Abstract: A deterministic call routing system tests the allocation of an incoming call to each of X locations and selects the appropriate location. Particularly, it simulates allocation of the call to the first resource and calculates the contribution of this allocation to the deviation of a distance expression from zero. It then simulates allocation of the call to the second resource and calculates the contribution of this allocation to the deviation of the distance expression from zero. This process continues by simulating the allocation of the calls to each of the remaining X resources in turn. The algorithm then selects the location for which the deviation of the distance expression from zero will be a minimum, and actually allocates the call to that location. A call counter for that location is then incremented by one, and the allocation is then ready to allocate the next call.

Abstract: To improve the signal to noise ratio of the receiver of a receiving modem, the receiving modem is equipped with the ability to cancel the listener echo. Cancellation of the listener echo is achieved by coupling to the listener echo canceller of the receiving modem the phase corrected adaptive equalizer output signal, which is conventionally found in modems. The phase corrected adaptive equalizer output signal contains the in-phase, quadrature (also known as X and Y, or real and imaginary, components of the) received modem signal at the symbol rate. Advantageously, doing so results in an improved SNR for the receiver of the receiving modem, thus allowing higher data rates or reduced error rates without requiring extension of the length of the modem equalizer. When the telephone network does not introduce any frequency offset of the modem signal in the channel, the listener echo canceller may be simplified to reduce its cost.

Abstract: A speech recognition system for Mandarin Chinese comprises a preprocessor, HMM storage, speech identifier, and speech determinator. The speech identifier includes pseudo initials for representing glottal stops that precede syllables of lone finals. The HMM storage stores context dependent models of the initials, finals, and pseudo initials that make the syllables of Mandarin Chinese speech. The models may be dependent on associated initials or finals and on the tone of the syllable. The speech determinator joins the initials and finals and pseudo initials and finals according to the syllables of the speech identifier. The speech determinator then compares input signals of syllables to the joined models to determine the phonetic structure of the syllable and the tone of the syllable. The system also includes a smoother for smoothing models to make recognitions more robust. The smoother comprises an LDM generator and a detailed model modifier.

Abstract: An apparatus that provides for the dialing of telephone numbers utilizing a limited number of keys such as only two keys. The apparatus provides for the creation of an internal telephone directory that includes telephone numbers and names that is also generated by only two keys. In addition, telephone numbers can be rapidly accessed from the telephone directory by the utilization of the two keys. Once these telephone numbers and names are accessed from the telephone directory, the two keys can be utilized to place a call to the accessed telephone number or to delete the entry from the telephone directory.

Abstract: A dynamically regularized fast recursive least squares (DR-FRLS) adaptive filter and method are disclosed which provide O(N) computational complexity and which have dynamically adjusted regularization in real-time without requiring restarting the adaptive filtering. The adaptive filter includes a memory for storing at least one program, including a dynamically regularized fast recursive least squares (DR-FRLS) program; and a processor which responds to the DR-FRLS program for adaptively filtering an input signal and for generating an output signal associated with the input signal.

Abstract: A multipass recognition strategy selects the N-best hypotheses resulting from each pass and propagates these N-best to the next pass. This strategy outperforms conventional hidden Markov model recognizers using a grammar constraining all possible names. Real time recognition of continuously spelled names is made feasible, in part, because the processor-intensive costly constraints are applied, if at all, in the 4th pass, after the system has produced a much smaller dynamic grammar.

Abstract: An integrated ringing signal detector sufficiently small for implementation on a single PCMCIA card. The detector has a DC-blocking capacitor 28 disposed between the telephone line and a bridge rectifier 27. The output 29 of the rectifier 27 connects to a voltage detector 23 which detects when the ringing signal exceeds a predetermined voltage. Output 30 of the voltage detector 23 triggers thyristor switch 24 into conduction. Switch 24 remains conductive until current flowing therein falls below the holding current of the thyristor switch 24. Current limiter 25 limits the current flowing therein to a substantially fixed predetermined amount of current, sufficient for the adequate operation of the LED in the opto-coupler transducer 22. The transducer 22 is shown here as an opto-coupler having an LED transmitter and a phototransistor receiver to provide galvanic (high-voltage) isolation between the telephone line and the utilization device, here a modem.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and correcting for variations in the flat delay, which permits smooth echo canceller operation even under dynamic delay conditions. In a delay monitor, the received signal is compared against delayed versions of the echo estimate to determine whether a shift in the echo delay has occurred. If such a shift in delay has occurred then a signal indicating the amount of the shift is to the adaptive filter of the echo canceller and the filter taps are updated in accordance with the delay shift value.

Abstract: Creation of an all-digital answering set with voice control, which is able to perform a multitude of functions. The software for performing functions is subdivided into individual software modules which execute sub functions. These can be used in multiple ways and are integrated into a digital signal processor (DSP) of the answering set.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a speaker telephone in either full-duplex mode or half-duplex mode. In the absence of an earphone connection, the speaker telephone operates in half-duplex mode to prevent undesired feedback of speaker output to microphone input. Upon detecting insertion of an earphone plug into an earphone jack, the speaker telephone transitions to a full-duplex mode of operation. Upon detecting removal of the earphone plug, the speaker telephone reverts to the half-duplex mode of operation. The speaker telephone includes a controller configured to detect an earphone insertion event and enable full-duplex operation in response. The controller enables half-duplex operation upon detecting earphone removal.

