Abstract: An air conditioner includes: a power generating unit that generates drive power for driving the air conditioner; an output unit that drives a motor; a detecting unit that detects a DC voltage applied to the output unit; a motor drive control unit that controls the output unit based on a detection result from the detecting unit; a drive power supply unit that supplies an operating power source to the output unit and the motor drive control unit; a main body control unit that outputs a motor drive command or a motor drive stop command to the supply unit; a power circuit unit that supplies operating power to the main body control unit and the supply unit; and an input changeover switch that inputs the detection result to the motor drive control unit as the motor is driven, and cuts off input of the detection result as the motor stops.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods that provide centralized or nodal inmate management and telephone call processing capabilities to controlled environment facilities. An inmate management and call processing system serves a plurality of facilities and includes an inmate information database. The database is shared across the facilities and contains inmate records that may be accessed and modified by each facility as the inmate is transferred among those facilities. Each inmate record may include, among other information, contact information of third parties whom may be notified of the inmate's arrest and/or subsequent transfers of the inmate to different facilities. The inmate management and telephone call processing system may use third party contact information to establish accounts used to charge calls or transactions made by an inmate while residing at the facility.

Abstract: A method and system for automating a switch matrix board for cross-connecting any line in a set of input lines to any line in a set of output lines, to be used e.g. in automating cross-connects for line pairs in a central office main distribution frame (MDF) of a telecommunication network. The switch matrix (100) comprises a plurality of contact sledges (130) driven by a plurality of sledge positioning screws (120) that slidably engage a plurality of main contact pads (110) to cross-connect the lines. In an embodiment of the invention, two electric motors cooperate to position a lateral drive gear (158) to engage and rotate a selected sledge positioning screw (120), which moves the contact sledge. In another embodiment, a single electric motor operates together with a magnetic clutch assembly (180) to position the lateral drive gear to rotate the sledge positioning screw (120).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for cross-connecting high-speed telecommunications signals at a flexible cross-connect system. A method and apparatus for controlling communications between each of the cards located within the flexible cross-connect system is also disclosed. The method and apparatus also detect and report failures within the system, receive and validate software upgrades from external sources, maintain synchronization within the system, and monitor communication maps for the system.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods that provide centralized or nodal inmate management and telephone call processing capabilities to controlled environment facilities. An inmate management and call processing system serves a plurality of facilities and includes an inmate information database. The database is shared across the facilities and contains inmate records that may be accessed and modified by each facility as the inmate is transferred among those facilities. Each inmate record may include, among other information, contact information of third parties whom may be notified of the inmate's arrest and/or subsequent transfers of the inmate to different facilities. The inmate management and telephone call processing system may use third party contact information to establish accounts used to charge calls or transactions made by an inmate while residing at the facility.

Abstract: A rearrangeably nonblocking multicast network includes an input stage having r1 switches and n1 inlet links for each of r1 switches, an output stage having r2 switches and n2 outlet links for each of r2 switches. The network also has a middle stage of m switches, and each middle switch has at least one link connected to each input switch for a total of at least r1 first internal links and at least one link connected to each output switch for a total of at least r2 second internal links, where m?n1+n2. The network has all multicast connections set up such that each multicast connection passes through at most two middle switches to be connected to the destination outlet links.

Abstract: A telephone station interface is provided with apparatus for detecting when a called party has or is attempting to patch or bridge one telephone call with another telephone call. The detecting of such bridging or conferencing is accomplished through the detection of tones which are commonly associated with such activities, such as a ring signal, a busy signal, special information tones (SIT tones), dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) tones or so-called Touch Tones, call progress tones, or other tones that occur when calls are placed. The present invention does not have the capability of sensing clicks, pops, or other audio signals associated with the conferencing of multiple communications circuits. The method and apparatus herein are for managing institutional telephone activity, and utilize a computer control unit to control a trunk management unit, which connects institutional telephones to outside telephone lines.

