Abstract: Each type of peripheral device has a unique identification, and if this unique identification is not present in software that is being transferred to the peripheral device for installation on the peripheral device, the peripheral device rejects the software being transferred to it.

Abstract: Speaking a predetermined phrase by a user, causes a handset to transmit this audio information to a personal computer. The personal computer is responsive to the predefined phrase to determine that the user of the handset has answered an incoming call.

Abstract: Activating a switch by a handset where the switch is manually activated when the user wishes to answer an incoming call. While the switch is in the deactivated state, the handset transmits to a sound card within a personal computer a multi-frequency tone which is detectable by the sound card. When the manual switch is activated, the handset ceases to transmit the multi-frequency tone to the sound card. The sound card detects the absence of the multi-frequency tone to determine if the handset is answering a call. In traditional telephony terms, when the manual switch is activated, this is the offhook condition. When the manual switch is deactivated, this is the onhook condition . When the user is done with the call and deactivates the manual switch, the handset again generates the multi-frequency tone that is subsequently detected by the software via the sound card. Then, the software knows to signal the other party on the call that the call has been terminated.

Abstract: allowing a central business communication system to handle all aspects of call setup on a remote switch. Call control for a telecommunication call set up on a remote switch continues to be handled by the central business communication system; however, the switching of the bearer channels is performed automatically on the remote switch if the telecommunication call is between telecommunication terminals on the remote switch. In addition, if the telecommunication call is between two remote switches, the remote switches will automatically communicate the bearer channels through an interconnecting media without going through the central business communication system.

Abstract: Logical coverage areas are dynamically rearranged to meet the traffic needs of a wireless switching system. Further, the logical coverage areas do not have to be initially provisioned during deployment of the wireless switching system since the initial determination of the logical coverage areas is automatically performed. Once the logical coverage areas are established, the logical coverage areas adapt to the changing needs of the community of wireless handsets. A first embodiment allows the base stations to control the rearrangements, and a second embodiment allows a system wireless controller controlling the wireless switching system to control the rearrangements.

Abstract: During the final testing of a printed circuit board, a test set inserts the actual serial number of a printed circuit board into one or more memory devices on the printed circuit board after reading the serial number from the printed circuit board. Further, the serial number is uniquely identified by the manufacturer in the manufacturer's database. The serial number is then transmitted to the manufacturer's database where it is stored and associated with the telecommunication switching system that the printed circuit board will be inserted into.

Abstract: In a wireless switching system in which base stations dynamically re-arrange logical coverage areas, when a base station enters a new logical coverage area, wireless handsets registered on the base station do not have to report individually this change in logical coverage areas to a wireless switching system controlling the wireless switching system. The base station performing the transfer from one logical coverage area to another logical coverage area informs the wireless switching system controller of the change in logical coverage areas both for the base station itself and for each of the wireless handsets registered on the base station. The base station informs the wireless handsets that the logical coverage area is being changed and informs the wireless handsets that they do not have to re-register. This reporting by the base station greatly reduces the number of operations performed when the base station moves from one logical coverage area to another logical coverage area.

Abstract: Transmitting by a public service provider an audio message to the calling party instead normal ring back tones when a call is placed by a calling party to a called party. This audio message is an advertisement that is paid for by a third party. If the calling party wishes more information concerning the advertisement, the calling party indicates this desire either by a spoken command or by accuation of a multi-frequency key on the telephone hand set during the message. If the calling party has indicated a desire to obtain more information with respect to the advertisement, when the call to the called party is completed, the public service provider will automatically connect the calling party to a system that will provide additional information concerning the advertisement. A data terminal placing a data call will receive advertisements in a similar manner.

Abstract: A wireless handset does not perform a re-registration operation when its serving base station is at capacity, and a wireless controller controlling a wireless switching system is allowed to send incoming calls for the wireless handset to the base station even if the base station is at capacity. The base station signals a new call to the wireless even if the base station is at its active call capacity. The wireless handset is responsive to the incoming call to perform a base station re-direct operation to a new base station that has idle call capacity, and the call setup is completed to the wireless handset via the new base station. The base station re-direct operation is a new wireless operation. The base station re-direct operation is controlled by the system wireless controller in a second embodiment.

Abstract: Periodically sending by a telecommunication controlled application an encrypted message to a licensed server to request permission to run and to obtain a list of permitted features. The license server application is executing on the same processor as the controlled application. Also resident on the same system is a license file which contains a list of applications that are permitted to run, the version number of the permitted applications and a list of permitted features. The license server is responsive to the encrypted message from the controlled application to read and decrypt the license file, read the serial number of the processor controlling the telecommunications system, compare the serial number obtained from the processor with the serial number stored in the license file. If there is a mis-match, no license is granted to the control applications and it will not be allowed to run.

Abstract: Logical coverage areas are dynamically rearranged to meet the traffic needs of a wireless switching system. Further, the logical coverage areas do not have to be initially provisioned during deployment of the wireless switching system since the initial determination of the logical coverage areas is automatically performed. Once the logical coverage areas are established, the logical coverage areas adapt to the changing needs of the community of wireless handsets. A first embodiment allows the base stations to control the rearrangements, and a second embodiment allows a system wireless controller controlling the wireless switching system to control the rearrangements.

