Abstract: A virtual private communications network (VPCN) and method of using the VPCN. The VPCN includes a communications server and at least one communications trunk connecting the communications server to a public telephone network. A web server and one or more digital telephones may be connected to the communications server. A remotely connected device (such as a PC or WAP) communicating with the communications server acts as a locally connected digital telephone. A remote telephone located in the vicinity of the remotely connected device provides telephonic communications in cooperation with the communications server controlled by the remotely connected device.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for the restricting features in a wireless network. A database contains representations of rules that restrict the features of terminals connected to a base station. For an incoming communication, a determination is made as to which terminal is associated with the call, and a database is accessed to look up rules governing restrictions on the terminal and/or the base station connected to the terminal; the terminal is then activated depending on the restrictions. For outgoing communication, when a signal associated with a request for an outgoing communication is received from a terminal, a database is accessed to look up rules governing restrictions; the terminal is connected for outgoing communication depending on whether the restrictions allow it.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing complex computer based systems initiates a trace and debug session via IP causing the resulting output to be stored in a designated remote server on the Internet which can accept large amounts of information. The trace and debug information subsequently can be accessed from any engineering workstation or personal computer from any other location via the Internet. The invention permits the trace sessions to run independent of any local access and permits several technical people in different locations to access the remote storage server simultaneously or independently.

Abstract: A packet-oriented communication link is set up from a first to a second terminal in a data network. The first terminal sends a test data packet to the second terminal, the route of the test data packet in the data network being detected. The detected route is used to check whether the first and the second terminal are arranged in the same local address space. The local address of the first terminal is used as sender address for setting up the communication link in cases in which the result of the check is positive, and the global address is used in the other cases.

Abstract: A communications network connected to a plurality of communications lines and method of managing connections to the network. The presence of an interface connection to a communications line is detected and initialized for signaling. First, the interface connection is initialized for a first signaling protocol, e.g., CCS. If initialization is successful, the connection uses that first signaling protocol. If not, the interface connection is initialized using a second signaling protocol, e.g., CAS. If initialization to the second protocol is successful, the connection uses that second signaling protocol. Otherwise an error message is returned.

Abstract: A PBX switch incorporates methods and apparatus for automatically configuring Call Appearance values in an ISDN BRI. The methods and apparatus include providing means for one PDN to call the other PDN in the same BRI, recording the Call Appearance data for the first call, placing the first call on hold and calling the same number again, recording the Call Appearance data for the second call, and repeating the process until all Call Appearance values have been recorded. According to the invention, the process is repeated for both PDNs in each BRI coupled to the PBX switch.

Abstract: Methods for enabling a non-DID station of a PBX or MLTS to receive a PSAP call back include assigning a special DID number for use by non-DID stations behind the PBX/MLTS, detecting when a non-DID station dials an emergency number, storing the station number of the non-DID station which dialed the emergency number, setting an emergency flag and a countdown timer, forwarding the special DID to the PSAP, detecting a call to the DID, routing the call to the DID to the stored station number so long as the timer has not expired, and dropping the emergency flag when the timer expires. An apparatus according to the invention includes a PBX switch coupled to a number of local stations, at least some of which are non-DID stations. The PBX preferably includes a processor, software, and storage registers. The PBX software is modified to carry out the methods described above.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automatically configuring Call Appearance values in an ISDN BRI include providing means for one PDN to call the other PDN in the same BRI, recording the Call Appearance data for the first call, placing the first call on hold and calling the same number again, recording the Call Appearance data for the second call, and repeating the process until all Call Appearance values have been recorded. According to the invention, the process is repeated for both PDNs in each BRI coupled to customer equipment.

Abstract: Telephone equipment, such as a private branch exchange (PBX) is provided according to an implementation of the present invention. The telephone equipment includes one or more trunk interface cards. The trunk interface cards are configurable by software to operate with ground-start or loop-start trunks. According to the present invention, the trunk interface cards are controllable by software to determine which type of trunk they are connected to and to determine if the connected central office provides for far-end disconnection indication.

