At+t Corp.

Lucent Technologies Inc.

Ted M Fidder

Bruce M Bales

Stephen M Thieler

Donald D Gallagher

David Lee Chavez, Jr

Larry J Hardouin

David L Chavez

John G Fijolek

Robert L Lien

Kenneth J Roberge

Vojislav V Vucetic

Allowing a user of a wireless terminal to control the mobility operational parameters when desired by the user. The user enters parameter selection information into the wireless terminal; and the wireless terminal converts this parameter selection information into operational parameters and activates these operational parameters. The operational parameters can include a noise threshold level for determining when to mute audio information being communicated between the wireless terminal and a base station. Another operational parameter is the hand-off signal threshold level below which the wireless terminal seeks a new base station upon which to register. The parameter selection information can be in the form of icons which the user selects, or the user may enter precise numerical data. The user of the wireless terminal is given the capability of specifying the base station to which the wireless terminal will register. In addition, for testing purposes the wireless terminal can be programmed to display the signal strength of the base station on which the wireless terminal is registered.

Wireless terminal controlled mobility operational parameters

Using dynamic learning techniques by a system controller to determine a subset of neighboring cell sites to which an activity transfer should be attempted. An activity transfer can be a handoff or registration. The neighboring cell sites that should be chosen for an activity transfer are specified for each cell site. The specified neighboring cell sites are determined by the dynamic learning process. In a first embodiment, the dynamic learning is accomplished by accumulating statistical data that defines the average call duration of each of the selected neighboring sites after an activity transfer to each. Advantageously, this average duration can include the total call duration for two subsequent activity transfers. In a second embodiment, the dynamic learning is accomplished by accumulating statistical data that defines the maximum transmission power from the base station to which a handset was transferred. In a third embodiment, the duration of the low power transmission level of the base station from which the handset had just been transferred is timed. If the duration is less than a predefined number, it is assumed that a null had occurred, and that fact is stored for that cell. This information is used to detect multipath fading and to prevent premature handoffs when multipath fading occurs. Subsequently, a transfer is delayed for a cell having a large average number of nulls.

Dynamic learning of neighboring wireless cells

A telephone terminal storing conferee identification information received from other telephone terminals on a conference call and responding to actuation of an inspect button to display the identification information of each conferee. As each new telephone terminal is added to the conference call, the new telephone terminal transmits its conferee identification information to the telephone terminals already on the conference call, and those telephone terminals automatically display the identification information of the new conferee. Also, the coordinator of the conference call is so designated when the coordinator's identification information is displayed on one of the telephone terminals.

Telephone terminal controlled conference inspection

A switching system for allowing any one conferee on a video conference to assume the role of manually manipulating the video picture that will be seen by all conferees (chair view). In addition, each individual conferee is allowed to determine their own video picture content or to select the chair view. Further, anyone of conferees can assume the role of determining the chair view. In addition, for the video classroom, a chair view video picture is composed such that the picture displays the visual aid with an insert for an instructor and an insert for a student asking a question. Further, the instructor selects by using a button or mouse which student is to be displayed in the student insert, and the video picture automatically displays that student. In another embodiment of the system, the students request permission to ask a question by actuation of a switch on their telephone set, and the names of students asking questions are displayed on a computer display screen. The instructor then can select the student by manipulating the cursor on the computer display to select the desired student.

Video view selection by a chairperson

Creating the capability of a meet-me-conference call on a telephone terminal by actuation of a meet-me-conference button on the telephone terminal. The meet-me-conference button is actuated for a particular line appearance, and the meet-me-conference is then established by other telephone terminals calling the telephone number associated with that line appearance. The user of the telephone terminal can join the conference at a later point in time by going off-hook (call originator). As other parties call that line appearance, the telephone terminal adds them to the conference. As parties join the conference, their names are displayed on the telephone terminal, and a second button on the telephone terminal can be utilized to drop parties as they are added to the conference. A second actuation of the meet-me-conference button prevents further callers to the line appearance from being added to the conference which is also referred to as deactivation of the meet-me-conference.

Growing community of inventors

Broomfield, CO, United States of America

Ted M Fidder