Abstract: A telephone network with distributed processing capabilities. A local controller is provided for monitoring status of a plurality of users. A primary controller performs circular polls of the local controllers to determine status changes. The system operates in a time division multiplexed fashion, and the primary controller assigns during which time slot each particular conversation will occur. A synchronizer for synchronizing between the primary and the secondary controller is also provided. In addition, the ring timing for the subscriber premise can be performed in the microprocessor at the subscriber premise.

Abstract: A network synchronizer apparatus for synchronization between a primary apparatus and a remote apparatus is described. One of the apparatus receives a message signal from the other one, and produces a sync signal which is desired to be synchronized with the message signal. The snyc signal is delayed by a selectable amount to produce a delayed sync signal, and the apparatus determines which of the signals arrived first. An interval between the arrival of these signals is detected. An amount of delay produced for the delayed sync signal is then controlled in order to minimize the interval.