Abstract: Apparatus defining a circuit module for receiving an operating voltage on an input and for generating a voltage of a lower magnitude that is applied to an intermediate bus. A holdover energy source, such as an ultra capacitor or the like, of the circuit module has a voltage lower than said input voltage and the voltage of said intermediate bus. The holdover energy source is connected under control of a voltage supervisor to a boost converter in response to the receipt of a transient on the input. The boost converter is responsive to the connection to generate a boost voltage that maintains a constant voltage on the intermediate bus.

Abstract: A method and system for asynchronously transporting narrowband and broadband transmissions over a link includes providing at least one host terminal or at least one network unit for receiving and transmitting communications over a transmission line. Narrowband transmissions are converted to and from composite asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cells by separating data and signaling of each channel into separate byte positions in the composite ATM cells. The composite asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cells are transferred over the transmission link. The composite asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cells include both narrowband and broadband composite cells such that an entire bandwith of the transmission line is available for both narrowband and broadband transmissions.

Abstract: A dual mode Internet telephone is capable of operating as a tone/pulse dial telephone as well as with the Internet by transmitting dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) tones in response to dialing. The dual mode telephone includes a mode control switch which is either manually selectable to permit a user to choose between making a call over a standard telephone network or over the Internet or is automatically controlled to route the call via the more advantageous communications link depending upon various factors and considerations. In the standard telephone mode of operation, most of the Internet telephony circuit is disabled and the dial/touchtone keypad, earpiece and mouthpiece, and ringer are connected to the telephone line. In the Internet mode of operation, dialed digits are stored and converted to Internet telephony call set-up messages. The signals to/from the earpiece and mouthpiece are digitized, compressed and packetized by a digital signal processor.

Abstract: A telecommunications network including a plurality of local exchanges or switching systems, each local switch supporting at least one customer line accessed by customer premise equipment (CPE) such as telephone station sets or multimedia stations. The local switches are connected to one another directly and through tandem switches to create the network. A data base is associated with each local exchange, or with a limited number of local exchanges, and is accessed by the local exchange to provide information for controlling the routing of a call. Each data base contains rate information for the service providers offering competitive services. Such rate information includes the service providers' basic rate structures, time of day discounts, group calling plans, usage discounts and the like. The switching system, in response to information provided by the data base, automatically routes the call to the lowest cost service provider based on this rate information.

Abstract: A system and method to provide voice enhancement circuits on a voice path on an individual basis, without having in-line circuits inserted into the lines or trunks. The enhancement circuit is inserted within one or more of the switches. This system comprises a switching system having a switching fabric and a central control, wherein the switching fabric includes several extended time slot interchange (XTSI) units connected to a time multiplex switch. The extended time slot interchange unit has approximately twice the capacity of a standard time slot interchange unit. Such XTSI is connected to voice enhancing circuits, which the TSI may then switch enhancement circuits into a call path. A method of setting up a call according to this invention includes routing the call to a switch, routing the call in the switch into an XTSI, which routes a call through the enhancement circuit, and then back through the XTSI.