Abstract: A method for performing communications over a network comprises receiving a user record for a first user, receiving a query from a second user with regard to the first user, and sending, to the second user, as a response to the query, a call-handling profile.

Abstract: A switching apparatus distributes incoming calls to end point terminals that belong to a service group and that interact with the switching apparatus via messages. The messages query the end point terminals by specifying a range and asking those end point terminals that meet a criterion associated with the range to respond. By iteratively narrowing the range, for example, in a binary search fashion, one of the end point terminals is selected. In one embodiment, the range relates to fixed sequence IDs of the end point terminals and the criterion relates to whether an end point terminal is idle or not. In another embodiment, the range incorporates the idle/not idle state of the end point terminals by specifying idle time durations.

Abstract: A special orientation sensor within a hand-held electronic computing device provides for movement of a screen cursor in response to changes in the spatial orientation of computing device. The sensor provides at least two output signals that are sensitive to gravitational force in at least two different directions, and those signals assist in determining the spatial orientation of the computing device and in determining the position of cursor 120. In one illustrative embodiment the force-sensing mechanism comprises a pair of accelerometers that provide a signal corresponding to the gravitational force applied to the accelerometers. A processor responsive to the signals of the accelerometer converts those signals to cursor position signals.

Abstract: Including a coupler that is connected to the customer's line provides a capability for routing calls that are destined to different called numbers to a single customer line. The coupler includes a module for detecting called number ID signals received at the customer line, a switch interposed between the customer's line and port to which customer premises equipment may be connected, and circuitry for detecting when the customer premises equipment goes off hook. The coupler can also be embedded within the customer premises equipment. Alerting signals are applied to the port to which the customer premises equipment may be connected based on the called number ID signals and on the off hook state of the port to which the customer premises equipment may be connected. In some embodiments, the alerting signals also depend on additional criteria. Also, the alerting signals may be provided by the customer's line, or generated within the coupler.

Abstract: An arrangement includes a number of POT CPE customer lines and a plurality of assigned called numbers that are associated with the POT CPE customer lines. The number of assigned called numbers may be greater than, equal to, or smaller than the number of customer lines. The arrangement includes a coupler that is responsive to the plurality of POT CPE customer lines, and includes a number of POT CPE output ports. A storage element maintain a record of which assigned called number(s) is (are) associated with a particular output port, and a switching arrangement, under control of a processor that is coupled to the storage element, controls the switching arrangement. Both hunting and key telephone functions can be implements with the aid of the disclosed coupler.

Abstract: An advance in the art is achieved were a customer's line can support a routing thereto of calls destined to more than one called number. Alerting such a line that a connection is sought to be established is achieved by a process whereby a database is consulted to determine whether the called number translates to a customer line that supports more than one called number. In such an event, a special service message is constructed and forwarded to the customer's line to inform the line of the called number with which the connection is sought. In one embodiment, a ringing signal is included with the special service message, that is coded to reflect the particular called number that corresponds to the connection that is being sought.

Abstract: A capability for routing calls that are destined to different called numbers to a single customer line is provided by including apparatus at the customer's line that detects called number ID signals. The detecting of called number ID signals is enabled by installing one or more called numbers ID signals in a memory of a customer premises instrument, or a coupler, that is connected to the customer's line. The installing is carried out in a process that first places the customer premises instrument, or the coupler, in a program mode, and then providing the one or more called number ID signals, for storing in the customer premises instrument, or the coupler. In one embodiment, the service provider provides the one or more called number ID signals.

Abstract: A telephone answering system that automatically dials a specified telephone number left by a caller in conjunction with a message left for a message recipient. The caller is given an option to leave such a number. In the case the caller has left such a number, the message recipient is given an option to have that number automatically dialed. If the message recipient chooses that option, the number as specified by the caller is automatically dialed, and the connection between the telephone line of the message recipient and the telephone answering system is terminated. The present invention thus provides great convenience to subscribers of telephone answering systems when calling back previous callers who have left messages.

