Abstract: A telecommunication system is described that allocates backup power to telephones based on telephone usage. When power to the telecommunication system from a primary source, such as from an electrical utility company, is lost, a backup power source is used to keep the telecommunication system functioning. Because the backup power source has a limited amount of energy, only telephones with a high priority are fully powered. Other telephones are provided with reduced power or receive no power. As the energy level of the backup power source is reduced, the telephone priorities are adjusted.

Abstract: A system for hair pinning-time division multiplexing (TDM) calls has a gateway positioned between a non-TDM network and communication equipment coupled to the gateway via a plurality of TDM lines. The gateway has a plurality of signal processing elements configured to encapsulate the TDM call data into a plurality of packets utilizing a protocol suitable for transmission through the network, and each signal processing element has its own time domain such that the signal processing elements operate asynchronously. The gateway also has a central processing element configured to forward the packets to the network via the network protocol. The central processing element is further configured to identify packets which are mapped to channels of TDM lines coupled to the gateway and to forward the packets to the appropriate signal processing element for transmission through the appropriate TDM channel. Accordingly, hair pinning across asynchronous time domains is achieved within the gateway.

Abstract: A system for preventing noise transmission at the end of a telephone call includes a telephone having a handset and a base unit. The telephone has a proximity sensor configured to detect when the handset is in close proximity to the base unit prior to the handset contacting the base unit. A control element communicates with the proximity sensor and prevents transmission of sound received from the handset when the proximity sensor indicates that the handset is in close proximity to the base unit thereby preventing transmission of noise caused by the handset contacting the base unit.