Abstract: A system incorporating a cluster of several telephone stations or terminals to interface with one or more frequently called remote data stations for economy of dial-up connection in accommodating communication with multiple terminals of the cluster during a single call to a remote station. With a call from one terminal to a remote data station, a transmit-receive unit interfaces the cluster with the data station setting the terminals in the cluster in a polling sequence to accommodate additional communications. The system preserves an "off-hook" state polling the individual terminals in the cluster to accommodate further communication from the cluster terminals to the central data station. Polling is facilitated by a cluster counter in the transmit-receive unit coordinated with logic indicating the state of each terminal in the cluster.

Abstract: A system incorporating a cluster of several telephone stations or terminals to interface with one or more frequently called remote data stations for economy of dial-up connection in accommodating communication with multiple terminals of the cluster during a single call to a remote station. With a call from one terminal to a remote data station, a transmit-receive unit interfaces the cluster with the data station setting the terminals in the cluster in a polling sequence to accommodate additional communications. The system preserves an "off-hook" state polling the individual terminals in the cluster to accommodate further communication from the cluster terminals to the central data station. Polling is facilitated by a cluster counter in the transmit-receive unit coordinated with logic indicating the state of each terminal in the cluster.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in cooperation with a telephone network to schedule and control telephonic contacts, as from a plurality of calling stations to a number of parties at individual remote stations. Storage means are provided for registering code words (associated with stations that are to be called) along with representations of message information to be conveyed. For example, code words may store representations of: a number for a station to be called, the name of a party to be contacted at the station, a status code and so on.In the operation of the system, a control unit actuates an automatic dialing unit with a number from storage. Subsequently, the system senses the possible results of dialing a number, i.e. as a busy signal, no answer or a station contact. In the event of a busy signal or no answer, a code word (from storage) may be appropriately modified then stored for use in a subsequent attempt.