Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing a user and a caller into communication with each other. The user is equipped with a communicator device which has an information receiver and a transmitter. Information related to a present location of the user as the user moves about an environment is automatically transmitted, such information being based on information received by the receiver. The automatically transmitted information related to the present location of the user is receiver by a receiver. A telephone call from the caller intended for the user is processed and rerouted to the user's present location as indicated by the automatically transmitted information.

Abstract: A telephone system for providing enhanced telephone services. The system includes a telephone switch servicing a plurality of telephone subscribers via communication facilities of the switch, which facilities hande both voice and data communications. A telephone switch controller is coupled to the switch for controlling the switch to provide an enhanced service not otherwise available in the switch. The controller communicates with the switch using data in the form of switch functions. The controller includes a memory for storing a sequence of switch functions, swhich sequence defines the enhanced service. The controller communicates a prompt to a caller in response to a telephone call placed by the caller to a predetermined telephone address associated with a subscriber and communicates the sequence of switch functions stored in the memory to the switching system in response to a command received from the caller to provide the enhanced service.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for providing telecommunication services to a user. When the user is engaged in a first telephone call via a telephone switch with a first party and a second party attempts to place a second telephone call to the user via the switch, the method and apparatus advise the second caller that the user is engaged in a telephone conversation and allow the second caller to determine whether to interrupt the user or choose another alternative. The user can then decide whether to accept the call from the second caller, putting the first caller on hold, or to refuse the second call. Alternative embodiments are disclosed where the user is advised of the identity of the second caller (or wherein the user has previously authorized certain callers to interrupt a current call with a new call), and then the user can decide whether to accept the call from the second party (placing the first party on hold) or to deny the second party (in which case the second party is transferred to a message center).

Abstract: A remotely accessible telephone control system for connection to a telephone network and method of handling telephonic communications. The system includes a detector for detecting signals on received via the network. A signal generator is responsive to control signals to produce predetermined signals and apply the signals to the network. A memory is provided for storing data and a central processing unit is programmed for monitoring signals detected by the detector, accessing the memory and producing and applying predetermined control signals to the signal generator. The central processing unit also answers an incoming call to the system and transmits a prompt to the caller, and also senses for transmission of an access code.

Abstract: In an automatic call distribution (ACD) system having a plurality of client systems and at least one host server system, the host server system for conducting transactions in real time, a method is provided for creating and reporting data substantially synchronously with other data and in substantial real-time with events which generate the data wherein at the host server system requests are handled and translated directly into executable machine code containing all knowledge needed to execute the request as a query as if the query were directed to a relational database, a query in real-time interaction is used to access data in shared memory of the host server system and report information, typically status information related to transactions of interest, to the requesting client system.

Abstract: A virtual call center is formed by use of real-time insertion of call-listing requests of new phone calls into existing calls-waiting lists of several ACDs according to time information such as the global age of the calls. Each ACD normally lists the calls by the local age, so the inserted requests can receive priority over calls listed only locally. A network of connected ACDs allows the calls to be answered by any available service agent in the order in which the phone calls were received by any ACD anywhere in the network of connected ACDs.

Abstract: In an automatic call distribution (ACD) system having a controller function, a primary system controller and a redundant system controller wherein the secondary system controller is in active operation and the primary system controller is out of synchronization with the redundant system controller, a method is provided for resynchronizing the primary system controller to the redundant system controller wherein selected database update functionality of the redundant system controller is suspended and database files and shared memory are copied in phases from the redundant system controller to the primary system controller with the means provided to continue to do data collection, call answering and queuing of calls, except for a brief period immediately preceding resynchronization.

Abstract: A digital bypass unit for a PBX or ACD telephone system having T1 spans provides the capability to place and answer calls on a digital T1 span in the event of a system failure or power failure. The bypass unit permits the bypass of the failed system, connecting T1 channels directly to digital telephone sets, and is automatically activated in the event of power or system failure. Queueing and distribution of incoming calls are both provided when the system is in the bypass mode.

Abstract: A digital bypass unit for a PBX or ACD telephone system having T1 spans provides the capability to place and answer calls on a digital T1 span in the event of a system failure or power failure. The bypass unit permits the bypass of the failed system, connecting T1 channels directly to digital telephone sets, and is automatically activated in the event of power or system failure. Queueing and distribution of incoming calls are both provided when the system is in the bypass mode.