Abstract: Recipients of a promotion broadcast over an essentially one-way medium are prompted to respond thereto through their telephone sets having different subscriber telephone numbers, and the task of handling the resulting mass response is divided into a call receiving phase and a subsequent response completing phase. Such call receiving phase is shortened relative to the response completing phase by automatically receiving calls of recipients using their telephone sets to respond to the broadcast promotion, electronically capturing the subscriber telephone numbers of the telephone sets through which these calls are made, and automatically confirming to substantially all callers while on line during these calls that their calls have been received.

Abstract: Recipients of a promotion broadcast over an essentially one-way mass medium are prompted to respond thereto through their telephone sets having different subscriber telephone numbers, and the task of handling the resulting mass response is divided into a call receiving phase and a subsequent response completing phase. Such call receiving phase is shortened relative to the response completing phase by automatically receiving calls of recipients using their telephone sets to respond to the broadcast promotion, electronically capturing the subscriber telephone numbers of the telephone sets through which these calls are made, and automatically confirming to substantially all callers while on line during these calls that their calls have been received.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing communications links comprises a microprocessor 20 which causes each telephone number in a range of telephone numbers to be dialed through an exchange test input port (TA1-TA4) by dialers 31-34. Adaptors 41-4N are arranged for clamping to terminal blocks of (e.g.) an exchange main distribution frame. Once the exchange has set up a call scan driver 23 causes each output port of the MDF connected to the adaptors to be pulsed in turn. Detectors 31'-34' monitor the input ports TA1-TA4 for pulse presence to cause interrupt of the microprocessor 20. The microprocessor reads a count from the scan driver 23 which is forwarded to a computer 1 which correlates the telephone number dialed with a physical location (equipment number) of the output port.

Abstract: Administration of a communication system having a plurality of addressable communication ports is accomplished automatically, by the system itself. The system is initially provisioned only with unlinked terminal translations. Establishment of hardware translations and their linking to the terminal translations is accomplished by the system automatically, in response to initial calls from system users. Each one of these initial calls informs the system of the call-originating terminals's extension, and thereby specifies to the system the requisite information for linking the originating extension and terminal translation with the call's incoming port. Station moves are also accomplished automatically, through similar calls.

Abstract: An improved data transmission system which transmits data at least partially over existing telephone lines, the improvement comprising devices which, in addition to transmitting and receiving data and being actuated by a non-telephone signal, automatically complete a telephone communication with a predetermined computer. Once the device is connected to the computer, it receives information such as a particular telephone number which is used in the reception and/or transmission of data. The received information is preferably peculiar to the location of the device and can be used to appropriately program the device for carrying out a function in a manner specific to its location. The information specific to the location is determined in accordance with the telephone number of the telephone line connecting the device to the telephone system as the computer has the capability of Calling Number Identification.

Abstract: This invention relates to the application of an audible logo to a telecommunications call, for identifying the common carrier serving that call. A call is received in an operator assistance system. After applying a calling card prompt tone and prior to connecting the call to an operator position or receiving further digits such as those for a calling card number, the operator assistance system connects an audible logo, identifying a common carrier, to the call. Advantageously, a telephone customer receives the information necessary to identify whether his/her preferred common carrier is going to be used on this call at a sufficiently early time to make it convenient to disconnect and reoriginate. This information is particularly important for calls originated away from home or office, calls that are likely to be operator assistance 0 or 0+ directory number) calls. Subsequently, the operator assistance call is processed as in the prior art.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement are disclosed for forwarding a customer order received from a requesting customer line to a vendor data link. For use with a telecommunications switching system, the order entry arrangement includes a customer signal receiver for receiving customer signals from a requesting customer line and a processor for sending the orders received from the receiver to the vendor data link. The processor normally controls the operation of the switching network of the switching system but also sends received customer orders and the identity of the requesting line to a vendor data link in response to a customer entered order entry request code. Optional vendor identification information may be entered by the customer for selecting a desired vendor. Customer identification information may also be entered by the customer for billing and order security purposes. After the order is received, the order entry arrangement returns an order confirmation signal to the requesting line.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for retrofitting and extending or upgrading an existing customer account servicing system to provide for automated handling and processing of both incoming and outgoing calls. A mainframe computer or host (16) contains customer or potential customer account records. A plurality of operator terminals (12) allow the operators to converse with the called or calling party and make changes to the customer account information via a data terminal (12a4). A system controller (11), trunk interface unit (10), operator terminals (12) and cross-point switch or PBX (13) provide a retrofit to an existing system, a mainframe computer (16), to provide for automated handling and processing of both incoming and outgoing calls. The system controller (11) and terminals (12) use the same command and data format structure as that already in use by the existing system and software or programs of mainframe (16).

