Abstract: Dividing the function of wireless handset control from the function of telecommunication call control in a software architecture of a wireless telecommunication system. The wireless handset control function follows the wireless handset as it registers and is handed off from switch node to switch node; the telecommunication call control function remains on the switch node on which the wireless handset first became active and remains on that switch node until the wireless handset becomes inactive. Upon the wireless handset becoming inactive, the wireless telecommunication call control function is transferred to the switch node on which the wireless handset is currently registered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically learning new routes within a distributed telecommunication switching system is disclosed. Randomly routed telecommunication calls are established from one of a plurality of originating switch nodes to one of a plurality of destination switch nodes over randomly selected telecommunication links not marked in an internal routing table of the originating switch node as being a route to the destination switch node. When each telecommunication call is established, a return message from the destination switch node provides routing information back to the originating switch node. Each originating switch node updates its routing table based on the results of the routing information returned when the random route is established. A random route is selected every predefined number of calls to each destination switch node.

Abstract: Independent groups of wireless telephone subscribers (tenants) are supported by common infrastructure communication equipment including network controller (WNC) and a database that stores group membership A plurality of radio frequency base stations are disposed to provide wireless communications channels for the wireless telephones. A switched telecommunication office supports conventional wired communication channels. The WNC supports a plurality of base stations and can couple a wireless and wired communication channel together to provide a voice channel for a wireless telephone subscriber. The WNC only provides a voice channel to a requesting wireless telephone subscriber if the base station carrying the request has been assigned to handle the group that includes the the requesting subscriber as determined by the database.

Abstract: A telephone terminal storing conferee identification information received from other telephone terminals on a conference call and responding to actuation of an inspect button to display the identification information of each conferee. As each new telephone terminal is added to the conference call, the new telephone terminal transmits its conferee identification information to the telephone terminals already on the conference call, and those telephone terminals automatically display the identification information of the new conferee. Also, the coordinator of the conference call is so designated when the coordinator's identification information is displayed on one of the telephone terminals.

Abstract: A switching system for allowing any one conferee on a video conference to assume the role of manually manipulating the video picture that will be seen by all conferees (chair view). In addition, each individual conferee is allowed to determine their own video picture content or to select the chair view. Further, anyone of conferees can assume the role of determining the chair view. In addition, for the video classroom, a chair view video picture is composed such that the picture displays the visual aid with an insert for an instructor and an insert for a student asking a question. Further, the instructor selects by using a button or mouse which student is to be displayed in the student insert, and the video picture automatically displays that student. In another embodiment of the system, the students request permission to ask a question by actuation of a switch on their telephone set, and the names of students asking questions are displayed on a computer display screen.

Abstract: A multi-level conference in which an originator of a telephone conference of the multi-level conference controls the parties that can be added to that conference and can terminate any party at any time. Further, if two existing telephone conferences are combined together to form the multi-level conference, the party that originated the combining of these two conference calls can control not only the parties on its conference call but can disconnect all of the parties on the second conference call. In addition, the control of the conference resides in the telephone terminals being utilized by the participants, rather than in a centralized service computer. Information concerning the conference and control of the conference is communicated between the telephone terminals utilizing the standard telecommunication communication control channel and does not require the establishment of a separate data call to a centralized service computer.

Abstract: Creating the capability of a meet-me-conference call on a telephone terminal by actuation of a meet-me-conference button on the telephone terminal. The meet-me-conference button is actuated for a particular line appearance, and the meet-me-conference is then established by other telephone terminals calling the telephone number associated with that line appearance. The user of the telephone terminal can join the conference at a later point in time by going off-hook (call originator). As other parties call that line appearance, the telephone terminal adds them to the conference. As parties join the conference, their names are displayed on the telephone terminal, and a second button on the telephone terminal can be utilized to drop parties as they are added to the conference. A second actuation of the meet-me-conference button prevents further callers to the line appearance from being added to the conference which is also referred to as deactivation of the meet-me-conference.