Abstract: An enhanced form of time switch. Serial bit streams received in input buffers are stored in parallel under program control in the cache of a pipe lined microprocessor. The microprocessor, under program control, then rearranges the received time slots and feeds them in parallel to output buffers from which serial bit streams are generated. Advantageously, program control is used to flexibly control the various functions of different time switches without requiring a change in the hardware.

Abstract: An arrangement for lookahead interflowing traffic among a plurality of serving sites of one customer. Incoming calls received at a site are queued if they cannot be served immediately. Queued calls are then examined periodically and if the call has not yet been served by a local agent and if the call is one of the oldest call in the queue, then the call is a candidate for lookahead interflow. A candidate for lookahead interflow causes a message to be sent to another switch requesting that the call be interflowed. If the other switch accepts the call, the call is routed to that other switch; if the other switch does not accept the interflowed call then the call remains in the queue of the requesting switch and is reexamined at the next period. All calls in the queue are completed to a local agent if a local agent is available.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for testing tiered digital multiplexing apparatus. To test a primary train of tiered demultiplexers, a data path assurance train of demultiplexers and a selector is used to generate a demultiplexed signal for comparison with a primary demultiplexed signal. To test a primary train of tiered multiplexers, the output of the final multiplexing stage is connected to the input of the data path assurance train of demultiplexers to generate a demultiplexed signal for comparison with a primary input signal to the primary multiplexer train. Advantageously, a simpler, more reliable, and less expensive data path assurance circuit using the same types of components as the primary multiplexers and demultiplexers can be used to detect failures in these primary units as well as the data path assurance circuit.

Abstract: Insertable insoles of flexible air-injected elastomer material with one or both said insoles containing a lithium-battery power supply (27), a microprocessor with an internal timer, an analog/digital converter, and an actuator (28), connected by at least one wire (29) to a plurality of electronic sensors (12) wrapped around the toes of the foot. The actuator vibrates a plurality of raised nodes (20) on the insole(s) with the speed and intensity of vibrations in either direct or inverse response to the level of stress experienced, as measured by physiological signals such as galvanic skin response. A thin foam lining covers the top surface of the elastomer material and cushions the feet. In addition, a washable, stretchable nylon lining (30) separates the foam from the sole of the bare foot, but a small elastic hole (32) near the toes permits said wire and sensors to extend to the skin of the toes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for offering wireless telecommunication service. A switch such as an automatic Private Branch Exchange (PBX), equipped to communicate with Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) stations sends ISDN signaling messages to and receives ISDN signaling messages from a protocol converter. The protocol converter, which also communicates with a wireless cell site, converts messages between the ISDN protocol and a protocol for communicating with the wireless cell site. The cell site sets up wireless connections to a mobile station, essentially in its prior art mode, and the PBX sets up connections to the cell site essentially in its prior art ISDN station control mode.

Abstract: In a telephone switching system, a method of performing a multiple release jump to a target program release for controlling the system. The system uses duplicate processors and disk file controllers. A new disk file is initialized with new program text and a target release version of office dependent data. This target release version is derived by upgrading the office dependent data one release at a time until office dependent data for the target release is derived. The new program text and target release version of office dependent data is inserted into one member of a duplicate disk file controller system which may either be a new disk file controller or one of the two disk file controllers currently in use in the system.

Abstract: An arrangement for enhancing the process of extracting data from a broadband video digital data stream. The data structure specified in the standards is enhanced by the addition of a symbol table which translates between a symbolic name of a program and the corresponding program number of the program and the channel on which the program is being broadcast. Advantageously, any program may be broadcast over any channel and a symbolic naming convention which can be designed to avoid conflicts among independent designer groups can be utilized. The programs referred to above are either the entertainment programs such as motion pictures or software programs for controlling a set top terminal.

Abstract: A method of responding to overload in a real time control system. Overload is measured through the use of a control parameter such as the occupancy of a control processor or the number of entries in a queue of a module of the system. The overload indication is reduced to one of a plurality of levels. The levels corresponding to a longer term more serious overload are based on control parameter measurements over a longer period of time than the less serious short term overload levels. With autonomous control, each module of the system determines its own overload level and performs overload control actions corresponding to that level. In integrated system overload control, a centralized processor receives overload indications from each of the modules of the system and requests an appropriate overload control action of each module. Advantageously, these arrangements allow the system and its modules to respond to overload more rapidly and to return to normal operation more rapidly.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling establishment of telecommunications call connections in a telecommunications network. The network comprises a plurality of switches each with its own switching processor means, and a plurality of switching processing platforms each comprising at least one call processor. The switches and switching processing platforms are interconnected by a data network. SS7 signaling messages are received in one of the platforms and a call is assigned to a call processor. The call processor communicates with one or more switching processor means for controlling establishment of the call. Call features are processed under the control of the call processor. Advantageously, any call processor can be used for serving any call in the network and can control all legs of a multi-leg connection. Advantageously, in a large network, the number of platforms may be significantly less than the number of switches which reduces the cost and complexity of administration of the network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring stations from a monitoring terminal wherein at least one of the monitored stations is served by a different switch than that serving the monitoring station. Changes of status are reported by a monitored station to the switch serving the monitored station and, if that switch is not the switch serving the monitoring station, the switch serving the monitored station transmits a common channel signaling (CCS) signaling system 7 (SS7) message to the switch serving the monitoring terminal. Advantageously, this permits an attendant at the monitoring terminal to serve users not connected to the switch serving the monitoring terminal.

