Abstract: A system and method is provided for scheduling data collection sessions between a collection computer and one or more computerized branch exchanges (CBXs). Telephone statistics data collected from the CBXs is stored into a database in the collection computer and accumulated according to fixed time intervals and one or more previously created organizational hierarchies. A report generation system and method is also provided for selectively retrieving stored data and formatting it into a report with features including time zone adjustment, time offsets, data element calculations, and "where" conditions, all in a manner which does not require the user to understand the underlying database organization or any programming languages.

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 method for communicating configuration information between two interface devices connected to a communication link in a system in which each device is capable of generating and recognizing an alarm indication signal (AIS) indicating that the device generating the AIS is not available for communication. In a communication system utilizing the present invention, each interface device is capable of modulating the AIS signal and recognizing a modulated AIS signal. A first modulation pattern is used to establish communication between devices with incompatible configurations. Configuration information is then sent from one of the devices by utilizing a second modulation pattern.

Abstract: A wall-mounting apparatus is provided for mounting a cabinet (20) upon a wall. The apparatus includes a wallmount bracket (12) for mounting on the wall, the wallmount bracket (12) having first and second wallmount hinge pin conduits (42, 44) disposed along opposite edges thereof. A first hinge pin assembly (18) is longitudinally disposed in the first hinge pin conduit (42) and a second hinge pin assembly (18) is longitudinally disposed in the second hinge pin conduit (44). A first side bracket (14), attachable to the cabinet at one end, has at an opposite end a first hinge pin pipe (51) substantially encircling a portion of the first hinge pin assembly (18) such that the first side bracket (14) is generally rotatable about the first hinge pin assembly (18) with respect to the wallmount bracket (12).

Abstract: A method for operating an ISDN PBX?110! for connecting M BRI lines?13-15! connected to a central office?12! to N terminals?21-28, 31-38, 41-48! connected to the PBX?110! (N>M), such that any B channel of any of the BRI lines?13-15! can be connected to any terminal utilizing a connect in accordance with Bellcore National Standard NI-2. Each of the terminals?21-28, 31-38, 41-48! is associated with one, and only one, of the BRI lines?13-15!. The present invention achieves its advantages over the prior art by defining a plurality of EKTS groups?1-4!. Each of the EKTS groups?1-4! includes at least one of the terminals?21-28, 31-38, 41-48! associated with each of the BRI lines?13-15!. When an incoming call is received for a terminal associated with a BRI line that is currently busy, the call is connected by emulating a connection to a second terminal that is assigned to free BRI line and which is also assigned to the EKTS group to which the first terminal is assigned.

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.

Abstract: A method and system for initializing ISDN terminals include selecting a set of call service features and formulating a keymap, the keymap constituting a correlation between the selected service features and feature keys associated with the terminal. The keymap is entered into a memory of the terminal and is uploaded from the terminal to a central office without the necessity of a database administrator entering the keymap data into a central office database. Communication between the terminal and the central office can be facilitated by a universal SPID. After the keymap is uploaded, the central office downloads a SPID unique to the terminal for use in future calls made from the terminal. After the initialization of the terminal is complete, the selection of ISDN service features and the keymap may be revised by entering updated keymap data into the terminal memory and uploading the updated data from the terminal to the central office.

Abstract: A private branch exchange is provided having the capability of receiving external alarms via the standard telephony line or trunk interfaces. According to one embodiment, a PBX 200 includes a switching control circuit 202 having line monitor 212 and DTMF 210 capabilities. The switching control circuit 202 is coupled to a central processing unit 204 which in turn is coupled to a memory 206. The memory 206 stores a database 208 identifying a predetermined number of telephony trunk 214 and/or line input/output circuits 218 over which external alarms are to be reported. The CPU 204 identifies an external alarm contact closure as a fault on the telephone line or trunk, thereby insuring proper identification of the location of the alarm.

Abstract: A method for dynamically allocating the capacity of a computer network. All users of the network are classified as low or high priority users. High priority users may broadcast a delay message to the low priority users that cause the low priority users to delay before attempting to use the network. The length of delay can be adjusted if the high priority users are not able to utilize the network as required. In addition, if a low priority user does not receive a broadcast delay message within a predetermined amount of time, the delay period is reset to avoid unnecessary slowing of the network.

Abstract: A telecommunications method and apparatus for sending non-protocol messages from a source to a remote phone terminal having a display includes converting the messages at the source into a format that is compatible with transmission via a signaling channel of a telecommunications line having at least one digital user data channel in addition to the signaling channel. For example, the telecommunications line may be an ISDN link. The formatted messages are visually displayed at the remote phone terminal. As examples, the messages may be menu options of an interactive voice response unit, facsimile documents of a facsimile server, or voicemail messages of a voicemail server.

