Abstract: A lighted keyboard system which transmits light to the viewer via a clear rectangular column that uses the function key's guiding mechanism for support. The lightpipe emits light in a uniformly brilliant rectangle of light from a height above the surface of the keyboard. The lightpipe gathers light from an external light source which emits light at a wide viewing angle, and directs the emitted light along the center of the lightpipe to the emitting section. The beam of light is then diffused by the emitting section located at the top of the lightpipe, becoming a uniformly brilliant rectangle. The function key has a wide base which is used to guide the function key as it travels. This wide base never extends above the surface of the keyboard thereby maintaining all contacting surfaces between the guiding features and the function key below the surface of the keyboard. The function key has a key push center which is offset from the base of the function key.

Abstract: A method apparatus for selectively passing various types of telephony information between a data communications port on a digital telephone and a computer run application program. In one embodiment, the application program can select a subset of telephony events by way of a telephony command to the telephone's data communication port. This command is processed by a telephony command processor within the data communications controller which, in turn, sets a programmable event mask within the telephone. In response to the event mask being set, only the selected telephony events are spontaneously reported to the host computer and application program.

Abstract: Method for generating and maintaining a user name database in a network of store-and-forward message system nodes, wherein databases associated with the individual nodes of the network are not completely replicated. In accordance with the present invention, whenever a sender addresses a message recipient whose name is not stored in a database associated with the message sender's system node, the message sender's system obtains the message recipient's name from a database associated with the message recipient's system node and the message sender's system node updates its associated database with the message recipient's name.

Abstract: The present invention is a digital telephone control interface system that provides a programmable control to the keys of a digital feature telephone. The programmable control selectively masks the keys present on a telephone and prevents masked keys from being directly responded to by the telephone or routed to the telephone switching network. While the keys are masked, the programmable control can suppress, delay, modify or enhance the key events produced by the masked keys as directed by the application software being run by the programmable control.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting a far-end disconnect signal for use by telephony applications such as voice messaging systems. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, signal power of a telephone signal in particular frequency ranges is compared with the signal power in these frequency ranges for characteristic far-end disconnect signals used by telephone systems worldwide. Further, the cadence of the signal power of the telephone signal is examined to determine whether the cadence of the telephone signal is characteristic of far-end disconnect signals, including "busy signals" and "dial tones.

Abstract: An interconnect bracket which mechanically and electrically connects an auxiliary device to a main unit. Very few additional parts are required and the auxiliary device is user installable with minimal tools. The interconnect bracket provides the electrical connection by employing traces which run the length of the bracket. The interconnect bracket attaches to the bottom surface of the main unit and is configured to fit within receiving recess slots such that the bracket is substantially flush with the bottom surface of the main unit. As a result, no visible connectors or cables are necessary. The interconnect bracket is lightweight and contains guides which assist in the installation of the auxiliary device. The interconnect bracket provides a means of connection which enables the auxiliary device to separate from the main unit when subjected to forces such as would be experienced if the coupled units were dropped. This reduces the potential for damage to the components of the main unit and auxiliary device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for dedicating one or more second lines interconnecting a public/private communication system (PCS), such as a Private Branch Exchange (PBX), and a Voice Mail System (VMS) for only providing message notification to communication devices of recipients of voicemail messages via the PCS. A plurality of analog first lines in a hunt group between the PCS and the VMS permit voice communications between callers and the VMS via the PCS. The VMS includes an applications processor which is integrated (coupled) to the PCS. The applications processor determines if a second line to be used only for message notification is part of the plurality of analog first lines in the hunt group. If the second line is part of the plurality of analog first lines, the applications processor accesses the PCS over the second line, and causes the second line to be made inaccessible to the public/private communication system for transmitting incoming calls to the Voice Mail System.

Abstract: Method for use in developing, testing, debugging, and/or troubleshooting a call progress monitoring (CPM) detection system which is utilized, for example, by a voice messaging system (VMS). One embodiment of the present invention which is utilized in conjunction with a VMS includes the steps of: (a) monitoring at least one voice channel of the VMS to obtain CPM tones and having a CPM Detection system associated with the VMS perform an analysis of the CPM tones, the output of which analysis is referred to as CPM Trace Variables; (b) storing the CPM tones and the CPM Trace Variables for the at least one voice channel, which stored CPM tones and CPM Trace Variables are referred to as a CPM Trace file; (c) obtaining a first voice channel; and (d) feeding the voice portion of the CPM Trace file to a second voice channel for playing it to the first voice channel.

Abstract: A method for automatically propagating subscriber names and their associated name headers to remote sites from a local site in a PhoneMail network, includes adding a profile propagation status field to a data base field for each mailbox of a subscriber in each PhoneMail system in the network. A predetermined number of bits are reserved within the profile propagation status fields, for representing the status at any given subscriber network profile relative to a corresponding remote site, with different patterns of the bits conveying different status messages. Subscribers at a local site are selected for sending their associated network profiles to the data bases of selected remote sites. After the selection process, the network profiles are propagated to the remote sites.

