Abstract: A telephone system for providing enhanced telephone services. The system includes a telephone switch servicing a plurality of telephone subscribers via communication facilities of the switch, which facilities hande both voice and data communications. A telephone switch controller is coupled to the switch for controlling the switch to provide an enhanced service not otherwise available in the switch. The controller communicates with the switch using data in the form of switch functions. The controller includes a memory for storing a sequence of switch functions, swhich sequence defines the enhanced service. The controller communicates a prompt to a caller in response to a telephone call placed by the caller to a predetermined telephone address associated with a subscriber and communicates the sequence of switch functions stored in the memory to the switching system in response to a command received from the caller to provide the enhanced service.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for providing telecommunication services to a user. When the user is engaged in a first telephone call via a telephone switch with a first party and a second party attempts to place a second telephone call to the user via the switch, the method and apparatus advise the second caller that the user is engaged in a telephone conversation and allow the second caller to determine whether to interrupt the user or choose another alternative. The user can then decide whether to accept the call from the second caller, putting the first caller on hold, or to refuse the second call. Alternative embodiments are disclosed where the user is advised of the identity of the second caller (or wherein the user has previously authorized certain callers to interrupt a current call with a new call), and then the user can decide whether to accept the call from the second party (placing the first party on hold) or to deny the second party (in which case the second party is transferred to a message center).

Abstract: A remotely accessible telephone control system for connection to a telephone network and method of handling telephonic communications. The system includes a detector for detecting signals on received via the network. A signal generator is responsive to control signals to produce predetermined signals and apply the signals to the network. A memory is provided for storing data and a central processing unit is programmed for monitoring signals detected by the detector, accessing the memory and producing and applying predetermined control signals to the signal generator. The central processing unit also answers an incoming call to the system and transmits a prompt to the caller, and also senses for transmission of an access code.

Abstract: A communications control system is disclosed which includes: a computer including means for storing a schedule for subscribers of the system, the schedule including time and call-processing information for the subscribers which indicate at least one call processing mode and at least one time for a subscriber to have telephone calls processed via the system; a switch controlled by the computer; a communication network for connecting a call from a caller to one or more points on the network; a two-way communications device; a communication apparatus for communicating with the communications device, the apparatus being coupled with the computer for communicating information therewith,the computer being programmed to control the switch to connect the caller, in response to a telephone call placed by the caller, to one or more points on the network selected by the computer using information supplied to the computer by the schedule, the subscriber and the communication apparatus.

Abstract: The invention provides a apparatus and method for processing incoming telephone calls directed to a user. Incoming telephone calls have certain status information which is generated by the call processor. A transmitter is utilized for transmitting pages to a paging devices carried by users. The paging devices have a display device associated with them and the transmitted page includes the status information associated with an incoming call for display on the display of th paging device.

Abstract: An adjunct call processor connected to a communications network for providing call processing services. The network includes a switching system including a switch for concurrently servicing a plurality of communications paths and a switch controller for controlling the switch, the switch controller being responsive to switching commands communicated to it. The adjunct call processor is coupled to the switching system for (i) automatically receiving a call from a caller which has been switched to the adjunct call processor by the switching system, (ii) interacting with the caller, and (iii) based on that interaction, transmitting one or more of the switching commands to the switching system causing the call to be handled by the switching system externally of the adjunct call processor.

Abstract: A telephone system which provides scheduled telephone call connecting services. The system includes a telephone switching system for concurrently servicing a plurality of telephone subscribers and a telephone switching system controller coupled to the switching system. The controller controls how calls from callers to subscribers are handled in the telephone switching system. The controller includes a memory for storing a plurality of addresses for each subscriber and a schedule for each subscriber, the controller, in response to a call directed to a subscriber, instructing the telephone switching system to connect the detected call to a selected one of the addresses stored in the memory, the selected one being selected from the plurality of addresses stored for the subscriber according to the schedule stored for the subscriber.

Abstract: A telephone switching and control system connected to a telephone network for providing telephone calling services to an authorized user. The telephone switching and control system includes at least one switch for concurrently servicing a plurality of users; and at least one controller for receiving user authorization information, controlling the at least one switch and, during a call from the user, permitting that call to be extended to one or more network addresses in a series of extensions of that call without requiring the user to go on hook.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing incoming telephone calls to a telephone control system. The apparatus includes a memory for storing electronic signals including signals representative of telephone network addresses and a processing unit for processing an incoming telephone call from a caller. Information is communicated by the processing unit to said caller indicating that the incoming call can be routed (e.g. branched) to any one of at least two telephone network destinations. The processing unit responds to the transmission by the caller of a command corresponding to the desired telephone network address by routing the incoming call to the telephone network address corresponding to the command transmitted by said caller.

Abstract: A safety device for a firearm that prevents access to the trigger and, thus, unauthorized operation of the same. The device comprises a frame, a first element on the frame, a second element which is movable on the frame and means for securing the second element on the frame at a selected distance from the first element so as to capture therebetween and render inoperable the trigger. The securing means requires some degree of manual dexterity to operate so as to discourage a child from removing the device from the firearm.

Abstract: A trigger guard alarm system for a firearm which comprises a trigger locking device and a means for generating an alarm to indicate unauthorized removal of the trigger locking device. The alarm system is on the trigger lock and is activated by placing the lock around the trigger. The alarm is subsequently deactivated by entering a predetermined signal in the alarm generating means.

Abstract: A safety device for a firearm that prevents access to the trigger and, thus, unauthorized operation of the same. The device comprises a frame, a first element on the frame, a second element which is movable on the frame and means for securing the second element on the frame at a selected distance from the first element so as to capture therebetween and render inoperable the trigger. The securing means requires some degree of manual dexterity to operate so as to discourage a child from removing the device from the firearm.

Abstract: A telephone control system connects to the telephone line from a telephone exchange. The control system includes a detector for detecting signals on the line, a signal generator for producing and applying control signals to the telephone line, memory for storing electronic signals and a central processor for monitoring signals on the line as detected by the detector, accessing the memory to produce and apply control signals to the signal generator. The control system is programmable to provide a variety of controllable functions to a remote user including activation of the conferencing/transferring function provided by the telephone exchange to allow a user to sequentially complete successive phone calls through the control system without the user hanging-up, or to redirect calls to pre-programmed, remotely controllable numbers. In addition, the control system is capable of receiving, storing and redirecting messages to pagers.

Abstract: A pseudo clock generator produces pulses synchronous with, and having a period equal to one-half of the clock signal within a phase shift keyed encoded data stream. A phase lock circuit, having a stable period equal to that of the data clock signal tends to lock to the pseudo clock signal. Logic detects the condition of the phase lock signal being in phase lock with said data clock signal and in response thereto, masking circuitry prevents the pseudo clock generator from responding to input data transitions which occur outside of a predetermined masking window.