Abstract: Methods are set forth which enable users of a voice messaging system network which supports the Audio Messaging Interchange Specification (AMIS) Analog Protocol to define numbering plans which shorten and simplify addressing an AMIS message to specific AMIS Sites. These user friendly numbering plans are referred to generally herein as "Enhanced Addressing" schemes. The methods contemplated by the invention also support the construction and utilization of the "System Number", as defined in the AMIS Analog Protocol, particularly in conjunction with performing Enhanced Addressing.

Abstract: A method for automatically obtaining, consolidating and displaying the information from a plurality of information sources. An agent workstation receives the initial information item and then sends this information item to the sources specified, receives additional information items from these sources, and displays or presents the information items received. If the initial information item is not adequate to obtain all of the information items desired then the information items received from one source are also used to obtain other information items from other sources so that all of the desired information items are obtained.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting a dial-in telephone poll prompts callers at remote terminals to participate in the poll by selectively dialing a telephone number corresponding to a specific response to the poll. Each call from a poll participant is received at a switch that is the originating switch for that call. The originating switch also receives caller data indicating the dialed number associated with the call. This caller data is forwarded to a processor associated with the originating switch for counting the number of calls placed to each telephone number associated with the poll. The associated processor may also include a polling table containing a list of telephone numbers associated with the poll and a corresponding list of message IDs. Upon receiving caller data from an originating switch, the associated processor increments a counter for the dialed number and returns a corresponding message ID to the originating switch.

Abstract: A line card apparatus which provides soft dialtone and automated remote cross-connect capability, comprising one or more line interfaces and a switching matrix which can connect a plurality of lines to the one or more line interfaces. This switching matrix is governed by a controller which can connect each of the plurality of lines to one of the line interface units, and thus, no manual intervention is required. Also, the control unit periodically scans the lines connected to it. If the control determines that there is an offhook condition on any of the lines (whether or not that line is activated), the control notifies the host switch to provide dialtone, which the controller then connects to that line.

Abstract: A telephone set using two or more telephone numbers called by respective call signals having different patterns, which are stored in a pattern data memory when the call signals are received and detected in a registering mode and with which the pattern of a call signal received when the telephone set is not in the registering mode is compared to determine the telephone number being called. The registering mode is established by an operator-controlled data input device. The patterns of the call signals are detected by a pattern detector in the registering mode, and the detected patterns are registered in the pattern data memory, so that the telephone number called by each call signal is determined by a pattern determining device as a result of comparison of the pattern of each call signal with the registered patterns in the pattern data memory. The telephone set preferably has an indicator for indicating on and off patterns of the call signals stored in a temporary memory.

Abstract: A telephone communication apparatus includes computing equipment programmed to send and receive telephone calls over a telephone line and a communication board connected to the computing equipment and responsive to program control therefrom. The computing equipment is responsive to detection of an incoming telephone call from a remote terminal to connect the telephone line to the computing equipment. The computing equipment also includes a data storage and a processor for receiving the incoming call and recording the telephone number of the remote terminal in the data storage without intervention by the user at the apparatus, and further includes reply apparatus for sending a reply telephone call to the remote terminal in accordance with the recorded telephone number. The processor can detect the telephone number in the incoming telephone call in a variety of ways, including detecting the telephone number as part of an incoming voice message or as part of incoming control information.

Abstract: An improved dialer programming system and device in which an assembled dialer may be loaded into a combined programming and printing system to be programmed with predetermined signals and imprinted with associated variable data. The predetermined and programmed signals may be representative of telephone numbers, account authorization numbers, or other data. The associated variable information to be printed may be textual such as name, account number or telephone number data or graphical, such as graphic designs or barcode images. The variable information may be printed or affixed to the dialer using a wide variety of processes adapted to the needs of the end user. An improved assembly design for the dialer device and improved dialer programming and imprinting system are particularly adapted to accommodate high volume production of many dialer devices with different programming and imprinting requirements. Additional new programming techniques for autodialer devices are also described.

Abstract: A telephone answering machine includes at least two tapes, the first of which records a subscriber's outgoing universal message (OGM) to all callers. A second of the two tapes records incoming messages from callers. A control device detects a tone code defined by, and entered by, a caller in conjunction with recording one of the messages as a message from the caller. The second tape is rewound and plays back the recorded caller's message to the subscriber. The subscriber can then re-enter the same code and record a response to the recorded caller's message on the first tape. The control device detects the code being re-entered by the caller if the caller has called again, in search of the response recorded by the subscriber, which corresponds to the re-entered code. The control device further searches for the re-entered code on the first tape in conjunction with the response recorded by the subscriber in response to the caller having re-entered the code.

Abstract: A vending apparatus for printed publications includes a programmable announcement capability which permits audio messages to be played in response to a customer stimulus. Programming is conveniently carried out through the connection of a portable programming unit to the vending apparatus to download a message stored in the programming unit. Such programming may be done frequently, such as daily, or at such time when the rack is refilled with printed publications. The announcement capability within the vending apparatus is preferably triggered when a customer opens an access panel on the rack, which then plays the message downloaded through the portable programming unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a network interface device for connecting network wiring to a subscriber's wiring at a subscriber's premises, the network interface device having a door covering a test jack, with means for connecting the network wiring to the subscriber wiring when the door is closed and connecting the network wiring to the test jack when the door is open.