Abstract: A control interface for CSTA protocols utilizes ActiveX properties, methods, events, and pages to access all of the events and services provided by the CSTA protocols. Common paradigms such as Invoke_ID and timers are built in to the interface. The interface further provides statistics and diagnostics via property pages.

Abstract: A notification method for providing camp-on capability includes utilizing device-to-device signal exchanges via a data network. As a result, the camp-on capability may be enabled at a called communication device by means of a signal sent from a calling communication device. In the preferred embodiment, the data network is the global communications network referred to as the Internet, but this is not critical. As a response to the determination that the called communication device, such as the telephone, is in an unavailable condition, a first notification signal is transmitted from a calling communication device to the unavailable called device. The first notification signal may be an application program that is automatically executed at the called device. Alternatively, the first notification signal may be a special protocol element that triggers execution of a camp-on program stored at the called device. The first notification signal includes the network address of the calling device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing diagnostics and gathering statistics in computer supported telephony applications includes a control interface for CSTA protocols which utilizes ActiveX property pages to collect and display statistics and diagnostics. According to the preferred embodiment, Active X properties, methods, events, and pages are used to access all of the events and services provided by the CSTA protocols. Common paradigms such as Invoke13ID and timers are built in to the interface.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the use of dual tones over an established voice channel of a telecommunications network. The method inhibits a call tone by removing at least one frequency selected from a group of frequencies used for in-band signaling. The method may also determine a time for inhibiting the call tone.

Abstract: A text enhanced voice menu system includes data storage, a voice communication path, a text communication path and switch logic. The data storage stores audio information for producing a voice menu, and stores text information for producing a text version of the voice menu. The voice communication path generates a voice menu from the audio information. The text communication path generates a text menu from the text information. The switch logic selects one of the voice menu and the text menu to be transmitted over a connection line.

Abstract: A data traffic network 200 in which excess cells, or cells whose transfer is expected to cause the user to exceed the QoS traffic contract bandwidth limit, are transferred to a destination node 300b via an alternate or secondary network 212. More particularly, traffic received at a first ATM node 300a (for example, an end user node) is or has been classified according to traffic type, such as voice, data, or video (with their corresponding characteristics). Prior to packetizing the data streams into the ATM fixed length packets, the ATM node 300a, 600a determines whether the QoS traffic contract bandwidth limit has been exceeded or is likely to be exceeded. If so, then the corresponding traffic is transmitted to the destination node 300b via an appropriate alternate network 212. For example, voice traffic is transferred to a PBX and, ultimately, to the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

Abstract: A telecommunications system (18) is provided that includes a first controller (20) and a second controller (22) coupled using a packet-switched network (32). The controllers provide a low cost means of coupling isochronous telecommunication devices. The first controller (20) receives one or more isochronous input channels from a common control shelf (24), such as a private branch exchange (PBX), over a circuit-switched network (27). The first controller (20) encapsulates an isochronous frames from the common control shelf (27) into a data frame that is transferrable over the packet-switched network (32). The second controller (22) is configured to receive the data frame and extract the isochronous frame, which is then transmitted to a peripheral shelf (26), such as a line trunk unit (LTU), using an isochronous circuit-switched network (38). The controllers contain identical functionality, permitting bi-directional transmission of data between the common control and peripheral shelves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for multimedia messaging system collaboration. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sender sends a message to multiple recipients. A recipient wishing to make a comment or insert changes to the message submits his comments to a moderator for approval. If the moderator approves of the changes, then the changes are automatically incorporated into the message. The original message is then automatically recalled from recipients who have not yet opened the message and a revised message is automatically sent to those whose messages were recalled. Additionally, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a message is automatically sent to those recipients who have already opened the original message to indicate the change to the original message and update those recipients.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) modulated electron gun includes a cathode, electrically coupled to operate as a source of charged particles, and a grid, positioned apart from the cathode. The grid and the cathode are electrically coupled to a grid voltage source and to a RF source. The grid voltage source places the grid at a first potential, and the RF source places the grid at a second potential selected to produce groups of the charged particles. The groups of charged particles are produced with each period of a signal received from the RF source.

Abstract: The invention provides the user of a unified messaging mailbox with efficient, intelligent, media and device sensitive methods and apparatus to access and process (e.g., read, listen, forward, and search) messages. The invention introduces media conversion capabilities to selectively treat multimedia messages and message attachments so that they can be efficiently handled by mobile devices like PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), pagers, or phone devices (with or without a text display feature). Furthermore, the invention introduces message content analysis capabilities that will recognize linguistic relationships between messages regardless of the media type. The invention also describes the ability to present these linguistic relationships along with the standard messaging relationships (Message arrival time, subject, sender, etc.). Still further, the invention introduces a message referencing option that allows simpler message selection from certain devices.

