Abstract: An automated parallel and redundant subscriber contact and event notification system capable of being triggered by the change in status of any sensing device or process including the sensor of an alarm system or other event. The system enables automated simultaneous contact of one or more persons over a plurality of telephonic and electronic communication channels and provides parallel event-specific notification via voice, pager, voice mail, fax and email to the recipient(s) that are identified by electronic or speech recognized entry of a PIN and then provides them with a detailed message including the date and time of a specific event which has occurred with respect to a monitored sensor. A telephone switching or conferencing feature allows the recipient(s) to communicate directly with a predetermined or pre-programmed location or person or select from a menu based upon the type of event that has occurred and the pre-programmed selection list.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a system and method for protecting an electronic device connected to a telephone line. The system includes a detector, sensor and protector. The detector determines a resistance built-in to the telephone line, the sensor utilizes the resistance of the telephone line to determine if the telephone line is a digital line and the protector prevents the electronic device from prolonged connection with the telephone line if it is a digital line.

Abstract: A central office (CO) for a telephone connected with a telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD) called by a calling device determines that the called TDD is connected with the called CO. The called CO postpones indication that the called TDD has connected with the called CO, until the called CO determines whether the called TDD is willing to connect with the calling device. This causes the calling device to continue to receive an indication that a connection has yet to be established between the calling device and the called TDD. As a result of being connected with the telephone connected with the TDD, the called CO transmits caller identification (CID) information regarding the calling device in a format that can be received by a TDD.

Abstract: A system that provides video signal communication between a source of the video signal and a plurality of units that include destinations of the video signal includes an interface coupled to the source and to telephone lines, each of which serves at least one of the units and carries voice signals to and from one or more telephones coupled to the telephone line at said unit. The interface receives the video signal from the source, and transmits the received video signal onto at least one of the telephone lines in a selected frequency range that is different from frequencies at which the voice signals are carried on that telephone line. This causes the video signal to be coupled to a receiver which is connected to the telephone line at the unit served by that line and is adapted to recover the video signal from the telephone line and apply it to one or more of the destinations at the unit. The source is a cable (e.g.

Abstract: A method of providing 911 service to a private branch exchange, includes grouping a plurality of private telephone numbers into a set. An outgoing telephone line for a 911 call is assigned to the set. A location information for the outgoing telephone line is input into a location database.

Abstract: A digital tone generator (1110) includes a digital signal generator (1138) which generates a digital waveform data sequence which is representative of a tone having a predetermined waveform, and a pulse-width modulator (1132) which provides an adaptive duty cycle period (622, 630) which is responsive to the digital data waveform data sequence for selecting clock pulses of a number sufficient to generate a pulse-width modulated digital tone signal. The digital tone generator (110) can also include a low pass filter (36) which processes the pulse-width modulated digital tone signal to generate an analog tone signal. The digital waveform sequences generated by two digital tone generators (38, 40) can be digitally added by a digital adder (28) to provide a composite tone data signal, which can be processed by the adaptive pulse-width modulator (700) to produce a pulse-width modulated tone signal representative of a DTMF tone.

Abstract: An assembly includes a connector having a plurality of contacts, a plurality of electrical filters arranged outside the connector, a first cable bundle and a second cable bundle. The first cable bundle includes a plurality of cables, each cable making electrical connection between a corresponding one of the plurality of contacts of the connector and a corresponding one of the plurality of electrical filters. The second cable bundle includes a plurality of cables making electrical connection to a corresponding one of the plurality of filters. The plurality of electrical filters is preferably arranged in a separate housing which may be spaced from the connector.

Abstract: A telecommunications apparatus includes selecting and routing a signal destined for a user to one of a plurality of different terminals near to the user and operating in accordance with different signal formats, in dependence upon the format of said signal.

Abstract: An automatic metering information collection system and method in which a remotely controllable line multi-interface at a customer's local multi-interfacing multiport switch responds to an interface selection message from a metering information collection computer at a utility service provider location to connect the hybrid digital/analog customer telephone line to a selected one of a plurality of available interfaces compatible with the type of interface employed by the meter until the metering information is conveyed to the collection computer and then automatically returns the customer's line to a default interface used by the other types of telephonic equipment on the customer's line.

Abstract: In the PC-based teleconference terminal 200 includes a PC 110 and a video codec unit 130, a network control unit 220 and an audio codec unit 240 which are all constructed on the same expansion board, with the video codec unit 130, the audio codec unit 240 and the network control unit 240 all connected to the computer bus 114 so as to be able to transfer audio data, video data, data and AV multiframes between themselves. The audio codec unit 240 is equipped with a audio clock generation unit 241 for generating an audio sampling signal of 8 kHz through self-excited oscillation.

