Abstract: A directory service, containing unique identifiers (e.g., telephone numbers) and related Internet address(es), accessible through the Internet. An Internet-enabled communication system, such as IP-PBX or voice mail system, accepts a telephone number as a destination address. It then contacts the directory service and requests the Internet address related to that telephone number. The communication system uses the Internet address to set up a delivery path via the Internet to the destination. Thus, all time-dependent charges normally associated with message delivery by the telephone network can be avoided.

Abstract: A directory service, containing unique identifiers (e.g., telephone numbers) and related Internet address(es), accessible through the Internet. An Internet-enabled communication system, such as IP-PBX or voice mail system, accepts a telephone number as a destination address. It then contacts the directory service and requests the Internet address related to that telephone number. The communication system uses the Internet address to set up a delivery path via the Internet to the destination. Thus, all time-dependent charges normally associated with message delivery by the telephone network can be avoided.

Abstract: A directory service, containing unique identifiers (e.g., telephone numbers) and related Internet address(es), accessible through the Internet. An Internet-enabled communication system, such as IP-PBX or voice mail system, accepts a telephone number as a destination address. It then contacts the directory service and requests the Internet address related to that telephone number. The communication system uses the Internet address to set up a delivery path via the Internet to the destination. Thus, all time-dependent charges normally associated with message delivery by the telephone network can be avoided.

Abstract: A directory service, containing unique identifiers (e.g., telephone numbers) and related Internet address(es), accessible through the Internet. An Internet-enabled communication system, such as IP-PBX or voice mail system, accepts a telephone number as a destination address. It then contacts the directory service and requests the Internet address related to that telephone number. The communication system uses the Internet address to set up a delivery path via the Internet to the destination. Thus, all time-dependent charges normally associated with message delivery by the telephone network can be avoided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assisting delivery of fax documents over a value-added network, such as a store-and-forward network. If an initial delivery attempt is unsuccessful, the network automatically sends an e-mail to the sender of the fax document indicating the status of the fax delivery and reasons for the document's non-delivery. The sender of the fax is prompted to choose from selectable options included in the e-mail which provide instructions to resolve the delivery problem. Upon receipt of an e-mail response, the network automatically decodes the selected options and uses the chosen options to resend the fax document and automatically resolve the delivery problem.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for qualifying telephone numbers for a telephone network according to whether the telephone network services the particular area associated with a dialed telephone number, and whether the dialed telephone number is associated with a particular type of terminal equipment. The method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: monitoring a telephone line for outgoing calls; intercepting an outgoing destination telephone number on the telephone line; comparing the outgoing destination telephone number to at least one destination telephone number stored in a database; making a connection between the telephone line and a selective telephone network if the outgoing destination telephone number matches the at least one stored destination telephone number; and making a connection between the telephone line and a standard telephone network if the outgoing destination telephone number does not match the at least one stored destination telephone number.

Abstract: A motility scanner and method are disclosed for characterizing the motion of sperm, bacteria, particles suspended in flowing fluids and the like. The motility scanner preferably is mounted as a portable unit in a container and includes an optical system, a source of illumination for the system, a heated specimen support disposed in the system, ratiation sensing means coupled to the system, signal processing means for analyzing signals generated by the radiation sensing means, and a front panel disposed on the container and featuring an output screen, a printer and controls required for operating the motility detector, including a power switch. A disposable specimen holder of unique design allows external loading thereof and its positioning on the heated specimen support. The source of illumination can be a conventional filament lamp or one or more LED's. Power for the motility scanner can be self contained by incorporating a battery pack within the container or it can be derived from a conventional 110 V.A.C.

Abstract: There is disclosed a linear time division multiplexed time slot conference for continuously summing and outputting digital message samples received from n connected telephone lines respective to m sequential time slots. The conferencer processes 256 time slots and uses prefetching techniques to reduce memory requirements to allow the circuit to be integrated into a single chip. Besides establishing conference-type connections, the conferencer has the capability to establish broadcast and monitor connections. Message samples collected from each connected line of a conference connection are summed during a first time frame and outputted during a second time frame. The conferencer includes circuitry for detecting either positive or negative overflow which could result from the summation process, and in this respect, selects an alternate message for outputting.

Abstract: An initial location of a light pen (150) placed on the surface of an ac plasma panel (100) is determined by scanning the panel with a two-step finder mode. In the first step, the display sites of every seventh row of display sites of the panel are caused to flash in groups of sixteen until the pen signals that it has detected a flash. The sites in a 60-by-60 site region (306) of the panel are then caused to flash individually to determine the precise pen location (302). A second pen location (312) is determined by scanning the sites of a 32-by-32 scanning patch (311) centered around the initial pen location. Subsequent pen locations are then predicted based on the most recent and second most recent pen locations. Each predicted location (317) is used to determine where a subsequent 32-by-32 scanning patch (316) is to be positioned. The direction in which the pen is moving determines the order in which the sites of each patch are scanned.