Abstract: The present invention addresses an improved solution to the problem of cutover verification testing where a new digital switching system is to replace an existing switching system that serves at least a group of subscribers via continuous wire lines. It permits a plurality of existing wire lines to be concurrently connected to channel units associated with the new switching system without adversely impacting the existing service and automatic testing under the control of the new system.

Abstract: A system for positional determination includes an array of piezoelectric sensor electrodes connected to an array of output lines via resistors for providing a binary code in response to activation of the sensor electrodes; and an array of further output lines also connected to the array of sensor electrodes via resistors for providing a binary error code in response to activation of the sensor electrodes. By combining the resultant binary code and binary error code, an accurate determination of the position along the array of activation of the sensor electrodes may be achieved.

Abstract: A cover for a coin return relay assembly used in coin-operated telephones is formed of a tough, puncture-resistent material formed into a generally U-shaped barrier. The barrier is mounted on the relay such that it overlies the relay armature and coin return chute, preventing the insertion of probe-like instruments through the telephone box to contact such elements. The side walls of the cover are offset from the planes of the adjacent telephone housing walls, while the cover is mounted to the relay in a non-rigid manner to limit the ability of penetration therethrough.

Abstract: A call progress circuit for both a customer owned, coin operated telephone and a regulated telephone is provided that does not mute the paystation's transmitter, so that voice signals from the calling party may be heard by the called party, thereby preventing an answering party from hanging up prematurely. The call progress circuit employs a transmitter-sourced audio signal discriminator which monitors audio signals placed on the line from the called station, the calling paystation and a central office, and controllably removes or subtracts out those audio signals that originate at the paystation transmitter. The discriminator includes a pair of tunable bandpass filters respectively associated with a telephone line receiver and the paystation transmitter circuit. Coupled to these filters is an audio spectrum scanner which sequentially adjusts the sensitivity characteristics of the filters.

Abstract: An upstream PCM link accommodated in a new switch is bridged to a downstream PCM link accommodated in an old switch in the normal operating condition. A test unit sends the number of a subscriber to be tested to an old and new switches. The old switch sends call control information corresponding to the directory number of a subscriber to be tested as a normal call process. A test call control information monitor in the new switch monitors whether or not the call control information is properly received through a call control information extractor provided in the new switch as a standard component. Thus, a board-to-board test can be conducted by combining a normal call function in the old switch and a standard call control information extracting function of the new switch with a plurality of subscriber signals multiplexed in physical links in the PCM link without excessively increasing a load of the switch.

Abstract: A method for predicting a number of agents required to provide a given service level in a force management system is described. The force management system has the capability to generate call handling performance data including average call arrival rate and average handling time per call. From this data, the method calculates an offered load "a" equal to the average arrival rate of calls for the system times the average handling time per call. Using the calculated offered load, the method calculates two predictor values and then uses these values in successive Erlang C calculations to locate the desired number of agents required to provide a given service level.

Abstract: A transaction recording and rating method and apparatus rates communication transactions completed using one or more Carrier Switched Network Point Of Attachment (CSN POA) locations of a communication network. The network stores a unique code for each CSN POA location. The rating systems store rating parameters associated with each CSN POA code. During a transaction (e.g., a call), one or more CSN POA locations are identified and their CSN POA codes are recorded. A transaction charge is calculated from the prestored rating parameter(s) obtained using the one or more CSN POA codes in addition to other information.

Abstract: To interface a primary telephone terminal with a vast number of remote terminals through a telephone network, parties at the remote terminals are individually screened to attain a select group. A random digit dialer unit may provide random dialing signals to the telephone network to establish communication with a plurality of connected terminals, as for polling applications. Bridged together, the select group is preliminarily informed of the status of the interface by a voice generator and, accordingly, the multitude of connections are synchronized for the interface. On cue, the select group is coupled to the primary telephone terminal for unilateral communications. Deviations from the unilateral communication include select bilateral communication for a few of the remote terminals and digital communication from the remote terminals by push button as for polling applications. Subjects for interfaces are programmed for selection from a memory.

Abstract: In a digital telephone set connected to a digital data exchange through a transmission line, a plurality of handsets, which are mounted on a telephone body, are for converting input sounds into input analog speech signals and for converting output analog speech signals into output sounds. Connected to the handsets, a plurality of analog-to-digital converters converts the input analog speech signals into input digital speech signals. Connected to the handsets, a plurality of digital-to-analog converters converts output digital speech signals into the output analog speech signals. On the telephone body are mounted a set of dialling keys for producing a numerical signal. Connected to the dialling keys, a control device is for producing input control data in response to the numerical signal and is for producing an output control signal in response to output control data.

Abstract: A wireless stylus includes a pocket clip having a latch which, upon insertion into a storage compartment within a digitizer, engages a cam. The cam has a shape that causes the latch to move into engagement with a keeper as the stylus is pushed into the compartment and then released. The keeper holds the stylus in a stored position. The latch is released upon first pushing the stylus and then releasing it. Biasing means engages the stylus and moves it against the keeper and ejects the stylus outwardly from the storage compartment allowing the stylus to be grasped and withdrawn from the tablet. The storage compartment is open at opposite ends and has two cams, one at each end of the compartment so that the stylus, at the convenience of the user, can be inserted into either end for storage.

