Abstract: A communications network connected to a plurality of communications lines and method of managing connections to the network. The presence of an interface connection to a communications line is detected and initialized for signaling. First, the interface connection is initialized for a first signaling protocol, e.g., CCS. If initialization is successful, the connection uses that first signaling protocol. If not, the interface connection is initialized using a second signaling protocol, e.g., CAS. If initialization to the second protocol is successful, the connection uses that second signaling protocol. Otherwise an error message is returned.

Abstract: To compensate for polarization mode dispersion (PMD) induced distortion in an optical signal, an optical pulse is split into two orthogonally polarized pulses. A polarization controller selectively aligns the arbitrarily oriented first and second principal states of polarization of the PMD pulses to match fixed orientations of predetermined first and second principal states of polarization of a beam splitter. The PMD pulses are then coupled to a Mach-Zender interferometer that measures the differential delay between them and selectively compensates for the measured differential delay. An optical combiner combines output the compensator PMP pulses to generate a combined output optical signal.

Abstract: A method and a system monitor communication connections from a calling communication terminal to a target communication terminal during predetermined time periods, so as to prevent calls placed at undesirable times from being automatically connected to the target communication terminal. The method includes selecting predetermined time periods, preferably utilizing a web-based interface, in which the system monitors the incoming calls to selectively connect the target communication terminal with the calling communication terminal and further includes determining the types of calls which the system will monitor. Preferably, the system is set to monitor all incoming calls during the predetermined time period, regardless of the calls' originating time zones, utilizing a TOL application.

Abstract: A hybrid system and method are provided for determining the geographic location of a wireless device. A first base station subsystem is connected to the wireless device for transferring location information to and from the wireless device. A network subsystem is connected to the first base station subsystem and to a location computation entity for transferring location information between the first base station subsystem and the location computation entity. A second base station subsystem is connected to a location measurement entity and to the location computation entity for transferring location information between the location measurement entity and the location computation entity. The location computation entity generates and sends location information to the wireless device and/or location measurement entity and processes location information received from the wireless device and/or location measurement entity to obtain the geographic location of the wireless device.

Abstract: A headset/headphone sensing jack (203, 208, 210). A two-channel sensing circuit (210) is provided which detects whether a headphone (101) or headset (103) is installed. By employing an impedance sensing circuit (210), it is possible to use a single common 2.5 mm jack (120) for both radio and telephony operation. Formerly, two separate jacks would be required for both functions. An electronic device (50) according to the present invention is further capable of switching between AM/FM radio and telephone modes depending on whether a particular headpiece (101, 103) is installed.

Abstract: A method and a system for handling calls includes utilizing a delay calculation module to calculate a transmission delay between first and second terminals over a voice-over-data-network, such as the Internet. A local call processor determines if the transmission delay exceeds a predetermined threshold. If the threshold is exceeded, voice transmission quality over the Internet is not sufficient to support high quality transmissions for the call and a call router places the call over an alternate network, such as a Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN). In a preferred embodiment, the transmission delay calculation is a two-tiered process in which a preliminary round trip delay is first calculated to screen for large transmission delays which do not include a delay component introduced by a remote call processor. If the preliminary round trip delay exceeds a round trip delay threshold, the call is routed over the PSTN.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for protecting call privacy allow a calling party to control the privacy of a telephone call by selecting among a group of privacy options that represent varying degrees of privacy and enforcing the selected privacy options during the call. The privacy options selected for the call limit the ability of a called party to manipulate the call. For example, the privacy options may prevent the called party from forwarding the call, transferring the call, conferencing the call, and/or listening to the call via a hands-free speakerphone. In an additional aspect of the invention, the selected privacy options are transferred to any voicemail messages that are generated as a result of the call made by the calling party. The preferred call privacy system is implemented in a packet-based network that carries voice and data.

Abstract: Methods for dialing an emergency telephone number from a teleworking client according to the invention include detecting at the teleworking client when an emergency number is dialed, disconnecting the teleworking client from the PBX/MLTS, connecting the teleworking client to the PSTN, and dialing an associated stored number. The apparatus of the invention resides in software that is installed in off the shelf hardware. Though the invention is described with reference to a teleworking client, it may also be applied to any other dialup network connection.

Abstract: A system and method for organizing and accessing multi-media messages from a displayless interface. According to one embodiment, voice recognition techniques are used to allow the user to identify and create a hierarchical organization for stored messages.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting communications among multiple interconnected networks include assigning multiple dynamic telephony addresses to each wireless communication device that registers in more than one network. The networks assign the addresses independently of each other. When an incoming call is directed to a particular wireless device via a first network, if the wireless device is beyond the transmission range of the first network, a locate-wireless-communication-device message may be single-cast, multicast or broadcast to remote networks, with instructions to return dynamic telephony addresses assigned to the device. While the telephony addresses are different in each network, each wireless device is associated with a device identifier that is universally applied in the internetwork. Upon receiving a telephony address from a remote network, the address is stored in local memory at the first network, thereby allowing access for subsequent incoming calls.

