Abstract: In a computer network having a plurality of interconnected terminals and a shared memory device for storing digital data, a message handling system for sending and retrieving both voice and text messages over the computer network. A voice message is input either through a phone associated with one of the computer terminals or via a remote phone. The voice message is converted into a digital voice file which is stored on the shared memory device corresponding to the intended recipient's mailbox. Thereby, one mailbox can contain both voice and text messages. The same message handling mechanism is used for handling both voice and text messages. A list of the messages currently stored for each mailbox can be pulled for display by their respective terminals. A selected voice message may be selected for playback over the phone. Likewise, a text message may be selected for display by the terminal. Call answering and remote playback functions are also provided.

Abstract: An improved telephone call processing apparatus for processing facsimile messages. The facsimile processing apparatus comprises a message control system including a voice control unit (VCU), a control processor unit (CPU), and a telephone line card. Multiple buses including a high speed voice/data bus, a control bus, and a time division multiplexed (TDM) bus are used to couple the VCU, the CPU and the line card. The high speed data bus is dedicated for voice and data transmission only. The control bus is dedicated to command controls and system background tasks. The TDM bus is used to make full duplex voice connections between individual line card ports and facsimile message controller modem channels. The CPU manages the connections between line card ports and fax channels. The VCU comprises a high speed processor and a control processor.

Abstract: A PBX telephone call control system is disclosed. The system provides a line interface unit connection between a plurality of subscriber line extensions and a private branch exchange (PBX) switching equipment. The call control system appears to the PBX like any other telephone extension within the office environment and provides the user with more features in conjunction with the pre-existing PBX equipment, providing expanded capabilities at a reasonable expense.

Abstract: A process for determining the presence of either speech or one of a plurality of expected single-frequency signals on a line includes the steps of measuring the total signal energy on the line; measuring the signal energy present in each one of a plurality of selected separate frequency bands and identifying the two frequency bands having the highest signal energies; determining whether the highest signal energy exceeds a first selected threshold value; determining whether the highest signal energy exceeds the second highest signal energy by greater than a second selected threshold value; determining the amount of out-of-band signal energy; and determining whether the highest signal energy exceeds the out-of-band signal energy by greater than a third selected threshold value.

Abstract: A method for real-time recognition of speech and call-progression tone energy includes the steps of digitizing an analog signal present on a signal line, correlating N neighboring portions of the digitized signal, performing FFT analysis on the digitized signal, identifying the three largest frequency-domain maxima, determining whether the two largest maxima are above a threshold frequency, and determining whether the ratio of the largest to the third largest maxima exceeds a predetermined value. According to the present invention, the steps of the method may be performed in real time using fixed-point hardware by approximating the correlation and FFT functions.

Abstract: An advanced electronic telecommunication system is provided for the deposit, storage and delivery of audio messages. A Voice Message System (10) interconnects multiple private branch exchanges (12) of a subscriber with a central telephone office (22). Individual subscriber users may access the Voice Message System (10) through ON NET telephones (18) or OFF NET telephones (24). The Voice Message System (10) includes an administrative subsystem (60), call processor subsystem (62) and a data storage subsystem (64). The Voice Message System (10) enables the user to deposit a message in data storage subsystem (64) for automatic delivery to other addressees connected to the system. The Voice Message System (10) also enables a user to access the system to determine if any messages have been stored in the data storage subsystem (64) for the user by first entering an identification code and then speaking a password. The password is compared to a speaker dependent template stored in the system.

Abstract: An advanced electronic communication system is provided for the deposit, storage and delivery of audio messages. A Voice Message System (10) interconnects multiple private branch exchanges (12) of a subscriber with a central telephone office (22). Individual subscriber users may access the Voice Message System (10) through ON NET telephones (18) or OFF NET telephones (24). The Voice Message System (10) includes an administrative subsystem (60), call processor subsystem (62) and a data storage subsystem (64). The Voice Message System (10) enables the user to deposit a message in data storage subsystem (64) for automatic delivery to other addresses connected to the system. The Voice Message System (10) also enables the user to access the system through voice commands which are received and compared to prestored speaker independent digital templates.

Abstract: An advanced electronic telecommunications system is provided for the deposit, storage and delivery of audio messages to both user and non-users with limited access provided to the non-user under the control of the user. A Voice Message System (10) interconnects multiple private exchanges (12) of a subscribed with a central telephone office (22). Individual subscriber users may access the Voice Message System (10) through ON NET telephones (18) or OFF NET telephones (24). Selected non-users may be allowed access through the OFF NET telephones (24), the scope of the access of the selected non-users determined by a subscriber user. The Voice Message System (10) includes an administrative subsystem (60), call processor subsystem (62) and a data storage subsystem (64). The Voice Message System (10) enables the user to deposit a message in data storage subsystem (64) for automatic delivery to other addresses connected to the system.