Abstract: A cost-effective technique for inserting a switching module into a line pair of a local telecommunications network is disclosed. In particular, the illustrative embodiment does not replace a punch-down block at a cross-connect, but rather inserts the switching module between the modular connectors that are usually co-located with the punch-down block and that connect the cable pairs to the punch-down block. In other words, the illustrative embodiment provides for a technician to disconnect a pair of modular connectors and to insert a switching module between them, wherein the switching modules inputs and outputs are provided via modular connectors.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for effecting a communication arrangement of a plurality of communication circuits between first connection loci of a first switch array and second connection loci of a second switch array. The apparatus comprises: (a) a first connection interface with the first switch array having first interconnection loci; (b) a second connection interface with the second switch array having second interconnection loci; (c) a plurality of communication paths at least equal in number to the plurality of communication circuits intermediate the first and second connection interfaces; (d) a first router connected with the first switch array and connection interface; and (e) a second router connected with the second switch array and connection interface. The first and second router interfaces cooperate to effect a plurality of routing connections among the first connection loci, the second connection loci and selected communication paths to establish the communication arrangement.

Abstract: An automatic main distributing frame, which can easily maintain the size accuracy required to insert into a through hole of the conductive pin is provided. The main distributing frame includes a frame body, plural matrix switch boards accommodated in the frame body, each having matrix switch sections and input/output connectors on a rear section, a back wire board provided on a rear section of the frame body, having connectors connected to the input/output connectors on each rear section of the plural matrix switch boards, and plural robots, each positioned between a pair of two matrix switch board sections of the plural matrix switch boards, each having a hand section for inserting connection pins to the matrix switch sections of the two matrix switch boards.

Abstract: A line multiplier is formed of n upstream lines and m downstream lines where m>n by providing a micro-technology array of m×n crosspoints switches using, e.g., magnetic latching, wherein the latching magnets are heated to the Curie temperature to cause the state of a switch to change.

Abstract: Contention free switches, networks and global interconnection systems for routing messages from N input sources to M output destinations are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system to connect an optical network unit with a plurality of user sites. The invention includes the steps of and circuitry for connecting a plurality of line circuits to a cross-connect matrix. The optical network unit contains both the line circuits and the cross-connect matrix. In the invention, a plurality of drop connectors connect the cross-connect matrix to a plurality of user sites such as homes. The method and system further include circuitry that remotely controls the cross-connect matrix from a central office or network management system to connect selected ones of the line connectors to selected ones of the drop connectors and, thereby, electrically connect the optical network unit to the plurality of user sites.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cross point mixer including a cross point switch and a mixing circuit provided on the output side. The cross point switch includes n.times.m switches arranged in a matrix manner. Each of the switches corresponds to one of a plurality of n input terminals receiving signals, and corresponds to one of a plurality of m output terminals outputting signals. When on, each of the switches forms a signal transmission path which connects a corresponding input terminal with a corresponding output terminal. The mixing circuit provided on the output side receives signals from the n switches correspondingly associated with the output terminal, and subjects the signals to mixing for output to the output terminal.

Abstract: A cross point switch mounted on a telephone-related device such as a telephone. When an alternate power source request signal is low, switches are controlled in response to external data. When the signal is high, a predetermined switch or switches are forced to be turned on and other switches are forced to be turned off. As a supply voltage obtained from a commercial power supply drops, the request signal goes high. When the request signal is high, a voltage obtained from telephone line power is supplied only to necessary electric circuits. Only the most basic functions such as talking over a telephone line can be used such that power consumption can be minimized.

Abstract: This invention provides a matrix switcher apparatus adapted to arbitrarily distribute signals in a plurality of input channels to a plurality of output channels. The matrix switcher apparatus includes a cross point matrix adapted for connecting one matrix switcher unit to any other matrix switcher unit or units to carry out expansion of input/output, and input and output terminals expandable up to a predetermined maximum number of channels.

Abstract: A crossbar useful for self-routing messages is described having a return network that can return all messages, or their headers, that encounter a busy node at the output. A system is described in which this crossbar with return network can operate as a building block. It is particularly well suited to systems where truly non-blocking networks are required.

Abstract: In a one-sided crosspoint switch, multiple controllers are used instead of a single controller for control of the switching matrix. The controllers operate in parallel, thereby handling requests for connections and disconnections from ports at a higher speed than with a single controller. In the event of a controller failure, the remaining controllers also take over the control function of the failed controller, thereby providing improved reliability.

Abstract: A full-duplex one-sided switching chip comprising externally connected lines as input/output pairs and pairs of bi-directional interconnection lines. Duplex cross-points selectively connect input/output line pairs to the interconnection line pairs. The interconnection lines can be coupled to interconnection lines on other chips for multichip switching arrays.