Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for processing multi-media telecommunication transactions by a call processing center. The method includes the steps of detecting a call of the multi-media telecommunication transactions by a host computer of the call processing center and transferring a transaction request from the host to a call processor for assignment of an agent to the call. The method further includes the steps of transferring an identifier of the assigned agent from the call processor to the host and transferring the call received from the host to the assigned agent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for processing signals received on a R2 multifrequency compelled signalling subscriber channel within a telephone switch. The method includes the steps of disposing a digital signal processor within the telephone switch between an inbound path of the R2 multifrequency compelled signal subscriber channel and a controlling processor of the telephone switch and detecting an R2 multifrequency compelled signalling control transmission by the digital signal processor on the inbound path. The method further includes the steps of responding to the control transmission by the digital signal processor transmitting an acknowledgement on an outbound path of the subscriber channel and transferring a symbolic representation of the control transmission to the controlling processor of the switch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for accepting a call by an automatic call distributor from a public switch telephone network. The method includes the steps of determining an average call wait time between arrival of the call on a trunk line of the automatic call distributor from the public switched telephone network and delivery of the call to a selected agent and delaying acceptance of a call detected on the trunk line from the public switch telephone network by a predetermined time period less than the average call wait time.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a smart subscriber line interface card (SLIC). The SLIC of the present invention includes a first and a second switch. A data receiver is coupled to a first output of the first switch to receive a user output signal and is adapted to generate a data receiver output therefrom. An ADC (analog to digital converter) is coupled to a second output of the first switch to receive the user output signal and is adapted to generate an ADC output therefrom. A data transmitter is coupled to a first input of the second switch and is adapted to generate a data transmitter output from a received digital network signal and couple the data transmitter output to the first input of the second switch. A DAC (digital to analog converter) is coupled to a second input of the second switch and is adapted to generate a DAC output from the received digital network signal and couple the DAC output to the second input of the second switch.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for identifying a call record of a telephone call to be moved from a source automatic call distributor to a destination automatic call distributor. The call record is of a type having been previously stored under a call identifier of the source automatic call distributor in a memory of the host computer serving both the source automatic call distributor and destination automatic call distributor in an area of the memory reserved for the source automatic call distributor. The method includes the step of storing a call action provided message in a call overflow table of the host computer including the call identifier of the telephone call and an identifier of the source automatic call distributor.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly (10) having a plurality of circuit board subassemblies (12) having a device (14) for releasably electrically and mechanically connecting the subassemblies (12) into a general configuration of a plane, and said subassemblies (12) having a device (16) for electrically and mechanically interconnecting the subassemblies (12) into a system back plane (18).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for selecting a language for use by a plurality of agents of an automatic call distributor. The method includes the steps of storing an indication of the selected language in a memory of the automatic call distributor, downloading the indication to each agent station of each agent of the plurality of agents and programming the agent stations to use the selected language based upon the downloaded indication of the selected language.

Abstract: An emulator (10) for a telephone system having an automatic call distributor (11), a reporting system (12) for receiving information for the call distributor (11) and having at least one output device, and a simulator (20) for supplying simulated information of the call distributor (11) to the reporting system (12) when requested and at random time intervals.

Abstract: Dual damascene methods and structures are provided for IC interconnects which use a dual-damascene process incorporating a low-k dielectric material, high conductivity metal, and an improved hard mask scheme. A pair of hard masks are employed: a silicon dioxide layer and a silicon nitride layer, wherein the silicon dioxide layer acts to protect the silicon nitride layer during dual damascene etch processing, but is subsequently sacrificed during CMP, allowing the silicon nitride layer to act as a the CMP hard mask. In this way, delamination of the low-k material is prevented, and any copper-contaminated silicon dioxide material is removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a voice path between a customer call connection received from a public switched telephone network at a switch of an automatic call distributor and an agent of the automatic call distributor at a remote location from the automatic call distributor and also a data connection between a terminal of the agent and a host of the automatic call distributor. The method includes the steps of setting up a dedicated telephone connection through the public switched telephone network between the automatic call distributor and agent at the remote location and establishing a voice internet protocol communication link between the automatic call distributor and agent through the dedicated connection for exchange of voice information between the customer and agent. The method further includes the step of establishing a data link between a database application of the host and a database application of the terminal of the agent through the dedicated connection.

