Abstract: A method and system for limiting scrolling and the movement of a cursor in a computer application. The computer application is operated on a computer system that has a display device with a display area. The computer application has a work area that is larger than the display area of the display device and a cursor that indicates an active area. Upper and lower and/or left and right boundaries are established by a user. Movement of the cursor is limited to the area of the computer application that is defined by the user-established boundaries. Viewing of the work area of the computer application may also be limited to the area of the computer application that is defined by the user-established boundaries. In a preferred embodiment, the method and system is applied to a computer spreadsheet application.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for enhancing telephony trunk routing includes a call requirements assessor which identifies call requirements associated with a call request. In particular, the call requirements assessor recognizes call requests which are indicative of speaker-phone calls and conference calls. A comparison processor responds to call data received from the call requirements assessor bad comparing the call requirements of a particular call with the quality of service capabilities of an Internet telephony trunk and a non-Internet telephony trunk. A call request which includes a request for a speaker-phone call or a conference call triggers the comparison processor to instruct a call router to route a call via the non-Internet telephony trunk.

Abstract: According to the invention, a system and method are provided for notifying a user of an awaiting message. The awaiting message is located in a user mailbox (24). User (10) is first provided with notification. This notification is different for different types of messages. The notification to user (10) is repeated if user (10) fails to respond to it. The repeating occurs until user (10) responds to the notification, and the repeating takes place after a predetermined period of time. User (10) is then informed of the awaiting message located in user mailbox (24).

Abstract: A device and method for IP telephony troubleshooting include multiple alternative input/output members for connecting the troubleshooting device to an IP telephony network at one of multiple sites within the IP telephony network. A system control connected to one of the connector members transmits and receives digital control messages to establish a bidirectional audio communications link over the IP telephony network. A system control user interface connected to the system control enables a user to direct a call to a remote telephonic device. A converter, connected to one of the connector members, converts digital audio signals received from the remote telephonic device to analog audio signals and converts analog audio signals generated by a microphone to digital audio signals for transmission to the remote telephonic device. An interface obtains synchronization with the remote telephonic device to facilitate synchronous data communication.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling the sender of electronic mail messages to access a recipient's mailbox to reprioritize the messages previously sent by the sender. The system searches the recipient's mailbox for messages sent by the sender and unread by the recipient. An unopened message counter is used to determine the number of unopened messages in the recipient's mailbox. A message review unit enables the sender to review the unread messages. A message prioritization unit is used to reprioritize the unread messages.

Abstract: A video conferencing system (10) for providing enhanced security to a conference room. A local video conferencing system (10) establishes a conference call with a remote video conferencing system. A security system within the local video conferencing system (10) monitors activity in the local video conferencing system's (10) conference room and disconnects the conference call if no activity is detected after a predetermined period of time. If activity is detected after a period of nonactivity, users of the local video conferencing system (10) are alerted that a call is in progress. The users are then given the option of continuing or disconnecting the call. In addition, the security system detects the presence of a black screen or no video signal from the remote video conferencing system and if detected, alerts the users that a call is in progress.

Abstract: A method for dynamically allocating the capacity of a computer network. All users of the network are classified as low or high priority users. High priority users may broadcast a delay message to the low priority users that cause the low priority users to delay before attempting to use the network. The length of delay can be adjusted if the high priority users are not able to utilize the network as required. In addition, if a low priority user does not receive a broadcast delay message within a predetermined amount of time, the delay period is reset to avoid unnecessary slowing of the network.

Abstract: A method and arrangement of utilizing an announcement system to provide paging capability for a facility includes automating the integration of a telephone switch, a voicemail system, and an announcement system. An unanswered call to a telephone of the facility is forwarded to the voicemail system, establishing a first connection between the telephone of the calling party and the voicemail system. The caller is presented with the option of recording a message or initiating a broadcast of an audible page announcement. If the announcement option is selected, a second connection that is separate from the first connection is formed from the voicemail system to the announcement system. An audible announcement identifies the availability of the call for retrieval by the particular called party. In the preferred embodiment, access to the waiting call is restricted to either or both of verification of a password and verification that the retrieval is from one of a limited number of authorized telephones.

