Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically transmitting a message to a telephone terminal. Each message is assigned an identification code which identifies a message stored in a calling telephone. When the calling telephone calls the telephone which generated the identification code, the identified message is caused to be displayed to the calling party.

Abstract: A cable television system is disclosed wherein a subscriber can select a program to view at the last minute and pay for only those programs that are viewed. The system includes a plurality of remote taps which are operative to receive the television signals from a headend office and either supply or deny certain of those signals to a subscriber at his request. The taps will transmit billing information regarding the programs supplied to the subscriber along the cable. At the end of the cable or at other predetermined locations the signals from a plurality of taps are collected and either stored or recovered by the headend. The transmission can be accomplished using a modem or a dedicated wire.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled integrated alarm and touch tone telephone system which allows the alarm system to be accessed, programmed, and reported upon through a touch tone telephone, either locally or remotely. Under most circumstances, the telephones on the premises can be operated in a normal manner. However, the alarm system selectively monitors the telephone activities for coded touch tone instructions specifically for the alarm system, and responds thereto by issuing synthesized voice reports on the status of the alarm system. A touch tone decoder circuit decodes dialed touch tones, such that the telephone can be utilized similar to a normal keyboard panel to access and control the alarm system. An internal power supply is provided for the telephone for supplying electrical power thereto independently of the outside telephone lines which normally supply power, in the event the outside telephone lines are inoperative.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a socket (13) for receiving an EPROM (18) to be programmed, a telephone interface (11), an RS-232 port (14), and RAM storage 20. Each of the user elements can be a source or destination of data. A microprocessor (52), and an internal EPROM (54) which includes firmware for programming EPROM (18) control the operation of the apparatus, providing the operator a series of prompts through display 15 to which the operator responds through the operation of "yes", "no" and "cancel" buttons.

Abstract: This invention relates to business communication systems and, in particular, to a message service system network that interconnects a plurality of message service systems and provides a voice mail message transfer capability between voice mail message service systems. The voice mail message transfer is performed as a computer-to-computer data file transfer operation over high speed data lines. The data file consists of the digitally encoded and compressed voice mail message to which is appended the message sender's name and telephone number as well as the message recipient's telephone number.

Abstract: A communication terminal apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus used together with a telephone set has a recording device to record data which is received through a telephone line on a recording paper; a memory to store a pattern; an indicating device to instruct the recording device to record; and a control unit to read out the pattern from the memory in accordance with a predetermined order and to allow the recording device to record this pattern on the recording paper when the indicating device is operated. The pattern may be one for a memo paper or may include time data. After the pattern is recorded on the recording paper, the paper may be cut and discharged from the apparatus by a cutting device. With this apparatus, the recording paper can be promptly used as a memo paper, so that the area which is occupied by the memo paper can be reduced and the telephone set can be easily used.

Abstract: An interactive remote controlled scheduling system for enabling a caller at one end of a telephone line, or other channel, to automatically schedule an appointment with an electronic scheduling machine at a receiving end in the absence of human intervention at the receiving end. Upon the caller dialing and reaching the electronic scheduler, a sequential series of interactive audible instruction messages are received to initially instruct the caller to dial back the day desired for appointment, and in reply to receive back from the electronic scheduler, a subschedule of the times available for appointment on this day as an audible announcement. The caller is then instructed to dial back a desired time-of-day from those announced as available, and this dialed time is received and automatically entered into the electronic scheduler to complete the appointment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interactive medical laboratory specimen testing apparatus system wherein a diagnostic apparatus is used in performing a diagnostic routine on a specimen. The apparatus has a single user activated switch for causing automatic dialing of a source of assistance remote from the diagnostic apparatus through a predetermined telephone number when the switch is activated to enable the user to communicate with the source of assistance through a speaker and a microphone on the diagnostic apparatus so that interactive communication with the source of assistance can be had regarding the diagnostic apparatus and the routine to be perfomed. A keyboard on the apparatus allows certain data regarding the performance of a test and operation of the apparatus to be transmitted to a remote location for analysis.

Abstract: An intercommunications system for the selective establishment of two-way communications between a multiplicity of stations is disclosed and comprises a terminal located at each station and a communications network including a predetermined number of lines for interconnecting any one of the terminals to at least one other of the terminals.

Abstract: A key telephone system comprising a key service unit and key telephone sets is configured by the present invention so that system data are registered in an IC card and the system data so registered are fed to the key service unit by the insertion of the IC card in the key service unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for selectively connecting one of a plurality of data units (21,22,23) (for example modems) to a telephone line (20). The apparatus comprises a plurality of interface circuits (24) each having a respective data unit connected thereto. Also connected to each interface unit, and thereby connecting the interface units together, is a common dialing device (28), a telephone line, a dial request bus and a line occupied bus. Each interface circuit has a dial connect switch and a line connect switch, a first switching means for connecting the telephone line to the common dialing device, on operation of the dial connect switch, and a second switching means for disconnecting the telephone line from the common dialing device and connecting the telephone line to a data unit on operation of the line connect switch.