Abstract: Finishing the end of a plastic optical fiber by a device having a semi-rigid or rigid base, a solvent liner for absorbing and holding a solvent, and a re-attachable pull-off cover for keeping the solvent from evaporating when not in use. To polish the end of a plastic optical fiber, the cover is peeled off, the end of the optical fiber is contacted with the solvent liner such that solvent is transferred to the end of the optical fiber, the cover may be reapplied (using a pressure sensitive adhesive integral to either the bottom of the peel-off cover or the top of the liner), the excessive solvent, if any, is removed by using an appropriate swab, and the end of the plastic optical fiber is allowed to return to its normal state. The solvent temporarily dissolves the surface layer of the end of the optical fiber. The resulting surface tension automatically polishes the end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: Determining that a slope of test values resulting from two test conditions being applied to a remote device via a network connection and a reference circuit is within a predetermined range, and applying full power to the remote device if the slope is within the predetermined range. The determination using the slope reduces the effects of voltage drop variation caused by diodes and leakage of current by transistors in the remote device. The determination is performed by first applying a first reference voltage to both the remote device and reference circuit and storing the resulting two voltages. Next, a second reference voltage is applied to both the remote device and reference circuit and the resulting two voltages are stored. A first difference is calculated from the two voltages resulting from the testing of the remote device, and a second difference is calculated from the two voltages resulting from the testing of the reference circuit.

Abstract: Allowing a selective retrieval of messages based on message characteristics. The message characteristics are originating telephone number, specific caller, originating area code, originating country code, calls within a time period, and calls not resulting in a message. In addition, messages can be searched for a range of telephone numbers, range of area codes, range of country codes.

Abstract: Using a new compound to produce a magnetic tape having low electrical resistivity and high magnetic absorptivity. The magnetic tape self-adheres around a cabinet door opening such that when a cabinet door is closed, the magnetic tape provides an EMI seal with low electrical resistivity and high magnetic absorptivity. In addition, the magnetic tape electrically connects the door to the cabinet. To achieve greater EMI shielding, separate magnetic tape pieces can be positioned on both the cabinet and cabinet door. The compound is of a magnetically lossy Manganese-Zinc (soft ferrite material) having a complex permeability plus cobalt, nickel, or iron (ferromagnetic materials). The Manganese-Zinc material may be Product 3S1, 3S4, 3C11, 3E25 or 3E27 manufactured by the Phillips Corporation of The Netherlands which is readily commercially available.

Abstract: Transmitting a “plugged into charger” message to a wireless telecommunication switching system by a wireless terminal when inserted into a charging unit. The wireless telecommunication switching system is responsive to the “plugged into charger” message to remove the wireless terminal from the call coverage path of the user. The wireless telecommunication switching system can add to the call coverage path of the user the telephone number of the cellular telephone utilized by the user when the user is out of the building. In a second embodiment of the invention, the wireless terminal transmits the message to invoke the “send all calls” state when the wireless terminal is plugged into a charging unit. In a third embodiment of the invention, the wireless terminal transmits a call transfer message that transfers all incoming calls to another terminal when the wireless terminal is plugged into the charging unit.

Abstract: In an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) disassembler unit that is receiving ATM cells from an optical interface and converting data from these cells onto a constant bit rate (CBR) call, only a nominal predefined build out is defined for each optical interface. If an ATM cell is not received within the proper amount of time for the CBR call from the optical interface, the build out is automatically adjusted so that the build out is equal to the amount of delay that was experienced in receiving the next ATM cell for the call. Only the build out for the individual call that actually experienced the delay of the ATM cell is redefined. The other calls being handled by the optical interface are not effected by this automatic adjustment of the build out interval for the individual call. In addition, when an ATM cell is delayed for a particular call, the information that is transmitted for the call is the last PCM sample of the present ATM cell for that call.

Abstract: Allowing printed circuit boards to be secured in a printed circuit carrier by means of a retaining bar that is secured at its ends to the printed circuit board carrier. Contact is established between the retaining bar and each individual printed circuit board by depositing a copper area on the back face of the printed circuit board and making contact with this area by the retaining bar. The conductive area is connected to the ground of the printed circuit board, and the retaining bar is conductive in nature and makes contact at either end with the printed circuit board carrier. The retaining bar is designed to provide vertical strength throughout its length.

Abstract: Control data is communicated utilizing a multi-frame format that consists of individual frames each having a number of rows and columns. As each row is received from a transmitting unit, the data and position of the row within a frame is verified by use of a checksum and is immediately utilized by the receiving unit. This reduces the amount of storage that must be provided by the receiving unit for the reception of control information to that of a single row. In addition to verifying the row identification, the identity of each frame within the multi-frame is also verified before an individual row is utilized. In a first embodiment, the operation of generating the checksum is seeded with the current row number. In a second embodiment, the operation of generating the checksum is seeded with the result of an Exclusive OR operation of the current row number and frame number.

Abstract: Using an adjustable sleeve that provides electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, is lightweight, and is adjustable in its length. The electromagnetic compatibility sleeve is formed by attaching electromagnetic foil shields on one or both sides of an insulating material that is accordion-in-structure in a first embodiment so that its length is flexible. The insulating material can be a very high resistivity and magnetically lossy ferrite material to prevent eddy currents on the inner surface from causing magnetic fields within the insulating material In a second embodiment, the sleeve is made up of telescoping sections so that the length is flexible. This flexible sleeve is attached to systems by the utilization of a mounting bracket, one for each system. The electromagnetic sleeve confines the radiation from a printed circuit extender to within the sleeve and prevents radiation from exiting the systems through enclosure openings by the utilization of the mounting brackets.