Abstract: A modem or other telephone device (102, 502) is configured to identify (or receive notification of) the companding law used by a destination modem or telephone device. The telephone device (102, 502) can then, using stored conversion tables, predict the inverse mapping from the converted encoding law. Having done so, the telephone device (102, 502) can identify distorted portions of the decoded signal and modify the original signal before it is sent to the encoding or encoding-converter unit.

Abstract: In an automated call management method and system, automated processing is used to collect customer information that enables skills-based call routing and a camp-on approach to efficiently handling calls. The customer information is preferably acquired through use of a web-compatible form that is submitted by the customer. The form includes information that identifies agent attributes that are considered advantageous to handling a particular call, includes the callback telephone number, and may include the time at which the callback should be initiated. In another embodiment, the information is acquired using interactive voice recognition techniques. After an agent queue is selected on the basis of a correlation between identified agent attributes and the skills of a particular agent or agent group, a camp-on request is generated to initiate a connection when an appropriate agent is available.

Abstract: A proximity detector (111) is provided for causing automatic callback. The proximity detector (111) causes the called party's telephone (506) to send a signal to the telephone system indicating that the automatic callback may proceed. For example, the detector may cause an off-hook/on-hook event to be sent, or other specific signaling. The telephone system signals the calling party (502), who may then answer the automatic callback and be connected to the called party.

Abstract: A conferencing server (22) and methods for use with a videoconferencing system (20) for multimedia collaborative conferencing. The conferencing server (22) includes at least two data ports (69) and at least two video graphics input ports (67), each pair of data and video graphics input ports for connecting to one of at least two computers (72) belonging to a participant located in a local videoconference room. The conferencing server (22) also includes a single video graphics output port (77) for connecting to a local input port (40) of the videoconferencing system (22). The conferencing server (22) includes a control unit (50) that is selectively programmed to couple a first of the at least two video graphics input ports (67) to the video graphics output port (77) for allowing the transfer of information from the computer connected to the first of the at least two video graphics input ports to the videoconferencing system (20).

Abstract: A system for enabling music to be provided to callers placed on hold in a LAN network used for voice communications. Bandwidth consumption is minimized by ensuring that music-on-hold is provided in a manner that enables most necessary tasks to be executed by a client instead of a server. In specific embodiment, the music-on-hold system is configured to transfer a small application program or applet, having a music file and a media player, from the server to the client if necessary. Concurrently, a real time protocol (RTP) stream carrying music is used to provide music to the client from the server during the applet transfer to ensure that the held caller receives music at all times. The RTP stream is initially used to provide music to held callers.

Abstract: A Local Area Network based on a parallel bus architecture is disclosed. The LAN provides a means of utilizing relatively low cost CMOS circuitry to obtain performance superior to LAN's utilizing more exotic high speed technology. The disclosed LAN is based on a parallel bus having n×8 data lines, ±power lines, and a clock line. The bandwidth of the LAN is the product of the number of data lines times the clock speed. Bandwidth is therefore scalable by increasing either the clock speed, the number of data lines, or both. Access to the bus is provided via ports which include transceivers, a clock receiver, and a configurable hardware interface. Each port is assigned an address based on a data line and a clock cycle. The invention features a network that becomes more efficient as usage increases, ports that can accept any medium, and an architecture that facilitates implementation of a true “STAR” LAN configuration which interfaces between two or more serial communications links.

Abstract: A messaging system allows a message recipient to assign different message lengths to different messages. In one embodiment, the recipient sets the length of time per message. In another embodiment, the recipient programs the messaging system with codes that, when matched, enable longer messages. The recipient assigns the codes to “preferred” senders. The senders transmit the code, either explicitly, for example by a sequence of keystrokes, or automatically, for example by transmitting caller identification.

Abstract: The invention provides users of either a unified messaging mailbox or simple plain text storage mailbox, with media and device sensitive methods and apparatus to convert messages from one medium to another (when necessary) taking into account the type of target device (for example, cell phone, PDA, pager, etc.), being used to access a stored message Additionally, the invention provides methods and apparatus for determining target device type and for summarizing message content based on target device type.

Abstract: The invention provides the user of a unified messaging mailbox with efficient, intelligent, media and device sensitive methods and apparatus for automatically summarizing messages stored in a unified multimedia mailbox. Additionally, the invention provides methods and apparatus that convert non-text messages to text to facilitate summarization utilizing predefined keywords and/or lists of keywords, where each list of keywords is linked to one of a message subject and a message sender. Further, the invention provides for the prioritization of messages via the application of filtering techniques.

Abstract: A method of allocating resources for implementing certain call-related features, such as call forwarding, includes enabling a centrally accessed unit (e.g., a gatekeeper) to support the features and enabling telephony devices (e.g., personal computers running ToL client software) to independently implement the features. Thus, there is redundant capability with respect to the features. A task-allocation scheme is established for adaptively assigning execution of the tasks needed to perform the features. The scheme is at least partially based upon determining processing resource availability within either or both of the centrally accessed unit and the telephony devices. When a request for a feature is detected, the execution of the requested feature is assigned to either the centrally accessed unit or the particular telephony device with which the request is associated, depending upon the current processing resource availabilities.

