Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for automatically establishing a conference call to a preselected list of prospective participants to the conference call. A subscriber to the conference calling service predefines one or more lists of participants, each list being associated with a different conference call. When the subscriber wishes to initiate a conference call, the subscriber accesses the network and requests that the call be set up. The network originates (e.g., dials) calls to each of the participants on a specified list. The network then bridges these individual calls to establish the conference call. The cost of the conference call can be billed to the subscriber or shared among the participants to the call.

Abstract: Intelligent call forwarding is implemented through an intelligent network. The intelligent network includes a Service Switching Point (SSP), a Service Control Point (SCP), and a Service Management System (SMS). A call to a network subscriber is routed to the SSP which is used to detect Call Forwarding "triggers"--conditions which require the SSP to initiate selective Call Forwarding service. When a Call Forwarding trigger is detected the SSP passes the calling party's number to the SCP and requests call handling instructions from the SCP. The SCP provides the call handling instructions, as provisioned by the subscriber, to the SSP, and the SSP then forwards the call in accordance with the instructions. The SMS formulates and sends commands to the SCP for such purposes as changing the stored subscriber instructions or updating service features.

Abstract: Caller identification information. e.g., the calling party number, is provided on a selective basis by the network of a carrier that does not directly contact the called subscriber at all, such as an interexchange carrier, to the next carrier carrying the call. For example, an interexchange carder would supply the calling party number to the local exchange carder (LEC) connected to a called party for an inter-LATA (long distance) call only if the called party subscribed to the interexchange carrier's inter-LATA caller identification (ID) service. Otherwise, the interexchange carder suppresses the calling party number, so that it is not supplied to the LEC. When the calling party number is supplied by the interexchange carder, the LEC would merely need to forward the number to the called station set. Such a system allows the interexchange carrier to control the providing of services that it heretofore could only assist in providing.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for alerting a person placing a telephone call when a dialed number subscribes to a Caller Identification Service. A long distance party is called direct using standard 1+ calling. The call is routed through a long distance carrier switching network which is coupled to a signaling network. The signaling network routes the caller's identification information together with the dialed number to the switches in the switching network. The switching network includes a subscription table for determining whether the dialed number subscribes to the aforesaid service. If the dialed number is a subscriber, the caller's identification information and the dialed number are routed from the switching network to a Customer Long Distance Adjunct. The adjunct transmits a message to the caller via the switching network informing the caller that the dialed number is a subscriber.

Abstract: The invention is a ball retrieval device that includes a counter readable when the device is in its normally upstanding orientation. One embodiment of the device includes a mechanical counter that is actuable by the user. A second embodiment of the device employs an electrically-powered counter that is automatically actuated whenever a ball enters the bottom end of the device's ball receiving tube.

Abstract: A drive incorporated in a power rake includes a clutch mechanism for selectively transmitting power from a power source to the reel for rotation thereof and including a member movable relative to a position providing power transmission between the power source and the reel, a spring biasing the member away from the power transmitting position, a control mounted on the handle for movement relative to a position adjacent to the handle portion, and a linkage connecting the control and the member so as to retain the member in the power transmitting position against the action of the biasing spring when the control is retained in the position adjacent to the handle portion and to permit movement of the member away from the power transmitting position and movement of the control away from the handle portion in response to action of the biasing means when the control is not held in adjacent relation to the handle portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a power rake comprising a housing having a top wall and side walls depending from the top wall, a front wheel support and guide comprising a threaded, vertically extending aperture located in the housing closer to one of the side walls than to the other of the side walls, a shaft threaded through the aperture and including, at the upper end thereof, a manually grippable head, a hanger connected to the lower end of the shaft for relative rotary movement therebetween about the axis of the shaft in response to shaft rotation, a nut for releasably preventing rotation of the shaft, an axle connected to the hanger for swinging movement in a vertical plane about a fore and aft axis and extending to the side walls, structure on the side walls and on the axle for guiding vertical movement of the axle, and spaced wheels mounted on the axle on each side of the hanger.