Abstract: A telephone answering machine having solid state storage of an outgoing announcement (OGA) is improved by magnetic tape apparatus 120 for providing backup protection of the OGA in the event of a power failure. Also stored on the magnetic tape is the time duration of the OGA. Analog to digital conversion of the OGA, for storage in Dynamic Random Access Memories 210, 220 and 230, proceeds at a sampling rate that is inversely proportional to the time duration of the OGA to assure that the available memory space is fully utilized.

Abstract: In a telephone local loop transmission arrangement, data is communicated from the customer premises to the central office utilizing a multi-dimensional, passband signal illustratively at 480 kb/s and 1.544 Mb/s.

Abstract: An adaptor for interfacing a surface mount or through-hole electrical component to a printed circuit board. In one orientation of the adaptor relative to the printed circuit board, the adaptor receives a through-hole component and interfaces this component to a printed circuit board position designed for a surface mount component. In another orientation of the adaptor relative to the printed circuit board, the adaptor receives a surface mount component and interfaces this component to a printed circuit board position designed for a through-hole component. Advantageously, the adaptor is compatible with high-volume assembly techniques, such as wave soldering and machine insertion.

Abstract: An arrangement for securing data transmissions to and from one data device from among a plurality of data devices sharing a common interface is disclosed. In a data communication network, a master communication bus connects to a plurality of data transmitting and receiving devices via a single interface. The disclosed arrangement provides circuitry in the common interface which generates a jamming signal to all devices connected to the interface except for that one device which is either transmitting or receiving a data-transmission. The jamming signal inhibits all the connected devices from monitoring and detecting the data transmission processes of the interface. The one transmitting and receiving device is enabled to either transmit or receive data during the generation of the jamming signal which ensures a secure data transmission and prevents "eavesdropping" by the other devices. The jamming signal is removed at the conclusion of the data transmission to or from the one device.

Abstract: A computer controlled speakerphone includes a line adapting arrangement for developing information about an interface between the speakerphone and a hybrid in a communication line and for providing optimal performance during operation by adapting operating parameters of the speakerphone to the line. During a conversation, the line adapting arrangement measures and averages the degree of hybrid reflection that is presented to the speakerphone. This hybrid reflection provides a measure of both the hybrid and a far-end acoustic return. By determining the degree of hybrid reflection, the switching threshold level of the speakerphone for switching between the transmit state and the receive state may be adjusted. Once the expected level of receive speech due to hybrid reflection is known, additional receive speech due to the far-end talker may be accurately determined and the state of the speakerphone switched accordingly.

Abstract: In a multiprocessor system, a program's execution that is controlled by controlling an extended process that spans a plurality of processors. The extended process comprises an user process on one processor for executing object code of the program and stub processes each on an individual one of said remaining processors for accessing system resources required for execution of the program. Each stub process gives the extended process access to the resources associated with the processor executing the stub process. Further, a stub process is unique to one particular extended process. Each stub process is interconnected to the user process by an individual virtual communication channel. The virtual communication channels are identified in each process by a port table that is unique to an individual process. When the user process accesses a local file, the access is through a user file table, a system file table, and an inode table.

Abstract: The names in a directory stored in a personal terminal having a display are displayed as groups of names in which illustratively the first name in each group of names serves as a displayed tab which is pointed to by the user to display the respective group of names. The individual tabs are dynamically changed to conform with any change in the first name of the respective groups of names that may occur as a result of a change in the composition of the directory.

Abstract: A non-invasive optical fiber coupler for coupling light into an optical fiber bus through the cladding surrounding the optical fiber bus without bending the optical fiber bus. The coupler comprises a tap optical fiber free end adjacent to and facing a region of straight optical fiber bus with the tap fiber free end and optical fiber bus region encapsulated with a junction media having substantially the same index of refraction as the cladding of the optical fiber bus. Since the bus cladding is not removed nor is the optical fiber bus bent, there is no additional light lost due to the coupler from the optical fiber bus.

