Abstract: The present invention is directed to processing calls to busy telecommunications lines. In one embodiment, the presence of a subscriber accessing a computer network over a first telephone line via a first computer terminal is detected, wherein the subscriber also has a first telephone station connected to the first line. When a caller calls the first line and the first line is busy, the call is forwarded to a second telephone line associated with a call manager system. The call manager system determines when the subscriber is no longer accessing the computer network. At least partly in response to determining that the subscriber is no longer accessing the computer network, the call manager system transmits a text message to the caller, the message including the subscriber's phone number. The caller can then call back the first line using the transmitted phone number.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to telecommunications, and in particular to systems and methods for routing and placing telephone calls. In one embodiment, a call manager system is configured to place a call to a pay-per-call service, or to cause such a call to be placed by a user computer terminal, in response to a user initiating a purchase transaction over a computer network. In addition, the call may include billing information, such as the user's phone number, which is provided to the pay-per-call service so that the user can be billed for the call in an appropriate amount.

Abstract: The present invention provides a call-return process and system, wherein a called party can return a missed call to a caller's private number. A forwarded call is received by a call management system, wherein the forwarded call was originally directed by a caller to a first telephone line associated with a user. The call management system receives call signaling information, including a phone number, associated with the caller. The call management system then determines whether the phone number is a private phone number or a public phone number. If the phone number is private, the call management system notifies the user of the call, and without revealing the caller's phone number to the user, enables the user to return the caller's call.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to telecommunications, and in particular to systems and methods for routing and placing telephone calls. In one embodiment, a call manager system is configured to place a call to a pay-per-call service, or to cause such a call to be placed by a user computer terminal, in response to a user initiating a purchase transaction over a computer network. In addition, the call may include billing information, such as the user's phone number, which is provided to the pay-per-call service so that the user can be billed for the call in an appropriate amount.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processing calls to busy telecommunications lines. In one embodiment, the presence of a subscriber accessing a computer network over a first telephone line via a first computer terminal is detected, wherein the subscriber also has a first telephone station connected to the first line. When a caller calls the first line and the first line is busy, the call is forwarded to a second telephone line associated with a call manager system. The call manager system determines when the subscriber is no longer accessing the computer network. At least partly in response to determining that the subscriber is no longer accessing the computer network, the call manager system transmits a text message to the caller, the message including the subscriber's phone number. The caller can then call back the first line using the transmitted phone number.

Abstract: The present invention provides a call-return process and system, wherein a called party can return a missed call to a caller's private number. A forwarded call is received by a call management system, wherein the forwarded call was originally directed by a caller to a first telephone line associated with a user. The call management system receives call signaling information, including a phone number, associated with the caller. The call management system then determines whether the phone number is a private phone number or a public phone number. If the phone number is private, the call management system notifies the user of the call, and without revealing the caller's phone number to the user, enables the user to return the caller's call.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes and apparatus for discouraging unwelcome calls. A call, including caller signaling information, is received from a caller. A determination is made that the caller is, or potentially is a telemarketer based on Caller ID information content. The caller is then provided with special call handling.

Abstract: The present invention provides a call-return process and system, wherein a called party can return a missed call to a caller's private number. A forwarded call is received by a call management system, wherein the forwarded call was originally directed by a caller to a first telephone line associated with a user. The call management system receives call signaling information, including a phone number, associated with the caller. The call management system then determines whether the phone number is a private phone number or a public phone number. If the phone number is private, the call management system notifies the user of the call, and without revealing the caller's phone number to the user, enables the user to return the caller's call.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processing calls to busy telecommunications lines. In one embodiment, the presence of a subscriber accessing a computer network over a first telephone line via a first computer terminal is detected, wherein the subscriber also has a first telephone station connected to the first line. When a caller calls the first line and the first line is busy, the call is forwarded to a second telephone line associated with a call manager system. The call manager system determines when the subscriber is no longer accessing the computer network. At least partly in response to determining that the subscriber is no longer accessing the computer network, the call manager system transmits a text message to the caller, the message including the subscriber's phone number. The caller can then call back the first line using the transmitted phone number.

