Abstract: A communications network having a dial-up conference arrangement is disclosed. The conference host can summon an operator and cause the conference details to be displayed at an operator position. The detailed information presented to the operator permits the operator to identify conferees independently of the directory number that was used to dial-up the conferee. This permits the operator to redial dropped legs, transfer control of the conference and perform other functions with respect to the identified conferee.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are used for accounting for last and out-of-sequence interprocessor messages in a multiprocessor telephone switching system. Each message is assigned a sequence number by the sending processor. Upon reception of messages, the receiving processor analyzes the sequence numbers to ascertain their proper order and if any messages are missing. The identities of missing messages are entered in a table which is periodically updated.

Abstract: A plurality of narrow-band channels are established via a switched network between end terminals to provide a wideband facility. Wideband messages are divided into a plurality of narrow-band signals each of which is transmitted over a corresponding narrow-band channel. A data recovery unit connected to one of the network switching offices measures the relative delay between channels and inserts a compensating delay so that the portions of a wideband message transmitted in the same time frame from one end terminal arrive at the other end terminal in a single time frame.

Abstract: A telephone switching office having a plurality of meet-me conference bridging systems is disclosed. An access code is assigned to each conference, and at an agreed upon time, all conferees for a conference dial the same access code. The switching office allocates a bridging system in response to the first call to arrive at the office. In the event more than one call for the same conference arrives at the host office concurrently, the processing of all but one call is delayed until an idle bridging system is connected to that one call. The delayed calls, and any future calls to the conference are then steered to the same bridging system.

Abstract: In a telecommunications conference system, a warning tone is applied to a conference bridge to inform the participants that another conferee is about to be included in the conference. The conferee is only added after a brief interval so as not to disrupt the existing conference.

Abstract: A telephone switching network is disclosed having an announcement system coupled to a toll switching center.A plurality of short phrases are recorded in corresponding sectors of a disc store and announcements are assembled in real time by concatenating the appropriate phrases. Initial requests for announcements are sorted so that the reading heads seek across the disc in a straight line in a first direction to play back the recorded phrases. Any additional requests for playback received while the initial requests are being played back, are sorted in the opposite order for playback while the heads are driven in a second direction to their original position. All further requests are combined with any unfinished work for playback as the heads once again move in the first direction.The method of playing back while traversing the disc in both directions shortens the waiting interval for the listeners.

Abstract: A conference arrangement is disclosed having a plurality of logical multiport bridges for conferencing customer stations. Equipment units common to the bridges can be selectively connected to a station controlling each bridge. Upon the detection of a faulty unit, the interaction between the controlling station and the bridge is halted while a new unit is substituted. Announcements prompt the controlling station to reactivate the transaction that was halted. If the controlling station is off the bridge when the fault is detected and substituted equipment is unavailable, the station is forced back on the bridge, until a new unit becomes available.

Abstract: A microcomputer controlled circuit arrangement for sensing fire and burglar alarms in the presence of undesired fault conditions, such as opens or shorts, on monitored communication lines. The arrangement includes transistor-resistor sensing circuitry which is shared by a plurality of monitored communication lines, each of which comprises a first pair of conductors connected to a first contact of an alarm sensor and a second pair of conductors connected to a second alarm sensor contact. The sensing circuitry is connected through a multiplexer to each one of the lines one at a time under control of the microcomputer to detect any fault thereon and any alarm provided by the sensor contacts. The sensing circuitry is responsive to impedance conditions on the four conductors furnishing a plurality of output voltages which are examined by comparators that, in turn, generate combinational logic voltages signifying the alarm-fault state of a monitored line.

Abstract: An arrangement for conferencing a plurality of data terminals via a data conference bridge. The bridge includes apparatus for negotiating a common set of communication parameters when data terminals having differing capabilities are connected to the same conference. All terminals connected to an existing conference must agree to accept any differing capabilities of a data terminal about to join the conference or the new terminal will be rejected.

Abstract: For use in multiport digital conference arrangements wherein speech samples of selected speakers are summed for distribution to the conferees, the disclosed method and apparatus controls the level of speech represented by information samples to be included in an output sample for distribution to the ports and equalizes the speech level between speakers to reduce speech level contrast heard by the conferees. In addition, a speech detector for each port and microprocessor-controlled switching hardware also adjust the signal level represented by samples received on the ports to effect speaker selection. Furthermore, gain coefficients for a port may be incrementally adjusted during a predetermined period of time to avoid noticeble signal level changes when implementing speaker selection.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for frustrating attempted fraudulent calls from a station using a "blue box" device to avoid toll charges. Upon detecting a possible fraudulent call, the sequence of digits from the blue box is altered to divert the call from its intended destination. Specifically, "KEY PULSE" and "START PULSE" tones are generated and commingled with the digits from the blue box to route the call to reorder.

