Mark W Austin

US Patent:

6393270, May 21, 2002

Filed:

Oct 14, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/950389

Inventors:

Mark D. Austin - Atlanta GA
Stephen T. Hardin - Snellville GA

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corp. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04M 166

US Classification:

455411, 455410, 380247

Abstract:

A method for authenticating a cellular service provider during over the air activation of a mobile station includes the steps of programming an A-key value into the mobile station and providing the A-key value to the service provider. The mobile station requests over the air activation by transmitting a registration request to the service provider. The service provider verifies billing information and generates two random numbers. The service provider then performs a first CAVE algorithm using the provided A-key value and the first random number to generate a first shared secret data value. The service provider performs a second CAVE algorithm using the first shared secret data value and the second random number to produce a first authentication value. The service provider then transmits the first and second random numbers along with the authentication value to the mobile station. The mobile station performs a third CAVE algorithm using the first random number and its programmed A-key value to generate a second shared secret data value.

US Patent:

6608827, Aug 19, 2003

Filed:

Feb 1, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/241278

Inventors:

Mark David Austin - Atlanta GA

Assignee:

Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04B 7212

US Classification:

370348, 370341, 370443, 370465, 455452, 455453

Abstract:

A method of allocating time slots in a time division multiple access cellular telephone system increases the traffic capacity of a base stations RF channel. A method is provided for operating in half rate mode while maintaining adequate signal quality over the RF channel communications link between a base station and a mobile station. In full rate mode, each mobile station is allocated at least four of the twelve slots. For mobile stations experiencing little or no signal deterioration from other sources, a channel can be operated in half rate mode with little or no adverse effect to the signal quality. For mobile stations that are experiencing signal deterioration, the same channel can provide full rate mode support.

US Patent:

6751468, Jun 15, 2004

Filed:

Dec 29, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/474446

Inventors:

Michael L Heubel - Marietta GA
Mark D. Austin - Atlanta GA

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04B 700

US Classification:

455518, 455 902

Abstract:

Systems and methods are provided for allowing a first wireless unit and a second wireless unit to share a single communication channel including a transmit frequency and a receive frequency. The systems and methods allow for a more spectrally efficient transmission of Push To Talk mode calls over a Time Division Multiple Access system. The systems and methods include assigning the single communication channel to the first wireless unit and the second wireless unit, so that the first wireless unit and the second wireless unit may alternatively transmit on the transmit frequency, and the first wireless unit and the second wireless unit may monitor the receive frequency; receiving a first transmission from the first wireless unit on the transmit frequency; sending a signal to the first wireless unit indicating to the first wireless unit to stop transmitting; sending a signal to the second wireless unit that the second wireless unit can send a second transmission on the transmit frequency; and receiving the second transmission from the second wireless unit on the transmit frequency. The systems include a first wireless unit, a second wireless unit, and a base station. The first wireless unit transmits on a transmit frequency of a communication channel and monitors a receive frequency of the communication channel.

US Patent:

6799059, Sep 28, 2004

Filed:

Dec 22, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/468931

Inventors:

Mark D. Austin - Atlanta GA
Michael L. Heubel - Marietta GA

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04B 138

US Classification:

455561, 455507, 455452, 370337, 370343

Abstract:

The effects of fading on communication using a mobile telephone is reduced by switching between two or more antennas which are used to provide communication between a base station and a mobile telephone in response to a synchronization signal without arcing. The synchronization signal is generated in accordance with a signal quality measured by the mobile telephone. The synchronization signal is either transmitted back to the base station, whereupon the base station determines whether or not to switch based on the transmitted downlink signal quality, or used by the mobile phone to generate an antenna switching instruction that is transmitted back to the base station, whereupon the base station switches between the antennas in accordance with the instruction. Alternatively, the synchronization signal is generated by the base station without feedback from the mobile telephone.

