Abstract: A charging control apparatus comprising: a voltage control unit in a charging apparatus configured to control generation of an output voltage and a power supply voltage, the charging apparatus being an apparatus configured to generate, from a voltage of an input power supply applied through a relay, the output voltage for charging a battery and the power supply voltage for control; and a relay control unit operated by the power supply voltage, the relay control unit configured to drive the relay so as to stop applying the voltage of the input power supply to the charging apparatus, when detecting a standby state in which the battery is not being charged, and drive the relay so as to increase the power supply voltage by applying the voltage of the input power supply to the charging apparatus, when the power supply voltage decreases below a predetermined level.

Abstract: An improved terminal block includes a first connection mechanism which, when enabled, connects a customer to a first service provider, a second connection mechanism which, when enabled, connects the customer to a second service provider, and an enabling mechanism for enabling either the first connection mechanism or the second connection mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for switching between two network lines, such as telephone subscriber lines. Households and offices are increasingly equipped with multiple network lines for voice and data communications. The line switching unit of the present invention has a first terminal for receiving a CPE line from a CPE device. First and second switches of the unit each connect a common terminal to a first switched terminal responsive to a first value of a control signal received at a control terminal of each switch and to a second switched terminal responsive to a second value of the control signal. The first switched terminal of the first switch is connected to the first terminal and the second switched terminal of the second switch is connected to the first terminal. The common terminal of the first switch is connected to a first network line and the common terminal of the second switch is connected to a second network line.

Abstract: Local telephone number portability is effected with automatic changeover of local telephone service for a subscriber station from an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) loop to a competing local exchange carrier (CLEC) loop. A relay device that may be placed remotely at the subscriber's location automatically effects a change in physical connection of the subscriber's line in response to an incoming call routed to the customer premises via the CLEC switching facility. The physical presence of a technician thus is not required at the customer premises at the time changeover of service is made. Delay in the capability of receiving incoming calls at the customer premises during changeover of service is avoided by ensuring that physical reconnection is made only after the appropriate updated routing information has been made to the PSTN network. If a call via the old subscriber service is in progress, automatic reconnection is inhibited until an off-hook condition is realized.

Abstract: A line card apparatus which provides soft dialtone and automated remote cross-connect capability, comprising one or more line interfaces and a switching matrix which can connect a plurality of lines to the one or more line interfaces. This switching matrix is governed by a controller which can connect each of the plurality of lines to one of the line interface units, and thus, no manual intervention is required. Also, the control unit periodically scans the lines connected to it. If the control determines that there is an offhook condition on any of the lines (whether or not that line is activated), the control notifies the host switch to provide dialtone, which the controller then connects to that line.