Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a language to communicate with a user of a voice mail or computer system. A decoder decodes an automatic number identification (ANI) Caller_ID code or a user ID code to determine the telephone number or identity of the user. A language database stores a hierarchy of languages to be presented to the user based on the location or identity of the user. The user is prompted to confirm the language selection made. If the language is not appropriate, then the next language in the hierarchy is selected.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide for selective transmission and reception of facsimile transmissions. A facsimile call is placed. A station identifier received from the other facsimile during the facsimile call is checked against a stored list of “acceptable” facsimile station identifiers. If a match is found, the transmission is allowed to proceed. If no match is found, the transmission is terminated. Alternatively, the termination can subject to an override by user selection, and the transmission can be allowed to proceed. In an alternative, the station identifier is checked against a list of “unacceptable” facsimile identifiers, and if a match is found the call is terminated; if no match is found, the transmission is allowed to proceed. In other alternatives, a transmission from a facsimile machine whose station identifier is not found on an “acceptable” list, or alternatively, whose station identifier is found on an “unacceptable” list, is stored.

Abstract: A system for connecting a mobile computing device (10) to a remotely located data collection device (20). The system includes a synchronization device (38) that couples the mobile device to a digital telephone (40). The synchronization device operates to convert the data received from the mobile computing device into a format that can be transmitted by the digital telephone. In addition, the synchronization device transmits an identifier that specifies the data collection device to which the data shall be transmitted. The identifier is preferably read by a digital PBX and used to establish a communication path between the data collection device and the mobile computing device.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for enabling modems having incompatible modulation methods to communicate with one another. The adaptive modulation system is adapted to enable a first communications device having a first modulation method to communicate with a second communications device having a second modulation method, even in those instances where the modulation methods are incompatible. The adaptive modulation system includes a communications device having a controller, a data pump and a data access arrangement/coder/decoder. The controller further includes an adaptive modulation unit having a decoder/interpreter, and a programmer. The decoder/interpreter in the adaptive modulation unit in the first communications device receives an incompatible modulation mode algorithm from the second communications device. The programmer receives the decoded modulation algorithm and programs the flash ROM with the new modulation method.

Abstract: A portable processing device, such as a laptop computer, includes a time-of-day clock that is dynamically adjusted based upon occurrences of travel among different time zones. An itinerary is stored as a travel schedule of departure and arrival information and is used to identify anticipated multi-zone travel. When there is a coincidence between the clock and the occurrence of an anticipated multi-zone trip, the clock is automatically adjusted. The itinerary may be input via a user interface mechanism, such as a keyboard, may be entered by means of synchronization with a compatible program of a second device, or may be input via a network, such as the Internet. The determination of the relevant time zones preferably utilizes a database and most preferably utilizes an internal database of cities and time differentials among the cities. The dynamic adjustments of the time-of-day clock occur en route, without accessing externally generated signals or external devices.

Abstract: A system whereby automatic dial-type recognition is employed to reduce the wait time for callers and prevent false identification of touch tone versus dial tone service. A system according to the present invention includes a control unit (103) located in a PBX (104) or other switch which detects whether a caller is placing a call using pulse or DTMF dialing. The control unit (103) in the PBX (104) generates a message during call setup which it provides to the remote system, such as an interactive voice response system.

Abstract: A device (104) transmitting or receiving low priority data may receive or be directed to transfer higher priority data for transmission. If the incoming data is of sufficiently high priority, the device (104) will interrupt transmission of the outgoing data by generating a signal on the bus (102) indicative of a collision. The receiving device (106) will then back-off. To prevent another device (106, 108) from seizing the bus after the back-off, the device (104) immediately (i.e., before expiration of a single slot time), proceeds with the high priority transmission. Once it is finished, the device (104) may resume its earlier lower priority transmission.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for enabling communications devices to recognize call progress tones that may be used in foreign countries. The call progress tone detection system includes a communications device (50) having one or more frequency decoders (113) for determining the frequency of call progress tones, a cadence decoder (126) for determining the on/off pattern for the call progress tones and a table (122) for storing the call progress tone frequencies and the cadences. Recognition of call progress tones is accomplished by enabling the communications device (50) to receive one or more foreign call progress tones, enabling the user to associate the type of call progress tone for each call progress tone received and storing each call progress tone to a table (122) for later cross reference when initiating a call.

