Abstract: A telecommunications call center includes a controller (301), graphical user interface (302), a database (304), and a query engine (306). The controller (301) stores call information in the database (304), such as call length, duration, party, time, and the like. The graphical user interface (302) subsequently allows a user to enter query fields for a query of the database. The query engine (306) reads the entries, generates a Structured Query Language (SQL) query, and returns results via the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A method for providing automatic restoration of network access for user lines within a communication system. The user lines interface with groups of transmission lines that include dedicated transmission lines which are connected to the user lines, idle transmission lines and reserved transmission lines. The method includes steps for making a number of transmission lines among the groups of transmission lines available for user lines which have a dedicated transmission line in a group of transmission lines that fails and for coupling each of such user lines to a respective available transmission line. The method may also include steps for delaying the coupling of such user lines if a sufficient number of transmission lines are not available.

Abstract: A telephone having a hands-free mode of operation. The telephone includes a pair of microphones spaced apart from each other. Each microphone receives sound in hands-free mode of operation and provides audio signals representative of received sounds. The audio signals from each microphone may be converted to digital audio signals. The digital audio signals are presented to a fixed delay path and a variable delay path. Audio signals from both paths are combined and filtered in an adjustable filter to remove noise based upon a prior determination of the noise source location and the voice spectrum derived from the digital audio signals.

Abstract: A fiber-optic cable guide includes first and second guide walls, one or more base support elements for connecting the guide walls, and a number of securing elements which extend from the guide walls along a top portion thereof. Each securing member preferably has a length which is shorter than the spacing between the guide walls. This difference in length substantially corresponds to the diameter of a fiber-optic cable. A fastener may be included on a bottom surface of one or more of the guide walls for attaching the guide to a mounting surface, which may be a printed circuit board. Furthermore, the guide walls may be conformed to traverse any desired path along the board.

Abstract: A messaging system (10) includes a voice mail system (VMS) (20) in communication with a telecommunications switch (22). The VMS (20) includes a call processor (28) and a message mailbox (30). The mailbox (30) includes a message queue (32) and a pointer (34). The call processor (28) is capable of transferring a user call and generating a re-call protocol element in response by transfer request received during message playback. The telecommunications switch (22) can reconnect the transferred call after termination thereof to the call processor (28) according to the re-call protocol element. The reconnected call accesses the voice message stored at a return position indicated by the pointer. The call transfer feature can also be used with shared mailboxes.

Abstract: Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) private network call rerouting or switching, substantially transparent to both the caller and the called party. IP private network calls (e.g., VoIP private network) are automatically switched over a Public Services Telephone Network (PSTN) such as an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) as the need arises. Alternate routing may occur because of, for example, network congestion, network outages, or detected poor Quality of Service (QoS) in the private network. Routing is over existing customer PSTN trunks and a dedicated Direct Inward Dial (DID) number, unlisted, that serves all users at a distributed system. Calls that may be switched to the PSTN (ISDN) are correlated with call associated information, such as a private calling user number, name, classmarks, Dialed Number Identification Services (DNIS), user group. VoIP calls made between users appear as intranetwork calls regardless of whether they are intranetwork calls or alternately routed.

Abstract: A system and method within a multimedia messaging system for automatically enabling the system to notify a user that his or her mailbox is full and therefore no longer accepting messages for storage. The system includes one or more mailboxes to receive and store messages from callers, a capacity calculator to determine whether the messages stored in the mailbox exceed the allotted amount of storage space and a message transmittal unit to enable one or more notification alerts to be generated in response to the capacity calculator determining that the mailbox is full.

Abstract: A telecommunications device able to automatically detect a pending change in an area code or numbering plan area (NPA) during the period when either the new area code or the existing area code may be used to dial a particular number. Such a telecommunications device is configured to read an ISDN connected party number or an H.323 connected party number during the permissive period and compare the connected party number with the called party number. If there is a mismatch of the area code and the numbers otherwise match, the telecommunications device knows that an area code update is pending and advises the user thereof accordingly. Alternatively, the telecommunications device may itself automatically update speed dialing lists, routing tables, and the like.

Abstract: A user's access patterns are accounted for in deciding to switch between a plurality of wireless networks 204, 206. A method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes monitoring a location of a wireless communication device 202 Within a region serviced by a first wireless communication network 204 and second region serviced by a second wireless communication network 206. The first and second region have an overlapping region which could be serviced by both networks. The future location of the wireless communication device 202 within the first and second regions is predicted based on the monitoring of the previous locations of the wireless communication device 202. When the wireless communication device 202 is detected as being within the overlapping region, the system determines whether to transfer an active connection between the wireless communication device 202 and one of the networks to the other network.

