Abstract: A communication processing system includes a network having a number of agent terminals associated therewith and one or more processing elements enabled to support a distributed system deployment protocol. The distributed system deployment protocol is utilized in the system to configure one or more of the agent terminals for communication with customer terminals via the processing element(s) in order to provide designated services. The agent and customer terminals are also preferably enabled in accordance with the protocol such that configuration of these terminals to support and to utilize call center services is implementable without requiring the use of disk-based memory at the terminals.

Abstract: Live, three-dimensional (“3-D”) parallax and panoramic images are displayed using novel detection and processing devices, systems and methods. A spherical lens and spherical charge-coupled device (“CCD”) detects live, 3-D panoramic images. Image and positioning sweep generators are adapted to process the detected, 3-D images and to generate a novel, video signal. The video signal is then formatted so that it can be displayed. The live, 3-D parallax and panoramic images displayed using the video signal comprise images from a substantially 360°×360° range of angles. In addition, multiple detection units can be combined allowing multiple live, 3-D parallax and panoramic images to be displayed simultaneously.

Abstract: An optical bus for distributing optical signals. In one form, the optical bus comprises an optical fiber comprising an integrated array of thermal switches at predetermined intervals. In another form, the optical bus comprises an optical fiber comprising an integrated array of optical beam splitters at predetermined intervals.

Abstract: A communication processing system includes a network having a number of agent terminals associated therewith and one or more processing elements enabled to support a distributed system deployment protocol. The distributed system deployment protocol is utilized in the system to configure one or more of the agent terminals for communication with customer terminals via the processing element(s) in order to provide designated services. The agent and customer terminals are also preferably enabled in accordance with the protocol such that configuration of these terminals to support and to utilize call center services is implementable without requiring the use of disk-based memory at the terminals.

Abstract: A telephone apparatus enables the approximate simultaneous transmission and reception of audio interleaved with image and graphical annotation signals, in data packet form, over an analog line which connects the apparatus to a switched telephone network. The audio data packets are transmitted at a periodic rate, during a first time interval, and the image and annotation data packets are transmitted during a second time interval, following the first time interval, enabling the simultaneous output of voice, image and annotation data at the receiver site. Control data packets, as needed, are also transmitted during the second time interval for end-to-end apparatus control. One feature enables the transmission of audio data packets at a first periodic rate, when in an image transmission mode, and at a second periodic rate, faster than the first periodic rate, when not in the image transmission mode.

Abstract: The advantages of both a color display and a high-resolution monochrome display are realized in a single display system by eliminating color filters from the display screen of the display system and illuminating the display screen with either colored light or white light to provide color or high-resolution monochrome capability, respectively. Simultaneous color and high-resolution monochrome capability is realized by illuminating predetermined portions of the display screen with only colored light while illuminating different portions of the display screen with only white light.

Abstract: Improved image quality is realized in a parallax-free teleconferencing display by increasing the camera light budget, that is, by increasing the light available to the camera, while maintaining a common optic axis between the camera and the display screen. Light-attenuating devices, such as color filters, are repositioned out of the path of light entering the camera. In this manner, image quality is improved while color capability is maintained.

Abstract: Direct eye-to-eye contact and compactness are achieved in a video display system including a camera positioned behind, or opposite the viewing side of, a display screen having first and second modes of operation. As a result, the camera and the person or persons viewing the display are on opposite sides of the display screen. The display screen is controlled to switch from the first or image display mode to the second or substantially transparent mode. When the display screen is in the substantially transparent mode, the camera is controlled to record images appearing on the viewing side of the screen.

Abstract: A subscriber at a remote location is provided the capability of configuring a multipoint private line network composed of multipoint junction units or hubs that provide alternative functions of permitting exclusive data intercommunication between main lines thereof and selected branch lines thereof when certain selection codes are applied to the main lines without the subscriber having knowledge of the selection codes or the network "mapping". The subscriber at the remote location sends a service request defining the function desired and the ultimate downstream terminal to be interconnected or blocked and a control unit in the network consults a network map to identify the upstream and downstream branch lines to be selected, sending a sequence of selection codes to first select the upstream branch and then select the downstream branch or branches. The control unit also monitors responses of the junction units and reports results to the control location.