Abstract: A fax machine that allows the user to input any of a specified time, a specified manner, a specified place, or a specified condition for notification of the result of an attempt to fax a document on the fax machine. The user specifies any of the time, manner, place, and condition for notification by either entering a user ID, by modifying default parameters, or by specifying any of these parameters for notification. The fax machine determines the result of the attempt to fax a document on the fax machine, and notifies the user according to any specified time, specified place, specified manner, or specified condition as input by the user.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing quantizing noise is presented. In some Internet access and other dial-up services, modems or other sources connect into analog switching systems, and then are A/D-converted to reach remote switching offices. There, the digitized signal is converted back to analog, only to be re-digitized for T1 transmission. In the invention, the sample points used to re-digitize the signal are synchronized with those used to originally sample the signal, nearly eliminating second quantization noise.

Abstract: An electronic memory system and method for use in a system for reducing quantizing noise is presented. In some Internet access and other dial-up services, modems or other sources connect into analog switching systems, and then are A/D-converted to reach remote switching offices. There, the digitized signal is converted back to analog, only to be re-digitized for T1 transmission. In the invention, the sample points used to re-digitize the signal are encoded using a dedicated electronic memory structure which permits efficient determination of valid data points.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively routing calls between alternate available telephone service providers. The inventive device is operatively connected between a user's telephone instrument and the telephone lines of the various alternate service providers. As the user enters or dials the number representing the intended remote connection, the inventive device analyzes the entered digits. After a sufficient number of digits have been dialed and analyzed, the device automatically chooses the appropriate telephone line over which to send the call, transmits the dialed digits over that line, and connects the telephone instrument to the chosen telephone line.

Abstract: An advertising effectiveness rating system provides advertising effectiveness rating data by assigning one telephone number to each of a plurality of advertising outlets and counting the number of times that each of the assigned telephone numbers are used. The advertising effectiveness rating system includes an advertising effectiveness rating device that receives a called number from a local switch. When a prospective purchaser calls one of the assigned telephone numbers, the local switch forwards the called number to the advertising effectiveness rating device. When a called number is received, the advertising effectiveness rating device retrieves a count that corresponds to the called number from a database, increments the count and returns the incremented count to the database.

Abstract: A selective menu system which enables callers to enter a voice or other menu hierarchy at different levels is presented. Groups of customers are assigned access numbers, which is forwarded into the system as called-number identification, along with other call information. The system discriminates desired voice menu services, according to the assigned called-number information and translates the user's entry into the voice menu presentation hierarchy, to an entry point appropriate for their desired service. Illustratively, banking customers with an interest in securities transactions can enter the overall bank menu specifically at the level relating to the securities activity.

Abstract: A user interface for resolving contention for a data channel is coupled to a broadband network having a plurality of user interfaces and a distribution hub. The user interface comprises a contention circuit for generating a contention signal in substantial absence of a common frequency with other user interfaces. The contention signal is a contention request for allocation of a data channel on the broadband network. A sensor for sensing other contention signals on the broadband network determines a status of the contention request. In a further enhancement, the contention signal is related to the unique id number. This relationship in a further enhancement is based on a multiple of a step frequency relative to a base frequency, wherein the multiple is related to the unique id number. In a yet further enhancement, a contending user having a highest unique id number is given access to the data channel.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for an improved computer pointing device. The present invention facilitates positioning the computer cursor and includes a pointing device for providing coordinate input signals and a gain control device for providing gain signals, wherein gain is defeined as the ratio of the cursor movement along the y-axis and x-axis relative to the corresponding amount movement of the pointing device along the y-axis and x-axis. The coordinate input signals and gain signals are received by a processor. The processor is operative to execute a program that scales the coordinate input signals as a function of a gain value determined from the gain signal. The processor then outputs the scaled coordinate input signals in a form simulating a mouse output. The pointing device can be any computer peripheral device capable of providing coordinate input signals indicating an amount of movement along the y-axis and x-axis.

Abstract: An interactive video/computer pointing system utilizing a magnetic sensor to derive relative azimuthal information, and an inclinometer or accelerometer to provide relative angular elevation information. The azimuthal information is processed to yield an indication of any horizontal movement of the pointing device, and the angular elevation is processed to yield an indication of any vertical movement of the pointing device. This horizontal and vertical movement information is utilized to responsively control a video cursor, thereby enabling the user to point to and select various regions upon a video screen by manipulating the pointing device.