TL;DR: The concept of being always best connected is described, the user experience and business relationships in an ABC environment are discussed, and the different aspects of an ABC solution that will broaden the technology and business base of 3G are outlined.
Abstract: Over the last few years, we have experienced a variety of access technologies being deployed. While 2G cellular systems evolve into 3G systems such as UMTS or cdma2000, providing worldwide coverage, wireless LAN solutions have been extensively deployed to provide hotspot high-bandwidth Internet access in airports, hotels, and conference centers. At the same time, fixed access such as DSL and cable modem tied to wireless LANs appear in home and office environments. The always best connected (ABC) concept allows a person connectivity to applications using the devices and access technologies that best suit his or her needs, thereby combining the features of access technologies such as DSL, Bluetooth, and WLAN with cellular systems to provide an enhanced user experience for 2.5G, 3G, and beyond. An always best connected scenario, where a person is allowed to choose the best available access networks and devices at any point in time, generates great complexity and a number of requirements, not only for the technical solutions, but also in terms of business relationships between operators and service providers, and in subscription handling. This article describes the concept of being always best connected, discusses the user experience and business relationships in an ABC environment, and outlines the different aspects of an ABC solution that will broaden the technology and business base of 3G.
TL;DR: In this paper, the location information is transmitted to the public safety answering point (PSAP) via the cellular switching system rather than the geo-coordinates, and the location is stored internal to the cellular terminal.
Abstract: A cellular terminal for transmitting information defining its location upon placing a 911 call. The cellular terminal includes a global satellite positioning (GPS) device; and upon the user of the cellular terminal placing an emergency telephone call, the cellular terminal interrogates the GPS device to obtain the geo-coordinates. The cellular terminal then transmits the geo-coordinates to a cellular telecommunication switching system. The cellular switching system or a public safety answering point (PSAP) system responding to the 911 call converts the geo-coordinates into location information. In addition, the cellular terminal transmits to the cellular telecommunication switching system pre-defined vehicle description information if the cellular terminal is being utilized within a vehicle. If the cellular terminal is a hand held unit, the cellular terminal can be programmed to transmit personal characteristics of the person using the cellular terminal. In another embodiment, the cellular terminal obtains the geo-coordinates from the GPS device and converts the geo-coordinates to location information using information stored internal to the cellular terminal. The location information is transmitted to the PSAP via the cellular switching system rather than the geo-coordinates.
TL;DR: In this article, a personal shopping system for combined use in both the home of a user and a shopping establishment is presented, which includes a host computer which is coupled to a host modem and, optionally, to at least one wireless multiaccess point.
Abstract: The present invention relates to a personal shopping system for combined use in both the home of a user and a shopping establishment. The system includes a host computer which is coupled to a host modem and, optionally, to at least one wireless multi-access point. At least one shopping establishment kiosk cradle is employed to interface with a portable terminal which is also part of the system. The portable terminal can be used in both the shopping establishment and the home of the user. It is configured to read bar codes associated with items related to shopping, and includes a memory, a bar code reader, a wireless transceiver, and a data interface. The data interface of the terminal communicates with a data interface of the shopping establishment kiosk cradle. A home cradle for the portable terminal is also provided and is adapted to remain in the home of the user. It includes a home portable terminal-receiving station and a home data interface to communicate with the data interface of the portable terminal. A home data transfer circuit is also included to permit data exchange between the home data interface and the modem coupled to the host computer. The portable terminal can be provided with unique identifying indicia so that the terminal can serve as a form of identification for a user of the system. Database management of shopping lists for multiple establishments, including customer preferences, can be performed.
TL;DR: In this article, a personal shopping system for combined use in both the home of a user and a shopping establishment is presented, which includes a host computer which is coupled to a host modem and, optionally, to at least one wireless multiaccess point.
Abstract: The present invention relates to a personal shopping system for combined use in both the home of a user and a shopping establishment. The system includes a host computer which is coupled to a host modem and, optionally, to at least one wireless multi-access point. At least one shopping establishment kiosk cradle is employed to interface with a portable terminal which is also part of the system. The portable terminal can be used in both the shopping establishment and the home of the user. It is configured to read bar codes associated with items related to shopping, and includes a memory, a bar code reader, a wireless transceiver, and a data interface. The data interface of the terminal communicates with a data interface of the shopping establishment kiosk cradle. A home cradle for the portable terminal is also provided and is adapted to remain in the home of the user. It includes a home portable terminal-receiving station and a home data interface to communicate with the data interface of the portable terminal. A home data transfer circuit is also included to permit data exchange between the home data interface and the modem coupled to the host computer. The portable terminal can be provided with unique identifying indicia so that the terminal can serve as a form of identification for a user of the system. Database management of shopping lists for multiple establishments, including customer preferences, can be performed.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a digital entertainment terminal (DET) with a two-way control signaling channel and a program memory, which can be reprogrammed, as needed, for each different service offered by one or more information service providers.
Abstract: Dynamic programming of a digital entertainment terminal (DET) facilitates operation of the terminal to offer a variety of functionally different broadband services. The terminal can be reprogrammed, as-needed, for each different service offered by one or more information service providers. The terminal includes a network interface module which couples the terminal to a specific type of communication network for receiving a digital broadband channel and providing two-way control signaling communication between the terminal and the network. The terminal also includes a control processor with a program memory. The control processor receives user inputs and controls operations of the terminal and sending and receiving of control signals over the two-way control signaling channel. The program memory stores data received over the digital broadband channel as software executable by the control processor. The audio/video processor converts compressed, digital information received over the broadband channel into signals for driving an audio/video display device, such as a standard television set. The control processor executes the software received and stored in the memory to control subsequent operations of the terminal, including at least some operations of the audio/video processor and at least some responses to user inputs.