Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing calls in a switched digital network and a processor for use in such a network are provided in which tables of call control information store information for different categories of call control information in separate parts of the table or in separate tables. The information in the tables is available for different network entities to share in routing calls. The separation of different categories of information simplifies the task of making changes to call control tables and can allow certain of the separate tables to be portable across the network.

Abstract: The need to equip a digital data service termination with the ability to decode digital loopback commands is obviated by a relatively simple hardware modification of a four wire telephone circuit connecting an office channel unit and customer premises equipment. In addition, the signal processing and test control firmware of the office channel unit equipment (OCU DP) is modified so as to realize a simplified circuit configuration for performing loopback testing of the four wire circuit. The hardware modification of the four wire circuit connecting the office channel unit and the customer premises involves the use of a sealing current-dependent relay circuit that responds to respectively different sealing current flow states: normally; interrupted; and reversed, as converted by the OCU DP. The present invention is particularly useful in subscriber loop circuits that are less than 10,000 feet in length, whereby the need for additional amplifier and noise reduction components is obviated.

Abstract: A technique for software ring tone detection is disclosed utilizing, in the preferred embodiment, a recursive algorithm. The technique provides flexibility in that a digital signal processor may be reprogrammed to detect ring tone frequencies and amplitudes present in numerous different countries.

Abstract: A call processing record for execution in a telephone service execution environment of a telecommunication network. The call processing record includes a record header which associates the call processing record with one or more corresponding telephone service subscribers. The call processing record further includes one or more call processing logic sections, one or more local data sections, one or more entry points, and a global data section. The local data sections are associated with an entry point in a corresponding logic section and store data executable only by the associated call processing logic. The entry point identifies the associated call processing logic section. The global data section includes data executable by each of the call processing logic sections.

Abstract: A ringing generator includes a binary signal source generating a waveform with eight degrees of freedom controlled to suppress or cancel certain harmonics to produce a binary low frequency signal substantially free of low frequency components other than the desired ringing frequency. The binary signal is amplified and filtered to remove unwanted frequency components above a certain threshold to produce a substantially sinusoidal ringing signal.

Abstract: In a method implemented by a telecommunications switch, a call request is made for a called party having a predetermined directory number. A determination is made if preconnection services are to be provided for the called party, and if such services are to be provided, a service node to provide the services is identified. A further determination is made if the call request is from other than the selected service node. If the call request is not from the selected service node, the call request is routed to the service node for preconnection services. If a call request is from the selected service node, the call is routed to the called party. This permits a selected service node to originate a separate call to the called party so that services can be provided on behalf of the called party in response to a call request made by a calling party. This method allows preconnection services to be provided without the requirement of multiple directory numbers being assigned to the called party.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting control signal information for an element of a communication system. The control signal information is included in one or more segments of a signal communicated over a communication system channel. The invention provides for the application of a plurality of tapers to a segment of a communicated signal; the transformation of a tapered segment; the determination of a similarity score based on a transform of a tapered segment and a model of a control signal; the identification of control signal information based on a similarity score; and the creation of an indicator signal representative of the identified control signal information to the communication system element. The control signal information may comprise a dual-tone multi-frequency signal. The tapers may comprise a discrete prolate spheroidal sequence. A similarity score may be determined based on a ratio of energy distributions.

Abstract: A telecommunication system comprises a network for transmitting information, a plurality of terminals connected to the network for communicating to each other, a data base provided in the network and having a plurality of storage areas corresponding to the plurality of terminals for storing a plurality of alerting patterns, alerting tone selector for reading, on the basis of information for identifying a calling terminal, an alerting pattern specified at the calling terminal when there is a call incoming from the calling terminal to a called terminal, from a storage area in the data base corresponding to the called terminal, and alerting tone controller for controlling a called terminal on the basis of the alerting pattern and generating a corresponding alerting tone at the called terminal when there is an incoming call.

Abstract: An integrated console for a human operator who provides listing and directory services, particularly for the 800 telephone number system, to callers via a stored program switching device employs simultaneous MS-DOS and a memory management utility, such as MicroSoft Windows.TM.. Data is exchanged between applications for MS-DOS and applications for Windows.TM. via a shared memory. Data pertaining to the directory and listing services is stored in a database which is accessed via a data network which may be a LAN or a WAN. Thus, the information in the database can be accessed by a plurality of operators on consoles in the network. Communication between the operator console and the stored program switching device is achieved via a digital subscriber line which is coupled to the console via an interface board compatible with the integrated services data network (ISDN).

Abstract: An end office of the PSTN, which employs independent switching networks which share one or more office codes, is served by a single assigned node on the CCS network. The signaling processor which serves the assigned node, screens all incoming call messages (IAM)'s; directs messages which include an appropriate Channel Identification Code (CIC) to the switching network that serves that CIC; rejects messages that include an improper CIC; and requests that the calling office assign a different CIC to the incoming call. In an alternate configuration, a signaling message intercept unit is interposed between a signal transfer point (STP) and end switches, to determine which of two or more switches should receive a message, based on the directory number, a circuit identifier or a message index of the received message, and forwards the message to the correct switch.