Abstract: The invention presupposes the operation by a telephone company of an automatic billing system which incorporates a means of calculating a utilization charge in accordance with the number of seconds during which a user who has called a special number is connected to that number, and then of adding the utilization charge to the user's call charge. At the user's end the invoice charge data is input and the number of seconds of connection to a special line number are set in accordance with the invoice charge and a network control means then connects with the special line number for the number of seconds which has been set. The telephone exchange's utilization charge computation means then adds the utilization charge to the call charge for collection from the user. In this way the telephone company is able to collect an invoice charge on behalf of the supplier of the corresponding service.

Abstract: A page party system for use in industrial environments, having a plurality of stations joined by a page line and by a single party line for providing multiple full-duplex conference calls over the single party line. Multiple full-duplex conferencing is achieved by combining single sideband suppressed carrier amplitude modulation and frequency division multiplexing.

Abstract: A digitizer table which employs low pass filtering of raw coordinate data to reduce noise and jitter. A weighted filtering is employed, in which the new position data is averaged with a previous average or previous position data before being reported. The weighting factor applied to the new data is determined by the degree of monotonicity represented by the data, with intentional movements of the pointing device indicating high monotonicity undergoing light filtering but noise indicating low monotonicity undergoing heavy filtering.

Abstract: A display/input device is constituted by superposing a display device and a transparent tablet on each other. An operator points an icon included in an image displayed on a screen of the display device by means of a stylus pen, thereby inputting data. A central part of a coordinate detection area of the tablet overlaps the screen of the display device, and a peripheral part of the coordinate detection area is situated outside the screen. When the stylus pen points a predetermined region within the peripheral part of the coordinate detection area, predetermined processing ("cancel", "previous page", "next page") corresponding to a command allocated to the pointed predetermined region is carried out.

Abstract: An acoustic touch position sensor is shown in which a transducer coupled to a side of a substrate imparts a shear wave into the substrate for propagation along a first axis. A reflective array is disposed along the first axis to reflect portions of the shear wave along a plurality of parallel paths extending across a touch surface of the substrate to a second reflective array the axis of which is parallel to the axis of the first reflective array. The second reflective array reflects the shear waves incident thereto to a transducer mounted on the side of the substrate and responsive to shear waves propagated thereto for providing a signal representative of these shear waves. A touch on the substrate results in a partial absorption of the energy in the shear wave so as to produce a perturbation therein which is sensed to determine the axial position of the touch on the substrate.

Abstract: In a telephone answering machine, means are provided for selecting one of three operating modes. In mode 1, the answering machine answers telephone calls connected via the tip and ring terminals, and does not place a low impedance across the A and A1 terminals. In mode 2, the answering machine answers calls connected via the tip and ring terminals, and places a low impedance across the A and A1 terminals. In mode 3, the answering machine answers telephone calls connected via the A and A1 terminals.

Abstract: A circuit (4) for generating metering pulses (P) includes a multiplier circuit (MULT), a bandpass filter (BF), a comparison circuit (COMP) and a ramp signal generator (RAMP). A current (IC) from the ramp signal generator is multiplied (MULT) by an alternating voltage (VTXX) such as to form the metering pulse (P), which is transmitted, together with a speech signal (SP), to a subscriber (1) for registration. The output voltage (UF) of the bandpass filter (BF) is compared with a reference voltage (UR) in the comparison circuit (COMP). The output (9a) of the comparison circuit is electrically conductive only when the filter voltage (UF) exceeds the reference voltage (UR). When control signals (D) open a switch (SW), a capacitor (C1) is charged by a first current generator (10). The capacitor voltage (VC) incresases linearly and controls proportionally the current (IC) of the ramp signal generator (RAMP).

Abstract: A handheld, battery-powered telecommunications test instrument with a talk battery circuit capable of supplying power for up to four telephone sets, which may be connected either in series or in parallel. The instrument determines the configuration of the telephone sets as having serial connections or parallel connections by sensing the amount of current flowing through the circuit of the invention. In response to the amount of current, a transistor automatically operates to supply power to the telephone sets as either a voltage source or a current source and maximizes power transfer between the telephone sets. The instrument has a low power mode to reduce current drain on the battery that is automatically engaged when the telephone sets are not in use.

Abstract: A coin tone validator (CTV) is located in a local central office and is connected between a pay telephone and a switching system. The CTV monitors DC loop current changes using opto-couplers inserted into a local loop in addition to measuring standard 1700 Hz and 2200 Hz tone frequencies generated when a coin is inserted into the paystation. A comparison of the two components, the current changes and the frequencies, is performed to determine a timing and magnitude relationship. If the frequency component is misaligned within a specified time frame or the magnitude is not sufficient, then the tones received or the current change sensed are dismissed as interference. The CTV prevents users of pay telephones from fraudulently generating coin tones that are acoustically coupled into the handset of a paystation from a calling station at any time during a call.

Abstract: A two-unit device for identifying individual conductors in a multi-conductor installation having two ends. Each unit includes a telephone handset interposed in a series communication and continuity circuit. One of the units is a master unit and includes a multi-position switch for selecting individual conductors. The other unit is a slave unit and includes a set of LEDs. During operation, a person with the master unit selects a particular conductor by means of the switch, and an LED at the slave unit identifies the other end of the selected conductor. The two persons then communicate over the circuit being identified, and establish a label designation for the ends of the particular selected and identified conductor.