Abstract: A telephone system allows a user to provide new services to terminations in a telephone network. A server having program sequences for controlling its operation connects the terminations and the telephone network. Using certain of its program sequences, the server monitors the occurrence of a request event at one of the terminations. A processor, distinct from the server, controls the server by accessing a directly accessible database to extract a state transition rule to provide control information corresponding to the response event. Information is returned to the terminations in response to the control information. The database storing the state transition rules is directly accessible by the user for changing the state transition rules to modify the services without changing the program sequences of the server. State transition rules within the database may be inserted, deleted or modified using conventional database management techniques.

Abstract: A probe cover incorporating an inner sheath with a probe end engagement section. The section comprises a reduced width of the inner sheath adjacent the end opposite that into which the temperature probe is inserted. The reduced width section is produced by a yieldable bonding of the layers of the sheath together with a graduated bond strength so that with a combination of bond separation and material stretch good contact and retention of the probe end is insured. A tapered welding head in association with a resilient platen is utilized to obtain the graduated weld section. When the temperature probe is removed after use the inner sheath is turned inside-out so that the contamination of the inner sheath is contained inside the inverted sheath and cannot contact the user's hands.

Abstract: A probe cover incorporating an inner sheath with a probe end engagement section. The section comprises a reduced width of the inner sheath adjacent the end opposite that into which the temperature probe is inserted. The reduced width section is produced by bonding of the layers of the sheath together with a graduated bond strength so that with a combination of bond separation and material stretch good contact and retention of the probe end is insured. A tapered welding head in association with a resilient platen is utilized to obtain the graduated weld section. When the temperature probe is removed after use the inner sheath is turned inside-out so that the contamination of the inner sheath is contained inside the inverted sheath and cannot contact the users hands.

Abstract: A temperature probe cover with an inner sheath and outer jacket, with the inner sheath constructed of thin virtually non-porous sheet material that is capable of being sterilized during manufacture along with the inner surface of the jacket. The exterior of the inner sheath is sealed and remains sterile within the outer jacket until the latter is removed, normally after insertion of the thermometer probe into the inner sheath. The jacket is preweakened at a point adjacent the seal allowing localized rupture of the jacket without endangering the integrity of the sealing of the inner sheath. The sheath and jacket have an opening that is spaced for easy insertion of the temperature probe.