Abstract: The present invention provides a user installable option module which contains upgrade circuitry to add additional functions to a basic telephone. This generic upgrade module is capable of containing different sets of electronic circuitry which perform different functions and have different applications. The option module is user installable, and requires neither shipping the original unit to repair or upgrade, nor does it require trained service personnel to visit the customer site to perform the installation. The user installed option is installed in the base of a basic telephone. After installation, the option module appears to be an integral part of the basic telephone and is not readily visible to the user. The basic telephone also retains its original footprint. The option module is secured to the basic telephone in such a manner that prevents the option module from being damaged when subjected to significant forces.

Abstract: According to the invention, a system and method are provided for notifying a user of an awaiting message. The awaiting message is located in a user mailbox (24). User (10) is first provided with notification. This notification is different for different types of messages. The notification to user (10) is repeated if user (10) fails to respond to it. The repeating occurs until user (10) responds to the notification, and the repeating takes place after a predetermined period of time. User (10) is then informed of the awaiting message located in user mailbox (24).

Abstract: A method and system for integrating occasional user-initiated data transfers with a generally continuous video transmission in a multimedia communications session includes enabling a party of the session to select at least two levels of video quality of service for the session. A first level is selected for time segments in which the user-initiated data transfers are active. A second level of video QoS is selected for time segments having user-initiated data transfers. Connectivity for the session is established based upon the first level. However, upon initiation of a data transfer, the video transmission requirements are switched to requirements based upon the second level of video quality of service. Present-time quality of service is monitored to determine whether the data transfer should be regulated so as to ensure that the present-time video quality of service remains at or above the second selected level.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for enhancing telephony trunk routing includes a call requirements assessor which identifies call requirements associated with a call request. In particular, the call requirements assessor recognizes call requests which are indicative of speaker-phone calls and conference calls. A comparison processor responds to call data received from the call requirements assessor bad comparing the call requirements of a particular call with the quality of service capabilities of an Internet telephony trunk and a non-Internet telephony trunk. A call request which includes a request for a speaker-phone call or a conference call triggers the comparison processor to instruct a call router to route a call via the non-Internet telephony trunk.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring channels and controlling calls. Multiple channels provided by at least one digital line are monitored. Based on this monitoring, the present invention determines when all of the multiple channels are occupied. At least one of an incoming call and an established call is given priority when all of the multiple channels are busy. The priority is based on predetermined inputs from a user. The call with priority is provided on one of the multiple channels. The present invention then determines when one or more of the multiple channels are available. When one of the multiple channels becomes available, the action based on the call priority is automatically disabled.

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 information of the first code relating to a convention of parsing of telephone numbers associated with the calling party telephone network.

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 an 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 method for enabling a plurality of Local Service Providers within common a 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 telephone having key/light control logic which enables independent and dual usage of physical key/light pairs. Firmware within the telephone's key and light control logic is provided access to special tables which have definitions for each key. When a key is depressed, a feature activation code is sent uplink to notify the PBX of the user's action. In response to receipt of the feature activation code, the PBX returns a feature indication. When the telephone receives the feature indication, it scans the tables and turns on all lights for which the feature indication matches the key definition. Within the tables, an extra definition is maintained for the standalone light. This definition is downloaded by the switch at phone initialization time along with the key definitions. If the switch defines a key definition as "local" then the user programs the definition of that key either via the phone keypad or through an application.

Abstract: A SIM contact position tester (100) for verifying the position of SIM card contacts (c1-c8). A printed wiring board (102) is provided with traces (A-D) which correspond to the contacts (c1-c8) of the SIM card reader connector (101) and are configured to mate with the contacts of the SIM card reader connector (101) mounted within the radio telephone. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LED) (106) are coupled to the traces (A-D). The light emitting diodes (106) are configured to provide an indication of the position of the contacts (c1-c8) when the PWB (102) is positioned within the radio telephone. In one embodiment, the LEDs (106) sequentially light up as the printed wiring board (106) is moved into position over the contacts (c1-c8) of the SIM card reader connector (101).

Abstract: A signal-processing method and system for a telecommunications switch that supports a number of individually addressable telephones including transmitting ring signals to telephones that are determined to be in an inadvertent off-hook condition. The telecommunications switch is configured to transmit a first notification ring signal upon detecting that a particular telecommunications line is in a condition that indicates that the associated telephone is in the inadvertent off-hook condition. The first ring signal induces a ring condition that preferably is uniquely identifiable as indicating that the phone has been left off-hook. A second notification ring signal is transmitted if the phone is returned to the on-hook condition and an incoming call is directed to the telephone. Preferably, the second ring signal induces a uniquely identifiable ring condition indicating that an incoming call is directed to an off-hook telephone.

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 Service Provider Area (SPA) code. The 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 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 an 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 enabling the sender of electronic mail messages to access a recipient's mailbox to reprioritize the messages previously sent by the sender. The system searches the recipient's mailbox for messages sent by the sender and unread by the recipient. An unopened message counter is used to determine the number of unopened messages in the recipient's mailbox. A message review unit enables the sender to review the unread messages. A message prioritization unit is used to reprioritize the unread messages.

Abstract: A video conferencing system (10) for providing enhanced security to a conference room. A local video conferencing system (10) establishes a conference call with a remote video conferencing system. A security system within the local video conferencing system (10) monitors activity in the local video conferencing system's (10) conference room and disconnects the conference call if no activity is detected after a predetermined period of time. If activity is detected after a period of nonactivity, users of the local video conferencing system (10) are alerted that a call is in progress. The users are then given the option of continuing or disconnecting the call. In addition, the security system detects the presence of a black screen or no video signal from the remote video conferencing system and if detected, alerts the users that a call is in progress.

Abstract: A contention protocol permitting transmission of isochronous data. A device (104) wishing to transmit isochronous data can reserve periodic time slots for the transmission. Either the device (104) or a network controller (101) transmits the reservation information to other devices (106, 108) on the network. When non-isochronous transmissions are desired, the devices (104, 106, 108) contend for access using the CSMA/CD protocols, but taking into account the already reserved time slots. For example, the reserved period may be added to the randomly chosen backoff window. Alternatively, if a backoff window expires during a reserved period, the backoff window may be restarted upon completion of the reserved period. If not all the devices (104, 106, 108) on the network employ this modified CSMA/CD protocol, a "dummy" frame is provided at the beginning of each isochronous transmission. If another device is contending for access, the dummy frame collides, and the other device backs off.

Abstract: A method and system of enabling intra-system communication between first and second microprocessors in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) environment includes emulating ATM segmentation and reassembly at the first microprocessor. The second microprocessor is connected to circuitry for supporting ATM communications with other systems. With respect to an inter-processor communication (IPC) from the first microprocessor to the second microprocessor, conventional ATM segmentation is emulated at the first microprocessor, thereby forming fixed-length cells having payloads representative of the IPC. ATM-compatible header information is attached to each one of the cells and transferred to the circuitry, which typically includes a segmentation and reassembly (SAR) device. The circuitry reassembles the message and forwards the IPC to the second microprocessor.

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: An apparatus and method allow a telephone user to be automatically connected, in sequence, to multiple telephone numbers in response to a single directory assistance query. The user can elect to put all numbers retrieved by his request into a queue, or can queue a subset. The user can further elect to be connected to all numbers in the queue, or can dial some and skip some. An analogous apparatus and method allow a user connected to the internet to navigate by voice interaction through queued site-visit options.