Abstract: Transactions sent from a source node to a destination node interconnected by a distributed network are protected from interception by a third party by passing the transaction data into several packets which are renumbered as a pseudo-random sequence and sent along different routes from the source node to the destination node.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for using local wiring (102) with a wireless phone (114) are described. The local wiring is coupled to a local phone network (110). Where the local wiring is not engaged with a current call, transmission of calls from the local phone network to the local wiring is inhibited (112, 218) in response to receipt of a wireless transmission by the wireless phone. A ring signal is transmitted (216) to another device (104, 106) coupled to the local wiring. The wireless transmission is converted (214) for transmission over the local wiring. In response to the other device responding to the ring signal, the converted wireless transmission is transmitted (216) to the other device over the local wiring.

Abstract: A method and system for distinguishing valid DTMF signals from spurious DTMF noise includes detecting signals having a first signal component indicative of DTMF signals and having a second signal component having frequencies unrelated to DTMF frequencies. The second component is utilized in isolation from the DTMF frequencies of the first signal component. The analysis includes determining a signal level representative of the second signal component. If the signal level exceeds a predetermined threshold level, the first signal component is determined to be spurious noise. On the other hand, if the signal level is below the threshold level, the first signal component is passed to a DTMF-responsive system, such as a voicemail system or a voice response unit. Optionally, the operation includes requesting confirmation of the signal of interest, if the signal level of the second signal component falls within a range which includes the threshold level as its upper limit.

Abstract: A method and device for managing the communication of high speed analog data across a communications line. If the communications line is not authorized for communication of high speed analog data, line conditioning applied (e.g., at a digital line unit or subscriber line interface circuit) to the communications line is varied. The line conditioning may include echo suppression and/or hybrid balancing. If the line conditioning unit is a digital signal processor, the line conditioning is varied by varying coefficients or line types. If the line conditioning unit is a circuit, the line conditioning is varied by varying a control signal to a selection element of the analog circuit.

Abstract: The transmission properties of an optical fiber are enhanced by cooling the fiber gradually to temperatures of at least -300.degree. Fahrenheit, maintaining the fiber at such reduced temperature for a time suitable to stabilize the transmission properties of the fiber, and then allowing the fiber gradually to return to normal room temperature. The heating of the fiber to restore it to room temperature in part is accomplished by transmitting through the fiber optical pulses of the frequency and repetition rate the fiber will experience in normal use.

Abstract: A system and method enabling a user to remotely access an electronic calendar using a telephone network is provided. The system includes the electronic calendar for storing a plurality of schedules and a scheduler for accessing the schedules as a function of input signals received over the telephone network. Each schedule contains future appointments and events for either daily, weekly or other data interval periods. The scheduler enables selective retrieval and display of the appointments and events for any selected time period. The system is coupled to interfaces allowing the schedule information to be transmitted as audio information, video information, or e-mail information. The scheduler can compare the schedules to one another to automatically generate common meeting times. The common meeting time can then be transmitted to the various attendees using e-mail, audible instructions or voice mail.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically providing remote notification of a locally detected event includes receiving data and analyzing the content of the data using a data filter of a computer. The data filter is configured to detect an indication of a predetermined event within the data. If the event is detected, the data filter activates a local event indicator associated with the computer. An event indicator monitor determines whether a user response is initiated within a configurable time interval after activation of the event indicator. If the monitor determines that no user response is initiated within the configurable time interval, the monitor transmits an establish-connection message to a control program. The control program responds to the establish-connection message by accessing an event notification message from a database which indicates access numbers of the remote communication devices to which to transmit the event notification message.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for connecting a headset alternately to a telephone line and an audio device. The apparatus includes an audio connector for connecting the apparatus to the audio device, a telephone connector for connecting the apparatus to the telephone line, and a headset connector for connecting the apparatus to the headset. The apparatus also includes a switching circuit connected to the audio, telephone and headset connectors. The switching circuit connects the telephone connector to the headset connector in response to sensing a voltage greater than a predetermined threshold on the telephone line. When the voltage sensed returns to a value less than the predetermined threshold value, the switching circuit reconnects the headset connector to the audio connector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing network rerouting when the overhead associated with the reroute operation could result in system resources being overwhelmed. The system monitors link congestion and CPU utilization that will be caused by rerouting. A comparator determines whether the amount of congestion and CPU utilization is beyond an acceptable predetermined threshold. A reroute control unit prevents rerouting if the amount of link congestion and CPU utilization exceeds the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method and system for exchanging electronic messages, such as email messages, include isolating personal computers and other client devices from the process of converting a message attachment from one file format to a second file format. File-format conversions are out-tasked to enhance file accessibility, free computer resources, and conserve a user's time. The access requirements of each attachment to electronic messages are compared to the capabilities of a target client device. If it is determined that a file-format conversion is required, the conversion operation is assigned to a server that supports the process of reformatting the attachments. In an email environment, the server is substantially equivalent to the conventional email server, but includes enhanced conversion capabilities. In one embodiment, the determination of whether an attachment is accessible without conversion occurs at the server level. In another embodiment, the determination is implemented at the client device level.

