Abstract: A radiotelephone apparatus in which a radiotelephone transceiver monitors a control channel for paging signals and a controller automatically controls a radiotelephone transceiver to generate an acknowledgment signal in response to receipt of a paging signal carrying a telephone number identity which is any one of a plurality of predetermined telephone number identities.

Abstract: A paging acknowledgement system is provided for communicating both (1) paging messages and (2) acknowledgement messages to confirm reception of the paging messages. The paging acknowledgement system includes at least one communications system, remote communications devices, and at least one MSC of a CMR system. In response to a paging message from a paging party, the communications system transmits data messages corresponding to the paging message via a communications link. The data message contains the type of data that is normally supplied with a conventional paging message and an acknowledgment code that uniquely identifies said data message. A remote communications device responds to a data message containing its particular address by transmitting an acknowledgment message containing the acknowledgment code to the MSC via a cellular network control channel of the CMR system. The MSC forwards the acknowledgment message to the communications system via a first communications link.

Abstract: A telephone system which offers a voice message service and which enables visual indication of waiting messages at subscriber locations using suppressed ringing connections through the switching network of the system and in which acknowledgement signals are provided to the system by the subscriber locations.

Abstract: In connection with enhanced telephone service, such as personal number service, the detection of whether an incoming telephone call is a facsimile transmission or an ordinary voice call is improved by a utilizing a modified ring back signal during the time in which the service circuit node of the telephone system is attempting to detect the presence of the calling tone (CNG signal) of the sending facsimile machine. Particularly, the ring back signal is modified to increase the off time of the ring back signal to be greater than the period of the CNG signal. Where the CNG signal is a periodic signal with a period of 4 seconds with a 0.5 on time and a 3.5 off time, the modified ring back signal has a period of 7 seconds with a 2 second on time and a 5 second off time.

Abstract: A telephone system in which a service node and a service control point are permitted to communicate with each other by adapting the central office switch to have a non-call associated signalling communication service which can be invoked by non-call associated signalling messages and which further utilizes the network access control and/or signalling channel of the service node.

Abstract: A system for the establishment and control of an electromagnetic signal propagation environment containing a particular set of desirable radio frequency characteristics within a bounded area. The bounded area is typically either a business office environment or a residential environment. The electromagnetic signal propagation control system provides interference rejection by preventing electromagnetic interference signals from entering an enclosure to interfere with an enclosed communications system or by preventing signals generated by the enclosed communications system from exiting the enclosure and interfering with another nearby communications system. The system also customizes the electromagnetic signal environment to improve communications within interior areas otherwise blocked from signal propagation and to absorb signal reflections from interior surfaces that may cause interference for the enclosed communications system.

Abstract: An end office of a telephone system in which the end office is operated based on a zero loss plan which requires that the line side equipment be exclusive of any means for introducing loss into the receive paths established in the line side equipment for the subscriber locations served by the end office switch.

Abstract: An apparatus for activating a cellular telephone (10) within a cellular telecommunications network. A PCMCIA card (62) interacts with a controller (50) to display required programming information and questions. A user of the cellular telephone (10) inputs responses to questions on a display (90). The user responses are transmitted to a system administrator at a customer activation center via a mobile telephone switching office in the cellular telecommunications network. The system administrator provides any necessary information for activating the cellular telephone (10). In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a personal computer is connected to cellular telephone (10) and the PCMCIA card (62) is connected to the personal computer. Information for the user may be shown on either the display (90) of the cellular telephone (10) or on a display of the personal computer.

Abstract: A communications monitoring and control system including methods and apparatus for processing a communication directed to a called party. Upon receipt of a communication, the system determines the location of the called party from a changeable list including locations selectively provided by the called party. The communication may be accepted, rejected or monitored by the called party at the locations provided. If rejected, the communication is routed to a message service. If monitored, the communication is routed to a message service, and a one-way connection from the communication to the called party is established. The calling party is unaware of the connection. The called party may discontinue monitoring or connect to the communication at any time during the communication.

Abstract: An antenna mounting platform for mounting at selectable positions along the length of a monopole tower comprises a frame having an interior opening for receiving the monopole, a bracket mounted to the frame and extending to the interior opening and means for selectively (1) forcing the bracket against the monopole and holding the mounting platform on a location on the monopole, and alternatively, (2) releasing the bracket from against the monopole so that the mounting platform is movable along the length of the monopole. Desirably, the antenna mounting platform comprises a plurality of connecting members corresponding to the number of brackets for connecting the brackets. Each connecting member connects adjacent brackets and is operable to selectively compress associated first and second outriggers together and thereby force the brackets against the monopole, and alternatively, decompress the associated first and second outriggers and thereby release the brackets from against the monopole.

Abstract: A method of mediating message traffic across interfaces open to third parties in an Advanced Intelligent Network for a switched telephone system is disclosed. Network utilization is monitored by maintaining message counts at the open interfaces and rejecting messages or terminating access via the interface when an excessive rate of traffic is detected. Access to data bases stored in service control points is used to determine if the sender identified in the contents of the message is the same as the entity authorized to use the physical port upon which the message was received. Also, customer records in the service control point are tested to determine if the sender of the message is authorized to affect the call progress of an affected customer directory number identified in the message. Upon termination of the message traffic across a port, a default application is activated so that other network elements do not have to rely on timeouts to continue processing of calls.

