Abstract: A method of automatically selecting a mode of operation during an initialization sequence of a multi-mode signal controller includes selectively enabling and disabling signal reception and signal driving capabilities and includes monitoring the remaining signal traffic to determine the position of the controller along a communication path. In the preferred embodiment, the signal controller is one of at least two identical signal controllers along a single communication path. For example, the controllers may be components at opposite sides of a telecommunications link of a PBX or other telecommunication system. The structurally identical controllers perform mirror image operations when the controllers are properly initialized to restrict the controllers to different modes of operation. In the initialization sequence for a particular signal controller, the signal reception is monitored to determine whether the controller is receiving a known pattern of system control, such as a universally applied clock signal.

Abstract: A synchronization circuit (30) includes three flip-flops responsive to a common clock signal (CLK2). The input to the first flip-flop (32) represents the least significant bit (LSB) of a counter (31) included within a first clock domain. The CLK2 signal originates from a second clock domain. The output of the first flip-flop is provided as input to the second flip-flop (34), and the second flip-flop output is provided as input to the third flip-flop (36). An exclusive-or (XOR) gate (38) generates a synchronization signal in response to outputs of the second and third flip-flops (34-36). The synchronization signal is usable within the second clock domain and activate for one period of CLK2 subsequent to every transition occurring on the LSB input. The active state of the synchronization signal indicates that a predefined set of data inputs is stable and valid. In this manner, a single unsynchronized input signal, i.e., the LSB input, can be used to synchronize the data inputs.

Abstract: A system and method for providing directory information with a call completion feature includes a data network server located on a data network for establishing a connection between a first communication device and a second communication device. The network server is configured to transmit a search command signal in response to a search command request and to transmit an establish-connection command signal in response to an establish-connection request, the establish-connection command signal being necessary to establish the connection between the first and second communication devices. A database is connected to the network server and is configured to transmit a first telephone number to the server in response to the search command signal. In a preferred embodiment, the establish-connection command signal is transmitted to a computer connected to the server, causing the computer to dial the first telephone number, thereby establishing the connection between the first and second communication devices.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for shifting frequency subsets to avoid base station interference in a frequency hopping cordless telephone system. A base station communicates with the handsets using frequencies selected from active frequency subsets. Frequency subsets are shifted to avoid interference by selecting frequencies initially from a defined number of active frequency subsets where each of the active frequency subsets is used before repeating an active frequency subset. The number of active frequency subsets is then changed for a defined period of time to change the period with which the active frequency subsets are used. After the defined period of time, the number of active frequency subsets is returned to the defined number of active frequency subsets.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide for selective transmission and reception of facsimile transmissions. A facsimile call is placed. A station identifier received from the other facsimile during the facsimile call is checked against a stored list of “acceptable” facsimile station identifiers. If a match is found, the transmission is allowed to proceed. If no match is found, the transmission is terminated. Alternatively, the termination can subject to an override by user selection, and the transmission can be allowed to proceed. In an alternative, the station identifier is checked against a list of “unacceptable” facsimile identifiers, and if a match is found the call is terminated; if no match is found, the transmission is allowed to proceed. In other alternatives, a transmission from a facsimile machine whose station identifier is not found on an “acceptable” list, or alternatively, whose station identifier is found on an “unacceptable” list, is stored.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a language to communicate with a user of a voice mail or computer system. A decoder decodes an automatic number identification (ANI) Caller_ID code or a user ID code to determine the telephone number or identity of the user. A language database stores a hierarchy of languages to be presented to the user based on the location or identity of the user. The user is prompted to confirm the language selection made. If the language is not appropriate, then the next language in the hierarchy is selected.

Abstract: A conferencing system (100) improves audio quality by identifying and selectively allowing a dominant audio channel to bypass a lossy compression transformation included in a server 102. The system (100) places conference calls over a network (106) and includes the conference server (102), having an input interface (200), a decompressor (202), a summation circuit (212), a correlation unit (206) a compressor (214), and an output interface (220). The input interface (200) receives a plurality of audio channels, each being compressed using a lossy compression algorithm. The decompressor (202) decompresses each of the incoming channels to produce a plurality of decompressed audio channels, which are then summed by the summation circuit (212) to produce a summation stream. The compressor (214) compresses the summation stream to produce a first audio output. The correlation unit (206) identifies a dominant channel from the incoming compressed audio channels.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for enabling modems having incompatible modulation methods to communicate with one another. The adaptive modulation system is adapted to enable a first communications device having a first modulation method to communicate with a second communications device having a second modulation method, even in those instances where the modulation methods are incompatible. The adaptive modulation system includes a communications device having a controller, a data pump and a data access arrangement/coder/decoder. The controller further includes an adaptive modulation unit having a decoder/interpreter, and a programmer. The decoder/interpreter in the adaptive modulation unit in the first communications device receives an incompatible modulation mode algorithm from the second communications device. The programmer receives the decoded modulation algorithm and programs the flash ROM with the new modulation method.

Abstract: A data routing system for dynamically optimizing bandwidth which includes a network control unit, a route comparator, a reroute control unit and a packet reordering unit. The network control unit reserves the initial route from the source node to the end node. The route comparator determines whether an alternate route is more optimal than the initial route and the reroute control unit establishes the alternate route and reroutes the data over the alternate route. The packet reordering unit maintains the sequence of the data packets on the alternate route.

Abstract: A communication system (70) for transmitting voice or data signals to a remote receiver detects a digital error message that is transmitted by a telephone service provider. A Caller_ID processor (80) detects and decodes the digital error messages that are transmitted on an analog telephone line. A central processing unit (180) detects and decodes the digital error messages that are transmitted on a signaling or D-channel of a digital telephone line. Once the received error messages are decoded, they are analyzed by the communication system for the appropriate action to take in order to complete a telephone call.