Abstract: A telecommunications call center includes a controller (301), graphical user interface (302), a database (304), and a query engine (306). The controller (301) stores call information in the database (304), such as call length, duration, party, time, and the like. The graphical user interface (302) subsequently allows a user to enter query fields for a query of the database. The query engine (306) reads the entries, generates a Structured Query Language (SQL) query, and returns results via the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A method for providing automatic restoration of network access for user lines within a communication system. The user lines interface with groups of transmission lines that include dedicated transmission lines which are connected to the user lines, idle transmission lines and reserved transmission lines. The method includes steps for making a number of transmission lines among the groups of transmission lines available for user lines which have a dedicated transmission line in a group of transmission lines that fails and for coupling each of such user lines to a respective available transmission line. The method may also include steps for delaying the coupling of such user lines if a sufficient number of transmission lines are not available.

Abstract: A messaging system (10) includes a voice mail system (VMS) (20) in communication with a telecommunications switch (22). The VMS (20) includes a call processor (28) and a message mailbox (30). The mailbox (30) includes a message queue (32) and a pointer (34). The call processor (28) is capable of transferring a user call and generating a re-call protocol element in response by transfer request received during message playback. The telecommunications switch (22) can reconnect the transferred call after termination thereof to the call processor (28) according to the re-call protocol element. The reconnected call accesses the voice message stored at a return position indicated by the pointer. The call transfer feature can also be used with shared mailboxes.

Abstract: A fiber-optic cable guide includes first and second guide walls, one or more base support elements for connecting the guide walls, and a number of securing elements which extend from the guide walls along a top portion thereof. Each securing member preferably has a length which is shorter than the spacing between the guide walls. This difference in length substantially corresponds to the diameter of a fiber-optic cable. A fastener may be included on a bottom surface of one or more of the guide walls for attaching the guide to a mounting surface, which may be a printed circuit board. Furthermore, the guide walls may be conformed to traverse any desired path along the board.

Abstract: Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) private network call rerouting or switching, substantially transparent to both the caller and the called party. IP private network calls (e.g., VoIP private network) are automatically switched over a Public Services Telephone Network (PSTN) such as an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) as the need arises. Alternate routing may occur because of, for example, network congestion, network outages, or detected poor Quality of Service (QoS) in the private network. Routing is over existing customer PSTN trunks and a dedicated Direct Inward Dial (DID) number, unlisted, that serves all users at a distributed system. Calls that may be switched to the PSTN (ISDN) are correlated with call associated information, such as a private calling user number, name, classmarks, Dialed Number Identification Services (DNIS), user group. VoIP calls made between users appear as intranetwork calls regardless of whether they are intranetwork calls or alternately routed.

Abstract: A system and method within a multimedia messaging system for automatically enabling the system to notify a user that his or her mailbox is full and therefore no longer accepting messages for storage. The system includes one or more mailboxes to receive and store messages from callers, a capacity calculator to determine whether the messages stored in the mailbox exceed the allotted amount of storage space and a message transmittal unit to enable one or more notification alerts to be generated in response to the capacity calculator determining that the mailbox is full.

Abstract: A user's access patterns are accounted for in deciding to switch between a plurality of wireless networks 204, 206. A method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes monitoring a location of a wireless communication device 202 Within a region serviced by a first wireless communication network 204 and second region serviced by a second wireless communication network 206. The first and second region have an overlapping region which could be serviced by both networks. The future location of the wireless communication device 202 within the first and second regions is predicted based on the monitoring of the previous locations of the wireless communication device 202. When the wireless communication device 202 is detected as being within the overlapping region, the system determines whether to transfer an active connection between the wireless communication device 202 and one of the networks to the other network.

Abstract: A telecommunications device able to automatically detect a pending change in an area code or numbering plan area (NPA) during the period when either the new area code or the existing area code may be used to dial a particular number. Such a telecommunications device is configured to read an ISDN connected party number or an H.323 connected party number during the permissive period and compare the connected party number with the called party number. If there is a mismatch of the area code and the numbers otherwise match, the telecommunications device knows that an area code update is pending and advises the user thereof accordingly. Alternatively, the telecommunications device may itself automatically update speed dialing lists, routing tables, and the like.

Abstract: A system for enabling voice communications outside a LAN telephone network to be accomplished by way of a wireless interface formed from a standard wireless telephone, such as a cellular telephone, and an adapter. The adapter is configured to interface a standard wireless telephone to the communication network, such that the wireless telephone may be used as the wireless trunk. In particular, a network user may originate a call intended for someone outside the network and the call will be routed to its destination over the wireless telephone network, via the wireless telephone. The network and the adapter communicate with each other using standard network signaling protocols. Likewise, communication between the adapter and the wireless telephone is performed using known cellular signaling protocols. The adapter functions as a protocol converter to translate between the network signalling and wireless telephone signalling.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently assigning a plurality of channels among a plurality of nodes in a radio communications system. For each node in the system, a buffer zone is established. The members of a particular node's buffer zone are that subset of the plurality of nodes in the system that are prohibited from using a channel simultaneously with the particular node. When a particular node is in need of a channel assignment, the system will assign a channel to the particular node from a subset of channels that excludes channels assigned to nodes within the particular channel's buffer zone. A co-channel zone is for each particular node is also established which includes a subset of the plurality of nodes that is near the particular node, but excludes nodes outside the particular node's buffer zone.