Abstract: A telecommunication system has a facility and an addressable terminal coupled through a transmission medium. The facility includes means for providing addressed video frames containing information corresponding to still images and for providing addressed audio frames containing information corresponding to audio bursts. There is also provided for non-addressed signals containing information corresponding to at least two channels of continuous audio. A selection code is inserted in one or more of the frames. The addressed video and audio frames and non-addressed signals are coupled to the transmission medium to the addressable terminal. The terminal has means for detecting said addressed video frames, addressed audio frames, and non-addressed signals. Circuits select video frames and audio frames in response to their corresponding addresses. One of said continuous audio channels is selected in response to said selection code.

Abstract: A telecommunication system for transmitting video and plural audio information on a transmission medium includes a facility and an addressable terminal. The facility includes arrangements for providing addressed video frames containing information corresponding to still images and for providing addressed audio frames containing information corresponding to audio bursts. There is also means for providing non-addressed signals containing information corresponding to at least one channel of continuous audio. The addressed video frames, addressed audio frames, and non-addressed signals are coupled to the transmission medium and sent to the terminal. The addressable terminal includes means for detecting said addressed video frames, addressed audio frames, and non-addressed signals on said transmission medium. Circuits select video frames and audio frames in response to their corresponding addresses.

Abstract: A CATV signal in which a channel allocation for an FM stereo channel is superimposed on the TV audio signal. At the receiving end, the channel allocation is demodulated from the TV audio signal and is used to tune the FM tuner to the allocated channel.

Abstract: A data station termination circuit for connecting a four-wire, voice frequency transmission facility to either a four-wire or two-wire subscriber station in a telephone communication system for effecting a four-wire or two-wire mode of operation includes a gain/loss network coupled to a receive-in port for receiving incoming voice frequency data signals from a first signal transmission path of the four-wire transmission facility and for amplifying or attenuating the incoming voice frequency data signals. The gain/loss network is formed of a single operational amplifier, a set of binary weighted resistors, and a plurality of single-pole, single-throw slide switches. Other features disclosed include a battery back-up for use during a loopback condition and an optional equalization network for use in a second signal transmission path.

Abstract: A device for adding intercom functions to a residential or small business phone system uses existing telephone equipment and wiring. The device attaches to the incoming telephone line to switch telephone calls and generate user coded ringing signals. The invention allows the user to simultaneously use existing telephone equipment as an intercom system and for normal outside telephone use.

Abstract: The subject wideband switching network provides inexpensive point-to-point wideband communication connections. Wideband source and destination terminal equipment are either connected to modems which encode the analog signals used by the wideband source terminal equipment into digital signals for transmission through the wideband switching network and decode the received digital signals into analog signals used by the wideband destination terminal equipment; or are directly connected to the wideband switching network if source and destination terminal equipment transmit and receive digital signals. The modems are connected to the wideband switching network by optical fibers. The wideband switching network is a point-to-point space division switch that is comprised of a matrix of high frequency semiconductor crosspoints.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining preferences of persons viewing broadcast television programs on television display sets located in rooms of private homes humanly imperceptibly sense proximity of persons to television sets within viewing distance in rooms for which permission to effect such sensing has been obtained. Each such room may be electrically scanned for proximity of one or more persons to a television set. The imperceptibly sensed proximity or the proximity of persons detected by scanning is automatically correlated to television programs broadcast for display by television display sets in the above mentioned rooms and elsewhere, and there is electronically determined from that correlated sensing what broadcast television programs were viewed in which rooms and, optionally, by how many persons.

Abstract: A system for distributing educational information in digital form to a plurality of schools simultaneously transmits the information via a satellite (15) to FM stations (18) which retransmit to schools having receivers for receiving the information and a main computer (101) for storing the information. Access to the information is subsequently provided to a plurality of students via classroom computers (111) and individual terminals (121). Usage and performance data is automatically stored in the main computer (101) and sent to the sender by dial-up modem (105) to keep track of usage and to permit billing usage and royalty charges.

Abstract: A device for remotely controlling call forwarding for a given telephone line. The device includes a detection circuit for detecting an incoming call to the given telephone line. If it detects only one or two signals indicating a previous call forwarding initiate setting, it automatically terminates call forwarding and awaits input of a new call forwarding telephone number followed by a security code. If it detects more than four rings, it knows that the call forwarding was not enabled and it is ready to accept the new call forwarding number remotely input along with the security code. After receiving successfully the remotely inserted call forwarding number and security code, it proceeds to reprogram the system with the new call forwarding number. Should any unauthorized user be using the system, it will reprogram with the previously stored call forwarding number.