Abstract: A micro-controller having multiple operating modes, including an idle mode, an analog voice mode, a digital data mode, and a simultaneous voice and data (SVD) mode, is provided to a DCE designed to support multi-modal voice and/or data calls over a single analog-loop telephone line. The micro-controller further contains control logic for establishing multiple logical connections and voice as well as data transmission protocols over these logical connections with another DCE, when switching from the analog voice mode to the SVD mode, and for multiplexing voice and data transmissions over these logical connections. The control logic transmits voice over a logical voice connection in nominally fixed intervals. A non-voice transmission, i.e. data or information to be exchanged, can be suspended in favor of transmitting a voice transmission. During the suspension, a special character (e.g., escape) is transmitted in conjunction with a length preceding the voice transmission.

Abstract: A method of processing incoming digital telephone calls from remotely located call originators which are destined for receipt by a host computer system. The host computer system is linked to the telephone network by a network access server. The call originators may be any type of data terminal, such as a personal computer or a credit card swipe, which is connected to a modem. The network access server extracts control signals imparted onto the telephone line and correlates the control signals with particular communications, routing or applications protocols identified with the call originators. The modem in the network access server which answers the call is configured during the call connect process and placed in a compatible format for the communications protocol of the incoming call. This dynamic custom configuration of the modem reduces the overall telephone call connection and processing time.

Abstract: Facsimile transmission apparatus for transmitting and receiving facsimile messages over a network, the apparatus comprising a facsimile transmission control device operative, upon occurrence of a network transmission delay which would otherwise cause an associated local facsimile device to disconnect, to supply at least one disconnection-preventing signal to the associated local facsimile device until a signal arrives from a remote facsimile device via the network and the switchboard, a switchboard interface operative to interface between said facsimile transmission control device and the switchboard and a network interface operative to interface between said facsimile transmission control device and the network.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring and analyzing audience response to a broadcast promotion. The specific embodiment for fund-raising campaigns for public television stations is addressed, wherein the taking of pledges over the telephone is automated, the response data entered directly into a computer with the use of scripted screens. The effectiveness of segments of the campaign is calculated by correlating the response data, including the number of telephone calls received, with each promotion segment. Additional methods of manipulating and displaying response data are also disclosed, including the use of demographic and audience ratings to provide an indication of the effectiveness of a promotion segment.

Abstract: A DTMF transmission method for a facsimile system which comprises an operating panel for generating key data according to operation of numeric keys, a dialing section of a telephone for receiving numeric key data from the operating panel and thus generating a DTMF signal, and a modem for detecting the DTMF signal received from the dialing section. The method comprises the steps of detecting the DTMF signal with the modem while power is supplied to the facsimile system and the telephone is in its hook-off state, displaying a telephone number corresponding to the detected DTMF signal, and storing the telephone number corresponding to the detected DTMF signal.

Abstract: A message initiated at a first terminal and transmitted over a first communications link to a relay interface may be relayed to a second terminal over a second communications link by converting the words in the message received at the relay interface into a format compatible for use by the second terminal. Then, the formatted words are individually analyzed so that corrections may be made prior to display at the second terminal. The formatted words may be corrected manually by a relay agent or automatically utilizing a computer program associated with a relay terminal at the relay interface. Then, the analyzed words are displayed at the second terminal. The relay interface may be used for unilateral and bilateral communication between a standard telephone set and a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD).

Abstract: A private notification system designed to communicate 9-1-1 information to preselected recipients, such as family and friends, identified by a subscriber to the system. The system includes a communications bridge receiving identifying information about a person placing a 9-1-1 call, a private command control center receiving the identifying information from the communications bridge, and a notification database accessible by the command control center to provide subscriber data corresponding to the identifying information. One embodiment of the system operates in conjunction with a public safety access point.

Abstract: A data transaction processing system in which transaction data is entered by the user in response to prompts in a template which is tailored to each user application. The template and entered data are accumulated into data transactions which are immediately transmitted upon completion to an external database server for processing and storage. The data transactions are not locally stored for processing, and no conventional operating system is necessary. No local processing needs to be provided, and the only local storage is a flash PROM which stored the control firmware, a flash memory which stores the data streams making up the forms and menus, and a small RAM which operates as an input/output transaction buffer for storing the data streams of the template and the user replies to the prompts during assembly of a data transaction.

Abstract: Two devices are connected via a single analogue signal path such as a public telephone line in such a manner as to permit the users to talk to each other while interactively modifying an image which is presented to both users simultaneously. Each device multiplexes a reduced voice signal, e.g. from a vocoder 3, with a control signal indicative of changes to make to the image, and transmits the composite signal via a modem 4. The devices either respond to both image signals to modify the image (e.g. if they are word processors responding to key presses) or to the same selected one of the signals as determined by a protocol (e.g. if a spreadsheet is being altered by only one user at a time). Each device may be stand alone, such as incorporating a computer or facsimile machine, or an adaptor for existing such machines; it may be inserted between a telephone set and the line, or have separate audio transducers and connect to the line via a telephone set.