Abstract: In a store data communications system, multiple data sources having disparate communications standards are connected with respective device interfaces of a multiple device communications controller unit. Multiple protocol controllers are coupled with the respective device interfaces and convert the data from each to a common protocol for transmission via a single telephone line. The interface units preferably can be customized to operate with various data sources, a fiber optic coupler, or a modem, or another controller unit for convenient expansion. The device interfaces preferably have snap-in assembly with the controller unit so that device interfaces customized to different standards can be inserted or replaced at any interface receptacle, the multiple protocol controllers preferably being capable of corresponding re-programming by downloading from a remote station preferably via one of the device interfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for remotely controlling electronic equipment such as a VTR using a remote telephone set. The electronic equipment has a timer reservation unit which causes the electronic equipment to start a predetermined operation at a predetermined time in accordance with externally inputted reservation information and to become inoperable after a predetermined period. The timer reservation unit includes an input unit, and a remote controller is coupled to the input unit of the timer reservation unit to perform wireless communication therebetween. The remote controller is constructed such that the reservation information is transmitted to the input unit of the timer reservation unit in response to a predetermined push button operation or dial operation of the remote telephone set.

Abstract: A switching system and a method of remote switching an electrically operated device by using calling signals generated by a telephone. A switching element is actuated by the system upon detecting a specific code of the calling signals generated by the telephone and validating a predetermined number of these calling signals. The calling signals are treated by a processing circuit which in turn conditions circuit elements to actuate the switching. More specifically, but not exclusively, the calling signals are sound signals generated by the telephone and the switching system is located in proximity to the telephone source whereby to receive the sound signals.

Abstract: The invention is an add-on device which allows programming of an existing VCR (video cassette recorder) via standard phone lines. With it attached to a VCR, the user is able to call home and advance program the invention to turn on the VCR at a certain time, change to a desired channel, and start and stop recording at a certain time. These commands would be transferred and entered through the use of standard telephone "Touch Tone" signals. A voice-synthesized response from the invention would return through the phone lines to verify correct instructions. No electrical connection is made directly to the VCR. In addition, no permanent physical or visual alterations of the VCR are made. Thus, the invention is designed to remain mounted to the rear of the VCR indefinitely, since it will not hinder the normal functioning of the VCR, nor its remote control. It also may be removed without damage and installed on another VCR, if desired.

Abstract: A line switching control system effects switching between a data communication mode and a voice communication mode in mobile communication, particularly mobile telephone service. The line switching control system includes a transmitter/receiver unit for transmitting and receiving signals through an antenna, an input device combined with a telephone, a switching device for effecting switching between the data communication mode and the voice communication mode, and a control unit for controlling switching between the data communication mode and the voice communication mode based on a mode switching command entered through the input device. When a key of the input device at the user's hand is depressed, switching between the data communication mode and the voice communication mode can smoothly be performed.

Abstract: A key telephone system includes a temporary registration memory for temporarily storing operating data and a final registration timing data memory for storing final registration timing data, including a timing condition for transferring contents of the temporary registration memory to the operating data memory. Operating data input by a user and the final registration timing data are written into the temporary registration memory and the final registration timing data memory, respectively, from a data input unit connected to the main unit during a data setting mode. The system discriminates establishment of the timing condition designated in accordance with the final registration timing data stored in the final registration timing data memory, whereupon the operating data stored in the temporary registration memory is transferred to the operating data memory.

Abstract: A voice/data switch (13) for selectively connecting an audio communication terminal device (15), such as a telephone, or a piece of electronic data communication equipment (17), such as a telephone facsimile device or a computer, to a Telco line (19) is disclosed. The voice/data switch (13) includes an announcement device and return signal detector (21) that is enabled to send a message to a calling station upon receipt of a ring signal. The message requests a return signal, which may be generated by the depression of a key of a DTMF key pad, for example, if connection to the audio communication terminal device is desired. If the requested return signal is not received, the Telco line (19) is connected by the voice/data switch (13) to the piece of electronic data communication equipment (17). If the requested return signal is received, the Telco line (19) is connected by the voice/data switch (13) to the audio communication terminal device (15).

Abstract: A gating circuit for operation in conjunction with a manual cord telephone switchboard to service multiple operational modes of a subscriber telephone connected for telephone communication to a central office. In one mode, an internal intercom connection is established between the subscriber telephone and the switchboard. In a second mode a secretarial service connection is established allowing direct communication between the switchboard and the central office. A ring detection circuit detects when the subscriber telephone has been rung from the central office.

Abstract: A switching control apparatus for intercom-telephone sets includes a switching control circuit and a surge protection circuit electrically coupled with a talking circuit for increasing the reliability of the intercom-telephone operation, reducing the cost of manufacturing the product and protecting the intercom-telephone sets against high voltage surges which may damage the intercom-telephone sets during electrical storms.

Abstract: A distributed control switching system where calls, to and from a directory number that is shared by a key-system group of terminals, are processed cooperatiavely by multiple, distributed control units but in response to busy/idle data for the shared directory number stored advantageously by only a lead one of the control units. In addition to processing a call, for example to complete a connection to or from one of the terminals of the group, the multiple control units also cooperate as the call progresses to inform each of the group terminals of the call status as though the terminals were connected in parallel to a central office line as in an electromechanical key system.