A geographical web browser allows a user to navigate a network application such as the Word Wide Web by physically navigating in geographical coordinates. For example, a geographical web browser is implemented in a mobile unit such as a dashboard computer. The mobile unit includes one or more transducers such as antennas and is operative to receive locally broadcast signals or to operate a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. As the mobile unit navigates into different physical localities, different web pages are displayed by the geographical web browser. For example, a user desiring to buy a house can set the web browser to a real estate web page. Instead of clicking on a hyperlink to access web pages of properties in an area, the user drives into a first area and automatically receives web pages relating to homes in that area. When the mobile unit crosses town and enters a second area, a new set of web pages is downloaded relating to properties in the second area. The geographical web browser, methods, apparatus and systems disclosed herein enable improved road-navigation and traffic management, advertisement, and related services.

Geographical web browser, methods, apparatus and systems

An unlicensed wireless service (126) is adapted to generate the interface protocols of a licensed wireless service (106) to provide transparent transition of communication sessions between a licensed wireless service and an unlicensed wireless service. In one embodiment, a mobile station (102) includes level 1, level 2, and level 3 protocols for licensed wireless service and an unlicensed wireless service. An indoor base station (128) and indoor network controller provide protocol conversion for the unlicensed wireless service into a standard base station (108) controller interface of the licensed wireless service.

Apparatus and method for extending the coverage area of a licensed wireless communication system using an unlicensed wireless communication system

Methods, apparatus, and business techniques are disclosed for use in distributed communication systems comprising a plurality of communication protocols. In one embodiment a first air interface is used to initiate communication between a wireless client and a remote server at least partially using a first wireless access point. The server sends the wireless client a stub of a distributed object. The stub is used to instantiate an object class. The object class defines an interface that the remote client can use to communicate with the remote server using an upper layer interface. The distributed object stub also provides an implementation of a software radio configuration for a set of lower protocol layers in a second air interface. The wireless client can thereby communicate with a second wireless access point using said second air interface protocol. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are disclosed that focus on toll-tag and electronic-commerce related highway systems, distributed federated wireless access systems, and wide area wireless system capacity augmentation.

Federated multiprotocol communication

A distributed voice recognition system includes a digital signal processor (DSP)(104), a nonvolatile storage medium (108), and a microprocessor (106). The DSP (104) is configured to extract parameters from digitized input speech samples and provide the extracted parameters to the microprocessor (106). The nonvolatile storage medium contains a database of speech templates. The microprocessor is configured to read the contents of the nonvolatile storage medium (108), compare the parameters with the contents, and select a speech template based upon the comparison. The nonvolatile storage medium may be a flash memory. The DSP (104) may be a vocoder. If the DSP (104) is a vocoder, the parameters may be diagnostic data generated by the vocoder. The distributed voice recognition system may reside on an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Distributed voice recognition system

A mobile customer service station operating within a wireless multi-hop communication network includes a console on a wheeled chassis. The console carries and houses a number of components which are used in merchandising operations to conclude customer purchase transactions. The items supported externally on the console are a printer for printing purchase receipts, customer credit charge agreements and records of transactions, and a magnetic card reader for reading information from a magnetic stripe of a customer's credit card. In one embodiment, the operation of the printer, credit card reader and the cash drawer is controlled by a multi-function control unit located within an enclosure of the console. The control unit is electrically powered by a self-contained power source which is preferably a deep cycle rechargeable battery. The console also houses a transceiver unit which under the control of the control unit is capable of interactive communication with a premises network. In another embodiment, the mobile service station comprises an access device which participates with a variety of peripherals at the station in a lower power communication LAN, while providing higher power communication to other network devices via a premises network with routing via a wireless spanning tree configuration.

Enhanced mobility and address resolution in a wireless premises based network

A method and apparatus for facilitating handoff from a network access point (NAP) (103, 105, 107) that is arranged and constructed to provide service to a communications unit (CU) (111) in a frequency hopped communications system is disclosed. The operations that are performed are providing service between the CU (111) and the NAP (103, 105, 107) on a connection using a first frequency hopping pattern (FHP); determining that the connection is suitable for discontinuation based on RSSI or load; sending a first message including an ID for the NAP and schedule for the CU to neighboring NAPS (103, 105, 107), the message requesting assistance with the service on the first FHP; and receiving a second message from a neighboring NAP (103, 105, 107), arranged and constructed to provide connections to CUs (111) using a second FHP, the second message indicating that assistance can be provided by the neighboring NAP.

Method and apparatus for facilitating handoff in a wireless local area network

A knowledge based radio that monitors changed operating parameters and environmental conditions, and that selectively varies operating parameters of the radio in response to rules. The rules can be varied over time by the radio based upon the monitored response of the user to various environmental conditions.

Knowledge based radio

A communication device may be programmed to recognize voice commands via a portable programming apparatus. An identification code is employed to access particular voice recognition information (codebook) from a repository of voice recognition codebooks container within the portable programming device. The programming device responds by transmitting the identified codebook to at least one communication device, which stores the codebook therein. Thereafter, the communication device may respond to the voice commands of that individual.

Methods and apparatus for programming devices to recognize voice commands

In accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention, a method ( 400 ) and an apparatus (e.g., mobile station ( 160 )) for providing status information associated with a plurality of users of real-time communication service: The mobile station ( 160 ) provides a plurality of logon identifiers associated with a first subscriber. Each of the plurality of logon identifiers corresponds to one of the plurality of users so that the plurality of users may access real-time communication service via the first subscriber. The plurality of logon identifiers may be, but is not limited to, a first name, a last name, a persona, an IP address, and a port number. The mobile station ( 160 ) monitors status associated with the plurality of logon identifiers to provide status information. The status information may be, but is not limited to, information indicating one of on-line, off-line, busy, away, on-the-phone, out-to-lunch, and nearby. Accordingly, the mobile station ( 160 ) transmits the status information associated with one of the plurality of logon identifiers to a second subscriber having a contact list including the one of the plurality of logon identifiers.

Method and apparatus for providing status information associated with a plurality of users

An amplitude modulated transmitter includes an audio amplifier which, via a radio frequency (RF) power supply modulator, modulates an RF amplifier and carrier. Fluctuations in the direct current DC bias to the RF amp, such as are common in mobile applications, vary the modulation index of the transmitted signal. To minimize DC bias affects on the modulation index, the invention contemplates an audio compressor which senses both audio signal level and DC bias level and, in response thereto, controls audio signal compression to maintain the desired percent modulation. Compression is effected by changing the bias on a semiconductor device which, in turn, attenuates audio signals at the input of a fixed gain audio amplifier. A feedback path around the audio amplifier senses both DC voltage and audio signal level and produces an appropriate control signal to bias the semiconductor device, thereby altering audio compression.

Charles W. Bethards

Papers

Method and apparatus for facilitating handoff in a wireless local area network

Knowledge based radio

Methods and apparatus for programming devices to recognize voice commands

Method and apparatus for providing status information associated with a plurality of users

Adaptive audio compressor