Abstract: An apparatus and method for canceling system oscillations caused by acoustical coupling is provided. The invention can be implemented in a low voltage environment and as an integrated circuit. Audio voltage signals generated by a microphone are provided as input to a data/fax/voice modem. The data/fax/voice modem processes the audio voltage signals and outputs differential transmit voltage signals to a hybrid/daa circuit for converting to a two-wire (tip and ring) circuit before connecting to a communication device such as a land based telephone or a cellular radio. Audio voltage signals generated by the communication device are provided via a two-wire (tip and ring) circuit to the hybrid/daa circuit for converting into a four-wire circuit and then provided as input to the data/fax/voice modem as differential receive voltage signals.

Abstract: A telephone transmit circuit is connected through a resistor to a junction at which a telephone line interface circuit is connected, a transhybrid cancellation circuit is connected to the transmit circuit and includes a high frequency shunt matching network having capacitive and inductive components and a low frequency matching circuit which comprises a lead lag network having capacitive components, the output of the transhybrid circuit being connected to a summing junction at the input of a telephone receiver. The other input of the summing network is connected between the resistor and the interface circuit, whereby a portion of the transmit signal is fed back out of phase to the receive amplifier so as to cancel out undesirable side tones, across a predetermined frequency range.

Abstract: A security system add-on device is disclosed that provides a false phone line apparatus for tricking an intruder into believing that they have cut the building phone line. The apparatus includes a close loop wire pair that acts as a false phone line and is coupled to a false line cut detector. When the false line is cut, the cut detector signals the security system that a breach of security has occurred.

Abstract: Techniques are described for switching from a data session to a voice session, then back to the data session. A "primary" data connection is established between a user's terminal and a communications network, which provides the user terminal with a tag identifying a voice network address (typically of a service provider) to which a voice connection can be established. The user initiates a voice connection (session) with the service provider by selecting a displayed service object associated with the service tag. During the voice session, the data session is suspended. Upon completion of the voice session, the "primary" data session is resumed. In an embodiment of the invention, a "secondary" data connection can be established during the voice session using one or more physical network connections. Data communication during the secondary data connection is optionally "remotely" guided by the service provider, and may include a distinct address for resuming the primary data connection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for "piggy backing" a FAX transmission on a video call. A document, in the form of modulated facsimile data, is received from a machine located in proximity of a sending station. The document is demodulated, packetized and a header, indicating that the packet contains facsimile data, is added. The packets are then injected into a digital video stream carrying video conference data bound for the receiving station.

Abstract: An operator/facsimile interface includes an Undo key that enables an immediately previous action to be reversed, thereby allowing an operator to correct an erroneous entry or a mistakenly commenced operation with one key press. The operator/facsimile interface further enables entry of alpha-numeric data from a telephone-style keyboard. Alteration of displayed alpha-numeric characters may be accomplished by actuation of arrow keys, or sequential key presses of an alpha-numeric key. A displayed alpha-numeric character may be entered by actuation of an arrow key, an Enter key or a different alpha-numeric key. Completion of an alpha-numeric entry may be signaled by actuation of a Start key or Enter key. The * and # keys in the telephone-style keyboard are assigned Yes and No functions, respectively, when the facsimile interface is in an alpha-numeric entry mode, thereby allowing immediate operator response to a displayed query.

Abstract: There is provided a video conference apparatus which can disconnect a communication line by a simple operation, and automatically return to a previous state when the communication line is reconnected. The video conference apparatus communicates with another video conference apparatus via a communication line so as to transmit audio and video data to permit video conferences between the apparatuses. When a temporary stop command is input, representing that the video conference currently performed is to be suspended, a present value of a parameter used for the video conference is stored. When a cancel command is input, the communication line is reconnected by using the stored value of the parameter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and interface for browsing the internet using a telephone circuit having keys for generating DTMF codes. The interface includes a memory and a processor and is coupled to the telephone circuit and display. The interface receives a first DTMF code requesting access to the internet and, in response to the first DTMF code, loads a Web browser in its memory. The interface then receives a second DTMF code from the telephone circuit and converts the second DTMF code into a Web browser command using an interpretation protocol. The Web browser command is then executed using the interface, thereby enabling a user to access the internet via manual operation of the keys of the telephone circuit.

Abstract: Video and telephony messaging are integrated by a telephony multi-media messaging system (101) connected to a plurality of video workstations (103-104) by a LAN or WAN (100). The workstations are connected to ISDN telephone lines (153-154). The workstations answer video calls on the video lines and/or on the LAN or WAN that go unanswered by users, record video messages from the video calls, and send the video messages via the LAN or WAN to the messaging system for storage. They also retrieve stored video messages via the LAN or WAN from the messaging system and play them to users. The messaging system stores both video and non-video messages and has a telephony user interface (114-115 and 118) for storing and retrieving non-video messages and for accessing non-video portions of all messages.

Abstract: In a modem apparatus including a modem circuit, operatively connected to a computer and a communication line, a ringing signal detector detects a ringing signal received through the communication line, generates a detection signal, and then, outputs the detection signal to the modem circuit. A register receives from the host computer instruction data for instructing the ringing signal detector to output the detection signal, and then, stores therein the instruction data. Then, the ringing signal detector outputs the detection signal to the modem circuit when the instruction data is stored in the register. A pseudo ring signal generator outputs a pseudo ring signal in response to instruction data being stored in the register by the host computer. A signal frequency selection circuit instructs and controls the pseudo ring signal generator, in response to the instruction data to select the signal frequency of the pseudo ringing signal.

