Abstract: A server allows a worldwide telephone number associated with a local telephone to be shared by one or more remote telephones. A call placed to the worldwide telephone number rings at the local telephone and at least one of the remote telephones. The server stores a set of telephone numbers to be associated with a worldwide telephone number serviced by the switch to which the local telephone is connected. The server receives notification of a telephone call from a calling telephone to the worldwide telephone number The server retrieves the set of telephone numbers associated with that worldwide telephone number, and places calls to telephone numbers in the set through the switch. The server then causes a connection to be made between the local telephone or the remote telephone, depending on which telephone goes off hook first, to the calling telephone.

Abstract: A system for notifying a user of awaiting messages is provided. In the preferred embodiment, this system includes a messaging device (30), a lock system (20), a central computer (40) and a output device (50). Central computer (40) processes signals from lock system (20) and to messaging device (30). Central computer (40) also monitors lock system (20) and sends user related information to messaging device (30). Output device (50) automatically contacts the user with information related to the awaiting messages.

Abstract: A power management system for providing power to a main system, such as a telecommunications device, includes a number of modules that are joined by module-to-module interfaces that achieve a common EMC containment barrier. In one embodiment, a battery module defines a first EMC compartment that houses one or more backup batteries, a battery management module defines a second EMC compartment that includes circuitry such as recharging circuitry, and a power entry module includes a third EMC compartment. The power entry module has an input/output connection to the battery management module and has an AC input. An output cable extends from the power entry module to the main system. Compliant metallic module-to-module gaskets preserve EMC integrity at cable pass-throughs from the battery management module to the battery and power entry modules. The modules are mounted to a system housing in a manner that secures the modules in a desired relationship.

Abstract: A method of preserving privacy in an electronic storage-and-retrieval message system includes providing access by designated persons to manipulating interface features for storage/retrieval information related to directing messages, while restricting access to any stored messages. In a voice mail system, the storage/retrieval interface feature includes the greeting that is presented to a calling party. A first access code, such as a password, is assigned to enable access to the interface features, while a second access code is assigned to enable message-retrieval. In the preferred embodiment, changes to a greeting or the like are reported in an audit message that is stored in the user's mailbox. The audit message is automatically generated. The audit message notifies the user of the history of any changes. Changes to a greeting may also be automatically generating by using a stepped sequence of prompts to solicit information relating to the user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are set forth which enable users of a network which supports the AMIS Analog Protocol to define numbering plans which shorten and simplify addressing an AMIS message to specific AMIS Sites. These user friendly numbering plans are referred to generally herein as "Enhanced Addressing" schemes. The methods and apparatus contemplated by the invention also support the construction and utilization of the "System Number", as defined in the AMIS Analog Protocol, particularly in conjunction with performing Enhanced Addressing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for "piggy backing" a FAX transmission on a video call. A document, in the form of modulated facsimile data, is received from a machine located in proximity of a sending station. The document is demodulated, packetized and a header, indicating that the packet contains facsimile data, is added. The packets are then injected into a digital video stream carrying video conference data bound for the receiving station.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided for a trunk interface which can test a trunk interface card. Switching circuitry couples tip and ring leads to signal detection circuitry which detects the typical ring and lead signal information. During testing, a test signal is generated which causes the detection circuitry to be coupled to sets of simulated ring and tip test signals which can test the functionality of the integrated circuit and the signal detection circuitry.

Abstract: An office point is connected to a central office using a plurality of basic rate interface (BRI) lines. A physical layer of the office point provides connection to the BRI lines. A second layer uses a first table for accessing terminal endpoint identifiers (TEIs) using port numbers and logical link numbers. A third layer uses a second table for accessing logical terminal number using the port numbers and the logical link numbers. The third layer also uses a third table for using logical terminal numbers to access service profile identifiers.

Abstract: The interconnection mechanism preferably attaches a display unit to the cover of a telephone in a manner that allows the display unit to be rotated relative to the telephone. The interconnection mechanism includes a rotation edge on the telephone cover that engages with a rotation notch on the display unit to define an axis of rotation. The mechanism also includes a cantilever beam on the telephone that applies a force against a curved surface of the display unit. The cantilever beam presses the rotation notch of the display unit against the rotation edge of the cover. The force from the cantilever beam also provides a slight, uniform resistance against the rotation of the display unit. The display unit also includes a pair of snaps that engage with a pair of curved surfaces on the cover to lock the display unit into the cover.