Abstract: A communications network connected to a plurality of communications lines and method of managing connections to the network. The presence of an interface connection to a communications line is detected and initialized for signaling. First, the interface connection is initialized for a first signaling protocol, e.g., CCS. If initialization is successful, the connection uses that first signaling protocol. If not, the interface connection is initialized using a second signaling protocol, e.g., CAS. If initialization to the second protocol is successful, the connection uses that second signaling protocol. Otherwise an error message is returned.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for redirecting Internet-type text messages from a computer workstation to a digital telephone having an LCD display include replacing Internet browser plug-ins with applications which intercept messages and redirect them to the digital telephone. The applications also permit the digital telephone to log on to the workstation and identify the address of the telephone so that messages may be forwarded to the correct address.

Abstract: A virtual private communications network (VPCN) and method of using the VPCN. The VPCN includes a communications server and at least one communications trunk connecting the communications server to a public telephone network. A web server and one or more digital telephones may be connected to the communications server. A remotely connected device (such as a PC or WAP) communicating with the communications server acts as a locally connected digital telephone. A remote telephone located in the vicinity of the remotely connected device provides telephonic communications in cooperation with the communications server controlled by the remotely connected device.

Abstract: Methods for enabling a non-DID station of a PBX or MLTS to receive a PSAP call back include assigning a special DID number for use by non-DID stations behind the PBX/MLTS, detecting when a non-DID station dials an emergency number, storing the station number of the non-DID station which dialed the emergency number, setting an emergency flag and a countdown timer, forwarding the special DID to the PSAP, detecting a call to the DID, routing the call to the DID to the stored station number so long as the timer has not expired, and dropping the emergency flag when the timer expires. An apparatus according to the invention includes a PBX switch coupled to a number of local stations, at least some of which are non-DID stations. The PBX preferably includes a processor, software, and storage registers. The PBX software is modified to carry out the methods described above.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for the restricting features in a wireless network. A database contains representations of rules that restrict the features of terminals connected to a base station. For an incoming communication, a determination is made as to which terminal is associated with the call, and a database is accessed to look up rules governing restrictions on the terminal and/or the base station connected to the terminal; the terminal is then activated depending on the restrictions. For outgoing communication, when a signal associated with a request for an outgoing communication is received from a terminal, a database is accessed to look up rules governing restrictions; the terminal is connected for outgoing communication depending on whether the restrictions allow it.

Abstract: Telephone equipment, such as a private branch exchange (PBX) is provided according to an implementation of the present invention. The telephone equipment includes one or more trunk interface cards. The trunk interface cards are configurable by software to operate with ground-start or loop-start trunks. According to the present invention, the trunk interface cards are controllable by software to determine which type of trunk they are connected to and to determine if the connected central office provides for far-end disconnection indication.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automatically configuring Call Appearance values in an ISDN BRI include providing means for one PDN to call the other PDN in the same BRI, recording the Call Appearance data for the first call, placing the first call on hold and calling the same number again, recording the Call Appearance data for the second call, and repeating the process until all Call Appearance values have been recorded. According to the invention, the process is repeated for both PDNs in each BRI coupled to customer equipment.

Abstract: A PBX switch incorporates methods and apparatus for automatically configuring Call Appearance values in an ISDN BRI. The methods and apparatus include providing means for one PDN to call the other PDN in the same BRI, recording the Call Appearance data for the first call, placing the first call on hold and calling the same number again, recording the Call Appearance data for the second call, and repeating the process until all Call Appearance values have been recorded. According to the invention, the process is repeated for both PDNs in each BRI coupled to the PBX switch.

Abstract: In a method for the activation of communications terminal equipment upon network-management-specific events, predetermined events occurring in a network management system (e.g. an error message) are acquired in network management routines and are signaled to a network management central station. In this station, a call number information of a public or private telephone network is allocated to each event by means of which information the communications terminal equipment of the responsible party or the party to the call is determined for the respective event. After the signaling of a predetermined event, the allocated call number information is determined, and by means of a dialing apparatus a connection to the communications terminal equipment designated by the determined call number information is set up via the communications network.