Bellsouth Corporation

Nxsteps Communications

Other

Resource Consortium Limited

Cellemetry, LLC

Starscriber Corporation

Nxsteps Communication, Inc.

Peter O Roach, Jr

Edward Irby Comer

Thomas J Mayer

Pierce J Roberts, Jr

Charles Martin Link, Ii

Maurice S Laster

John Ervin Lewis

Ari Kahn

Scott Fox

Thomas Poulos

Ellen M Kirk

Confirmation of a mobile subscriber's permission to release their personal information is completed prior to transmitting the information to a requesting party. The mobile subscriber can view the requesting party's identity prior to making a decision to release their directory information. In the alternative, the mobile subscriber can contact the requesting party directly without a release of their personal information. Other types of information, such as location information, can also be communicated to a requesting party by this permission grant methodology.

Method and apparatus for providing information in response to the grant of a subscriber's permission

Methods and apparatus for providing automated call back requests are provided. In one method a signaling link in a telecommunications system is monitored for a transaction including a connection request containing a called address followed by a disconnection request within a first predetermined time period. Responsive to the transaction, the method determines if a trigger condition exists, and if so, communicates a call back request to a called party through a separate network.

Automated call back request for a mobile phone

A mobile subscriber can elect to grant permission for the release to a requesting party of information relevant to the mobile subscriber release information. In order to make the decision to provide the information to the requesting party, the mobile subscriber can first determine if the request is being made from a trusted source. If the identity of the requesting party is hidden, the requesting party can be queried to release their identity to be used in conjunction with the permission request to the mobile subscriber.

Method and apparatus for obtaining information about the status of a party requesting information about a mobile subscriber

The invention provides a power source that can be configured for being mounted to a fluorescent light. The internal electronics of the power source are contained within a housing. Attachment means are used to attach the housing to a fluorescent lamp. The attachment means may comprise a support tube attached to the housing. The support tube fits over the fluorescent lamp and attaches to the housing to secure the power source to the fluorescent lamp. Alternatively, the housing may include power coupling pins on one side and fluorescent lamp pin connectors on the opposite side. The power coupling pins fit into one receptacle of the fluorescent light fixture and the pins of the fluorescent lamp are inserted into the fluorescent lamp pin connectors of the housing such that the power source is mounted between the fluorescent lamp and the fluorescent light fixture.

Power source mounted to a fluorescent light

A grant of permission is operative to release the personal information of a user, such as mobile subscriber of a mobile telephone network, prior to transmitting that information to a requesting party. If the permission grant is delayed, however, the delivery of the mobile subscriber's information can be provided at a later time to the requesting party if the mobile subscriber subsequently grants permission. The requesting party can receive information relevant to the mobile subscriber via text message, e-mail, or other conventional media in response to the delayed permission grant. The mobile subscriber can grant a delayed release of the information or contact the requesting party directly without revealing the requested information.

Method and apparatus for providing information in response to a delayed grant of subscriber permission

The invention provides methods and apparatuses for mounting a wireless network component to a fluorescent light. The internal electronics of the wireless network component are contained within a housing. Attachment means are used to attach the housing to a fluorescent lamp. The attachment means may comprise a support tube removably attached to the housing. The support tube fits over the fluorescent lamp and attaches to the housing to secure the wireless network component to the fluorescent lamp. Alternatively, the housing may include power coupling pins on one side and fluorescent lamp pin connectors on the opposite side. The power coupling pins fit into one receptacle of the fluorescent light fixture and the pins of the fluorescent lamp are inserted into the fluorescent lamp pin connectors of the housing such that the wireless network component is mounted between the fluorescent lamp and the fluorescent light fixture.

Methods and apparatuses for mounting a wireless network component to a fluorescent light

Systems and methods are provided for deriving power for an external device from the power source of a fluorescent light. The power source includes a fluorescent ballast electrically connected to the connectors of a light fixture for receiving an input voltage and for converting the input voltage to a lamp voltage suitable for powering a fluorescent lamp. The fluorescent ballast may be modified to include an output line that outputs a voltage for powering the external device to a power port. The power port may be mounted on or near the fluorescent light. Alternatively, the power port may be integrated within a housing that contains one of the connectors of the light fixture. The ballast may be further modified to include an output line for extracting network data and control signals from the power line carrier signals on the input voltage.

Fluorescent light power source for supplying power to an external device

Systems and methods are provided for deriving power for an external device from a circuit of a fluorescent light. A first circuit supplies power from a fluorescent light power source to a fluorescent lamp. The power converter of an external device can be electrically connected to any two points within that circuit to create a second circuit to supply power to the external device. The power converter may be connected to the first circuit via one or more power coupling or power tether. At least one of the two points within the first circuit may comprise a pin of the fluorescent lamp. Alternatively, at least one of the two points may comprise a connector of a fluorescent light fixture designed to receive a pin of the fluorescent lamp or a point within the fluorescent ballast of the fluorescent light fixture.