Abstract: An improved prompting system for accessing specified functions in an interactive voice response (IVR) system. The IVR system (101) presents a plurality of prompts to callers. The prompts are typically presented in a predetermined order. However, the IVR system (101) improves the presentation by adjusting the presentation order based on a caller pattern of prompt selection. By monitoring incoming calls to determine what prompts are most frequently selected, the IVR system (101) can tailor the presentation order to the needs of individual users. The IVR system (101) can monitor either the selections made by all users or those made by a particular individual user over a configurable time period to establish the pattern of prompt selection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automatically determining a call service request in a first communications device and for signalling the call service request determination to a second communications device. The second communications device can apply the service to the call based on the type of call service request. The methods and apparatus of the invention utilize predefined call criterion to make a determination of the call service request. The call criterion may, for example, be selected from called number, calling number, time of day, day of week, and date. An exemplary protocol and message encoding are disclosed.

Abstract: A test apparatus (12) and method (110) are provided for inserting predetermined packet loss into a data flow between a plurality of hosts on a packet-switched network. The test apparatus (12) can include a first network interface (20), a second network interface (22) and a packet filter (24). The first network interface (20) receives a sequence of data packets from a source host (14) under test. Incoming data packets are passed to the packet filter (24), which selectively discards predetermined ones of the data packets to generate a reduced sequence of data packets. The second network interface (22) transfers the reduced sequence of data packets over the network (18) to the destination host (16). The test apparatus (12) can be used accurately to measure the effect of packet loss on media applications transmitting real-time data, such as voice and audio, over packet-switched networks.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling call handling in a communications network. The methods and apparatus include special processing and network signalling (between network communications devices) which enable a caller to complete a critical transaction, without interruption. An exemplary protocol and message encoding are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling the ability of an ACD server to pull back a call from an IVR server and for allowing an ACD caller to complete a critical transaction while connected to an IVR include special processing and network signaling which enable the ACD to set a pull back status flag and grant permission to the IVR to request a change in the pull back status flag. An exemplary protocol and message encoding are disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques for enhancing the sound quality of computer telephony systems are provided. In general, digital signals including telephony sounds are converted from the time domain to the frequency domain. If noise is detected in the frequency domain conversion of the digital signals, the noise is removed utilizing a filter. The noise detection and filtering can be performed in software so that enhanced audio quality can be achieved at a relatively low cost and with flexibility for very diverse environments.

Abstract: A telecommunications system is provided whereby call routing may be based on a pre-programmed calendar of time-date associations. Moreover, the routing may be selective, based on caller-identification information. In particular, when a call arrives at a messaging server (804), such as a PBX or TOL server, a LAN database is checked. The LAN database points to a calendar (916, 918) corresponding to the user. The calendar (918) is queried to determine the user's location. The caller ID information is checked to determine whether the caller is authorized for forwarding. If so, the call is forwarded based on the calendar.

Abstract: A service and apparatus for enabling supplementary service functions, such as call parking, to be implemented in a communication network having one or more servers. The call parking service is adapted to enable the called party to park the call anywhere within the network, including outside the local server in a multi-server network. The call parking service includes an invite request unit for invoking the call parking service. A call park request unit is provided to respond to the invite request unit by establishing a connection to a call park destination for enabling the caller to be parked at the call park destination. A retrieval request unit is provided for connecting a call pickup party with the parked caller for completing the connection. An exception handler may also be provided to ensure that network problems in the call parking procedure do not result in a lost call.

Abstract: Synchronization techniques that improve the ease with which synchronization operations can be performed are disclosed. Synchronization is performed between resources on a portable computing device and resources stored on a remote server. The synchronization can be centralized across different types so that user interaction to achieve the different types of synchronization is minimal. Battery power can also be conserved during synchronization. A user can also be informed as to when the portable computing device should be shut-down or placed in a low-power state to have sufficient battery power remaining to perform the synchronization. The synchronization operations can be easily activated without much user interaction.

Abstract: Techniques for dynamically loading protocol stacks under signaling control (e.g., a message) are provided. A message can be sent to load a protocol stack. If the protocol stack cannot be loaded, a different protocol stack (such as an unused protocol stack) is unloaded so that the desired protocol stack can be loaded. Memory can be more efficiently utilized and non-sharable protocol stacks can be easily shared.