Abstract: An adaptive method and system for processing luma and chroma signals from lines of a video signal. The invention includes an adaptive comb filtering algorithm that determines whether to average lines of video data based on the signal content. If two lines are dissimilar, a simple notch/bandpass system is used. The invention provides improved adaptive comb filtering performance at vertical transitions between high-luminance-detail areas and between other areas such as solid colors or flat gray or white fields by dynamically determining whether to average the chrominance information of the current video line with the chrominance information of the previous line, next line, both of such lines, or neither of such lines.

Abstract: A portable apparatus and method of providing a communication interface between a local agent and an automatic call distributor at a remote location through a first and second path of the public switched telephone network. The apparatus includes a portable enclosure and a voice tranceiver disposed within the portable enclosure and coupled to the first path of the public switched telephone network. The apparatus further includes a data transceiver disposed within the portable enclosure and coupled to the second path of the public switched telephone network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sending interswitch mail within a private automatic call distribution system from a first user to a second user of the automatic call distribution system using non-call associated temporary signalling connections. The method includes the steps of receiving a mail request from the first user to the second user of the private automatic call distribution system and determining a switch routing path from the first user to the second user. The method further includes the steps of requesting a private network type connection between the first switch and the second switch and transferring the mail from the first user to the second user using an ISDN protocol over the requested private type connection.

Abstract: A pitch lag coding device and method using interframe correlation inherent in pitch lag values to reduce coding bit requirements. A pitch lag value is extracted for a given speech frame, and then refined for each subframe. For every speech frame having N samples of speech, LPC analysis and vector quantization are performed for the whole coding frame. The LPC residual obtained for each frame is then processed such that pitch lag values for all subframes within the coding frame are analyzed concurrently. The remaining coding parameters, i.e., the codebook search, gain parameters, and excitation signal, are then analyzed sequentially according to their respective subframes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for scheduling agents supporting operation of an ACD. The method includes the steps of establishing a scheduling period and identifying a plurality of agents to the ACD for supporting the operation of the ACD during the scheduling period. The method further includes the step of applying a generally periodic deviation schedule of an agent of the plurality of agents to the scheduling period which generally periodic deviation schedule is periodic over a plurality of days of the scheduling period.

Abstract: A cable modem provides upstream data signals in a cable system on a return channel. The upstream data signals are provided in a 50-550 MHz frequency range and yet do not affect the picture quality associated with conventional cable television signals. The data is provided on vestigial sidebands associated with the cable television signals or during black periods associated with the cable television signals. The data can be modulated in accordance with quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) techniques.

Abstract: A multiple input, low voltage, OR/NOR gate architecture based on a single-ended OR/NOR gate circuit, wherein a plurality of input transistors are connected in parallel. A reference transistor connects to the input transistors. A feedback means connects the NOR output signal to the base or gate of the reference transistor. The feedback means provides an effectively differential input for the multiple input circuit, without increasing circuit complexity, thereby providing enhanced noise margin characteristics.

Abstract: A digital video conversion system housing multiple converter chains of units in a single main box chassis. A preferred embodiment uses only a single conditional access unit to authorize decryption of premium channels in response to a smartcard. The conversion system allows a single converter box sharing consolidated decryption (access control) circuitry and a single remote control receiver to provide video output for multiple television sets on the subscriber's premises. In addition to reducing the subscriber's hardware costs per television set, a common access control allows the video service provider to grant a multiple-set discount on a single smartcard.

Abstract: A physical vapor deposition chamber assembly is provided for use in depositing metal particles onto a wafer placed inside the chamber assembly. The physical vapor deposition assembly includes a chamber having an opening, and a target containing a desired metal to be deposited on a wafer placed inside the chamber, with the target adapted to be secured at the opening of the chamber. The assembly further includes an insulator positioned along the boundary of the opening, and having opposing first and second surfaces, with the second surface having a ridge extending therealong and defining a narrow horizontal ridge surface. A first O-ring is positioned between the first surface of the insulator and the chamber along the boundary of the opening, and a second O-ring is positioned between the ridge surface of the insulator and the target.

Abstract: A programmable digital modulator and methods of modulating digital data for transmission by a communication system according to operating parameters selected for various applications are provided. A two-chip system is utilized by a preferred embodiment of the invention. One chip comprises a PROM for storing impulse response data which would result from filtering the data to be transmitted. The second chip comprises a data interface for accepting input data, an address generator for generating an address of the PROM where the impulse response data is stored which corresponds to the data input to the chip and for causing the PROM to output the impulse response data stored at the address generated, and a data modulator for modulating a carrier signal with the impulse response data provided by the PROM.