Abstract: A pay-per-view CATV system which is interfaced with the switched public telephone system is described. A subscriber selects a specific scheduled television event by dialing a telephone number which uniquely identifies the selected event. The called and originating numbers are identified, digitized and combined to form a digital word. The digital word is then transmitted to the CATV supplier.

Abstract: An IPPV technique is provided for a cable system having one-way addressable converters. Each of several central offices in a metropolitan area will provide ANI information representing the cable subscriber's phone number and a code representing the cable event to be viewed or cancelled. The data is sent asynchronously to a respective telephone communication unit located at the central office. This telephone communication unit (TCU) does some buffering, eliminates unnecessary data, and sends data synchronously to a telephone communication controller (TCC) located at the cable headend station. The TCC will acknowledge the data. There will be several TCCs located at the cable headend station corresponding to the several central offices who may give telephone service to the cable operator's subscribers. All of these TCCs at the headend station are coupled through a multiplexer to a system controller. Each TCC provides intermediate processing which converts the subscriber's telephone number into binary.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for direct and immediate updating of customer account information, handling inquiries, and initiating communications is disclosed. A mainframe computer (16) contains customer or potential customer account information such as customer name, customer telephone number, customer account code, customer order status, etc. Mainframe computer (16) sends batches of customer account information to a system controller (11) via a data controller (15). System controller (11) directs trunk interface units (10a-10d) to dial the customer's telephone number and monitor the status of the outgoing calls. The trunk interface units (10a-10d) advise the system controller (11) when an outgoing call has been answered and, if an operator is available at an operator terminal (12a-12j), the system controller (11) directs a switch (13) to connect the answered trunk (T1-T16) to the available operator terminal and sends abbreviated customer account information to the operator terminal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for providing extended subscriber features, e.g., equal access, to otherwise non-conforming central offices of a telephone switching system. According to the invention, a register module is interposed between the subscriber line and an input of the central office for intercepting digits from the subscriber line intended for the central office and for receiving subscriber information from the central office identifying the subscriber line. The register module includes a memory having a plurality of address locations and a control circuit for analyzing the intercepted digits to determine whether processing of the subscriber call requires an extended subscriber feature. If so, the intercepted digits are processed to generate a coded signal, the coded signal including the address location where the stored digits and the subscriber information resides in the memory.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement are disclosed for providing a nationwide dial-a-view service in which a caller desiring a given viewing selection dials an "800" dial-a-view number for ordering that selection through the telephone networking arrangement. The arrangement includes local and toll switching offices for accessing a centralized database system for providing routing instructions advantageously to network services equipment which acknowledges the request and processes the request to cable television distribution equipment. The dialed "800" number is recognized as a dial-a-view request, and the database system provides the originating toll office with routing instructions for sending the request to the network service equipment. Automatic number identification of the caller is requested from the originating toll office and forwarded along with requested programming to the vendor equipment.

Abstract: An IPPV technique is provided for a cable system having one-way addressable converters. Each of several central offices in a metropolitan area will provide ANI information representing the cable subscriber's phone number and a code representing the cable event to be viewed or cancelled. The data is sent asynchronously to a respective telephone communication unit located at the central office. This telephone communication unit (TCU) does some buffering, eliminates unnecessary data, and sends data synchronously to a telepone communication controller (TCC) located at the cable headend station. The TCC will acknowledge the data. There will be several TCCs located at the cable headend station corresponding to the several central offices who may give telephone service to the cable operator's subscribers. All of these TCCs at the headend station are coupled through a multiplexer to a system controller. Each TCC provides intermediate processing which converts the subscriber's telephone number into binary.