Abstract: A communications appliance which accepts ASCII character based input and creates fax machine compatible output for transmission over phone lines. The appliance mimics the responses of a modem to provide text-to-fax conversion or provides fax reports based on input from devices not otherwise capable of communicating in the fax mode.

Abstract: An improved data transfer system is provided to transfer game data over a telephone line with low delay even while a voice conversation is being transferred over the same telephone line. Voice data and game data are framed, in a modified HDLC framing scheme, with game data inserted, if necessary, into a frame which contains voice, so that the time needed to complete the frame is not added to the delay of the game data. The inserted game data need not be of a fixed length, as it is delimited within the voice data by an escape sequence not found in the voice data. The available bandwidth is efficiently used since frames of voice data are not necessarily sent during periods of silence and frames of game data or other data can be sent using the entire telephone line bandwidth. The data is framed at a point beyond the output of pre-existing games and data transfer programs, to allow for transparent insertion of voice into the frame stream.

Abstract: A system having an improved startup sequence for connecting two communicating modems, wherein the system includes a calling modem and an answer modem for communicating across an established communication link. Preferably, the system uses V.34 modulation protocol for information transfer after startup. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an improved startup method includes the step of transmitting a unique calling signal from the calling modem, wherein the calling signal identifies the configuration of the calling modem. The modem "configuration" includes information relating to the communication capabilities of the modem, as well as information relating to the physical interconnection (or communication link) of the modem. The method further includes the step of transmitting a unique answer signal from the answer modem to the calling modem, wherein the answer signal identifies the configuration of the answer modem.

Abstract: A security system backup device which provides a system that recognizes when an outdoor telephone line near the building has been severed and provides a means by which a distress message can be sent over the operable part of the outdoor telephone lines. The system utilizes a signal generator connected to a phone line inside of the building and a signal detector connected to the outdoor phone line outside of the building in a discreet and hard to reach location. When the signal no longer appears on the line, a telephonic calling unit, which is located with the signal detector, places a distress call.

Abstract: A modem which is separated into two circuit boards. One board contains the modem engine, while the second board contains the codec and the DAA components. The two boards are connected using only properly isolated digital signals so that the modem engine board does not require certification, only the codec/DAA board requiring certification. The codec/DAA board is contained in a housing to provide proper high voltage protection.

Abstract: An arrangement provides an interface between a telephone device and a personal computer in such a manner that enhanced capability for both the telephone device and the computer in processing information in an analog telephone environment is provided. The telephone device attaches to an analog telephone line and advantageously operates either as a stand-alone device when the computer is powered-off or in tandem with the computer when the computer is powered-on. A user is able to access any of the available telephony features from the telephone device at all times and from the computer when it is powered-on. Such available telephony features include, by way of example, Caller ID for decoding available information presented on the analog telephone line and an integrated telephone answering system, which provides for reception, transmission, and storage of voice, facsimile, and electronic mail messages.

Abstract: A sketching system sketches first notes to be transmitted over a telephone line and receives second notes from another sketching system. The sketching system includes a signal de-combiner device, receiving the second notes from the another sketching system and voice data as a combined signal via the telephone line and de-combining the combined signal into the second notes and the voice data. In addition, the sketching system includes a sketching unit connected to the signal de-combiner. The sketching unit includes a note displaying device displaying the first and second notes, a note generating device generating the first notes, and a processor connected to the note displaying and generating devices and to the signal de-combiner, receiving the first notes from the note generating device, receiving the second notes from the de-combiner, and transmitting the first and second notes to the note displaying device.

Abstract: A picture communication apparatus includes an extracting circuit for extracting video data of at least one portion from video data inputted thereto, an encoder for respectively encoding the extracted video data and the remaining video data, and a multiplexer for multiplexing the encoded video data. When encoding the video data, predetermined amount of codes are allocated to the respective video data. This suppresses deterioration in the picture quality when conducting an image communication via a transmission path having a low transmission rate. The transmitted video is displayed on a contoured display.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus facilitates the setting of SUB/SEP/PWD of the ITU-T Recommendation T.30.A service access number area for storing information for generating a SUB or SEP signal and a service access password area for a PWD signal are provided in an auto-dial such as one-touch dial or abbreviated dial to eliminate need of a user to set SUB/SEP/PWD for each transmission.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating an illusion of eye contact in a video telephony system includes a video camera and a display screen. The video camera is aligned with the display screen so the viewer's image is transmitted by the video camera with the illusion of eye contact. The display screen has an array of lenses defining part of a first optical path, for transmitting to a video camera a viewer's image. An array of regions interspersed among the array of lenses defines part of a second optical path, for directing to the viewer, displayed images. The array of lenses and the array of regions are each too small to be separately resolvable by the human eye, so that the lenses do not interfere with the perceived quality of the transmitted viewer's image, and the transparent regions do not deteriorate noticeably the video display images projected to the viewer.