Abstract: This adaptive environment control system provides an HVAC control system that adapts to the continually-changing thermal characteristics of the building in which it operates. The adaptive environment control system periodically estimates the thermal characteristics of the building and uses these estimates to control the operation of the HVAC system. The adaptive environment control system also periodically measures the performance characteristics of the HVAC system to obtain data with which to update these thermal characteristic estimates. These thermal characteristic estimates enable the adaptive environment control system to determine both the length of time it takes the building to heat up and cool down when the HVAC system idles, as well as the amount of time it takes the HVAC system to heat or cool the building.

Abstract: In a private communication network (10) served by a provider of call interconnection services, e.g., a carrier service node (15), the number of trunks (50-52) used within a call path is reduced without affecting the private nature of the private network. The service provider serves customer calls by means of a service node controller (SNC 40)--a switch such as a PBX. The SNC directly interconnects trunks (50,51) that connect it with a call-source and a call-destination node (20,21) of the customer, without routing the call through the customer's tandem node (24). The SNC merely queries the customer's tandem node over a control link (53), such as an ISDN D channel, to obtain requisite call-routing information from the customer's database (60). The customer retains ownership and control of the tandem node and its database, thereby preserving the private nature of the private network.

Abstract: Option-equippable apparatus such as a computer that is not fully equipped with option circuit boards (14) has filler boards (15,16) connected to free board slots (13). In one embodiment, the filler boards (15) simulate the effect of circuit boards on airflow and act to evenly distribute the cooling air flow inside the computer cabinet (10) in order to provide improved cooling of the circuit boards. In another embodiment, the filler boards (16) block airflow between filler boards connected to adjacent board slots to direct more cooling airflow to any slots equipped with option circuit boards. The filler boards are made of electrically-conductive material (30) to absorb electromagnetic radiation emissions, and are covered with acoustically-absorbent material (33) to absorb sound emissions of the apparatus.

Abstract: An electrical calibration circuit in a voice switched adaptive speakerphone accurately determines the operating parameters of the speakerphone for optimal performance before operation. This is achieved by updating thresholds used to determine when the speakerphone should be in each of three possible operating states; transmit, receive or idle. During operation, these thresholds are compared with transmit and receive signal strength levels to determine the state of the speakerphone. The thresholds are updated to counteract the effects of variation and aging of hardware circuits in the speakerphone and are obtained by having the calibration circuit generate a test tone signal which is passed through speech processing circuitry in the speakerphone at two different levels and the resulting response measured.

Abstract: An improved storage compartment for batteries and the like is formed by a housing and a compartment door. The housing includes an opening along one edge that is shaped to receive the compartment door. Within the opening are circular supports for holding the compartment door and for permitting rotation of the door into the housing as it is being opened. The compartment door contains a cylindrical shaft at each end thereof for engaging the circular support. When used as a battery compartment, metallic contacts are either mounted in the housing or in the door itself. These contacts make electrical connection with one or more batteries placed into the storage compartment. Within the compartment, batteries are positioned such that the axis around which the compartment door rotates passes through the center of gravity of the batteries.

Abstract: A manually operated switch that combines spring and contact functions in a low profile, machine-insertable component. The switch readily mounts onto a printed wiring board. It includes a cantilevered leaf spring member having one free end and a pair of spaced-apart fulcrums at the other end; one of the fulcrums being at the point of attachment of the leaf spring to the printed wiring board and the other being a re-entrant bend in the leaf spring in the vicinity of its center. An actuator is positioned to apply a force between the fulcrums such that the free end moves in a direction opposite to the direction of the applied force. Each spring member in combination with suitably placed contact pads is capable of providing a separate switch operation such as: "make" operation, "break" operation, or make-before-break "transfer" operation. A single actuator operates one or more spring members, each independently providing a different one of the above-described switch operations.