Abstract: An automatic call distribution system utilizes a number of H.323 compatible devices. An automatic call distribution (ACD) server (52) interfaces with a computer telephony interface gateway (54) to route calls to agents or to a music/video server (56). Calls are received by a gateway and supplied to a gatekeeper that determines an IP address of the destination. The ACD server selects the destination in response to the number of agents available. In addition, customer calls can be received via e-mail, facsimile or the Internet. The call distribution system can instruct an agent to return an e-mail or facsimile message or to call a customer if desired. Calls from one H.323 device can be routed to another H.323 device by a third party application by sending a call control message to the device's application program interface that executes the message as if it were generated at the device itself.

Abstract: A telecommunications system (20) includes a fail-safe subsystem (22) capable of maintaining call services to remote users in the event of a communication failure. The fail-safe subsystem (22) is coupled to a communication link (16) between a main switch (12) and a remote shelf (14). The subsystem (22) passively monitors the status of the communication link (16). Upon detecting a failure, the subsystem (22) provides a limited set of call services to remote users by providing local switching services. Upon re-establishing communications with the main switch (12), the fail-safe subsystem (22) re-synchronizes the main switch (12) and remote shelf (14) by emulating a conventional call setup procedure for each call placed through the remote shelf (14) during the failure.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an accompanying method, for transmitting a frame synchronization signal and a data signal simultaneously through a serial transmission medium (170). Specifically within a data transmitter (105), a frame synchronization signal, a clock signal and a data signal, are encoded to form a single bi-phase mark signal having the frame synchronization signal incorporated into the bi-phase mark signal as a phase-shift. The bi-phase mark signal is then transmitted through a suitable serial transmission medium. A receiver (175), connected to the transmission medium, receives and amplifies an incoming bi-phase mark signal appearing on the medium, and, in turn, synthesizes the clock, frame synchronization, and data signals from this bi-phase mark signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a duplexer set up by two decoupling filters for high frequency transceivers of the temperature self-compensating type and implemented by means of a pair of mechanic bodies (2), each one of which including a plurality of resonance cavities (3). Inside of the cavity (3) of the superior body (2) of the duplexer, a corresponding adjustment disc (7) is lodged in a removable and coaxial way which is provided with a supporting stem (8) coming out of a passage hole (12) obtained on the summit of the cavity (3). The bodies (2) are bound between them, so that the cavities of one or the other turn out to be coaxially facing each other. The passage hole (12) of the filter according to the invention is threaded. Moreover at each filter at least one bush (9) is associated having one portion (11) engaged in the hole (12) and inside of which the stem (8) of the disc (7) is housed.

Abstract: In an automated call management method and system, automated processing is used to collect customer information that enables skills-based call routing and a camp-on approach to efficiently handling calls. The customer information is preferably acquired through use of a web-compatible form that is submitted by the customer. The form includes information that identifies agent attributes that are considered advantageous to handling a particular call, includes the callback telephone number, and may include the time at which the callback should be initiated. In another embodiment, the information is acquired using interactive voice recognition techniques. After an agent queue is selected on the basis of a correlation between identified agent attributes and the skills of a particular agent or agent group, a camp-on request is generated to initiate a connection when an appropriate agent is available.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling call notification for a user of a telephonic device, such as a telephone, computer or video conference system, include forming a notification message having content-specific information relating to the subject matter of interest to the calling party. Preferably, the notification message also includes caller identification. In one embodiment, the application of the method is restricted to call-waiting circumstances, but this is not critical. The content-specific information is acquired using automated processes, such as interactive voice recognition. Voice responses are converted to a proper text format for presentation on a display of the target telephonic device. The display of the notification message presents the content-specific information in a nonintrusive manner. The called party is thereby able to form an informed decision as to whether to answer the incoming call, interrupt an ongoing call, or forward the call and/or the notification message to a mailbox.

Abstract: A system (100) that employs media “blending” to notify a multi-media user of the use of one or more default configurations and provides an opportunity to record or reconfigure the item for the future. In particular, a system (100) according to the present invention monitors usage of a default or other predetermined setting and provides a message to the user indicative of its usage. Once the user has been notified of the usage, the user is given the option of reconfiguring from the default setting.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for correcting protocol errors in computer networking software. More particularly, an apparatus and methods are provided for correcting a class of protocol errors that is compatible with the protocol suite being used in computer networking software. The present invention performs inband protocol correction in a single phase or in multiple phases, according to some specific embodiments.

Abstract: An antenna duplexer including an elongated hollow body realized with two opposed half shells is disclosed. The duplexer also includes a first opening or antenna port and a second and a third opening, or ports of the transmitter and of the receiver. A filtering structure is provided including a plurality of metal inserts available to uncouple the transmitter from the receiver. The duplexer has at least an additional portion of waveguide structured in order to keep the wave “under the cut-off frequency”, interposed between at least second or third opening and the relative end wall of the elongated body. An additional portion of wave guide includes an additional metal insert, forming part of the above mentioned filtering structure, which determines an exponential attenuation of the signal, thus nullifying the negative effects deriving from the mechanical tolerance of the hollow body.