Abstract: A state driven system includes a plurality of sub-programs and microcodes in storage. A plurality of peripheral units and an entity are connected to a common bus. Changes in state of the peripheral units are detected in a scanning mode, and in response to such state changes a state action table containing action commands is accessed for retrieving necessary action commands to drive a state processing table for assembling a combination of program addresses and microcodes. Programs associated with the addresses are retrieved from memory and executed, and logic cards are operated by given ones of the microcodes for operating the peripheral units in their changed states.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for permitting host applications processors to read information from and/or to write information into a database which is stored at a switching machine which interfaces with the host applications processors. The information relates to a caller and the database record for the caller is maintained as long as the caller has an ongoing telephone call at the switch.

Abstract: A tuck folder box erection fixture which quickly erects the box blank and holds the erected folder in place while the packaging operator loads the product. In particular, an inventive fixture that is stationary and uses no moving parts to erect and hold the box in place.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for initiating multiple call transfers from a Voice Mail System ("VMS") to telephone extensions on a Private Branch Exchange ("PBX") integrated with the VMS. A plurality of first lines between the PBX and the VMS provide voice communication between callers and the VMS via the PBX. The VMS includes an applications processor which is integrated (coupled) to the PBX via an integration link. The applications processor determines if at least one of a plurality of second lines in a hunt group are free, and transmits a command to the PBX to effect a call transfer to an extension on the PBX if at least one second line is found free. If no second line is found free, the applications processor places the transfer request in a queue. The plurality of second lines in the hunt group are searched in response to the PBX receiving the special command over the integration link to find a free second line.

Abstract: Method for time-scale modification ("TSM") of a signal, for example, a voice signal, wherein starting positions of blocks in an input signal, referred to as analysis windows, are varied and an output signal is reconstructed by overlapping analysis windows using fixed window offsets, i.e., the duration of overlap between analysis windows is fixed during reconstruction. This is done by searching for segments of the input signal which are similar to the previous portion of the output signal. In one embodiment of the present invention a cross-correlation is used as a similarity measure to evaluate such similarity and the cross-correlation uses a fixed, predetermined minimum number of samples. The starting position of the analysis window which results in the greatest similarity in overlapping regions is determined as the starting position which provides the largest value of cross-correlation in the overlapping regions.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting and identifying DTMF signals in connection with a voice store and forward equipment (VSF) and for preventing talk-off, whether generated by the VSF or by a user of the VSF.

Abstract: Apparatus to prevent endless switchover attempts between processors in redundant processor systems where each processor resets an associated watch dog timer (WDT). Whenever a WDT times out, WDT sends a restart signal to its associated processor and a failure signal to switchover control logic. The switchover control logic causes a switch from the active processor to the standby processor if the standby processor is healthy and is properly resetting its WDT and, if the standby processor is not, the switchover control logic will generate a signal to cause a cold reboot of the entire system. However, if the standby processor is healthy, the switchover control logic will generate a signal to cause a switchover to the standby and will generate a signal to increment a switchover counter. The value of the switchover counter is compared with a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for minimizing retransmissions during communication in a modem-to-modem communications system.

Abstract: In a current level sensing circuit employing a gyrator to control an opto-isolator, a coupling circuit having an input impedance of a magnitude sufficiently higher than the output impedance of the gyrator that it does not substantially load the gyrator is employed to couple the gyrator output to the opto-isolator. In one embodiment, a differential amplifier receives the gyrator output at a first input which is associated with an output that is coupled to the isolator and a predetermined reference voltage supply is applied to a second input of the differential amplifier. A current sink is connected in a common load path portion of the differential amplifier and is otherwise connected to implement differential amplifier current limiting at a level which assures damage-free operation of the isolator as well as insensitivity to low amplitude electrical disturbances applied to the gyrator.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for capturing and saving recently dialed telephone numbers and for redialing automatically a telephone number from among the most recently dialed telephone numbers. Embodiments of the present invention: (a) capture an outgoing telephone number when it is dialed by a caller; (b) enter the telephone number into a database comprised of the last N telephone numbers that were dialed, where N is a predetermined number of telephone numbers, while eliminating duplicative entries for a particular telephone number; (c) display the telephone numbers in the directory in response to caller input; and (d) cause a telephone number in the directory to be redialed in response to caller input.

Abstract: A packing pallet which provides increased buckle resistance for a given amount of cushioning material. In particular, an inventive packing pallet utilizes a stringer as a bottom support for cushions and a top deck board which is bolted, through the cushions, to the stringer.