Abstract: An H.323 client terminal (102) according to an embodiment of the invention employs primary and secondary H.323 control units or state machines (110a, 110b). The primary control unit (110a) sends signaling messages to a primary gatekeeper (108a) and triggers the secondary control unit (110b) to send a message with an appropriate correlation identifier directly to a second client terminal. The primary control unit (110a) establishes a call per standard H.323 protocols. The secondary control unit (110b) also establishes a direct signaling connection to the second client terminal as back up. However, no media channels are established for this backup signaling. The secondary control unit (110b) checks the status of the call with the primary control unit (110a). If the call signaling on the primary control unit (110a) is proceeding normally, no further action is taken.

Abstract: A fiber-optic cable includes a conductive coating formed around an optical fiber. The conductive coating may be in the shape of a band or ring located at a terminal end of the fiber, or may extend along the entire length of the fiber or a portion thereof. For protection purposes, the fiber is covered with a buffer made from a plastic or polymer. The fiber-optic cable may be attached to a plug or receptacle of a connector. Preferably, the cable is attached to the plug. Under these circumstances, the receptacle would be equipped with a verification circuit for confirming that the plug has been properly installed into the receptacle housing. An electronic device may be used to alert a user as to whether proper installation has occurred. In addition to providing an indication that an optical connection has been made, the conductive coating may be adapted to carry electrical signals. In this way, the fiber-optic cable would operate as an electrical transmission line and an optical transmission line.

Abstract: A partial emulation technique in which only the answers to poll frames and uplink information frames, or the slave part of the protocol, are emulated. All messages from the processor are passed down-link, and emulation is dependent upon the contents of an attendant list (452). In operation, the attendant list (452) is built by detecting responses to poll frames from the main controller (401). Once entries are made in the attendant list, partial emulation of responses to down link poll frames and up link information frames for each entry is allowed. No emulation of down link information frames occurs.

Abstract: A virtual private communications network (VPCN) and method of managing calls on the network. Communications devices are networked together over a private communications network. Each VPCN communications device has a unique private network identification (ID) code and can be contacted by dialing its respective ID. At least one of the VPCN communications devices is a wireless communications device, e.g., a cell phone, connected through a public wireless network to the private communications network. Calls to and from each such wireless device pass through the private communications network.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, means, and computer program code for improving accuracy of radio timing measurements. According to embodiments of the present invention, a terminal may obtain a measurement of each of a plurality of radio transmission sources at a distinct instance in time. In addition, a radio timing measurement for a common radio source is obtained for each of the distinct instants in time. The result will be a pair of radio timing measurements for each distinct instance in time containing smaller adjustment errors than radio timing measurements for all radio sources obtained for one common instant in time. The pairs of radio timing measurements can be used to more accurately support applications in which the geographic position of the terminal is obtained.

Abstract: Techniques for validating an audio configuration of a computer are provided. Validation tests are performed on the audio configuration and results from the tests are displayed to a user as a report. The report can include an indication of the audio configuration settings that will adversely affect the audio quality for such uses as computer telephony. Additionally, the report can indicate a recommendation on changing the audio configuration to improve audio quality and can assist the user in making the audio configuration change.

Abstract: A multipoint control unit (104) is provided which allows for dynamic codec selection. According to one embodiment, the MCU (104) causes endpoints (102, 106) to renegotiate their codec selections if a most-commonly available codec is not being used, upon entry of new parties to a teleconference. Alternatively, the codec renegotiation may be performed each time a user speaks, to optimize for maximum transmission quality or for minimizing transcoding.

Abstract: A short message service (SMS) monitoring tool in a SMS-capable core node selectively monitoring SMS communications in a wireless communications system. SMS tool commands sent as SMS messages to the SMS monitoring tool enable/disable the SMS monitoring tool; start and stop monitoring; select mobile equipment (ME) for communications monitoring; and clear stored communications data. Collected SMS data include communications statistics and performance data.

Abstract: In an enhanced 911 (E911) response system, a callback monitor including a microphone and a speaker is connected to a telephone. When a caller dials 911 from the telephone, upon the telephone going on-hook, the callback monitor is activated to allow a 911 operator who calls back to detect sounds from the location of the caller's telephone without that phone ringing or being taken off hook. The callback monitor includes a timer; when the timer expires, the monitoring ends. In alternative embodiments, the timer can be extended.