Abstract: A method of introducing a feature during a communication between subscribers of a telecommunications network. The first step of the method is executing, at each predefined trigger point during the communication, an operation to activate a particular requested feature. The method then requires accessing data stored in a network memory for use in the activation operation. The data is arranged in the memory in table and bit map format so as to enable the features to be customized. The method then requires executing the particular requested feature upon activation. The method may also include repeating the method steps for each feature available to be activated at a respective trigger point in an order determined by the stored data. The method is independent of the type of requested feature.

Abstract: A system and method for sending an electronic message in a compatible messaging format are presented. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a file, such as a data file, is automatically examined in the context of its application, and the lowest available file format level that preserves the data integrity is selected. An alternate version of this file, such as an unformatted text-only file, that preserves the content of the message may also be created and sent.

Abstract: A system and a method for securing telecommunications resources include a resource requirements module which determines network resource requirements specified in call requests of telecommunications calls. In one embodiment, a resource availability monitor determines if the resource requirements exceed the available levels for at least two network resources. In another embodiment, the resource availability monitor determines if Digital Signal Processor (DSP) requirements in the call request exceed DSP availability. If the resource requirements exceed the resource availability at the time when the call request is received, a resource reservation mechanism places the call request into network resource queues for those network resources which are in short supply.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems for recording Call ID data and transmitting the Caller ID data to remote telecommunications devices on demand, to fully or partially automate the dialing process for remotely calling back a message sender.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forwarding Caller ID data on demand when retrieving messages from an answering device using an endpoint telecommunications device and an associated call control system (such as the central office of the calling phone, a PBX, ToL Gatekeeper, wireless carrier switch, etc.), to fully or partially automate the dialing process for remotely calling back a message sender. The invention permits the caller retrieving messages to quickly and easily return calls with little or no manual intervention, without having to create a trombone connection. The invention operates with calling endpoint telecommunication devices that are “intelligent” enough to receive, store and/or utilize Caller ID data forwarded from an answering device; as well as with not so intelligent telecommunications devices (such as many pay phones) that may lack the ability to receive, store and/or utilize forwarded Caller ID data.

Abstract: An improved video e-mail system includes a video input device with a video e-mail controller, and a Web Access Device processor implementing video capture, e-mail and compression selection programs. In operation, a user activates the video e-mail controller, for example, by pushing or clicking a button. The video input device sends a video stream to the Web Access Device processor which is stored until the user clicks or pushes the button again. The Web Access Device processor then activates the e-mail program, opens a “compose” window, and attaches the stored video file.

Abstract: Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) data service and Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) are provided over a subscriber loop by an ADSL transceiver and a control processor located in a local communication center, and a subscriber ADSL modem at the subscriber location. The control processor is responsive to a detection of an origination of a POTS call for generating a first control signal that causes the ADSL transceiver to load ADSL data into tone bins which are only in a frequency band above a predetermined frequency band used for a POTS call for data transmissions over the subscriber loop. The control processor is also responsive to a detection of a termination of a POTS call for generating a second control signal that causes the ADSL transceiver to load ADSL data into tone bins which are in both the predetermined frequency band used for a POTS call and the frequency band thereabove for ADSL data transmissions over the subscriber loop.

Abstract: A method and system for establishing and managing subconference calls within a main conference call includes a subconference call subsystem which responds to a subconference call request from a first terminal during the main conference call by transmitting the subconference call request to a second terminal. The subconference call subsystem monitors a connection to the second terminal to detect a signal indicating acceptance of the request. Upon detecting an acceptance, the subconference call subsystem establishes a first subconference call and a data mixer mixes first voice data from the main conference call with simultaneously transmitted second voice data generated from the first and second terminals. A data router transmits the mixed first and second voice data to the first and second terminals without transmitting the second voice data to any of the other terminals participating in the main conference call.

Abstract: In an optical regenerator for use in an optical transmission system, an optical input signal to the regenerator comprising N wavelength division multiplexed channel signals is received in a signal synchronizing arrangement which synchronizes the phase of all of the N channels, where N·2. An optical output signal from the signal synchronizing arrangement has N phase-synchronized wavelength division multiplexed channels and is provided as an optical input signal to a nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM) arrangement. The NOLM has a high nonlinearity fiber loop that propagates equal parts of the optical input signal from the signal synchronizing arrangement in both a clockwise (CW) and a counterclockwise (CCW) direction. An optical clock signal from a laser having a phase that matches the phase of the CW and CCW propagating signals is multiplexed with the CW signal to provide a 180 degree phase shift between the CW and CCW propagating signals while propagating in the optical fiber loop.

Abstract: A telecommunication system includes a private branch exchange (170) that uses an automatic route selection algorithm to select a trunk on which a call is to be routed. A number of trunk groups are queried for an available trunk and once an available trunk is located, the call is placed. The automatic route selection algorithm monitors the call to determine if an error message or error tone is received. If an error message or error tone is received, a set of remaining trunk groups not previously queried are queried for an available trunk to route the call.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a call forwarding system for forwarding telephone calls to a target telephone not having a direct dial number. The call forwarding system includes an intelligent forwarding unit for storing a forwarding direct dial number and the extension number for accessing the target telephone and for connecting the received forwarded call to the target telephone, a voice response unit including a DTMF decoder for receiving the forwarded telephone call and for decoding the extension number of the target telephone. A call connecting unit directly connects the in-coming telephone call to the target telephone.