Abstract: Method for preventing a facsimile server from looping back on itself, the method including the steps of: (a) transmitting fax server identifier information during fax transmission setup; (b) analyzing the fax server identifier information to determine whether the fax server identifier information is the same as that of the fax server that is placing the call; and (c) if the fax server identifier information is the same, dropping the call, otherwise, continuing the call. In a preferred embodiment, the fax identifier information is transmitted in the NSF command of the facsimile communication protocol.

Abstract: A method and a system to obtain the Primary Receiver Scan Carrier Number (PSCN) starting from the data regarding the multiframe number (MFN) in a personal telephone system realized according to the DECT standard. The following steps are present calculating the minimum common multiple (m.c.m.) between the duration of a multiframe (160 ms) and the period necessary for the complete scanning of the frequencies by a radio fixed part (RFP); dividing this minimum common multiple (m.c.m.) by the duration of a multiframe and taking the quotient to obtain a periodicity value; waiting that the multiframe number (MFN) assumes a whole multiple value of the periodicity calculated as indicated above and beginning and the scanning starting from the known frequency (x) which is common to all fixed radio parts (FRP) to be synchronized.

Abstract: A method for managing transmission lines within a communication system which enables the automatic restoration of network access for user lines. The communication system includes user lines interfaced with groups of transmission lines and each group of transmission lines includes dedicated transmission lines which are connected to the user lines, idle transmission lines and reserved transmission lines. The method makes a number of idle transmission lines among the groups of transmission lines available for coupling by user lines which have a dedicated transmission line in a group of transmission lines that fails. The method determines the minimum number of transmission lines to be reserved by a comparison of the numbers of certain types of transmission lines in the different groups.

Abstract: A method for enabling a plurality of Local Service Providers within a common Numbering Plan Area (NPA) to serve Subscribers of the plurality of Local Service Providers. The method includes the step of assigning to each Subscriber of a Local Service Provider within the common NPA a unique three digit code, hereinafter referred to as a SPA code. The service provider area (SPA) code is used by the telephone system in the same manner presently used for routing calls made when a calling Subscriber dials the NPA code of the called party. Here, however, the SPA code is not dialed by the calling Subscriber. The dialed directory number, NXX-XXXX, of a called Subscriber subscribed to a different Local Service Provider, is sent to a database. The database maintains a record of the relationships between the directory numbers of Subscribers and the SPA codes of the Subscribers. The database retrieves the SPA code associated with the dialed directory number presently serving the called Subscriber.

Abstract: A system and method for organizing and accessing multi-media messages from a displayless interface (112a, 112b). According to one embodiment, voice recognition techniques are used to allow the user to identify and create a hierarchical organization (200) for stored messages.

Abstract: A system and method for intelligent and reliable booting of a PBX-supporting computer includes a system bus coupled to at least one central processor. Multiple booting devices are connected to the system bus including a hard disk drive, a removable media device, and at least one of RAM, NVRAM, and FLASHROM. Multiple monitoring devices are connected to the system bus to provide reliability data regarding each of the booting devices. A hierarchy of the booting devices is established, the order of which, in the absence of any system errors, is RAM, one of NVRAM and FLASHROM, the hard disk drive, and the removable media device. A power fail sensor detects power failures which have affected the system, and provides data regarding the reliability of RAM and the hard disk drive. A watchdog timer sensor detects errors in the operation of a central processor, and a memory status sensor detects memory checksum errors.

Abstract: An improved mousepad (100) includes a telephone integrated therewith. A keypad (108) for the telephone is disposed beneath a mylar layer (130). The keypad (108) includes a plurality of capacitive switches (108a, 108b) disposed just beneath the mylar layer. In a mousepad mode, a mouse may be moved around the surface of the mylar in the standard fashion. In a telephone mode, the user may activate the keypad (108) by pressing the buttons which are viewable beneath the mylar.

Abstract: A circuit switched system is provided wherein user devices (1000) are able to identify a particular communication as having a higher or lower level of priority. The lower priority level channels are identified as being "droppable." If during a communication on a particular channel another user device desires communication which would require use of the already used channel (3000) a network supervisor (100) determines whether or not the previously used channel is identified as being droppable. If the currently used channel is identified as being droppable, the network supervisor (100) is configured to cause the channel transmission to end and to allow the establishment of the subsequent channel.

Abstract: A telephone for use in ISDN telephone systems that implement advanced features such as call forwarding and a method for operating an ISDN telephone system to provide such advanced features are provided for. In an ISDN telephone system implementing the invention, the telephone communicates commands to the switching system by sending codes to the switching system. These codes normally denote keys on the telephone that have been depressed by a user of the telephone. A user of the advanced telephone features having a conventional telephone signals the switching system to activate the advanced telephone feature by depressing a specific key on the conventional telephone.