Abstract: It is important to report alarm signals rapidly and reliably to the master control units responsible for automatically responding to these alarm signals. Advantageously this is accomplished by transmitting the alarm signals through a switching network of a telecommunications switch, using auxiliary signaling bits provided with each time slot that is switched through the network. The alarm signals are encoded in groups of eight, using one bit of each of eight related time slots to provide an alarm signal within one frame of a digital transmission signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for continuing the processing of a telecommunications call in the presence of a failure of a call processor. A backup processor is designated for each call, and a file of signaling messages for that call is maintained in that backup processor. When a failure of the call processor is detected, the file of accumulated messages for the call is processed by the backup processor in order to build up a call state for the call, but without sending call control messages for the call. Subsequent signaling messages are processed by the backup processor, including transmitting call control messages to other processors for establishing the call. In accordance with this invention, the storing of a file of backup messages is eliminated when the processors have inadequate spare processing capacity because of high traffic. Advantageously, this permits the backup procedure to be carried out under normal circumstances without reducing the processing capacity of the system.

Abstract: This invention relates to arrangements for leaving messages from a held telephone. A recording device or system attached to the held telephone station, to a PBX or to a central office switch records the message in response to a request from the held party. Advantageously, this permits a party who has been put on hold by another party a third alternative between the presently allowed alternatives of hanging on or hanging up; a message may be all that is needed and the held party can be saved from frustration.

Abstract: An arrangement for transmitting data messages from a source to a plurality of destinations. A single file set stores messages from the source, but a plurality of processes transmits the messages to the destinations. A particular destination can receive the messages by having a process for such transmission. Advantageously, the source need not have a record of the identity or number of the destinations.

Abstract: High usage lines in a telecommunications system must be detected to avoid local areas of high call blockage. Such high usage lines are frequently lines that originate or receive data calls. The presence of a data call is detected by testing for a signal, such as a tone, on the call connection after an answer signal has been detected, and testing to see if the duration of the call exceeds some predetermined quantity. Lines which originate or receive data calls exceeding the predetermined quantity are then monitored to measure their usage. Advantageously, many high usage lines can be detected by monitoring only the relatively few lines that originate or receive data calls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently accessing data in a system in which changes of program releases must be accommodated. Data is accessed via one of two indirect data accessing tables. When a new release is introduced into a system, and the new release is activated, a switch is made to an indirect data accessing table which points to the data to be used by the new release. The previously active data accessing table is maintained in case it is necessary to switch back to the old release. After the new release has been accepted, the contents of the second indirect data accessing table are copied into the first indirect data accessing table, and the first indirect data accessing table becomes active. Advantageously, only the data blocks which include changes need to be initialized, and the process of accessing data remains highly efficient.

Abstract: A method or apparatus for offering multiple switch access to selected lines and trunks of a multiple telecommunications switch complex. The selected lines and trunks are connected to peripheral units whose outputs are distributed by a network to a group of switches. The switches are interconnected by a second network. Advantageously, the selected lines can be served by several switches so that the failure of one switch does not deprive these lines of service. Advantageously, the two networks and the group of switches form a giant switch having high reliability.

Abstract: A caller who calls an 800 number is given an audible or visual indication that the call will not incur any charges for services provided on that call by the called party. If such charges will be incurred the caller is warned and may terminate or continue the call. For certain classes of telephone subscribers such as coin stations wherein the caller is not always the same person as the one who pays the bills, calls wherein the caller may incur charges for services provided on the call are automatically routed to an operator; such calls can then be completed using credit or calling cards in order to transfer the charges from the owner of the telephone station to the caller who made the specific call.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for establishing voice band telecommunications connections using a cross connect/switching system (CCSS) for establishing all or part of the connection setments required for individual calls. The CCSS contains bundles of provisioned paths and also has facilities for establishing individual per call paths which do not use these bundles. When a call is received, the CCSS switches the call through a combination of provisioned and unprovisioned paths. In the preferred embodiment, the CCSS is an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch enhanced with converters to communicate with pulse code modulation (PCM) facilities for communicating with other switches and with associated PCM switches. Terminal adapters are provided in either the CCSS or the associated switches or both for processing voice signals to perform functions such as echo cancellation or speech quality enhancement.

Abstract: In a telecommunications call a different charge is incurred for intervals of noncommunication than for intervals during which communication may take place. For example, a period of hold is one during which the party on hold cannot communicate with the other end of a connection. Such intervals are accumulated for a call and the charge for the call is adjusted in accordance with the total length of the noncommunicating intervals. Advantageously customers are charged primarily for the period of time during which they can actually communicate, without having to disconnect and later reestablish a call.