Abstract: A communications control board, has, provided on a single board, an arrangement for performing standard modem/facsimile/telephone control functions as well as circuitry for performing functions, such as audio play and audio-line input and output functions. In one embodiment, a soundboard may be provided with text-to-speech control functions in conjunction with the single-board controller.

Abstract: A modem speed dialer circuit, used in conjunction with a modem, controls operation of the phone jack of the modem to enable the modem to automatically change the on/off hook status of a connected telephone. For a computer user who only uses the modem for dialing purposes, this eliminates the need to manually change of the telephone on/off hook state between each telephone call. The user can leave the telephone handset or headset off hook while the modem electronically and automatically changes the handset or headset on/off hook state as the user processes successive telephone calls.

Abstract: A telephone interface protection circuit and modem incorporating the telephone interface protection circuit. The circuit includes a sensing circuit and a determining circuit. The interface protection circuit checks for an active telephone line and checks the line for over-current conditions caused when a modem designed for the public switched telephone network is plugged into a private digital telephone network. The circuit functions when the modem is operating to provide continuous monitoring. It can be built as a stand-alone device or incorporated into a modem. The circuit notifies the user of the line condition either with LEDs or with a status message sent to the user via the host computer interface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for detecting the amount of the power available from a phone line and for adjusting the clock rate and data transfer rate of a modem or a device that transfers data over the phone line to provide the best possible performance for the available phone-line power. A method of operating a device for transferring data over a phone line includes the following steps: setting the device off hook; measuring the voltage level of the phone line; determining the amount of the power available from the phone line; selecting a clock rate for the device; setting the device to operate at the clock rate; placing a call; selecting a data transfer rate; and transferring the data.

Abstract: A system is provided for automatically selecting the mode of communication between a plurality of multi-mode modems. A calling modem and an answering modem are disposed for intercommunication across an established communication link of a telephone network. The calling modem transmits a continuous calling signal across the established link, and the answering modem detects the calling signal and analyzes the calling signal to determine the configuration of the calling modem. In response, the answering modem generates and transmits an answering signal across the established link. The calling modem detects and analyzes the answering signal to determine the configuration of the answering modem. Finally, the system determines whether the established link passes through a PSTN, and if so, transmits a 2100 hertz tone across the established link. Otherwise, the system proceeds directly to the a modem training sequence.

Abstract: A wireless communication unit for a wireless communication system transmits and receives video and audio signals over an RF bandwidth. The RF bandwidth is allocated among the audio and video signals to allow the audio and video signals to fit within the RF bandwidth. The allocation is performed by varying the rates of compression of the audio and video signals. The communication unit is applicable to subscriber units and base stations. Subscriber units such as cellular telephones can display the video images by using fast digital-to-analog converters and a dither technique. During a communication link, the subscriber unit receives a transmission header from another party on the communication link. The transmission header may include a request by the other party to change the allocation of the audio and video signals. If such a request is received, the subscriber unit automatically changes the allocation in response to the request.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system is provided which comprises a personal computer having a 32-bit multi-tasking, native-networking operating system and a touch screen graphic user interface for controlling the system. The videoconferencing system is configured for the integration of applications programs, the transfer of data outside the bandwidth of a videoconference and remote diagnostics. Circuits for pooling CODECs and bridging audio signals are also provided.

Abstract: A remote dial-up ATM system having a host emulator located proximate to an ATM and directly connected thereto, separated by a dial-up telephone connection, from an ATM emulator located proximate to the host and directly connected thereto. The host emulator maintains the on-line status of the ATM at the ATM site. The ATM emulator maintains the on-line status of the host. This configuration creates a virtual dedicated circuit linking the ATM and the host via a dial-up telephone connection.

Abstract: A video communication system includes a terminal unit for transmitting/receiving an information signal including video information, and a repeater to which a plurality of terminal units identical to the terminal unit can be connected. The repeater forms a transmission signal to be sent to a transmission line by frequency-multiplexing information signals respectively transmitted from the plurality of connected terminal units. The repeater also receives a transmission signal supplied from the transmission line and supplies a plurality of information signals frequency-multiplexed with the input transmission signal to a corresponding terminal unit. With this arrangement, an inexpensive, easy-to-use video communication system which suffers little deterioration in image quality and sound quality can be provided.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and storage medium for receiving, with a callee of a data conferencing system, a data conferencing call from a caller of the data conferencing system. An answering machine answers the call if the callee does not answer the call. A pre-recorded callee greeting is displayed to the caller to notify the caller that the callee is not answering the call, and the caller is prompted to leave a message.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a remote display of the operating condition of a water treatment system having an electronic control utilizing a voice grade telephone system. A tone generator is associated with electronic control to generate tones which are transmitted through the telephone system to a decoder which provides digital signals to a microcomputer which provides a display of the operating conditions of the water treatment system at a remote location.