Abstract: A method of mediation of traffic across a particular interface between the Advanced Intelligent Network operated by a local exchange carrier and an outside service provider is disclosed. The particular interface is defined between an application by a non-local exchange carrier service provider for some form of enhanced telephone service requiring use of the Advanced Intelligent Network and a shared execution environment interpreter on the other side of the interface. Mediation is conducted by the shared execution interpreter that is run on a local exchange carrier operated service control point. The shared execution interpreter enforces sufficient rules so that the local exchange carrier does not require knowledge of the details of implementation of the service provider's application.The method defines a unique transaction identifier that is defined and known on the local exchange carrier side of the interface.

Abstract: A telephone display system (10) for communicating data via a service circuit node (11) connected to a PSTN (13) for presentation by a visual display (26) connected to an Analog Display Service Interface (ADSI)-compatible telephone (14). In response to a service selection signal carried by an incoming telephone line (21), the service circuit node (11) generates information signals containing textual information and telephone instructions. The service circuit node (11) also connects the incoming telephone line (21) to an adjunct processor (12) and sends the information signals to the adjunct processor (12). In response, the adjunct processor (12) modulates a carrier in accordance with the digital information signals and transmits the resulting analog information data over the telephone line (21).

Abstract: A telephone system adapted to provide preselected customer traffic data to preselected customers having customer facilities. The central office switch of the central office serving the preselected customers is adapted accumulate and identify preselected customer traffic data of customer facilities similarly to company traffic data of company facilities. The customer traffic data is accessed with the company traffic data by an Engineering and Administration Data Acquisition System of the telephone system which is adapted to transmit the preselected customer traffic data to a Network Usage Information Service processor associated with the central office serving the preselected customers. The Network Usage Information Service processor then transmits the received preselected customer traffic data to the corresponding preselected customers over the telephone system.

Abstract: A secure electronics funds or other financial transaction system that provides substantially equivalent security to that obtained by the use of secure point of sale terminals such as automatic teller machines, yet is conducted from unsecure terminal devices such as telephones, is disclosed. A customer registers himself or herself personally, together with information on his or her bank account at a secure transaction processor. A secure terminal is used to generate an encrypted version of a personal identification number (PIN) and provides the encrypted PIN and to the secure transaction processor. The encryption key used during encryption of the PIN is also acquired from either a specific request to, or monitoring data passing from a conventional network security transaction processor. The encrypted PIN is parsed with one portion being stored in the customer record at the secure transaction processor and the other being partially masked and provided back to the customer as an access code.

Abstract: A tone reduction circuit for headsets designed to attenuate high frequency signals while permitting low frequency signals to pass undistorted. Input signal is supplied to a low-pass filter, a high-pass filter and an automatic gain control circuit (AGC). Outputs from both filters are input to a comparator, with the comparator output connected to the gain control input of the AGC. The AGC is configured to attenuate only the higher frequency signals. Thus, the comparator output controls gain imparted to the output signal produced by the AGC. The comparator output signals no gain in the automatic gain control circuit when low-pass filter output is greater than high-pass filter output, but when the high-pass filter output is greater than the low-pass filter output the comparator controls the automatic gain generator to attenuate the higher frequency input signal in proportion to the difference between high-pass filter output and low-pass filter output.

Abstract: An improved automatic gain control circuit for a telephonic headset having a variable gain stage in the audio signal path, the gain of which is controlled by a control signal appearing across a capacitor. A peak detector is used to detect the presence of peak signals above a predetermined minimum threshold level and a substantially conventional automatic control network is formed around the capacitor in response thereto. During the absence of such peak signals the capacitor is disconnected from the AGC control network and holds the control signal at a constant level. Passage of a predetermined period of time in which no peak signals above the threshold are detected causes a switch to connect a nominal gain setting network to the capacitor to establish a quiescent no signal gain for the circuit which is lower than the maximum gain which the AGC can achieve when it is active.

Abstract: An improved telemetry system in which suppressed ringing connections are established through a switching network to access equipment at subscriber locations. The control equipment for controlling the switching network is specifically adapted to include a set-up routine for identifying the signalling modes for the loop networks connected to the subscriber locations. The control equipment additionally is adapted to permit access by a user of the telemetry system to a subscriber location by first using a no signal signalling mode and, if unsuccessful, an identified signalling mode for the subscriber location. Finally, the control equipment is also adapted to automatically generate telemetry system information for each subscriber location from telephone system and user customer information so that the telemetry system and user customer information are linked by a common reference ID associated with the equipment at a subscriber location.

Abstract: A system for the establishment and control of an electromagnetic signal propagation environment containing a particular set of desirable radio frequency characteristics within a bounded area. The bounded area is typically either a business office environment or a residential environment. The electromagnetic signal propagation control system provides interference rejection by preventing electromagnetic interference signals from entering an enclosure to interfere with an enclosed communications system or by preventing signals generated by the enclosed communications system from exiting the enclosure and interfering with another nearby communications system. The system also customizes the electromagnetic signal environment to improve communications within interior areas otherwise blocked from signal propagation and to absorb signal reflections from interior surfaces that may cause interference for the enclosed communications system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for accessing customer meters and for controlling customer devices over a telephone line. A suppressed ringing connection is established over a customer line between a central office and customer station equipment. The connection is between a data accessing device such as a meter reading controller and a customer premises device such as a meter interface unit. Signals are exchanged over the connection between these two units without alerting the customer via a ringing signal and without changing the supervisory state of the customer's station equipment from on-hook. The connection can also be used for controlling devices such as air conditioning units, in order, for example, to avoid overloads in a power distribution system. The voice switching network of the central office is used for making the connection between the meter control unit and the meter interface unit.