Abstract: A plurality of private branch exchanges (PBXs 110, 120) for placing outbound solicitation calls share use of a “no-call list” database (160) to which they are connected by a private telephone network (130) and a call-admitter server (150). When a call is initiated (200) at a PBX to a telephone number, the PBX queries (202) the server regarding whether the call is allowed. In response, the server accesses (302) the database to determine if the telephone number is in the database. If so, the server returns (308) a response blocking the call; if not, the server returns (306) a response allowing the call to proceed. The PBX responds (208, 210) accordingly. If the caller overrides (218) blocking of the call, the PBX notifies (222) the server and allows (126) the call to proceed, and the server logs (312) the override.

Abstract: An information processing system adapted for use in conjunction with a telephone communication system. The information processing system includes a caller identification signal receiver, a timed switching device, and a call forwarding device. When no incoming call is being received, the timed switching device is in a first, open state, such that a circuit between the telephone line and the call forwarding device is interrupted. Upon receipt of an incoming call on the telephone line, the timed switching device and the caller identification signal receiver are activated. The timed switching device enters a second, closed state after a finite amount of time has elapsed such as, for example, several seconds, thereby allowing sufficient time for the caller identification signal to arrive on the incoming telephone line.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus and method for creating data analysis applications using reusable software operators . An initial operator is provided for converting source information into a virtual database format. Query operators are provided for receiving data in a virtual database format, processing the data in the virtual database, and outputting the results of the processing in another virtual database which has the same schema as the received virtual database. A plurality of query operators may be combined in order to customize the processing of the virtual database data. A terminal operator is provided for converting data in a virtual database into an external format which may then be further processed by an external operator. By combining initial, query, terminal, and external operators, users may create customizable data processing applications. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, operators are provided for analyzing the difference between a first document and a second document.