Abstract: A probe for measuring an electromagnetic field is described. A sensing element senses the electromagnetic field and generates a sensing signal indicative thereof. The sensing signal is characterized by a first modality. First conversion circuitry coupled to the sensing element converts the sensing signal to a second modality. A transmission medium coupled to the first conversion circuitry transmits the sensing signal in the second modality. Measurement circuitry coupled to the transmission medium receives the sensing signal in the second modality and generates measurement data corresponding to the electromagnetic field.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering multimedia data to a user. The multimedia data is stored on a computer network which can consist of a private network or intranet or a public network like the Internet. The multimedia data to be delivered is typically stored in a combination of hypertext markup language (HTML) and audio file formats (WAV, MPEG, AU, etc.) and typically delivered using hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). The multimedia data contains a visual portion of data such as text and graphics and an audio portion of data such as music. The visual portion of the data is delivered to the user's computer via a computer network. The audio portion of the data is delivered to the user's telephone via a telecommunications network.

Abstract: A surface mount connector that can be used for both single and double-sided PWB's. A telephone may have a printed wiring board with connector access from the bottom of the telephone and keypad activation from the top of the telephone. If a double-sided PWB is used, the connector is mounted to the bottom side of the PWB, while the keypad is mounted to the top of the PWB. The connector faces away from the PWB to provide access from below the telephone. If a single-sided PWB is used, the connector is mounted to the top side of the PWB, so that the keypad can also be mounted to the top side. The connector is placed, with connector access down, into an opening through the PWB. The connector extends down through the opening in the PWB with the leads of the connector remaining on the top side of the PWB. The leads of the connector are secured to pads on the top side of the PWB.

Abstract: A system and method for communication information between origination equipment and destination equipment, in which switching signal information is received from a calling party telephone network. Additionally, information is also received from origination equipment for use by destination equipment for displaying calling party numbers. A display for use with the destination equipment receives the information from the calling party telephone network. From the plurality of information received, a first code from the calling party telephone network identifies calling party number information, and a second code from the calling party telephone network identifies partitioning and delineation information of the first code relating to a convention of parsing of telephone numbers associated with the calling party telephone network.

Abstract: A side-mounted cursor pointing device 108 for a wireless terminal 100 including a sliding cover 110. The sliding cover 110 slides over the cursor pointing device 108 in an off position. When the cover 110 is slid off the cursor pointing device 108, a biasing member 212 upon which the cursor pointing device 108 rests allows the cursor pointing device 108 to pop into position and allows the user to press down on the cursor pointing device 108 in order to make a selection. The sliding cover is preferably an on-off switch for the wireless terminal.

Abstract: A portable processing device, such as a laptop computer, includes a time-of-day clock that is dynamically adjusted based upon occurrences of travel among different time zones. An itinerary is stored as a travel schedule of departure and arrival information and is used to identify anticipated multi-zone travel. When there is a coincidence between the clock and the occurrence of an anticipated multi-zone trip, the clock is automatically adjusted. The itinerary may be input via a user interface mechanism, such as a keyboard, may be entered by means of synchronization with a compatible program of a second device, or may be input via a network, such as the Internet. The determination of the relevant time zones preferably utilizes a database and most preferably utilizes an internal database of cities and time differentials among the cities. The dynamic adjustments of the time-of-day clock occur en route, without accessing externally generated signals or external devices.

Abstract: The following description regards a frequency converter (1) for applications on millimetric radio waves. The circuit structure comprises a diplexer filter realized in thin film on an alumina layer connected to a balun set up by a quartz plate on which two mixing diodes in GaAs have been mounted, placed in the center of a rectangular cavity (2) closed on one side by a short circuit plate and on the opposite side communicating with a rectangular waveguide (4) transporting a radio frequency signal (RF). On the upper side of the plate three parallel metallic bands have been put in the sense of the width of the cavity, between the bands the diodes are connected in series. The most external bands are welded to the walls of the cavity (2), the central one on the other hand is connected to the point common to both sections of the diplexing filter by means of a metallic strap in the air welded to a microstrip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for finding a better path through an integrated services digital network (ISDN) involves collecting a first data set about the current path and a second data set about a proposed replacement path. Each gateway or tandem public or private telephone network through which the path travels updates the respective data set with information about its link. The data sets are compared according to preselected criteria. The preferable connection is retained and the less preferable connection is released.

Abstract: A personal communication system handset having a plurality of slots provided therein. Each one of the slots is adapted to store a corresponding one of a plurality of removable/insertable subscriber identity modules. The subscriber identity modules have stored therein different subscriber information. A user is thereby able to subscribe to two, or more, different providers and is able to remove at least one of the modules for use in another handset. Further, the modules are credit card size and are therefore less likely to be lost, or misplaced, than a chip sized module. An electronic switch is disposed in the handset for electrically coupling one of the modules to a transceiver in the handset selectively in accordance with a program stored in the handset based on a signal received by the transceiver from a base station cell. The selected module provides the base station cell with the stored subscriber information. Thus, the handset can automatically select the proper module based on the stored program.

Abstract: A mobile station for transmitting a mobile radio signal to a base station has a memory device in which a number of available applications are stored which can relate to different “carriers,” i.e., mobile radio network systems or service providers within a single mobile radio network. A selection device of the mobile station calculates expected charges for a desired connection for each of these applications which are being considered for the transmission connection. Based upon the calculations, the most cost-efficient application for the desired transmission is selected. The actual transmission of the communication data for the base station is then carried out on the basis of this application.