Abstract: A method and device for decoding a sequence of signals in which information is derived, in part, from a duration of (a) one of the signals and/or (b) an inter-signal pause between two of the signals. The method and device may also be used to decode a signal to form decoded information, derived, in part, from a duration of the signal.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer system for efficiently utilizing a conference bridge capacity in order to support a multipoint conference call are described. Each conference bridge within multiple communication groups determines which local communication unit is a dominant local communication unit, quantizes that dominant local communication unit's signal, and transmits the quantized signal of the dominant local communication unit via signaling channels to the other conference bridges. Each conference bridge then compares the various quantized signals of the various dominant local communication units to determine an overall dominant communication unit of the multipoint conference. Then the signal of the overall dominant communication unit is then transmitted to all communication units participating in the conference call in various ways for different embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: Generic transport option invoked by a system administrator module (104) which defines what data type to send, the destination to which the data should be sent, the dissemination method, the mode of transport, the schedule, and which transport facility to be used. When the generic transport option has been invoked, the server (102) acknowledges the control command and proceeds to set up the appropriate connection (101), prepares a predetermined portion of a data container (400) with control header information (402), retrieves the proper data, and packs the data into the transport container (404). Further, confirmation is provided for each container sent that the message was received successfully.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for accurate transmission of ELIN/callback number from an emergency caller calling from behind a PBX/MLTS include assigning a port equipment number to each device/trunk of the PBX/MLTS and associating ports/devices with ELINs and callback numbers. The apparatus of the invention detects an emergency number, assigns the call priority, and uses the port/device number to determine the ELIN/callback number and properly transmit the ELIN/callback number optionally first over a private network and to the public network PSAP.

Abstract: A telecommunications server (12) includes a timed recall request unit (202) coupled to a timer (200). The timed recall request unit (202) interfaces to the call park service (100) and/or the call hold service (101). When a request for a call park or call hold is made, the user is given the option of electing timed recall or no recall. If a timed recall is desired, the timed recall request unit (202) is accessed to permit the user to either accept a default length of time or to input a desired length of time. If the user manually retrieves the held or parked call prior to expiration of the timer, the timer (200) is reset.

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 automatically configuring Call Appearance values in an ISDN BRI include providing means for one PDN to call the other PDN in the same BRI, recording the Call Appearance data for the first call, placing the first call on hold and calling the same number again, recording the Call Appearance data for the second call, and repeating the process until all Call Appearance values have been recorded. According to the invention, the process is repeated for both PDNs in each BRI coupled to customer equipment.

Abstract: A system and method for predicting the wait time of a caller to a call center is disclosed. The call center associates a set of agents to which the caller may be queued. This set of agents selected may depend on the skills that each agent possesses, the type of service request made by the caller, caller priority, time of day, day of week and other conditions. An initial wait time estimate may then be given to the caller who is just queued. As a caller's conditions may dynamically change, a caller's position in the queue may also change as well as the pool of available agents. Periodic wait time estimate updates may also be given to the queued caller. A caller's wait time may be estimated based upon mean inter-arrival times for recently past calls into the call center. An average inter-arrival time may be calculated for the last several calls. Alternatively, a caller's wait time may be estimated based upon calls that are recently queued and dequeued.

Abstract: A keypad assembly utilizes touch-detecting apparatus such as force sensors or touchpad assemblies for registering key presses. In exemplary embodiments, the keypad assembly is suitable for use in electronic devices such as a mobile telephones, calculators, hand-held computers, or the like, having single piece molded housings wherein the keypad assembly is at least partially encapsulated within the housing.

Abstract: To improve the quality of audio signals transmitted over a computer network, a source computer (12) and a destination computer (30) that participate in the call exchange information concerning the gain and the frequency characteristics response of the audio components of each participating computer. The parameters of the audio components of the source and/or destination computer are then adjusted to produce an audio signal having one or more desired characteristics.

Abstract: Telephone equipment, such as a private branch exchange (PBX) is provided according to an implementation of the present invention. The telephone equipment includes one or more trunk interface cards. The trunk interface cards are configurable by software to operate with ground-start or loop-start trunks. According to the present invention, the trunk interface cards are controllable by software to determine which type of trunk they are connected to and to determine if the connected central office provides for far-end disconnection indication.