Abstract: A testing arrangement for automatic number identification apparatus is disclosed in a step-by-step telephone system. The "M" leads which apply identification tones to the sleeves of calling lines are periodically scanned for trouble conditions. If an "M" lead is held busy more than a predetermined interval indicating a fault, the test arrangement interrupts the sleeve to release the line finder and the maintenance personnel are notified. The "M" lead is then available for identifying other lines.The test arrangement periodically tests itself by simulating faults on all "M" leads.

Abstract: A telephone system is disclosed for providing customized telephone services. A called customer can screen calls incoming to his station based on the identity of the calling line. The calling line's identity is forwarded to the switching office containing the called customer's screening memory. The memory is interrogated to ascertain the call disposition based on information priorly put in the memory by the called customer. Selective call waiting, selective call forwarding, priority ringing, and many other customized services are contemplated.

Abstract: The failure of an interoffice carrier transmission system is detected by monitoring the signaling irregularities on the trunks served by the system. When at least two trunks fail to return a "start-dial" signal from the terminating office, all trunks are removed from service. The trunks are periodically tested to ascertain when the carrier system has been restored. The trunks are tested less frequently for prolonged carrier failures and at least two trunks, including the last trunk to fail, must pass the test before the carrier system is considered restored to service.

Abstract: An arrangement for testing relay contacts of a signal distributor is disclosed. The output relay contacts are coupled via isolation diodes to a common circuit node and the input relay contacts are coupled to a second node. A potential is applied to the first node through the diodes and contacts to a single scan point and selective operation of each distributor relay can be verified at the scan point. By reversing the nodes, the integrity of the diodes can be checked. Make, break, and transfer contacts are tested.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for apportioning charges on calls originating from coin telephones. At the end of the initial talking period which was paid for by the coin station, an overtime signal is sent to the called station. The called station signals if it will accept overtime charges and recognizing the signal from the called station, the control equipment prepares a bill for the overtime to be assessed to the called station.

Abstract: A toll switching office is disclosed having an arrangement for reserving a portion of a two-way trunk group for incoming calls only. As each outgoing call is offered to the trunk group the number of idle trunks is compared to the threshold of trunks to be reserved for incoming calls. If the number of idle trunks in the group is less than the threshold the treatment of the outgoing call is determined by its class which is defined by parameters such as its prior routing, its destination, etc. More calls in a class having a high probability of blocking are selectively denied access to the trunk groups than calls more likely to complete to their destination.

Abstract: Certain telephone calls cannot be billed properly due to the failure to detect a valid answer signal from the called customer. This disclosure presents an arrangement for detecting irregular calls that are recognized initially by a momentary off-hook signal from the called end of the trunk which is not quickly followed by a release of the trunk. When a momentary off-hook signal is received, the holding time of the trunk is measured. If the holding time exceeds a predetermined threshold a record is made of the lines connected to the trunk.The calls are also categorized by called destination to detect fraudulent calls which are frequently directed to selected destinations.

Abstract: An automatic, portable digit outpulser for use with a telephone is disclosed. In one preferred embodiment, the outpulser resembles a credit card encasing electronic circuitry and having a low-profile acoustic device mounted on one surface of the card for acoustically coupling the outpulser to the transmitter of a telephone. Optical and mechanical coupling arrangements are also disclosed. The electronic circuitry includes a memory for storing representations of telephone digits to be outpulsed and multifrequency signal generating circuitry for generating audio frequency signals, similar to those generated by a standard telephone equipped with a multifrequency key set, in accordance with the stored digit representations. The memory also contains control data words which are individually alternated in sequence with digit words. The signal generating circuitry is directly responsive to the digit and control words for generating both digit signals and interdigital timing periods.

Abstract: A sun screen structure is disclosed which consists of a covering for external building surfaces that reflect sunlight during summer months and admit it during winter months to help stabilize internal building temperatures. The covering consists of a planar array of short focal length optical lenses. A pattern of light-reflective and light-transmissive surfaces is located at the focal plane of each lens in the array. The lenses project the rays of the sun onto the reflective or transmissive surfaces, depending on the angle of elevation of the rays with respect to the horizon. The reflective surfaces are located so that the rays are reflected away from the building during the summer months. The transmissive surfaces are located so that the rays are transmitted towards the building interior during the winter months.