Abstract: A proactive call services system serving as a new node or switching network within a closed subsystem is disclosed. Remote monitors provide information necessary to allow the provision of enhanced services to the closed subsystem, which may be a telephone operator position system (TOPS) switch of a public switched network (PSN). The proactive call services system includes a network interface, voice interface, call processing platform (CPP), link platform and monitors integrated with the PSN. The system gathers information as the TOPS switch processes a call, and with this information offers additional proactive call services to the caller.

Abstract: A communication system for simultaneously transmitting data and audio signals via a conventional audio communications channel using perceptual coding techniques is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a first artificial neural network (NN) at an encoder monitors an audio channel to detect "opportunities" to insert the data signal such that the inserted signals are masked by the audio signal, as defined by the "perceptual entropy envelope" of the audio signal. Under the control of the first NN a data signal containing, for example, an ID or serial number, is encoded as one or more whitened direct sequence spread spectrum signals and/or a narrowband FSK data signal and transmitted at the time, frequency and level determined by the first NN such that the data signal is masked by the audio signal. The audio signal is combined with the spread spectrum and/or the FSK data signal(s) to form a composite signal, which is transmitted to one or more receiving locations via the audio channel.

Abstract: An interface for providing an electrical and mechanical connection of a data processing unit to a data communications card. The connections have a plurality of sockets in a predetermined alignment. Contained within the unit is a series of connectors in an alignment corresponding to the predetermined alignment of the sockets so that when the sockets and the connectors respectively engage, predetermined electrical circuits are completed. An actuator is also disposed within the housing for generating an output signal indicative of the orientation of either the sockets or the connectors. A multiplexer circuit is provided to reverse either the sockets or the connectors, when necessary, in response to the output of the actuator.

Abstract: The present invention describes an automatic voice messaging system for use in a telephone network having a calling station connectible to a first switch and a called station connectible to a second switch, with the first and second switches connected by a digital serial link. The voice messaging system preferably comprises an interface, a detection circuit, a speech circuit and a control circuit. The interface monitors signals on the digital serial link. The detection circuitry is connected to the interface for detecting busy or ring/no answer conditions at the called station upon call initiation to the called station from the calling station, and for detecting receipt of a predetermined code from the calling station indicating that the caller desires to leave a message for the called station. The speech circuit is also connected to the interface for issuing a predetermined prompt to a user of the calling station.

Abstract: A system for controlling access to a computer. Memory-resident software logic cooperates with a remote electronic key device coupled to the computer's processor, through the printer port, to disable the computer unless an authorized key is inserted in the key device. The logic is executed in the processor responsive to the computer's system timer interrupt for continuous monitoring capability. Until a user inserts an authorized key, or upon removal of the key, the logic suspends operation of any application programs, the monitor is blanked and the mouse, keyboard and floppy disk drive are disabled. A record is stored in memory of authorized users and user audit information. Utility menu options are used to add or delete user keys, display access and usage records and to customize the number and selection of I/O devices to be disabled by the system.

Abstract: A novel power charger apparatus is provided for supplying electrical power to an electrical device for operation or to a battery for charging, or both. The charger apparatus comprises a primary power supply for supplying power from an external power source to the power charger, a power converter coupled to the primary power supply for converting the power received by the primary power supply from the external power source into a form usable by the power charger, and a power controller coupled to the power converter for controlling the power applied to the device or the battery, or both, whereby, regardless of the rate of charge of the battery, a constant current is maintained for charging the battery while the voltage across the device and battery is allowed to vary. To observe the rate of charge of the battery, the power charger also includes a charge rate sensor connected to the battery and coupled to the power controller to measure the voltage across the battery.

Abstract: A lamp or flashlight having a multi-feature switching assembly is disclosed. The flashlight comprises a barrel, a head assembly, and a rotating switching assembly. The head assembly and switching assembly are rotated relative to the barrel and a tongue extending from the barrel to bring a conductor of the switching assembly into contact with, or remove the conductor from contact with, the tongue to close or open an electrical circuit for turning the light bulb on or off, respectively. The conductor may be adapted to nestingly engage the tongue in a locked on position, and a resilient member may be added to nestingly engage the tongue in a locked off position. Unlocked on and off positions of the switching assembly permit the light to be quickly flashed on and off. The head assembly includes a head and a head portion, and the head portion may be rotated relative to the head to adjust the focus of the light independently of the on/off function.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating control voltage signals in a surround sound processor is disclosed which utilizes a one-shot monostable multivibrator for minimizing intermodulation distortion while following rapid directional changes, yet minimizing intermodulation distortion. The apparatus includes means for smoothing the directional information signals derived from audio input signals each with a continuously variable time constant to generate a corresponding control voltage signal, such that each time constant depends inversely upon the magnitude of the difference between the directional information signal applied thereto and the corresponding control voltage signal generated thereby.

