Abstract: An improved automatic gain control circuit for a telephonic headset having a gain control stage in the audio signal path to attenuate tones, in which the gain is controlled by a control signal. A peak filter and an average filter generate signals proportional to the peak and average levels of the input signal, respectively. The signals are compared and a control signal is generated based on the relative signal levels. When the average signal exceeds a predetermined fraction of the peak signal, the circuit recognizes the signal as a tone and generates a control signal that causes the gain control stage to increase attenuation of the input signal.

Abstract: A method for identifying the source of a communication, including the steps of: receiving the communication on a calling line; identifying the calling line number associated with the calling line; accessing a database to provide an identity for the source by finding a database entry corresponding to the calling line number; announcing this identity to the source; and requesting confirmation. Priority caller codes can be used to identify the source. Facsimile transmissions also can be identified before the message is delivered.

Abstract: A method for managing the registration of a wireless communication unit in a wireless communication system serving a geographic area divided into cells. Each cell transmits a unique identification signal containing a hierarchy of information regarding the spatial relationship of the cell to other cells of the service area. A wireless communication unit is provided with a masking factor whose value depends on the relative mobility of the unit, communication frequency, and system infrastructure and resources. The unit uses the masking factor to determine a significant portion of each identification signal received by the unit. As the wireless communication unit moves through the service area, this portion of the identification signal of the cell of the unit's location is compared to the corresponding portion of the identification signal of the cell where the unit last registered.

Abstract: An automated interactive customer class identification and contacting system for use in or for a cellular mobile radiotelephone (CMR) system. A mobile radiotelephone provides identification information as it originates a call or registers into the CMR system by powering up or initially entering the area of coverage of a cell. This identification information is monitored by a detection module, and predetermined identifying characteristics derived from the identification information identify the registering mobile radiotelephone as a member of a predetermined class, such as roamers. An interactive module places a telephone call to the registering mobile radiotelephone and provides synthesized voice message information targeted to the specific class of radiotelephones, for example, roamers.

Abstract: A patch panel facilitates cabling connections with a telecommunications switching device which has input/output ports arranged in vertical columns. A row of fifty-pin standard terminals is on a front side of the connection panel, with each terminal of the row corresponding to a respective column of the switching device. On a reverse side of the connection panel are provided two horizontal rows of fifty-pin terminals, one row for incoming signals and the other row for outgoing signals, to minimize cross-talk. The total number of terminals on the front side of the connection panel is the same as the number of terminals on the reverse side of the connection panel.

Abstract: A method of playing a recorded message to a caller when a called line is busy without actual connection of the call is disclosed. Utilization of the Advanced Intelligent Network is used to place calls attempting to reach a busy line into a queue in a service control point. The call is then connected to an intelligent peripheral, such as a service node, and plays a recorded message of the called party's choice. When the called party's line become idle, a call chosen from the established queue is then connected to it based upon a prioritization system established by the called party.

Abstract: A method of delivering registration reminder messages in a segmented nationwide or other broad area paging system, having multiple service areas, is disclosed. A set of unused capcodes is assigned on a one to one basis as service area codes for each of the service areas. Each service area transmits a set of messages addressed to all service areas except the local service area. Existing paging equipment with alternate capcode memories for storing an alternate address are employed. When a service area code matches the alternate capcode address in the pager, the reminder message is received and displayed. When the user subsequently registers, a command message is transmitted from the local service area commanding the pager to change its alternate capcode to the local service area code. Since no reminder message is addressed to the local service area code is transmitted, receipt of reminder messages then terminates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing a communication from a calling party (120) to a called party (130) to be monitored by a monitoring party (140) and/or recorded (180, 190). Upon receipt of a communication, the service node (180) of the system reads identification information associated with the communication and establishes a bridge for the communication between the calling party (120) and the called party (130), and establishes a bridge from the communication to a monitoring party (140) and/or to a recorder ( 180, 190) in accordance with the identification information. In response to receiving an indication from the monitoring party (140) to tear down the bridge, the system tears down the bridge. However, the communication remains connected between the calling (120) and called (130) parties. Neither the calling party (120) nor the called party (130) are aware of the monitoring or of the recording of the communication or of the discontinuation of the monitoring.

Abstract: An automated interactive customer class identification and contacting system for use in or for a cellular mobile radiotelephone (CMR) system. A mobile radiotelephone provides identification information as it originates a call or registers into the CMR system by powering up or initially entering the area of coverage of a cell. This identification information is monitored by a detection module, and predetermined identifying characteristics derived from the identification information identify the registering mobile radiotelephone as a member of a predetermined class, such as roamers. An interactive module places a telephone call to the registering mobile radiotelephone and provides synthesized voice message information targeted to the specific class of radiotelephones, for example, roamers.

Abstract: Processes and devices for improving data management and reallocation in intelligent networks. Such processes and devices provide intuitive representation of models of data stored in network elements so that system users may more efficiently and reliably reallocate applications and data resources among the network elements. Users see and allocate data using high level depictions of groups of network element data structures based on data structure models. These groups may be hierarchical, and they may correspond to groups within the telecommunications network such as digits in a telephone number and local calling areas. Applications and data resources may accordingly be reallocated among network elements in a more organized fashion using the groups. These organized groups also allow engineering operations personnel more easily to coordinate with translation personnel to make proper changes to translation tables in order to accommodate the data reallocation.

