Abstract: A call processing and billing method where the two billing records generated for a redirected call are transmitted to the same billing center or to the same network of interconnected billing centers, and where the two billing records are correlated to generate a single billing record for use in billing the call. The method is extensible for calls that are redirected more than once.

Abstract: A telephone ringing arrangement where a non-sinusoidal ringing voltage waveform is used that has significantly longer intervals during which the waveform is near zero as compared to a sinusoidal waveform. A connect interval is defined as the time during which the magnitude of the non-sinusoidal ringing voltage waveform remains less than a predefined threshold. The connect interval includes a zero-crossing of the ringing voltage waveform. For an illustrative ringing voltage waveform, the zero-crossing has zero slope. A ringing relay is controlled to connect the non-sinusoidal waveform to a telephone line such that the connection time, including relay bounce time, occurs only during one of the connect intervals. Similar principles may be used based on a disconnect interval of the ringing current waveform, to reduce transients on disconnection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for entering operator supplied information into a telephone operator assistance system. An operator interfaces with the system via an operator position having a terminal that includes a keyboard and a video display monitor. The operator operates a macro key, which is equivalent to operating a predefined string of keystrokes. The operator then keys data specific to a particular call, which data is interpolated into a predefined position within the string.

Abstract: A method where a telecommunication system records a message spoken by a caller and plays the recorded message to a human attendant for use in routing an incoming call without the attendant having to answer the incoming call. The system then responds to input from the attendant by playing the message to a third party to familiarize the third party with the call before the caller is removed from hold and the call is completed to the third party. In this manner, the first person that the caller speaks with has already listened to the message. The message is supplemented with additional voice messages or conversations as the call is handled by multiple parties. Wordspotting is used as the initial message is being recorded; if the wordspotting is successful, the recorded message is routed to a third party without any attendant involvement and the third party is familiarized with the call.

Abstract: A growable packet switching arrangement where the distribution network blocking probability is substantially reduced because the network has both switch links and chute links, and the network nodes include both a switching element interconnecting successive stage switch links and a plurality of non-switching, chute connections interconnecting successive stage chute links. A network node can transfer a packet, being received on a switch link, to any selected one of the chute connections of that node for transmission on a chute link. The network nodes are relatively simple and inexpensive because they store only the first few bits needed to route an ATM cell. The blocking probability is further reduced when the number of chutes per node is increased. The number of chutes may be based, for example, on the number of switch link inputs per node.

Abstract: A color coding filter is combined with a single area-imaging charge-coupled-device (CCD) to form a color television camera. Three-phase CCD of frame transfer type provides a 2:1 interlace scanning format, and the color filter is designed for compatibility with this format. The filter is formed from a plurality of different color transmissivity areas arranged in a specific grid-like pattern to provide the distinct filter characteristics required for each of the two interlaced fields. With this filtering, the CCD generates a continuous luminance and two line-sequential chrominance (color difference) signals.

Abstract: In contact type photolithographic masking processes for fabricating planar structures, a photoresist is applied to a wafer and a mask is placed over the photoresist. Illumination through the mask, which has a pattern of opaque areas, produces a photochemical reaction in the photoresist which upon developing creates a duplicate of the mask pattern. However, the photoresist is conventionally applied by a spinning process and the rotation produces a build-up of the photoresist around the edges of the wafer. This build-up prevents the pattern portion of the mask from making good physical contact with the photoresist with a resultant decrease in reproducibility and accuracy of the fabricated pattern. A modified mask is formed with a channel corresponding to the peripheral build-up. The channel accepts the build-up so that good contact may be maintained between the photoresist and the patterned portion of the mask.