Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the internal circumference of a marked compliant ring using a cylinder of known circumference having a fiducial mark aligned with a pointer on a device for measuring an angle of rotation to which the cylinder is affixed. Rotation of the cylinder until the mark on the compliant ring is realigned with the pointer determines an angle of rotation from which can be calculated the internal circumference of the compliant ring relative to the circumference of the cylinder.

Abstract: A processor-controlled automatic calling system is provided in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The automatic calling system is connected to a plurality of telephone lines within a subscriber's telephone system and all telephone sets within the subscriber's telephone system are monitored for the occurrence of an off hook condition. Upon the occurrence of an off hook condition, a user is permitted a predetermined interval for initiating operation of the automatic calling system through entry of a service code to cause an accessed telephone number and billing code to be outpulsed. In certain embodiments of the invention, an accessing telephone set is muted while the automatic calling system is performing outpulsing functions. Outpulsing functions are preferably performed under the control of a hardware timer to allow additional functions to be performed by a processor on a time-shared basis, and multiple telephone numbers and billing codes may be automatically accessed.

Abstract: A processor-controlled automatic calling system is connected to a plurality of telephone lines within a subscriber's telephone system and all telephone sets within the subscriber's telephone system are monitored for the occurrence of an off hook condition. Upon the occurrence of an off hook condition, a user is permitted a predetermined interval for initiating operation of the automatic calling system through entry of a service code to cause an accessed telephone number and billing code to be outpulsed. The accessed telephone number outpulsed, the response tone of a contacted computer monitored, and the billing code outpulsed by the automatic calling system upon receipt of such response tone, are readily programmable at the user's site by placement of the automatic calling system in a program mode. In certain embodiments of the invention, an accessing telephone set is muted while the automatic calling system is performing outpulsing functions.

Abstract: Multimessage automatic telephone polling methods and apparatus are provided wherein, telephone numbers for automatic dialing are selected from a queue upon a basis of least prior unsuccessful attempts at calling each telephone number. Thereafter, selection occurs upon the basis of association with the message in place at the playback station to insure that media displacement is maintained at a minimum. Thus, a selected number of attempts at calling each telephone number in the list is performed in a sequence calculated to achieve maximum operation efficiency and minimum media wear.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting a condition of response on a telephone line are disclosed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention wherein time intervals between the zero crosspoints of an input signal are ascertained and the most prevalent interval determined. The most prevalent interval determined is compared with succeeding time intervals of the input signal and the results of such comparison are employed in classifying the input signal as periodic or not. The nature of the periodic or non-periodic signals are further analyzed to ascertain the condition on the line and an absence of signal for a selected period following a detection of periodic or non-periodic input signals may then be relied upon to indicate that an announce operation may be initiated.

Abstract: A telephone polling apparatus uses an energy detection device in cooperation with timing elements to provide discrimination between various conditions on the telephone line. These conditions are (1) a busy condition, (2) an answer condition, which can occur with someone speaking, not speaking, or with a recorded announcement, and (3) a no answer condition.

Abstract: A telephone sequential dialer features a shift register which has a number of bit positions which are one more than the maximum number of digits to be dialed. A plurality of consecutive ONES starting at the leading edge of the shift register are inserted into it, the number of ONES inserted being equal to the difference between the number of shift register bit positions and the number of digits of the telephone number to be called. The digits of the telephone number to be called are inserted into a counter whenever a ONE is detected in the shift register by a scanning means, and a dial pulse is generated whenever the counter is decremented. The dial pulses are no longer generated when the counter reaches zero.

Abstract: Telephone polling apparatus is disclosed for supplying a prerecorded message to a plurality of telephone subscriber stations in sequence and recording responses from the stations after supplying the message thereto. The apparatus stores a telephone number to be called, couples the apparatus to a telephone line, and responds to a dial tone on the telephone line to place a call over the telephone line to the station identified by the stored telephone number. An energy detection device in cooperation with timing elements provides discrimination between a busy condition, an answer condition, a recorded announcement condition, and a no answer condition on the telephone line. When an answer condition is detected, the prerecorded message is transmitted over the telephone line, and, at the end thereof, a recording medium is coupled to the telephone line for recording a response to the message. A selectively variable time period is provided for recording the response.