Abstract: A call conferencing apparatus, method, and computer program switch the video information presented to one or more participants during a conference call. The apparatus, method, and computer program identify a primary speaker channel during a video conference. Video information from the primary speaker channel is then provided to at least one other channel of the communication session.

Abstract: A call conferencing apparatus, method, and computer program switch the video information presented to one or more participants during a conference call. The apparatus, method, and computer program identify a primary speaker channel during a video conference. Video information from the primary speaker channel is then provided to at least one other channel of the communication session.

Abstract: A Totem ring network (100) includes Totem rings (102, 104) which are geographically separated by relatively long distances. Time latencies between the geographically separated Totem rings (102, 104) are minimized by providing each Totem ring with a dedicated router (122, 132) located geographically proximate to a respective Totem ring. Each router (122, 132) is joined together through point-to-point links (106, 108), and each server (124, 126, 128, 132, 134, 136) on a local area network (120, 130) of a respective ring (102, 104) is joined to the respective Totem ring (102, 104) and router (122, 132).

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed for a Totem system having a network and a plurality of host processors connectable to the network, each of which host processors includes a CPU and is configured for executing processes, wherein the improvement includes, for each host processor, a buffer memory and a co-processor for each host processor. The buffer memory is electrically connected to the CPU and configured for storing messages sent to or from the CPU. The co-processor is electrically connected for providing an interface between the network and the host processor, and is configured for responding to tokens and for delivering messages from the network to the buffer memory for retrieval by the CPU, and for delivering to the network messages stored in the buffer memory by the CPU.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely monitoring and controlling signals to or from a component in a central office switching system having many components, such as line cards. The component reports status signals to a processing facility, which receives the status signals and broadcasts them to a device located in the central office. The device, upon receiving the broadcasted signals, displays the status signals so that a user can thereby monitor the component.

Abstract: An interactive data communication user is connected through a network to a multimedia response server. The user presses an appropriate keyboard or mouse clicks on an appropriately labeled button on a data page. An automatic call distribution device switches the session to a customer service queue for routing to the next available customer service representative. The customer service representative automatically places a internet based telephone call to the user. When the interactive session between the user and the customer service representative is completed, session control passes back to the data page server and a normal interactive session is resumed.

Abstract: A system and method for locating a specific component of a facility by using differential signaling. The system works in a facility such as a central office having many components, such as line cards. The central office includes several wireless transmitters for transmitting signals inside the office. Attached to each line card is a positioning device, which has a receiver for receiving the transmitted signals, a controller for converting the transmitted signals into location information, and a sender for transmitting the location information. The central office also includes a computer with a device for receiving the transmitted location information. As a result, the computer can provide to a user the location of the component inside the facility.

Abstract: System and method for extending the use of a VAT telephony application to originate calls into a PSTN as well as a computer network are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, an adjunct application, referred to as a VAT signaling program ("VSP") running on the same host computer as a conventional VAT-based telephony application prompts a user to enter a destination telephone number and uses the entered number to generate a Q.931 SETUP message, which is encapsulated in a nonstandard, undefined, VAT control message (the "VAT Q.931 message") created to enable additional signaling information to be sent. A signaling interface to the PSTN serving the designated telephone number signals to the VAT application software exactly as if the signaling interface were actually another VAT application software originating a call to the naive VAT application. The signaling interface waits until the user at the computer "answers," and then originates the call into the PSTN network.