Abstract: An electronic device (10) having a control circuit (12) for controlling the operation thereof and a battery compartment (14) adaptable configurable for retaining and electrically interconnecting therein either of a first battery configuration (52) and a second battery configuration (54) for providing power to the control circuit (12), the battery compartment (14) comprising a back wall (28) for supporting the battery configurations in the compartment (14), a plurality of side walls (34) extending from the back wall (28) for further supporting the battery configurations (52, 54) in the compartment, a panel (40) hingedly attached within the compartment (14), the hingedly attached panel (40) being rotatable between first and second angular positions, and a plurality of conductive elements (46) within the compartment, wherein a first of the plurality of conductive elements is disposed for physically contacting and electrically interconnecting the first battery configuration (52) when the panel is in the first ang

Abstract: A housing (100) for a unidirectional microphone (102) is described which has an enclosure (104, 106) for holding the unidirectional microphone. The enclosure has a first plurality of apertures (108, 110, 114) for transmitting acoustic energy to the front and back of the unidirectional microphone. An assembly (116) is movably coupled to the enclosure which, in a first position, facilitates transmission of acoustic energy to both the front and the back of the unidirectional microphone via a first subset of the first plurality of apertures thereby facilitating unidirectional operation. In a second position the assembly inhibits transmission of acoustic energy to the back of the unidirectional microphone by blocking a second subset of the plurality of apertures thereby facilitating omnidirectional operation.

Abstract: A method of intercepting the incoming and outgoing calls of a telecommunications subscriber. The call activity of the telecommunications line of the subscriber is monitored by a call processor of a telecommunications switch and predetermined types of call activity are recorded by a recording device. The switch monitors the call activity of a second telecommunications line upon the detection of a predetermined call feature occurring for the subscriber and the recording device records predetermined types of call activity on the second line upon the monitoring of the second line. The switch may also switch, upon the detection of the predetermined call feature, from monitoring the call activity of the subscriber line to monitoring the call activity of the second line. The switch may also switch the recording device from recording the call activity of the subscriber line to recording the call activity of the second line.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting digital communications for a single-premises wireline digital telephone include converting between a first signaling format that is compatible with conventional bidirectional wireline telecommunications and a second signaling format that is compatible with bidirectional wireless telecommunications. In the preferred embodiment, the single-premises telephone is a feature phone having a visual readout or light display that is activated upon receiving party-specific call messages. A connection from the digital telephone to an interface may include protocol conversion and/or digital-to-analog conversion that utilizes the first signaling format. On the other hand, signal transfers between the interface and the transceiver utilize the second signaling format. In one embodiment, the single-premises digital telephone is remotely located from a switching network, such as a private branch exchange, so that the switching network supports the call features of the feature phone.

Abstract: A loop detector circuit for detecting the loop current of a telephone circuit in a ground start mode and a normal mode which obviates the need for a separate TIP ground detector circuit. A pair of light emitting diodes (LED) 52, 54 are associated with a photoelectric device, such as a phototransistor 56, 58, connected across TIP and RING with a series resistor. Each resistor 60, 62, is selected to provide a predetermined voltage drop during a ground start mode and a normal mode, thus enabling the loop detector to detect loop current during both modes. The loop detector circuit is thus able to detect the off-hook status of a subscriber handset during a ground start mode without the use of a separate TIP ground circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a telecommunications system includes a detachable communications module, such as a modem, connected to a call line that is independent of the system to be monitored. A controller is connected to the monitored system and to the communications module. The controller includes at least one detector for sensing various off-normal conditions relevant to operating the monitored system. The controller also includes an auto-dialer that is responsive to the detectors for triggering a call to a remote site via the telecommunications module upon sensing the presence of one of the off-normal conditions. A backup power source is connected to power the controller and the communications module if a primary power source fails. Preferably, the backup source includes at least one battery and the backup source, the controller, and the communications module are contained in a housing that is separate from the monitored system.

Abstract: A system and method of providing site-to-site compatibility of telecommunications stations allow users to transparently relocate among a number of different stations, while the apparent locations of the users remain fixed. Co-ordinator modules of a private branch exchange (PBX) establish peer-to-peer communications with station-based co-ordinator modules to provide automated routing to the station at which the particular individual is located, while leaving the apparent location of the user fixed at a designated station of the PBX. In one embodiment, the compatibility of stations allows the user to operate from a home-based station, while the apparent location of the user to any calling and called parties is an office-based station that is dedicated to the user. In a second embodiment, the compatibility allows the user to operate from any one of a variety of office stations, while the apparent location remains fixed at one of the office stations.

Abstract: An improved system and method for delivering messages is provided. A message (18) is created by a messaging system (10) and then sent to a second message mailbox (16). When the second message mailbox (16) is full, the message (18) is then sent to a first message mailbox (14) for storage. The message (18) is later automatically sent from the first message mailbox (14) to the second message mailbox (16) when the second message mailbox (16) is no longer full.