Abstract: An advanced electronic telecommunications system is provided for the deposit, storage and delivery of audio messages to both user and non-users with limited access provided to the non-user under the control of the user. A Voice Message System (10) interconnects multiple private exchanges (12) of a subscriber with a central telephone office (22). Individual subscriber users may access the Voice Message System (10) through ON NET telephones (18) or OFF Net telephones (24). Selected non-users may be allowed access through the OFF NET telephones (24), the scope of the access of the selected non-users is determined by a subscriber user. The Voice Message System (10) includes an administrative subsystem (60), call processor subsystem (62) and a data storage subsystem (64). The Voice Message System (10) enables the user to deposit a message in data storage subsystem (64) for automatic delivery to other addresses connected to the system.

Abstract: An advanced electronic telecommunications system is provided for the deposit, storage and delivery of audio messages to both users and non-users with limited access provided to the non-user under the control of the user. A Voice Message System (10) interconnects multiple private exchanges (12) of a subscriber with a central telephone office (22). Individual subscriber users may access the Voice Message System (10) through ON NET telephones (18) or OFF NET telephones (24). Selected non-users may be allowed access through the OFF NET telephones (24), the scope of the access of the selected non-users being determined by a subscriber user. The Voice Message System (10) includes an administrative subsystem (60), call processor subsystem (62) and a data storage subsystem (64). The Voice Message System (10) enables the user to deposit a message in data storage subsystem (64) for automatic delivery to other addresses connected to the system and to designate the message for priority transmission.

Abstract: An advanced electronic telecommunications system is provided for the deposit, storage and delivery of audio messages to both user and non-users with limited access provided to the non-user under the control of the user. A Voice Message System (10) interconnects multiple private exchanges (12) of a subscriber with a central telephone office (22). Individual subscriber users may access the Voice Message System (10) through ON NET telephones (18) or OFF NET telephones (24). Selected non-users may be allowed access through the OFF NET telephones (24), the scope of the access of the selected non-users being determined by a subscriber user. The Voice Message System (10) includes an administrative subsystem (60), call processor subsystem (62) and a data storage subsystem (64). The Voice Message System (10) enables the user to deposit a message in data storage subsystem (64) for automatic delivery to other addresses connected to the system.

Abstract: An advanced electronic telecommunications system is provided for the deposit, storage and delivery of audio messages to both user and non-users with limited access provided to the non-user under the control of the user. A Voice Message System (10) interconnects multiple private exchanges (12) of a subscriber with a central telephone office (22). Individual subscriber users may access the Voice Message System (10) through ON NET telephones (18) or OFF NET telephones (24). Selected non-users may be allowed access through the OFF NET telephones (24), the scope of the access of the selected non-users determined by a subscriber user. The Voice Message System (10) includes an administrative subsystem (60), call processor subsystem (62) and a data storage subsystem (64). The Voice Message System (10) enables the user to deposit a message in data storage subsystem (64) for automatic delivery to other addresses connected to the system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the integrity of a communications channel includes a first communications system connected to a communications channel with a receiving communications system attached to the other end of the chennel. The first communications system generates a discrete frequency at the low end of the bandwidth for reception by the receiving system. The receiving system measures the frequency and the power level of the first tone. The first communications system then inhibits transmission for a predetermined duration of time during which the receiving system measures the noise floor of the communications channel. A second tone is then generated at the high end of the channel bandwidth for reception by the receiving system. The receiving system then compares the measured power levels of the first and second tone and the noise floor with predetermined criteria and determines the integrity of the communications channel from this comparison.

Abstract: An advanced electronic telecommunications system is provided for the deposit, storage and delivery of audio messages to both subscribers and non-subscribers with limited access provided to the non-subscriber under the control of the subscriber. A Voice Message System (10) interconnects multiple private exchanges (12) of a subscriber with a central telephone office (22). Individual subscribers may access the Voice Message System (10) through ON NET telephones (18) or OFF NET telephones (24). Selected non-subscribers may be allowed access through the OFF NET telephones (24), the scope of the access of selected non-subscribers being determined by a subscriber. The Voice Message System (10) includes an administrative subsystem (60), call processor subsystem (62) and a data storage subsystem (64). The Voice Message System (10) enables the subscriber to deposit a message in data storage subsystem (64) for automatic delivery to other addresses connected to the system.