured to produce x-ray projection data as an object is passed through the scanner, at least a portion of the scanner being received within a structure, the structure having an input opening and an outlet opening, the input opening being configured to receive objects to be scanned and the output opening being configured to receive objects scanned by the scanner; an input conveyor for passing a plurality of bins through the input opening to the outlet opening, the input conveyor having an input end for receiving the plurality of bins to pass the plurality of bins into the input opening and an output end for delivering the plurality of bins from the outlet opening; and a return conveyor positioned to return the plurality of bins to an area proximate to the input end of the input conveyor, the return conveyor being positioned below the input conveyor, wherein the return conveyor does not pass through the scanner.

Abstract: Use of an adaptive radiation therapy framework includes determination of a radiation beam size, radiation beam shape, and radiation beam position for delivering at least a portion of a prescribed radiation dose to a target volume based on first image data of a patient, and selection of one radiation therapy process from an available first process and second process. The first radiation therapy process comprises acquisition of two dimensional image data of the patient, determination of a position offset based on the two-dimensional image data and on the first image data, and movement of the patient based on the position offset. The second radiation therapy process comprises acquisition of three-dimensional image data of the patient, determination of a second position offset based on the three-dimensional image data and on the first image data, and movement of the patient based on the second position offset.

Abstract: A method for producing X-ray optics includes providing a wafer of crystalline material having front and rear surfaces and a lattice spacing suitable for reflecting incident X-rays of a given wavelength. A thin film is deposited on the front surface of the wafer so as to generate compressive forces in the thin film sufficient to impart a concave curvature to the rear surface of the wafer with at least one radius of curvature selected for focusing the incident X-rays.

Abstract: It is proposed according to the invention to record, in an image recording device for recording X-ray images, offset frames for different operating modes of said device according to a current sequence, wherein said current sequence can, by taking into account a new sequence in a comparison procedure, be changed into an updated sequence. The new sequence is based on the frequency with which the individual operating modes are used.

Abstract: A collimator is disclosed for stray radiation, in particular for medical X-ray devices. In addition, a method is disclosed for producing the collimator. The collimator includes numerous absorption elements for X-ray radiation which are separated from one another by a filler and support material and are aligned approximately in parallel or oriented towards a common focus. In the collimator, the absorption elements are statistically distributed. A collimator of this type is extremely cost-effective to produce.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas-insulated bus bar component comprising a grounded housing that is filled with protective gas and at least one bus bar conductor, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the housing and is supported on said housing by means of insulating bus bar supports. According to the invention, each bus bar conductor is connected to a disconnecting switch that is insulated by protective gas. The aim of the invention is to provide a component of this type, which can be simply connected to and disconnected from an air-insulated conductor, even when operational. To achieve this, the disconnecting switch is located in an outdoor bushing that is fixed to the housing.

Abstract: A computer-based virtual assistant the behavior of which can be changed by the user, comprising a voice user interface for inputting information into and receiving information from the virtual assistant by speech, a communications network, a virtual assistant application running on a remote computer, the remote computer being electronically coupled to the user interface via the communications network, wherein the behavior of the virtual assistant changes responsive to user input.

Abstract: A system, method and software for facilitating a speech-enabled call routing application using an action-object matrix is disclosed. In operation, a natural language user utterance may be evaluated to identify an action and object available in an action-object matrix indicating transactions or operations available to a user. Depending upon the contents of the natural language user utterance, additional prompts and/or a disambiguation dialogue may be effected to elicit an available action-object combination selection from the user. Following identification of an action-object combination from the natural language user utterance, the action-object matrix may cooperate with a look-up table to identify an appropriate use routing destination. Following identification of an appropriate routing destination, the user connection may be routed to a service agent or module configured to facilitate the user selected transaction as indicated by the action-object combination.

Abstract: An interactive interface facilitates the setting of preferences and other programmable parameters of an appliance. The interface is hosted by a server on a global computer network. The appliance owner initiates a connection to the server and is presented with a graphical user interface for setting the preferences and features of the appliance. Once the desired settings have been made, they are downloaded to the appliance either directly from the server or the appliance owner's computer or indirectly using a portable transfer device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and configuration for controlling and/or monitoring terminals connected to a communications system. In order to control and/or monitor terminals, which are connected to a communications system and which have at least one controllable/monitorable function, an application sends a first message with the call number of a terminal, which is to be controlled and/or monitored thereby, to a telephony server. This telephony server conveys this call number to the communications system that, as a response, conveys terminal information via the controllable/monitorable functions of the relevant terminal. The telephony server comprises a database with data records that describe controllable/monitorable terminals, and comprises at least one data record which can be supplemented and which contains an identification number.

Abstract: A communication system comprising one or more ubiquitous sensor(s) for generating awareness data relating to a user, a context engine for receiving and processing the awareness data to determine the user's current context for the purpose of event handling, a policy engine for receiving and relating at least one pertinent evidential indicator of an incoming event from a caller to the user's current context and in response selecting a preferred event handling feature, and a delivery agent for executing the preferred event handling feature.

Abstract: A telephone call redirection system for misdialed telephone numbers is provided. When a caller physically and unintentionally dials one of a set of first numbers subscribed to by the system, the system recognizes the number intended by the caller, and provides the caller with the option of being redirected. If interested, the caller dials another number offered by the system to hear of the desired, intended number.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method of processing enterprise information system data for use by a voice activated auto-attendant service network is disclosed. The method includes provisioning a network-based voice activated auto-attendant service via a web interface including downloading a platform independent business to business (B2B) connector package, interacting with the connector package via a sequence of data modeling steps, selecting a connector based on an enterprise information system data source, and configuring the selected connector.

Abstract: A telephone call information delivery system includes answering circuitry to answer a telephone call incoming from a service provider and to attain information input by a caller. The system further includes an information signal provider to provide at least one signal to deliver at least some of the attained information to a user. As an example, from the delivered information the user can decide whether or not to answer the incoming call. In another embodiment, the system further includes an alert signal provider to provide a signal to alert the user and an activator to receive instruction from the user. The information signal provider operates responsive to the activator. This embodiment answers an incoming call, attains information from the caller, alerts the user, the user then instructs the activator and the signal provider responds and delivers attained information to the user. The user then decides whether to answer the call.

Abstract: A telephone includes an upper casing, a lower casing, and a receiver transmitter. The lower casing has a pair of projecting support sections at one end of the bottom, to which a first leg is rotatably mounted. The first leg includes a rotatable and slidable second leg. In a large-angle inclined state of the telephone, first and second engaging sections of the second leg are in engagement with first and second engaged sections of the first leg, respectively. When an excessive load is applied to the telephone in the direction of the arrow, the engaging sections are elastically deformed, being brought out of engagement with the engaged sections. Accordingly, the second leg tilts onto a desk into parallel with the desk. Consequently, the second leg is subjected to no longitudinal load. Thus, even if the second leg is not strong in structure, the second leg can be prevented from breaking.