Abstract: A telephone routing system for use with a programmable central office switch and a voice messaging system, wherein the programmable central office switch is of the type that provides prioritized features such as queuing, call forward busy line and call forward don't answer to the voice messaging system. The telephone routing system comprises a hunt group having one or more incoming telephone lines each having an individual hunt group telephone number associated with it. Each of the individual hunt group telephone numbers has a call forward busy line and call forward don't answer to the voice messaging system feature enabled but does not have a queuing feature enabled. A hunt group directory number is associated with the entire hunt group and has queuing, call forward busy line, and call forward don't answer to the voice messaging system features enabled. Calls are received by the hunt group on one of the individual hunt group telephone numbers.

Abstract: A portable telephone handset construction is provided having a chassis to which is slidably assembled an end closure which is collapsible to a position for protecting a selected portion of said chassis from contact and impact by other objects and to minimize its contamination by dust and other debris. When fully extended the end closure may represent an earpiece or mouthpiece of the handset construction which is capable of angular orientation relative to the chassis so as to assume the normal configuration of the earpiece or mouthpiece of a conventional telephone handset. The end closures are guided during sliding movement relative to the chassis by means of cooperating guide tracks and guide elements. The end closures containing the earpiece and mouthpiece are articulated relative to the chassis by spring members and interrelating mechanical structure.

Abstract: Interconnecting a messaging system (voice, facsimile, and so forth) with a PBX which provides entirely digital voice transmission and which provides high bandwidth and redundant transmission of control information between the messaging system and the PBX.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to conduct automatically, and moderate absolutely, a networked electronic conference to provide order, maintain constant control, and ensure the best dissemination of information possible. A defined but flexible rule base governs the conference, as executed and interpreted by a conference controller. The rule base comprises a multitude of conference management options and techniques. A main feature of the preferred embodiment is the ability to govern a conference according to a sequence-ordering scheme as defined in the rule base. This conference administration system is independent of the physical implementation of the media or network interconnecting the participants to a conference. Further, it is not limited to the use of any particular means of communication (i.e., voice, textual data, graphical data, etc.).

Abstract: A secure telephone/computer combination which permits the computer to make automated dialing of a telephone by communicating signals to the interconnection between the telephone's number-pad and the electronics which communicate with the telephone line. The computer selects, or the operator directs the computer to select, a telephone number. This selected telephone number is used by the computer to selectively activate the proper connection in the telephone. As example, assume the selected telephone number is 703-305-8062. The computer first sends a signal to the wire connecting the "7" on the keypad to the telephone's electronics, then the wire connecting the "0", then the wire connecting the "3", etc. In this manner, the telephone's electronics treat the incoming signals in the same manner as if the operator had dialed the number at the telephone.

Abstract: A telephone apparatus comprises a base and a handset. An inclined cradle is provided on the base for receiving the handset and is shaped such that a handset placed thereon normally falls naturally into a fully seated position. A switch responsive to the presence or absence of the handset in the cradle places the apparatus in an "on-hook" or "off-hook" condition respectively. A co-operating arrangement respectively on the handset and the base permit the handset to be temporarily retained in a partially seated position on the cradle without activating the switch so as to permit the handset to be parked temporarily on the cradle without placing the apparatus in the "on-hook" condition.

Abstract: A telephone protector includes a rigid plastic packaged solid state switch which is clamped to prevent the switch from bursting to an open circuit condition.

Abstract: Techniques for establishing a connection with a calling party and a called party using the processing of an intermediary serving arrangement so as to minimize telephone costs and preserve privacy. During a first established telephony connection, the intermediary arrangement stores two telephone numbers as remotely provided by the calling party. The calling party and serving arrangement are connected during a second established connection using the first telephone number. The called party and serving arrangement are connected during a third established connection using the second telephone number. Upon successfully establishing the second and third connections, the calling party and called party are bridged for conversation.

Abstract: A low frequency (1-3 Mbps) telecommunication network cross-connect panel 10 is described for cross-connecting eighty-four fiber multiplex circuit elements 12 and eighty-four digital loop carrier circuits 14. The panel 10 has a housing 16 for supporting twenty-one modules 30 in which each module 30 has an upper patch access section 34 and a lower cross-connection field section 36. The upper section 34 includes two sets of front access wire-wrap pins 50 and 56 for providing front patch access capability utilizing a female patch plug 130. The lower cross-connection section 36 includes two sets of cross-connect pins 62 and 68 providing eighty-four columns of eight pins each defining a cross-connect field. Each module 30 includes a printed circuit board 40 for physically electrically interconnecting the pins through electrical circuits 100, 102, 104, and 106 as illustrated in FIG. 5.

Abstract: A vocal frequency suppression apparatus for suppressing selected portions of a vocal signal to prevent inadvertent control of components controlled by dual tone multi-frequency ("DTMF") codes. The vocal frequency suppression apparatus includes a DTMF code generator having a plurality of user-selectable switches. The apparatus further produces a vocal signal which may contain vocal frequencies which correspond to at least one frequency of at least one of the DTMF codes. The apparatus includes a device for suppressing one or more of the vocal frequencies which correspond to frequencies found in the DTMF codes to prevent inadvertent control of any DTMF controlled components by the vocal signal. The suppression device is operably located between the producing device and the DTMF generator.