Abstract: A modem or other telephone device (102, 502) is configured to identify (or receive notification of) the companding law used by a destination modem or telephone device. The telephone device (102, 502) can then, using stored conversion tables, predict the inverse mapping from the converted encoding law. Having done so, the telephone device (102, 502) can identify distorted portions of the decoded signal and modify the original signal before it is sent to the encoding or encoding-converter unit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enabling a program controlled switching system to setup a basic call directly to a specific B-Channel on an ISDN Primary Rate Interface (PRI) via a call initiated by line side equipment subtending the switch with the PRI and/or via a call initiated by equipment anywhere in the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and routed to the switch with the PRI. A primary application for such methods and apparatus is within Data Tandem Switches/Internet Concentrator Switches and End Office Switches with PRI connections for Internet Service Providers. For example, by facilitating a direct connection to a specific B-Channel using the invention, modem pool providers can quickly and efficiently verify the functionality of specific channels and their associated modems, as well as maintain and test other equipment and software associated a specific PRI B-Channel.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently assigning a plurality of channels among a plurality of nodes in a radio communications system. For each node in the system, a buffer zone is established. The members of a particular node's buffer zone are that subset of the plurality of nodes in the system that are prohibited from using a channel simultaneously with the particular node. When a particular node is in need of a channel assignment, the system will assign a channel to the particular node from a subset of channels that excludes channels assigned to nodes within the particular channel's buffer zone. A co-channel zone is for each particular node is also established which includes a subset of the plurality of nodes that is near the particular node, but excludes nodes outside the particular node's buffer zone.

Abstract: A system for enabling voice communications outside a LAN telephone network to be accomplished by way of a wireless interface formed from a standard wireless telephone, such as a cellular telephone, and an adapter. The adapter is configured to interface a standard wireless telephone to the communication network, such that the wireless telephone may be used as the wireless trunk. In particular, a network user may originate a call intended for someone outside the network and the call will be routed to its destination over the wireless telephone network, via the wireless telephone. The network and the adapter communicate with each other using standard network signaling protocols. Likewise, communication between the adapter and the wireless telephone is performed using known cellular signaling protocols. The adapter functions as a protocol converter to translate between the network signalling and wireless telephone signalling.

Abstract: A method for testing an assembled telephone (10) includes activating the telephone (10) and automatically transmitting a poll command from a processor (60) of the telephone on a bus (66) of the telephone (10). The method also includes receiving a test command from a testing device connected to the bus (66) in response to the poll command. The test command is operable to automatically initiate a test of the telephone (10). The method further includes automatically initiating a standard operational mode of the telephone (10) if the test command is not received by the processor (60) in response to the poll command.

Abstract: A proximity detector (111) is provided for causing automatic callback. The proximity detector (111) causes the called party's telephone (506) to send a signal to the telephone system indicating that the automatic callback may proceed. For example, the detector may cause an off-hook/on-hook event to be sent, or other specific signaling. The telephone system signals the calling party (502), who may then answer the automatic callback and be connected to the called party.

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 radio frequency shield enclosure (100) is mounted on a printed circuit board and is adapted to allow optical checking of the components enclosed by the shield enclosure (100). A cover (402) is removably attached to a frame (102) on the printed circuit board for access to the printed circuit board components therein. Material and spring forces are selected to minimize the forces on the printed circuit board when attaching or removing the shield enclosure cover (402). Any openings or gaps in the radio frequency shield enclosure cover (402) are small enough to prevent radio frequency energy at the highest anticipated frequency from being radiated outside of the radio frequency shield enclosure (100).

Abstract: A system and method for sensing the proximity of an electronic device, in particular, a radio frequency mobile communication device such as a mobile telephone, wireless modem equipped portable computer, or the like to a body employs an antenna capable of altering its impedance for changing the amount of radio frequency electromagnetic energy reflected by the antenna when the antenna is in proximity to the body. The radio frequency electromagnetic energy reflected by the antenna is measured and used for determining proximity of the antenna to the body.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of a mobile communication device employs a sensor assembly for sensing when the mobile communication device is in proximity to a body such as a human body, animal body, or the like. The average power of the radio frequency electromagnetic energy radiated by the mobile communication device may then be reduced only when necessary so that the S AR value for the device is maintained below a predetermined acceptable level.

Abstract: A device for providing radio frequency shielding is disclosed. The device includes a frame and cover removably attached to the frame. The frame is configured to extend generally around the periphery of an electronic component. The frame has an upper wall, sidewalls depending therefrom, and a plurality of stiffening flanges extending from the upper wall towards an interior portion of the frame. The cover has an upper surface and a plurality of members extending therefrom for engagement with the sidewalls of the frame. The cover and the frame form an enclosure for radio frequency shielding the electronic component.