US Patent:

7095983, Aug 22, 2006

Filed:

Mar 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/821031

Inventors:

Mark D. Austin - Atlanta GA, US
Ali Jabbary - Atlanta GA, US
Derek Johnson - Atlanta GA, US

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04B 17/00

US Classification:

455 6711, 455423

Abstract:

The present invention relates to systems for determining mobile communications system carrier propagation characteristics. In an embodiment, a system includes a frequency scanner, signal strength measurement device, digital verification color code logic, a location determining unit, and a memory. The frequency scanner can output a carrier signal corresponding to a carrier signal identifier, where the frequency scanner is located at a geographical location. The signal strength measurement device can be coupled to the frequency scanner and determine a carrier strength indicator of the carrier signal. The digital verification color code logic can be coupled to the frequency scanner and determine the digital verification color code of the carrier signal. The location determining unit can be coupled to the frequency scanner and determine a location identifier corresponding to the geographical location of the frequency scanner. The memory can be coupled to the frequency scanner and store the carrier signal identifier, the carrier strength indicator, the digital verification color code of the carrier signal, and the location identifier.

US Patent:

7123893, Oct 17, 2006

Filed:

Feb 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/085863

Inventors:

Mark Austin - Atlanta GA, US
Dock Latiolais - Rosharon TX, US
Derek Johnson - Smyrna GA, US
Ali Jabbary - Roswell GA, US

Assignee:

BellSouth Intellectual Property Corp. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04B 1/06
H04B 1/00
H04Q 7/20

US Classification:

4552781, 455 6313, 455437, 455442, 4554522

Abstract:

A method of measuring frequency interference between adjacent cell sites in a wireless telecommunications system. The method includes selecting a frequency in a cell site to be used as a beacon frequency. The method also includes activating the beacon frequency in the cell site and recording, at a telecommunications switch, a signal strength of the beacon frequency as measured by a first wireless device operating in the cell site and a signal strength of the beacon frequency as measured by a second wireless device operating in another cell site. The method further includes determining the frequency interference between the cell site and the other cell site based on the signal strengths.

US Patent:

7149479, Dec 12, 2006

Filed:

Sep 8, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/936155

Inventors:

Mark Austin - Atlanta GA, US
Dock Latiolais - Rosharon TX, US
Derek Johnson - Smyrna GA, US
Ali Jabbary - Roswell GA, US

Assignee:

Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corp. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H04B 7/00
H04Q 7/20

US Classification:

455 6711, 455 6714, 455436, 455446

Abstract:

A method of measuring frequency interference between adjacent cell sites in a wireless telecommunications system. The method includes selecting a frequency in a cell site to be used as a beacon frequency. The method also includes activating the beacon frequency in the cell site and recording, at a telecommunications switch, a signal strength of the beacon frequency as measured by a first wireless device operating in the cell site and a signal strength of the beacon frequency as measured by a second wireless device operating in another cell site. The method further includes determining the frequency interference between the cell site and the other cell site based on the signal strengths.

US Patent:

7272417, Sep 18, 2007

Filed:

Apr 26, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/832552

Inventors:

Ayman Mostafa - Alpharetta GA, US
Mark Austin - Guaynabo PR, US

Assignee:

Cingular Wireless II, LLC - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

H04M 1/00

US Classification:

4555621, 4555521, 455423, 4552771

Abstract:

A Transmit Diversity Redundancy controller dynamically mediates implementation of diversity and antenna hopping by detecting and remediating faults on antenna branches while minimizing the capital investment required. The controller monitors the equipment along the antenna branches. If a fault occurs, the controller determines the appropriate fault remediation measures to implement based on default settings, or relays an indicator to an external processor (e. g. , a BTS or BSC CPU) and awaits instructions. If traffic on the BTS is high, the external processor instructs the TDR controller to combine the signals carried by the downed branch with the signals carried by the active branches, and the combined carrier signals are transmitted over the active branches. Otherwise, the external processor instructs the controller to allow signals carried by the downed antenna branch to be dropped, and notifies the BSC to suspend assignment of calls to the dropped carriers until the branch is restored.