Abstract: A method of regulating and managing network traffic at a mediated access service control point in an advanced intelligent switched telephone network that allows a local exchange carrier to monitor and enforce traffic rates negotiated between the local exchange carrier and other third party providers. The invention is implemented at a mediated access service control point in the network, and is activated when a query destined for a third party service control point is generated at a service switching point. The mediated access service control point receives this query and processes the query to determine if the query should be forwarded to the third party service control point. If the query does not violate any of the rates that have been negotiated between the local exchange carrier and the third party, the query is passed from the mediated access service control point to the third party service control point.

Abstract: Data concurrence processes and systems for maintaining concurrence of parallel sets of data stored in telecommunication Network Elements. According to a preferred embodiment of such processes, an originating entity such as a Service Node sends a Request Message to a Network Element such as a Source Service Control Point in order to update data on that Source. The Source then sends a Request Message to the other Network Element, such as a Target Service Control Point, in order to update the parallel data contained in that Service Control Point. The Network Elements whose data are updated may send appropriate Result Messages in order to verify integrity of the data. Synchronization according to the preferred embodiment is preferably implemented by time stamping particular data in Request Messages at the first level, such as in the Service Node; the Request Messages and the updated data, together with Result Messages, then contain that time stamp which greatly simplifies reconciliation and verification efforts.

Abstract: Processes and devices for enhancing communication management and control in an intelligent network. A Service Management System Information Model serves as the basis for generation of Network Element Images which facilitate data communication between the Service Management System and the various Network elements. The Service Management System Information Model also allows a more intuitive and efficient provisioning interface for the Service Management System user. Network Element Interfaces according to the present invention contain embedded Service Management System/Network Element Interface Protocol functionality and may be employed to interpret the Network Element Images and communicate them over the network to the Network Elements. A Network Element Interface Server allows requests from client programs in the service management system to be queued and prioritized as desired for further efficiency, flexibility and reliability.

Abstract: A method of resource allocation for a service control point (SCP) in an advanced intelligent network. The method dynamically assigns resource time to various entities using the SCP, based upon the resource time needs of each entity as compared to the resource time needs of each other entity and the total processing capacity of the SCP. Initially, a SCP resource time is assigned to each entity to be monitored. The resource time of the monitored entities is monitored over a chosen observation interval. After the completion of the observation interval, any unutilized resource time from any of the monitored entities is assigned to other monitored entities which have used more than their assigned resource time during the previous observation interval. It is also determined whether a SCP is operating at full capacity during a given observation interval.

Abstract: A communication system in which connection acceptance/rejection decisions with respect to an aggregating network coupling traffic from a traffic source to an outgoing communication link are reached based on parameters which include a parameter indicative of the burstiness of the traffic from the traffic source.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for communicating data via a cellular network control channel of a cellular mobile radiotelephone system (CMR) data. A data message system for communicating data sources includes sets reporting devices, at least one mobile switching center (MSC) of a CMR system, and a data collection system connected to said MSC via a first communications link. Each recording device monitors a remote data source to obtain selected data and thereafter transmits a data message containing the selected data. The MSC receives data messages via the cellular network control channel from reporting devices operating within coverage areas of the array of cells and forwards the data messages via the first communications link to the data collection system. In response, the data collection system stores the data messages and processes the selected data.

Abstract: An interface circuit for use with a radiotelephone communications system in which the interface circuit is adapted to interface a trunk circuit serving a telephone switching system with a radiotelephone of the system using the trunk circuit supervision and signaling so that the switching system and trunk circuit have direct access to the radiotelephone system.

Abstract: An automated functional test system for PC circuit boards. The test system includes a test chamber for removably receiving circuit boards to be tested, heating and cooling systems for controlling the temperature in the test chamber, a display, a variable circuit board power supply and diagnostics memory for storing PC circuit board diagnostic software. A control system is coupled to the heating and cooling systems, display, power supply and diagnostics memory. The control system causes the circuit board to execute the diagnostic software during low temperature, high temperature and cycling temperature diagnostic phases. The diagnostic phases are sequentially and repeatedly performed during a test cycle. The cooling system is actuated during the low temperature diagnostic phases to cool the test chamber to ambient temperature. The heating system is actuated during the high temperature diagnostic phases to heat the test chamber.

Abstract: A telemetry system in which a telephone system of the telemetry system is adapted to provide automatic identification of the telephone number of a subscriber location at which a telemetry interface unit is installed and to utilize the identified telephone number in a procedure for verifying the installation. The telephone system is adapted to respond to a preselected telephone number which results in identification of the subscriber location telephone number and which includes a utility identifier which can be used to access utility information for the verification procedure.

Abstract: The present invention is a method that enables a business with multiple locations within a LATA to use a single number for its service. All callers dial the same number to reach the subscriber's business, and a network routes the calls to the most appropriate subscriber location based on the geographic location of the caller, time of day, day of week, and/or percent distribution among subscriber locations. The geographic location of the caller is determined using the calling party number (NPA-NXX-XXXX) and either mapping this number to a wire center (using the NPA-NXX) or to a block group (using the entire NPA-NXX-XXXX). An advantage of Area Number Calling is the granularity of block group routing. Block groups are defined by the Census Bureau and typically encompass a much smaller geographic area than a wire center. Block groups are defined by the Census Bureau for the entire United States. Block groups tend to encompass four to twelve blocks, and they honor natural boundaries, like rivers.