Abstract: In one embodiment, the system includes a processor, referred to herein as a tandem access controller (TAC), coupled to the PSTN, where the TAC allows a subscriber to set-up and make changes to the configuration of his or her phone line or other communications device. Such changes include selective call forwarding. In one embodiment, the TAC is controlled by the subscriber using the web. The TAC is coupled internally to the PSTN in a local service area and is outside the central office of the subscriber. A calling party makes a first call to the subscriber using the subscriber's public telephone number. The TAC receives the first call prior to the call reaching the subscriber's terminating central office, which in some cases avoids a toll. The TAC then carries out the subscriber's instructions for the first call, such as making one or more second calls using telephone numbers different from the subscriber's public telephone number.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the system includes a processor, referred to herein as a tandem access controller (TAC), coupled to the PSTN, where the TAC allows a subscriber to set-up and make changes to the configuration of his or her phone line or other communications device. Such changes include selective call forwarding. In one embodiment, the TAC is controlled by the subscriber using the web. The TAC is coupled internally to the PSTN in a local service area and is outside the central office of the subscriber. A calling party makes a first call to the subscriber using the subscriber's public telephone number. The TAC receives the first call prior to the call reaching the subscriber's terminating central office, which in some cases avoids a toll. The TAC then carries out the subscriber's instructions for the first call, such as making one or more second calls using telephone numbers different from the subscriber's public telephone number.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the system includes a processor, referred to herein as a tandem access controller (TAC), coupled to the PSTN, where the TAC allows a subscriber to set-up and make changes to the configuration of his or her phone line or other communications device. Such changes include selective call forwarding. In one embodiment, the TAC is controlled by the subscriber using the web. The TAC is coupled internally to the PSTN in a local service area and is outside the central office of the subscriber. A calling party makes a first call to the subscriber using the subscriber's public telephone number. The TAC receives the first call prior to the call reaching the subscriber's terminating central office, which in some cases avoids a toll. The TAC then carries out the subscriber's instructions for the first call, such as making one or more second calls using telephone numbers different from the subscriber's public telephone number.

Abstract: A sonar system comprises a transmitter adapted to provide pulse sequences, wherein each of the pulse sequences includes pulses that reflect off an object, a receiver adapted to receive the reflected pulses, and a processor. The processor is configured to transmit a first pulse sequence via the transmitter to obtain a first distance to the object in a first distance range and to transmit a second pulse sequence via the transmitter to obtain a second distance to the object in a second distance range. The processor is configured to transmit the second pulse sequence in response to being unable to obtain the first distance to the object in the first distance range.

Abstract: In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, a diagnostic method for use with multi-element transducers includes determining an acoustic center of a transducer and determining an offset of the determined acoustic center from a theoretical acoustic center of the transducer. In some embodiments, the method also quantifies the impact that the offset has on performance of a transducer array. In some embodiments, the offset is used to correct signal processing calculations that rely on assumptions about the acoustic center of each transducer in the transducer array. A diagnostic system for use with multi-element transducers includes a projector, wherein the projector generates a sound; and a mechanical fixture, wherein the fixture aligns the projector with the transducing elements in the transducer so that in combination, the projector selectively ensonifies each of the transducing elements in the transducer.

Abstract: A caller ID based call routing feature is described for blocked and non-blocked caller ID's. A processing system in the public switched telephone network (PSTN) receives first identifying information for identify the source of a telephone call and associates additional information stored in a memory with the first identifying information. The additional information may be information about the calling party initially downloaded to the memory by a subscriber. Once retrieved from the memory by the processing system, the additional information may then be transmitted to the subscriber via the Internet for display on a monitor or to the subscriber's telephone for display on a telephone display. Another feature described is a branch calling feature where the subscriber may program a processing system within the PSTN to forward an incoming call to two or more end units (e.g., telephones) simultaneously.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the system includes a processor (referred to herein as a tandem access controller) connected to the PSTN which would allow anyone to directly provision, that is to say set-up and make immediate changes to, the configuration of his or her phone line. In another embodiment, a tandem access controller (TAC) subsystem is connected internally to the PSTN in a local service area. The TAC provides features, selected by the subscriber, to all edge switches connected to the PSTN tandem switch. In one embodiment, the TAC is controlled by the subscriber using the web.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the system includes a processor (referred to herein as a tandem access controller) connected to the PSTN which would allow anyone to directly provision, that is to say set-up and make immediate changes to, the configuration of his or her phone line. In another embodiment, a tandem access controller (TAC) subsystem is connected internally to the PSTN in a local service area. The TAC provides features, selected by the subscriber, to all edge switches connected to the PSTN tandem switch. In one embodiment, the TAC is controlled by the subscriber using the web.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the system includes a processor (referred to herein as a tandem access controller) connected to the PSTN which would allow anyone to directly provision, that is to say set-up and make immediate changes to, the configuration of his or her phone line. In another embodiment, a tandem access controller (TAC) subsystem is connected internally to the PSTN in a local service area. The TAC provides features, selected by the subscriber, to all edge switches connected to the PSTN tandem switch. In one embodiment, the TAC is controlled by the subscriber using the web.

Abstract: A water purging system is disclosed. The system includes a primary water line having a first end with threads for the receipt of a faucet constituting a source of water and a second end with threads for coupling to a supplemental water line adapted to be purged of water after usage. An air tank is provided for the receipt of compressed air and for expelling the compressed air into the primary line and supplemental line after use of the system. The secondary line has a first end coupled with the air tank and a second end coupled to a central extent of the primary line. The secondary line also has a one-way check valve therein for the flow of air from the air tank to the primary and supplemental lines. Further included is a turbine having a first end operatively coupled to the air tank and having a second end operatively coupled to the primary line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interface apparatus between a digital computer and an analog communication medium. The interface apparatus has a telephony apparatus for transmitting or receiving the voice signals and a modem for transmitting or receiving the data signals. A switch is interposed between the telephone line and the modem and the telephony apparatus. The switch can be alternatively switched such that the telephony apparatus is connected to the telephone lines and transmits and receives voice signals and the modem is connected to receive data carrier signals that precede digital data signals and follow the digital data signals to and from the medium, or in the second position wherein the modem is connected to transmit and to receive digital data signals. The interface apparatus further has an interrupt for interrupting the operation of the computer and for causing the computer to be in communication with the modem and for switching the switch to connect the modem with the medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a communication apparatus for transmitting and receiving analog voice and digital data signals to and from a telephone line or telephone lines to one or more users, in the same session. The apparatus has a telephony apparatus for transmitting or receiving the voice signals and a modem for transmitting or receiving the data signal. A switch is interposed between the telephone line and the modem and the telephony apparatus. The switch can be placed in a first position or in a second position. In the first position, the telephone apparatus is connected to the telephone lines and transmits and receives voice signals. In addition, the modem is connected to receive data carrier signals that precede digital data signals and follow the digital data signals to and from the medium. A control circuit comprising a microprocessor, controls the switch such that it can be switched automatically between the first position and the second position.