Abstract: An improved system and method for delivering messages is provided. A message (18) is created by a messaging system (10) and then sent to a second message mailbox (16). When the second message mailbox (16) is full, the message (18) is then sent to a first message mailbox (14) for storage. The message (18) is later automatically sent from the first message mailbox (14) to the second message mailbox (16) when the second message mailbox (16) is no longer full.

Abstract: A switching system for automatically transferring a call is provided. A detecting unit (80) is used to detect an event. First and second outputs (10, 20) are provided for receiving an incoming call. A switch (12) automatically switches from the first output (10) to the second output (20) when the event occurs. Thus, the incoming call is received by the first output (10) before the event occurs, and by the second output (20) after the event occurs. In another embodiment of the invention, a switching system for automatic user access is provided. In this embodiment, a detecting unit (80) is again used to detect an event. An output device (106, 107) is also provided. Both the detecting unit and the output device (106, 107) are coupled to a processor (100). Access to the output device (106, 107) is automatically granted by the processor (100) after the event occurs.

Abstract: A data traffic network 200 in which excess cells, or cells whose transfer is expected to cause the user to exceed the QoS traffic contract bandwidth limit, are transferred to a destination node 300b via an alternate or secondary network 212. More particularly, traffic received at a first ATM node 300a (for example, an end user node) is or has been classified according to traffic type, such as voice, data, or video (with their corresponding characteristics). Prior to packetizing the data streams into the ATM fixed length packets, the ATM node 300a, 600a determines whether the QoS traffic contract bandwidth limit has been exceeded or is likely to be exceeded. If so, then the corresponding traffic is transmitted to the destination node 300b via an appropriate alternate network 212. For example, voice traffic is transferred to a PBX and, ultimately, to the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a sequence of calls directed to different destination sites from a single calling site via a provider having a connection-based tariff structure that employs first and second levels of connections in order to increase cost efficiency. The first level connection is from the provider to an intermediate site, such as a server, with the first level connection being maintained throughout the sequence of calls. The second level connection is formed from the intermediate site to the destination sites in the sequential order determined by the calling party. Each call to a destination site includes a different second level connection that is terminated from a completion of the call, without affecting the first level connection. The call information relating to the different calls in the sequence is transmitted from the calling site to the intermediate site by techniques such as the transmission of DTMF signals or conventional digital call setup signals.

Abstract: A system for controlling traffic on a contention-based local area network (LAN) such as one according to the CSMA/CD or Ethernet specification. To selectively preempt low priority messages on the LAN so that high priority messages may be transmitted, the system uses a station profile table (260) that holds information relating to an average frame length for messages transmitted from each station on the LAN. When a station connected to the LAN through a network interface (250) needs to transmit a high priority message such as a voice communication, a traffic monitor (240) checks for a low priority message on the LAN. If a low priority message is detected, a station identifier, priority level, and length of frame already transmitted are determined, and an average frame length is read from the station profile table (260).

Abstract: A vehicular telecommunications system having user detection features. A telephone controller 504 is comprised in a vehicle and adapted to process a plurality of telephone signals. A telephone 37 is configured to receive telephone calls for the user from sources external to the vehicle in which the telephone is installed. A user detector 52 is operably coupled to the telephone controller 504 and configured to provide a signal to the telephone controller 504 indicative of whether the user associated with the telephone is determined to be present in a predetermined location of the vehicle, such that the telephone controller directs a received telephone call for the user to the telephone responsive to the signal. Exemplary user detectors include passive infrared detectors 52c and switching mechanisms 52a, 52b associated with a coupled seatbelt 523 or the user's presence in or near a seat 501.