Abstract: The present invention provides a call-return process and system, wherein a called party can return a missed call to a caller's private number. A forwarded call is received by a call management system, wherein the forwarded call was originally directed by a caller to a first telephone line associated with a user. The call management system receives call signaling information, including a phone number, associated with the caller. The call management system then determines whether the phone number is a private phone number or a public phone number. If the phone number is private, the call management system notifies the user of the call, and without revealing the caller's phone number to the user, enables the user to return the caller's call.

Abstract: A multiprocessor system comprises a plurality of stations interconnected by a system communication bus and cooperating in the performance of system tasks. Each station includes a plurality of addressable elements interconnected by a station communication bus. All stations are mapped into a common address space, with the elements of each station mapped onto like relative addresses in two subspaces of the address space: a subspace which is shared in common by all stations, and a subspace dedicated to the station whose addresses are the common subspace addresses in combination with a station-identifying address portion. The stations are symmetrical: like elements in all of the stations are mapped onto like relative addresses in their associated subspaces. Addressing within the system is self-referential: a station accesses one of its addressable elements by placing its common subspace address on the station communication bus.

Abstract: A multiprocessor system comprises a plurality of stations interconnected by a system communication bus and cooperating in the performance of system tasks. Each station includes a plurality of addressable elements interconnected by a station communication bus. All stations are mapped into a common address space, with the elements of each station mapped onto like relative addresses in two subspaces of the address space: a subspace which is shared in common by all stations, and a subspace dedicated to the station whose addresses are the common subspace addresses in combination with a station-identifying address portion. The stations are symmetrical: like elements in all of the stations are mapped onto like relative addresses in their associated subspaces. Addressing within the system is self-referential: a station accesses one of its addressable elements by placing its common subspace address on the station communication bus.

Abstract: In a processor system having a central processor and secondary support processor mounted on a backplane board, a separate peripheral interrupt bus is provided for each secondary support processor to give full interrupt priority capability to peripheral devices connected to the support processors. The support processors (110, 120) and certain of the system's peripheral interface circuits (102, 104) are connected to the system's central processor (101) via a primary interrupt bus (105) and other peripheral interface circuits (112, 114, 122) are connected to their associated secondary processors (110, 120) via separate interrupt buses (115, 125) all on the same backplane board. The backplane board is divided into an upper section and a lower section and the primary interrupt bus and the interrupt request and acknowledge terminal pins for all circuit boards are in the lower section.

Abstract: A multiprocessor system comprises a plurality of stations interconnected by a system communication bus and cooperating in the performance of system tasks. Each station includes a plurality of addressable elements interconnected by a station communication bus. All stations are mapped into a common address space, with the elements of each station mapped onto like relative addresses in two subspaces of the address space; a subspace which is shared in common by all stations, and a subspace dedicated to the station whose addresses are the common subspace addresses in combination with a station-identifying address portion. The stations are symmetrical: like elements in all of the stations are mapped onto like relative addresses in their associated subspaces. Addressing within the system is self-referential: a station accesses one of its addressable elements by placing its common subspace address on the station communication bus.

Abstract: In a communication system which includes a plurality of stations interconnected for communications by a first bus, a second station includes a device, such as a processor, and a resource, such as a memory or a peripheral unit, interconnected for communication by a second bus. An interface mechanism connecting the first bus with the second bus allows the device to access the first bus over the second bus, and allows a first station to access the resource via the first and second buses. Deadlock detection circuitry detects cotemporaneous attempts by the device to access the first bus and attempts by the first station to access the resource. Deadlock resolution circuitry responds to deadlock detection by disconnecting the device from the second bus to allow the first station to access the resource, and by reconnecting the device to the second bus when the first station ceases to access the resource.