Deriving power for an external device from a fluorescent light power source

Systems and methods are provided for deriving power for a wireless network component from the power source of a fluorescent light. Power couplings are electrically connected to the pins of a fluorescent lamp and to a power converter of the wireless network component so that a circuit is completed between the pins and the power converter. The power couplings may alternatively be electrically connected to the fluorescent lamp connectors of a fluorescent light fixture and to the power converter of the wireless network component to complete the circuit. Power supplied to fluorescent lamp is drawn by the circuit to power the wireless network component. Alternatively, the ballast of the fluorescent light power source may be modified to include an output line that outputs a voltage for powering the wireless network component to a power port. The power port may be mounted on or near the fluorescent light.

Deriving power for a wireless network component from the power source of a fluorescent light

A cellular communications device for communicating over a cellular network control channel of a cellular mobile radiotelephone (CMR) system. A transmitter can transmit a data message formatted to correspond to an identification signal transmitted by a cellular radiotelephone when that device identifies itself to the CMR system. The data message contains selected data and is transmitted via the reverse overhead control channel of the cellular network control channel. A receiver can receive command signals from a mobile switching center of the CMR system via a forward overhead control channel (FOCC) of the cellular network control channel. A controller controls operation conducted by the transmitter and the receiver.

Cellular communications device for communicating data via a cellular

A system for communicating data via a cellular network control channel of a cellular mobile radiotelephone system. The system includes a mobile switching center operable for receiving a registration signal from a registering cellular communications device. The registration signal includes identification information associated with the registering cellular communications device and a predefined data field containing data. The mobile switching center detects the presence of the identification information in the registration signal. In response to the identification information, the mobile switching center determines whether the registering cellular communications device is a member of a predetermined class of cellular sources, such as a class known as 'roamer' units. If the registering cellular communications device is a member of a predetermined class of cellular sources, the mobile switching center extracts the data from the predefined data field and transmits the data to a data collection system, typically via a communication link between the mobile switching center and the data collection system. In turn, the data collection system can send the extracted data to a data processing system. Either the data collection system or data processing system can perform a predetermined operation associated with the predetermined class of cellular sources.

Method and system for performing a predetermined operation related to a

A method for programming a cellular set over a control channel may be used to update data stored within a cellular set by having the cellular set search the control channel for data updates that are broadcast over the control channel upon command of a controller coupled to the wireless system. In one embodiment, the method updates a carrier list of system identification numbers ('SIDs'). A cellular set searches the control channel for a unique identifier that is followed by the current carrier list number. The cellular set compares the current carrier list number with a stored carrier list number. If the carrier list numbers do not match, the cellular set stores the current carrier list number in memory and enters an acquisition mode in which it continuously monitors the control channel for updated data, possibly in the form of SIDs to add or remove from the list. The cellular set is programmed to recognize the updated data and retrieve it into memory.

Methods and apparatus for cellular set programming

A wireless Integrated Services Digital Network ('WISDN') is disclosed. The WISDN replaces conventional wireless networks with a plurality of network elements including intelligent cellsites ('ICSs'), a central site controller ('CSC'), a billing aggregator and an operation and support system, all of which are interconnected to the public switched telephone network ('PSTN') via the integrated services digital network ('ISDN'). The ICSs communicate with users who request services via radio communication. The ICS in which a service requesting user is located interfaces the user with the ISDN, which terminates the user's call using traditional telephony switching methods. When a call to the user is initiated from a PSTN subscriber, the PSTN's service control point may access the CSC, which provides authentication services and routing information (such as the current location of the user) with which the PSTN terminates the call to the selected ICS. Registration techniques provide updates on the user's location. When the user moves out of the coverage area of the selected ICS, it initiates a hand off by sending messages, over the ISDN signalling channel, to surrounding ICSs requesting that each take a reading on the signal from the user. Reports are received from the surrounding ICSs and the selected ICS chooses a second ICS to which the call will be handed off.

Wireless digital network

A system for communicating location data regarding the present service area for a 'roaming' cellular paging device in a paging system. Each cellular paging device monitors a cellular network control channel to detect a cellular system identification signal transmitted by a cellular mobile radiotelephone (CMR) system. If the cellular system identification signal does not match a preassigned code for a host CMR system associated with the paging system, it responds by transmitting an identification signal to the MSC via the cellular network control channel. This identification signal includes: (1) a unique identification code that identifies the source of the identification signal, and (2) at least a portion of the system identification signal that was received by the cellular paging device. The CMR system determines that the identification signal has been transmitted by a 'roaming' device associated with another CMR system and, accordingly, sends the identification signal to a verification system. In turn, the verification system communicates with the paging system to update the current service location of the cellular paging device. This allows the paging system to send pages to the service area where the paging device is actually located rather than sending pages to all possible service areas.

Growing community of inventors

Atlanta, GA, United States of America

Peter O Roach, Jr