Abstract: An amenity accessing system is provided that includes an access telephone (10) with a plurality of access keys. The telephone includes a line powered card reader (62) that interfaces with a CPU (60). Information stored in a memory (70) can then be output in response to a good card received by the card reader (62), this information being in the form of a calling string. The calling string is output to a switched network (22) and a store-and-forward switch (20). The store-and-forward switch (20) is operable to receive the calling string containing information as to the user's ID, credit card information, location of the access phone (10) and other relevant data. This billing information is validated at the store-and-forward switch (20) and, upon validation, an authorization code is then transmitted through a switched network (22) to one of various amenities (24)-(40).

Abstract: An oil filter canister gripping tool (9) is hereby disclosed to assist in the removal and installation of an oil filter (10) on an automobile engine or similar engine and is composed of a relatively flexible strip of U-shaped material (1) having a metal band (2) attached perpendicularly thereto and located near the open ends of the arms of the U-shaped material (1) with said metal band (2) having an adjusting mechanism (4) associated therewith for tightening the band (2) securely around various size oil filter canisters (10). The U-shaped metal strip (2) having a hand-grasping area (8) located between the two arms of the U-shaped metal strip (1) enabling an individual to physically grip said hand grasping area (8) of the wrench (9) and thus permitting the rotational installation and removal of an oil filter canister (10) by means of wrist action.

Abstract: A surround processor includes a time constant processing circuit for smoothing directional information signals from a detector with continuously variable time constants in order to generate one or more control voltage signals. The time constants produced by the circuit are continuously variable and responsive to both the rate of change and the amplitude of the directional information signals, such that as the difference between the controlled voltage signals and the directional information signals increases, the value of the time constants decreases to permit the control voltage signals to closely follow the directional information signals, and as the difference between the control voltage signals and the directional information signals decreases, the value of the time constants increases so that variations in the control voltage signals are smooth. Split-band processing of input audio signals to the processor is also accomplished without the necessity of placing filters directly in the audio path.

Abstract: A data processing system including an arrangement for modifying the usual priority arbitration of an input/output channel controller (IOCC) used in granting direct memory access (DMA) service among contending peripheral devices sharing a common peripheral bus. The IOCC includes logic for conditioning the established priority arbitration scheme based upon the data status of the data buffers. If the higher priority requesting device requires a data transfer between the system memory and the IOCC prior to performing an operation directly between the IOCC and the peripheral device, the priority will instead be granted to a lower priority peripheral device that does not require a system memory access operation.

Abstract: A system for the multichannel reproduction of sound in which a plurality of loudspeakers connectable to a surround sound processor is disclosed. Circuits for adapting the processor to provide left and right side output signals are also disclosed. Left and right side dual loudspeakers are disclosed wherein each dual loudspeaker contains two independent drivers, one facing the front and the other the rear of the listening area, the front-facing drivers being connectable to the left and right side output signals and the rear-facing drivers being connectable to the corresponding left and right rear output signals of the processor.

Abstract: A color conversion system for optically scanning a target document or the like utilizing a monochromatic scanner connected to a computer is disclosed. The target is illuminated with a light source. The light is filtered from the light source to direct either red, green or blue frequency light to the scanner. The target is scanned three times, the scanner receiving red frequency light in a first scan, green frequency light in a second scan and blue frequency light in a third scan. The foregoing scans may occur in any order. In each of the scans, the light reflected from the target to the scanner is processed to generate corresponding red image data, green image data and blue image data. The red, green and blue image data is combined to generate multiple color image data. The multiple color image data may be displayed or printed to produce a multiple color image representative of the image on the target.

Abstract: A surround sound processor for presentation of a stereophonic source program on a multiple loudspeaker array surrounding the listening area, the processor comprising input signal conditioning and matrixing circuits, a control voltage generator responsive to the directional information contained in the stereophonic source signals, and a variable matrixing circuit for generating appropriate loudspeaker feed signals to create the illusion of the sound field spreading around the listening area, the control voltage generator having improvements in performance and reduced circuit complexity and cost. An inexpensive width-modulated pulse oscillator provides means for varying the time constants applied to directional information signals to produce control voltage signals for varying the matrixing coefficients. A new duration stretching circuit ensures tracking of the control voltages.

Abstract: A cable leakage detection system to be placed in a moving vehicle for monitoring signal leakages in a cable television plant whereby an RF detection meter is combined with a global positioning system and a computer control unit to measure radio frequency signal strength, while maintaining the corrected distance between the vehicle and the source of the leak, determine longitude and latitude of the measured signal strength, and store the signal strength, longitude and latitude in data files.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for effecting mode switching from a transmission mode to a command mode of an intelligent modem operatively coupled to a digital data device and a telephone line is disclosed. A termination of the modem's transmission mode is effected after a predetermined silent time interval in which no data is received from the device and prior to the transmission of additional data on the line. Operation of the modem switches to a buffer mode in which data sent from the device is temporarily stored instead of being transmitted on the telephone line. If the stored data is a proper escape sequence, operation of the modem switches to the command mode. If a proper escape sequence is not received, operation of the modem switches to a purge mode in which the stored data is transmitted on the telephone line. The apparatus comprises a data interface, a novel modem controller and a modem engine.