Abstract: A storage assembly for an electronic device, such as a telephone handset. The storage assembly is comprised of a tube housing, carrier tray and tray locking mechanism. The tube housing receives a telephone handset forcing the carrier tray to the full aft and locked position. At this point, the telephone handset is completely stored inside the tube housing. A push-button release mechanism provides the ability for the user to eject the telephone handset from the tube when needed. The entire tube housing is designed to fit in the armrest of a seat on an airplane, train, car or any other desired seat. This allows storage of the telephone handset while maximizing the available space immediately around the seat used for other purposes.

Abstract: A telephone network includes switches which are capable of mapping between subscriber numbers, which are owned by the subscriber, and provider numbers, which define the physical location of the switch at which the subscriber is connected, in order to provide portability of telephone numbers. Switches which are capable of porting telephone numbers may access a database to look-up a provider number based on a subscriber number and look-up a subscriber number based on a provider number. The subscriber number of the called party is translated to a provider number in order to define the physical location of the switch supporting the called party. The provider number of the calling party is translated to a subscriber number to support caller ID. The database for maintaining information on translating subscriber numbers and provider numbers, and other data, such as call forwarding and switch configurations, may be accessed from a central database and cached locally to the switches.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of informing an agent of a follow-up call to the agent from a telephone subscriber comprised of on receiving the follow-up call from the telephone subscriber, detecting that the agent is busy, storing a callback number of the telephone subscriber, storing at least part of a message provided by the telephone subscriber in association with the callback number, determining the identity of a specific agent to which the call is to be directed, and routing the message and the callback number to the specific agent when the specific agent becomes free.

Abstract: A subscriber module (40) for a network interface device (10) having a jack (100) defining a plug-receiving cavity (102) thereinto, and having a plug (50) insertable into the jack. The plug includes a plurality of interconnecting contacts (56) disposed at a mating end (58) thereof, and the jack includes first and second contacts (106, 112) secured within the plug-receiving cavity in spaced-apart disconnected pairs. Insertion of plug (50) into jack (100) moves interconnecting contacts (56) between associated ones of first and second contacts (106, 112) to electrically interconnect them, completing otherwise unconnected circuits between the distribution cable and the subscriber premise wiring. Preferably plug (50) includes a sealing member (74) therearound to seal the mating interface when plug (50) is inserted into jack (100).

Abstract: An anonymous interactive telephone system for connecting a caller to a subscriber without divulging the identity or telephone number of either unless voluntarily revealed. The subscriber publishes an advertisement together with a telephone number of a system controller station. A subscriber reference number is embedded within the telephone number of the system controller station as a DID number. The subscriber also supplies information to the system controller station related to time periods during which calls may be directly forwarded to the subscriber or intercepted by the system controller. The system controller repeatedly accesses the central switching station or local switching station of the public telephone company to activate and de-activate the call forwarding function of the switching station for controlling call forwarding to the subscriber on the basis of the subscriber's published DID number.

Abstract: A twisted-pair telephone line is connected to a conventional telephone via a low-pass filter and equipment for receiving signals in an upper frequency range, e.g., 25-1000 kHz via a high-pass filter. The low-pass filter is primarily passive (to allow passage of line power, ringing and signalling voltages) but, to improve matching to non-resistive line and telephone impedances, at least the main part of the filter is flanked by impedance convertors in which amplifiers having an appropriate transfer function feed voltages back into the line via transformers through which power, ringing and dialing may pass unimpeded.

Abstract: A user transparent telephone fraud detection and prevention system employs speech analysis techniques to determine whether at least one participant in a telephone conversation is an authorized user of the telephone line. A multi-party conversation on a phone line (e.g., a PBX line) is analyzed to separate speech information from noise and then the speech information is separated according to each participant in the conversation. Speech data for each participant is then compared to a library of speech data of authorized users of the system. If a match is found the system determines that the call is authorized. If no match is found the call is determined to be unauthorized and appropriate line control functions are carried out. Examples of the line control functions are: terminating the call; recording the call; disabling the line; intruding into the call and playing noise or a warning message; and intruding into the call to demand identification data from the call participants.

Abstract: A telephone handset is provided, the earpiece of which is designed to couple the speaker portion to the outer ear while reducing the pressure applied across the tragus and antitragus, and to thus reduce the discomfort of the user. One preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a telephone handset, the earpiece of which includes a modified funnel shaped sound cavity located above the handset's speaker element and surrounded by a planar surface. The intersection of the sound cavity with the planar surface is defined by a pear shaped or teardrop shaped outline. The earpiece is coupled to the outer ear without undue pressure being applied across the tragus or antitragus. Rather, the tapering portion of the teardrop shaped cavity is coupled with the soft, fleshy earlobe, thus providing a good acoustical coupling between the telephone speaker element of the handset and the outer ear of the user, without allowing the planar surface to painfully cut across the tragus and antitragus of the user.

Abstract: This tone detector which is suited for dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) digit detection, separates the pairs of tones into a low frequency and high frequency group in which the other frequency group is attenuated by filtering. The amplitude of the low and high frequency groups serve as separate variable threshold reference signals. Individual tones are bandpass filtered with their corresponding outputs converted into an amplitude signal. The amplitude of the individually bandpass filtered tone signals are compared against the corresponding low or high frequency variable threshold signal for a determination of whether a tone is present. Preferably, additional validation steps are applied to the preliminary tone decisions to provide improved digit detection accuracy, especially in the presence of other signals such as speech.

