Abstract: Method for sorting, in place, objects in an array of sequentially addressed locations into two partitions, the first partition containing all of the even addressed objects and the second partition containing all of the odd addressed objects. In accordance with the method, an array containing a number of elements equaling an even power of two is split into two partitions, the first partition containing the contents of the first half of the locations and the second partition containing the contents of the second half of the locations. Then, the odd addressed locations in the first partition are exchanged with the even addressed locations in the second partition. Then, if a partition only contains two elements, the partition has been sorted, however, if there are more than two elements in the partition, control is transferred to the beginning recursively so that, now, the partition is treated as the array.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting infinite tight loops and infinite inter-task loops in applications tasks in multi-task, real-time systems. In accordance with the inventive method, a low priority task, the idle task, is executed whenever no other task is ready to execute. Further, when the idle task executes it sets a flag. A higher priority, watch dog task executes and tests the flag. If the flag has been set, the watch dog task resets the flag and sends a signal to reset a watch dog timer, however, if the flag has not been set by the idle task for a predetermined time period, the watch dog task will stop resetting the watch dog timer. As a result, this will cause the watch dog timer to trigger and reset the system.

Abstract: Method for providing smart, internodal transfer for subscriber access which enables a subscriber who inputs a subscriber access number at a node in a multinode voice messaging system which is different from the subscriber's home node, i.e., the node which supports the subscriber's personal mailbox, to perform the subscriber's personal mailbox transactions without having to place a second call to reach the home node and without having to re-enter mailbox identification and password information once the home node is reached.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for handling incoming telephone calls and, in particular: (a) for delivering predetermined messages to predetermined calling parties; (b) predetermined, prioritorized screening of incoming telephone calls; and (c) for re-routing incoming telephone calls on the basis of predetermined selection criteria. The predetermined selection criteria include information such as the calling parties, call origination information, call origination information with wildcards, time, date, or a combination of these factors. Call origination information includes, but is not limited to, Automatic Number Identification ("ANI"), private network tie line identification, trunk ID, Wide Area Telephone Service ("WATS"), and extension numbers.

Abstract: A method for transmitting voice signals, including user names--alphabetic and/or spoken, and data messages, including network addresses, among sites of a network of store-and-forward messaging system sites using telephone lines.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically receiving, storing, and reviewing call activity information and call annotation information, which method and apparatus provides logical connections between the call annotation information and call activity information.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for deterring theft of portable electronic equipment that operates in accordance with an industry standard known as EIA-232-D. A theft deterrent unit monitors signal current transmitted between interconnected electronic units. When one or more of the interconnected electronic units is disconnected, the theft deterrent unit detects the cessation of signal current and activates an alarm. The alarm may be used to generate a local alarm such as, for example, an audible alarm, and the alarm signal may be transmitted to a central alarm system for further processing.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting and identifying dial pulse digits in a telephone signal. An embodiment of the inventive method includes the steps of: detecting a dial pulse "0" digit; analyzing the dial pulse "0" digit to determine a predetermined set of data to provide a template which is characteristic of the dial pulse "0" digit; detecting a further dial pulse digit; analyzing the further dial pulse digit to determine a predetermined set of data which is characteristic of the further dial pulse digit; and comparing the predetermined set of data of the further dial pulse digit with the template to identify the further dial pulse digit.

Abstract: TDM bus and, in particular, a PCM Expansion Bus (PEB): (a) which permits a multiplicity of apparatus to monitor a TDM signal simultaneously and (b) wherein various timing and control signals are provided in a manner that minimizes the hardware needed by the apparatus for identifying, i.e., decoding, various channels in the TDM signal for accessing and inserting information therein.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for recovering in-bound calls to a call center, which in-bound calls were directed to overflow. An embodiment of the inventive method includes the steps of: logging telephone numbers of in-bound calls that overflow the handling capacity of the call center, which telephone numbers are provided by the signaling capacity of the network to the call center; determining when call center agents become available; automatically initiating calls back to the logged telephone numbers; detecting when calls are answered; and causing call center agents to be connected thereto.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for permitting host applications processors to read information from and/or to write information into a database which is stored at a switching machine which interfaces with the host applications processors. The information relates to a caller and the database record for the caller is maintained as long as the caller has an ongoing telephone call at the switch.

Abstract: A tuck folder box erection fixture which quickly erects the box blank and holds the erected folder in place while the packaging operator loads the product. In particular, an inventive fixture that is stationary and uses no moving parts to erect and hold the box in place.

Abstract: Method for time-scale modification ("TSM") of a signal, for example, a voice signal, wherein starting positions of blocks in an input signal, referred to as analysis windows, are varied and an output signal is reconstructed by overlapping analysis windows using fixed window offsets, i.e., the duration of overlap between analysis windows is fixed during reconstruction. This is done by searching for segments of the input signal which are similar to the previous portion of the output signal. In one embodiment of the present invention a cross-correlation is used as a similarity measure to evaluate such similarity and the cross-correlation uses a fixed, predetermined minimum number of samples. The starting position of the analysis window which results in the greatest similarity in overlapping regions is determined as the starting position which provides the largest value of cross-correlation in the overlapping regions.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting and identifying DTMF signals in connection with a voice store and forward equipment (VSF) and for preventing talk-off, whether generated by the VSF or by a user of the VSF.

Abstract: ANI Blocking System (ABS) logically interfaces between a calling party and a called party in a telephone network which provides CallerID and CallerID blocking. The ABS automatically: (1) accepts a call from the calling party; (2) places a call to the called party; and (3) connects the called party with the calling party.

Abstract: Apparatus to prevent endless switchover attempts between processors in redundant processor systems where each processor resets an associated watch dog timer (WDT). Whenever a WDT times out, WDT sends a restart signal to its associated processor and a failure signal to switchover control logic. The switchover control logic causes a switch from the active processor to the standby processor if the standby processor is healthy and is properly resetting its WDT and, if the standby processor is not, the switchover control logic will generate a signal to cause a cold reboot of the entire system. However, if the standby processor is healthy, the switchover control logic will generate a signal to cause a switchover to the standby and will generate a signal to increment a switchover counter. The value of the switchover counter is compared with a predetermined threshold value.