Abstract: A position indication device, e.g., for controlling the position of a cursor or other object on the screen of a display monitor of an information processing system, includes a position plate that is translationally movable by a user to indicate a corresponding change in position on the display screen and a retention system that restricts the plate movement to the plane of the plate and retains the position plate in its new position notwithstanding a non-horizontal orientation of the position indication device or inadvertent jostling of the device. In alternative embodiments, the position indication device includes an adapter to receive a conventional computer mouse, and the position plate can be of a flexible material in order to fold underneath itself and thereby permit a more compact construction. A hand- or finger- conforming grip for the position indication device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A position indication device, e.g., for controlling the position of a cursor or other object on the screen of a display monitor of an information processing system, includes a position plate that is translationally movable by a user to indicate a corresponding change in position on the display screen and a retention system that restricts the plate movement to the plane of the plate and retains the position plate in its new position notwithstanding a non-horizontal orientation of the position indication device or inadvertent jostling of the device. In alternative embodiments, the position indication device includes an adapter to receive a conventional computer mouse, and the position plate can be of a flexible material in order to fold underneath itself and thereby permit a more compact construction. A hand- or finger- conforming grip for the position indication device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An operator assistance call handling arrangement is disclosed featuring the use of an intelligent telecommunications station (intelligent phone) for the collection and transmission of call data to an operator assistance system for setting up a call without the intervention of an operator. The intelligent phone is equipped to handle CCITT (International Consulative Committee for Telephone and Telegraph) standard Layer 3 (Q.931) call control messages defined for message associated user-to-user information (MA-UUI). The operator assistance system is part of a central telephone office switching system, and is connected to the intelligent phone via an integrated services digital network (ISDN) basic rate interface (BRI).

Abstract: A time and charges information delivery arrangement is disclosed utilizing an intelligent telecommunications station (intelligent phone) for displaying that information after a termination of a call. The intelligent phone is equipped to handle CCITT (International Consultative Committee for Telephone and Telegraph) standard Layer 3 (Q.931) call control messages defined for message associated user-to-user information (MA-UUI), and is connected to a central telephone office switching system via an integrated services digital network (ISDN) basic rate interface (BRI). After an operator assistance call is terminated, the operator assistance system that processed the call sends a Q.931 SETUP message to the intelligent phone over an ISDN signaling channel (D-channel). The message includes a data block, comprising time and charges information. When the intelligent phone receives the message, it ignores the call setup request, and simply displays the information sent in the message.

Abstract: An automatic call booking arrangement is disclosed for establishing a booked call between a back party and a forward party. A booked call is reserved by storing call booking ticket data regarding the call in a call booking database. A call booking scanning (CBS) process system continually scans call booking ticket data to determine whether it is time to establish a booked call. At the time a booked call is to be established, the CBS process sends the call booking ticket data to an automatic call booking (ACB) process. In response to receipt of the call booking ticket data, the ACB process uses the data to establish automatically a call between the back party and the forward party.