Abstract: Disclosed is a serial communications protocol for connecting a master and a plurality of slaves using three communication lines. The protocol establishes a method for communication between the master and any slave. Any device on the communication bus may initiate the communication. A method of arbitrating any bus collisions is also given.

Abstract: A system for dynamic allocation of voice and data channels in a time division multiplexed telecommunication system is disclosed. Multiple time division multiplexed lines are provided between a Teleco central office and a number of remote terminals. The time division multiplexing provides multiple channels on each of the multiple DSL lines so that multiple POTS devices can be connected to a single remote terminal. In addition, the remote terminal provides a high speed data port for connection to a data device such as a computer, a router, a bridge, a switch or other similar devices. The multiple TDM channels on each DSL line are allocated so that all of the channels are available for transmission of voice signals and all of the remaining open channels are available for the transmission of data signals.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, plugs are provided for insertion into the conventional "310" or bantam styles of DSX telecommunications jacks to permit monitoring of both transmit and receive circuit paths without injecting noise into those circuit paths and without any risk of interrupting or breaking those circuit paths. Because these two conventional jacks differ in size, two sizes of plugs are necessary. However, both sizes of plugs are identical in operation and function. The teachings of the present invention can also be applied to plugs for insertion into other types of conventional jacks, such as standard phone jacks. In these other applications, the plug of the present invention requires only one contact for monaural applications and two contacts for stereo applications.

Abstract: A remotely controlled telephone system terminal box provides non-blocking connectivity between any selected unassigned pair of a plurality X of distribution pairs of lines and any selected plurality Y of drop pairs of lines and employs a plurality X of multiple-position rotary stepper switch blocks each driven by a stepper motor, the stepper switch blocks being selectively actuated by commands from a remotely located central office controller. A continuity test circuit within each of the terminal boxes is responsive to commands from the central office controller for verifying that electrical contact is made between an associated one of the plurality X of distribution pairs of lines and a selected one of the plurality Y of drop pairs of lines. A control pair contention circuit within each of the terminal boxes allows a plurality of the terminal boxes forming a distribution network to be controlled by a single control pair of lines coupling all of the terminal boxes to the central office controller.

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes at least one central office having an electronic supervisor for supervising a plurality of outside plant electronic cross-connect cabinets and a plurality of electronic cross-connect cabinets located remotely from the central office for automatically connecting and disconnecting distribution pairs to feeder pairs terminated at the cabinets. Each cabinet is connected to the electronic supervisor via a control pair in a feeder cable extending from the central office to the cabinet. The electronic supervisor at the central office automatically locates, verifies the identity of, and supervises automatic switching operations at a selected one of the plurality of electronic cross-connect cabinets by providing operating power and signalling information to the selected one via the control cable to which it is attached. Details of the electronic cross-connect cabinet independently form an aspect of the present invention.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a remote cable switching system for selectively switching pairs of an incoming trunk to one or the other corresponding pairs of two available outgoing trunks are disclosed. The system includes at least one remote switch module, a normally quiescent remote control module, and a central office controller which provides the remote control module with operating power and with switching commands during a command sequence. The remote control module accumulates power and decodes the sent switching commands in order to operate identified bistable switches of the switch module to establish the desired matrix. Circuitry for remotely testing proper tip-ring orientation of the connected pairs is provided at the central office is also disclosed and claimed.