Abstract: A audio conferencing system is provided whereby an audio conference participant interfaces with the system through a graphical user interface (GUI) computer program running on a remote computer or workstation. To join an audio conference currently in progress, a participant controls the GUI computer program to transmit a signal over a local area network to a central server. The central server, by examining database information, determines whether the participant is authorized to join the audio conference. If so, the central server controls a telephone system connected thereto and causes the telephone system to call the participant at a pre-listed telephone number. The participant then joins the actual audio conference merely by answering the telephone. Numerous other functions are available to the audio participant both during an audio conference and other times.

Abstract: A telephone switching system (100) including an automatic call distributor (102) for routing incoming telephone calls over a telephone network (116) to agent telephonic units (112, 114) is provided. Data relating to each of the incoming telephone calls is collected by the automatic call distributor (102), in particular a central processing unit (110). As each incoming telephone call is being routed to an agent telephonic unit (112, 114) over a telephone network (116), its associated data is substantially simultaneously transmitted over a computer network (126) to an agent computer terminal (122, 124). The agent located at the agent telephonic unit (112 or 114) which receives an incoming telephone call has first party call control via the associated agent computer terminal (122 or 124).

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of voice, single tone and dual tone signals compares a ratio r which equals the square of the maximum value of the received signal (A max) during a sampling period divided by a measure E of the energy to three different thresholds. If r is less than the first threshold (3), a single tone is indicated. If it is greater than the first but less than the second, the received signal level is compared to the third threshold (-43 dB) and receipt of a voice signal is indicted if the level of the received signal exceeds this threshold.

Abstract: A telephone set comprises a noise detector, a noise level determining circuit, and a noise canceler. The noise detector detects a noise component from a transmitting acoustic signal by detecting signal recurrence of the transmitting acoustic signal. The noise level determining circuit determines a noise level by comparing the noise component with a first threshold. According to the noise level, the noise canoelet cancels the noise component from the transmitting acoustic signal when the noise level is not smaller than the first threshold. The telephone set further comprises a frequency characteristics controller for a received acoustic signal to obtain a desired speech articulation. The frequency characteristics controller, based on the noise level, determines a level change region, a level change value, and a level change direction of the spectrum of the received acoustic signal.

Abstract: A telecommunications system provides a call transfer function while user-A is involved in two independent calls: one with user-B and one with user-C. The call transfer by user-A is initiated by sending a message to the long distance carrier switching office. In the switching office, both independent calls are identified as part of the transfer request. The switching office then requests the call transfer function by sending a message to the network control system for the validation of the transfer. After the network control system determines allowability of the transfer, the call between user-B and user-C is connected, while user-A and user-A's customer premise equipment is disconnected from user-B and user-C.

Abstract: An interactive subscriber telephone terminal, comprising: a display screen; a plurality of temporarily definable response/data entry keys; and local control means for selectively causing the display screen and/or the response/data entry keys to be controlled by one of: remote signals transmitted to the terminal from a telephone switching office, and the local control means.

Abstract: Increased network security is provided in accordance with the invention by using information obtained from the signaling network to determine whether a call has been forwarded, and then using this information to make a determination as to appropriate further call processing, to minimize a communications company's exposure to call forwarding fraud. A determination of whether a call is a forwarded call can be made on the basis of a call forwarding indicator provided by another portion of the communications network. Where such an indicator is unavailable, a determination of whether a call is a forwarded call can be made by comparing the telephone number dialed to originate the call with the telephone number (the "connect number") associated with the telephone station to which the call has been forwarded. When the dialed number and the connect number differ, the call is determined to be a forwarded call.

Abstract: The present patent application includes a discussion of an integrated information card reader. The card reader is integrated into a radiotelephone (101). The card reader has a set of electrical contacts imbedded in a sliding plate (205). The sliding plate (205) is coupled to at least a portion of the other electronic apparatus contained in the radiotelephone (101) and enhances the rigidity of the radiotelephone (101). The card reader also includes a cover plate (213). The cover plate (213) and the sliding plate (205) form a cavity for retaining an information card (105). The cover plate (213) has cantilevered springs (309, 313) shaped from its body for forcing the information card (105) against the first set of contacts (403) when the information card (105) is loaded. Additionally, the cover plate (213) provides shielding at least a portion of the electronic apparatus from electromagnetic and radio frequency interference (EMI, RFI).

Abstract: A flap housing (14) for a foldable radiotelephone handset (10) has a hinge pin (72) with an actuator (96) for the radiotelephone activation switch (44) and a detent catch (88) integrated with the flap housing body (60). The actuator (96) engages the switch (44) to deactivate the handset (10) when the flap housing (14) is in a closed position. The detent catch (88) engages a detent stop (110) on the front housing (30) of the radiotelephone (10) when the flap housing (14) is in an open position.

Abstract: An automated directory assistance call completion and calling number delivery system is disclosed which allows a party to call a telephone or a cellular company directory assistance operator, request a phone number of a person to be contacted and asks that the call be completed automatically. The system is responsive to a predetermined code keyed-in on a keypad of the calling party pushbutton phone, or to a voice response from the calling party, for automatically completing the call to an idle or an in-use telephone station of the person to be contacted, and for disclosing the calling party directory telephone number with a corresponding name to the person to be contacted. The person to be contacted is then in a position to decide whether or not to answer the call based on the identity of the calling party.

Abstract: An integrated telephone interface circuit for driving a telephone line includes a line current sensor and a phase converter, both associated with an output stage connected to the telephone line. The circuit is equipped with a protection device against the generation of spurious signals including a comparator connected between the converter and the output stage, a control and monitoring circuit linked operatively to an output of the comparator, and a plurality of switches associated with the input side of the converter, as well as with the current sensor and the output stage. The switches are linked operatively to respective outputs of the control and monitoring circuit to reverse polarity of the line supply upon a predetermined threshold value for the comparator being exceeded.