Abstract: A concealed telephone includes a telephone body that is hidden from view. Audio signals produced by the telephone are provided to an earpiece that is hidden in a pair of glasses, sunglasses, or jewelry. A microphone is incorporated into a tie tack, jewelry piece, or other location that is inconspicuous, such as in a pen. Signals between the earpiece and microphone are preferably transmitted wirelessly to the telephone by a Bluetooth™ or other short-range analog or digital wireless communication device. Alternatively, signals could be transmitted from the telephone to the earpiece and microphone via hidden wires.

Abstract: Many portable computing devices include data based applications such as schedules, contact managers, and the like, which can be synchronized with another computing device, such as a desktop computer, whereby the data on both synchronized devices are conformed. The present invention discloses a method and apparatus that allows such data to be selectively synchronized, wherein the user can specify, on a record-by-record basis, which other databases receive or synchronize with each record. The present invention allows multiple users to synchronize portable computers with the same desktop (or other) computer without necessarily sharing all of their synchronizable data.

Abstract: To register current codec types of a mobile station with a network side, the mobile station 11 notifies, when it conducts the location registration or a mobile user replaces his or her old mobile station, a visitor location switching system 5, which is associated with the current location of the mobile station, of the codec types supported by the mobile station 11 using a mobile communication control signal between the mobile station and the mobile network. Receiving the notification, the visitor location switching system 5 enters the update of the codec types into a location register 41 in a memory home station that controls the mobile network 2. The codec types can be thus registered into the mobile network 2 using the mobile communication control signal. Since the mobile network 2 can always acquire the latest codec types for the mobile station, the discrepancy is canceled between the codecs the mobile station supports and the codecs the network registers.

Abstract: A radio paging signal coding control scheme capable of improving the reception characteristic of the receiver by carrying out a coding control to determine logical channels for accommodating paging signals such that the transmission rate equivalently becomes as low as possible according to the paging signal traffic, without interrupting the paging signal coding processing while maintaining the combination of transmission rate and modulation scheme for frames, is disclosed. In the case of using prescribed transmission rate and N-valued modulation scheme, logical channels to be used for transmission of paging signals among a plurality of available logical channels are determined by setting priority orders among a plurality of available logical channels such that a number of states of modulated signals becomes less than N when paging signal traffic is small.

Abstract: An adaptive array antenna for use in a base station according to the CDMA mobile communication system. A number of antenna elements greater than the number of elements (a reference number) which would be required when directional antenna elements each having a beam width which is the same as a sector angle are used to provide a service area having a sector angle which is narrower than the element beam width, or a number of antenna elements each having a beam width broader than the sector angle which is less than the reference number may be used to define a service area.

Abstract: An in-line charge controller for controlling charging of a storage device such as a cell, battery or the like by a charging system, particularly a photovoltaic charging system is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a cable assembly for a photovoltaic charging system including a photovoltaic module suitable for charging a battery, includes a wire assembly for coupling the photovoltaic module to the battery and a charge controller for controlling charging of the battery by the photovoltaic module. The charge controller is embedded in line within the wire assembly thereby reducing the risk of damage to the system or battery due to improper installation of the system.

Abstract: A method and a system for providing a warning alert to subscribers of a telecommunication system is disclosed. In one aspect, the warning system includes a central switch and a remote switch, each switch coupled to a different plurality of subscribers to be contacted by the emergency notification provider that issues the emergency warning alert. In another aspect, the warning system contains a ringing tones database having different ringing tones corresponding to different emergency conditions, where an appropriate ringing tone is select by the telecommunication system and routed to the subscribers depending on the type emergency for which the emergency notification provider is providing the warning.

Abstract: A baseband spread modulation signal is input to a matched filter (131). The matched filter (131) despreads the spread modulation signal using the output of a spreading code replica generator (132). The matched filter (131) outputs the despread signals at L timings. The output signals are multiplied by multipliers (201) by corresponding weighting factors output from a weighting factor controller. The multiplied outputs are demodulated by demodulators (202), and RAKE combined by an adder (118). A data decision section (203) generates from the RAKE combined signal a data decision signal. An error signal generating section (204), receiving the RAKE combined output and the data decision signal, obtains an error signal.

Abstract: A gatekeeper (109) including a compare unit (204) and a record unit (206). The compare unit (204) receives call requests and accesses a database which is a record of where a called party picked up the call, e.g., at home, at the office, via a mobile phone, or via an emergency number. The compare unit (204) performs an analysis such as a “closest neighbor” analysis to determine the location of the user at the time of day closest to that of the present call. The call is then routed to the user at that location. The record unit (206) then makes the appropriate notation in the database for the latest call.

Abstract: Methods for improving bus performance and bandwidth utilization in a Local Area Network (LAN) are disclosed along with methods fo adapting LANs for use with differing hardware interfaces. The LANs described are based on a parallel bus architecture. Performance superiority is gained by passing data between ports on parallel circuits that individually are relatively slow, but that, in the aggregate, provide bandwidth equivalent to or greater than serial LAN's of much higher frequency. The bandwidth advantage of the parallel architecture is extended by the logical advantage which permits efficient utilization of up to 99% of this bandwidth. This logical advantage rests in the capability of establishing glare and collision avoidance schemes that result in very little wasted bandwidth. The LANs described are adapted for use with differing hardware interfaces when provided with a plurality of bus ports, where each port has associated therewith a configurable hardware interface.