Abstract: A system for applying radiation therapy includes a radiation source for emitting a radiation beam and includes redundant treatment field-defining arrays for shaping the radiation beam. The radiation beam is initially shaped by a multileaf collimator having a side-by-side arrangement of leaf pairs. The leaves are individually manipulable to define apertures between the leaves of a pair. Thus, the contour of an irregular treatment field can be precisely defined. The second field-defining array includes field-defining members that are individually connected to corresponding leaves of the multileaf collimator. Preferably, the connections are mechanical linkages and there is a one-to-one correspondence of the field-defining members and the leaves. Adjustment of a leaf simultaneously adjusts a position of a corresponding field-defining member. Also in the preferred embodiment, the second array is contained within a conically shaped housing that provides beam guidance.

Abstract: A vehicular telecommunications system having user detection features. A telephone controller 504 is comprised in a vehicle and adapted to process a plurality of telephone signals. A telephone 37 is configured to receive telephone calls for the user from sources external to the vehicle in which the telephone is installed. A user detector 52 is operably coupled to the telephone controller 504 and configured to provide a signal to the telephone controller 504 indicative of whether the user associated with the telephone is determined to be present in a predetermined location of the vehicle, such that the telephone controller directs a received telephone call for the user to the telephone responsive to the signal. Exemplary user detectors include passive infrared detectors 52c and switching mechanisms 52a, 52b associated with a coupled seatbelt 523 or the user's presence in or near a seat 501.

Abstract: Automatic cable compensation is provided by a cable connector having an encoder containing cable delay information. The encoder mates with decoding circuitry in a component of an open-loop system which in turn automatically and directly compensates for signal propagation delay by adjusting the transmit timing as dictated by the encoded cable delay.

Abstract: An alerting device generates a variable alert that is varied to continuously or continually indicate the amount of time that has elapsed since the alert began. The alerting device has an alert signal detector, a timing unit, an alert signal generator and an alert unit. The alert signal detector responds to an activation signal to activate the timing unit, and the alert signal detector responds to a deactivation signal to reset the timing unit. The timing unit generates timing information to the alert signal generator indicating the elapsed time since the occurrence of the activation signal. The alert signal generator responds to the activation signal and to the timing information to generate an alert signal that indicates the elapsed time since the occurrence of the activation signal. The alert signal generator further responds to the deactivation signal to disable the alert signal.

Abstract: Partitioned point-to-point communications networks and configured to include a plurality of overlapping network portions, from "fully connected" point-to-point communications networks that are being expanded (to include additional sites), reconfigured and/or which are being upgraded (or otherwise modified) to support new and possibly incompatible communications protocols. The partitioning facilitates adding sites to a fully connected network, particularly where a predetermined maximum network size is reached, without having to redesign the network. In addition, modifying communication protocols used in such a network (for example, when upgrading a portion of the network to support a new feature), without having to change protocols for all sites at once is facilitated.

Abstract: One can compensate for signal propagation delay in an open-loop system of interconnected components by fixing overall path propagation time and selectively adjusting transmit timing at each of the interconnected components.

Abstract: An inventory control procedure which supplies materials at various stations along an assembly line without providing excess amounts of these materials.

Abstract: Methods are set forth which enable users of a voice messaging system network which supports the Audio Messaging Interchange Specification (AMIS) Analog Protocol to define numbering plans which shorten and simplify addressing an AMIS message to specific AMIS Sites. These user friendly numbering plans are referred to generally herein as "Enhanced Addressing" schemes. The methods contemplated by the invention also support the construction and utilization of the "System Number", as defined in the AMIS Analog Protocol, particularly in conjunction with performing Enhanced Addressing.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for use in conjunction with voice messaging systems for determining playback volume of a message so that a good representation is provided for a voice-related portion of the message and the playback volume of a loud sound is reduced. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the log mean square power (MSP) of the message is determined while the message is being recorded and an MSP value for use in determining the playback volume is determined by analysis of the values received near the end of the message.

Abstract: By handling initial processing of HDLC frames, an HDLC engine can free up a server microprocessor that would otherwise be tasked to respond to incoming frames. Sharing a memory with the microprocessor, the engine periodically accesses an address status table in the memory to retrieve data in order to process received frames based on the status of the frame address.