Abstract: A system for integrating electronic location indicating systems (e.g., electronic door lock systems) with telecommunication systems (e.g., a PBX). This integrating of systems is done to improve the performance of a telecommunication feature, such as the camp-on feature. An electronic system is used to transmit a signal indicating information related to the user's location. A telecommunication system then receives the signal from the electronic system. This telecommunication system is capable of providing the telecommunication feature (e.g., the camp-on feature). The telecommunication system uses the signal from the electronic system as an input to the telecommunication feature.

Abstract: A computer system 200 having a hierarchical file directory system in which a user's patterns of use are analyzed when the user calls a file access routine such that the system tracks 904 which directories and files are accessed most frequently by the user when in a particular application 906. Upon the user accessing a particular application, the system then presents the user with a list of files or directories 908, 910 in order of most likely use from the particular application.

Abstract: A method and system for client identification include a control unit configured to enable call service features in communication devices supported by the control unit. A first communication device transmits an off-hook message to the call control unit with a first memory-space physical address locally accessed from memory associated with the first communication device. The first physical address represents a location in main memory of call service profile data associated with the first communication device. The control unit responds to the first physical address by accessing a first data set from the main memory. A verification program determines whether the first data set includes the first call service profile. The control unit enables a first set of call services indicated by the first call service profile data for the first communication device if the first call service profile is included in the first data set.

Abstract: Transactions sent from a source node to a destination node interconnected by a distributed network are protected from interception by a third party by passing the transaction data into several packets which are renumbered as a pseudo-random sequence and sent along different routes from the source node to the destination node.

Abstract: A user's access patterns are accounted for in deciding to switch between a plurality of wireless networks 204, 206. A method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes monitoring a location of a wireless communication device 202 within a region serviced by a first wireless communication network 204 and second region serviced by a second wireless communication network 206. The first and second region have an overlapping region which could be serviced by both networks. The future location of the wireless communication device 202 within the first and second regions is predicted based on the monitoring of the previous locations of the wireless communication device 202. When the wireless communication device 202 is detected as being within the overlapping region, the system determines whether to transfer an active connection between the wireless communication device 202 and one of the networks to the other network.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for using local wiring (102) with a wireless phone (114) are described. The local wiring is coupled to a local phone network (110). Where the local wiring is not engaged with a current call, transmission of calls from the local phone network to the local wiring is inhibited (112, 218) in response to receipt of a wireless transmission by the wireless phone. A ring signal is transmitted (216) to another device (104, 106) coupled to the local wiring. The wireless transmission is converted (214) for transmission over the local wiring. In response to the other device responding to the ring signal, the converted wireless transmission is transmitted (216) to the other device over the local wiring.

Abstract: A system and method enabling a user to remotely access an electronic calendar using a telephone network is provided. The system includes the electronic calendar for storing a plurality of schedules and a scheduler for accessing the schedules as a function of input signals received over the telephone network. Each schedule contains future appointments and events for either daily, weekly or other data interval periods. The scheduler enables selective retrieval and display of the appointments and events for any selected time period. The system is coupled to interfaces allowing the schedule information to be transmitted as audio information, video information, or e-mail information. The scheduler can compare the schedules to one another to automatically generate common meeting times. The common meeting time can then be transmitted to the various attendees using e-mail, audible instructions or voice mail.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically providing remote notification of a locally detected event includes receiving data and analyzing the content of the data using a data filter of a computer. The data filter is configured to detect an indication of a predetermined event within the data. If the event is detected, the data filter activates a local event indicator associated with the computer. An event indicator monitor determines whether a user response is initiated within a configurable time interval after activation of the event indicator. If the monitor determines that no user response is initiated within the configurable time interval, the monitor transmits an establish-connection message to a control program. The control program responds to the establish-connection message by accessing an event notification message from a database which indicates access numbers of the remote communication devices to which to transmit the event notification message.

Abstract: A method and system for exchanging electronic messages, such as email messages, include isolating personal computers and other client devices from the process of converting a message attachment from one file format to a second file format. File-format conversions are out-tasked to enhance file accessibility, free computer resources, and conserve a user's time. The access requirements of each attachment to electronic messages are compared to the capabilities of a target client device. If it is determined that a file-format conversion is required, the conversion operation is assigned to a server that supports the process of reformatting the attachments. In an email environment, the server is substantially equivalent to the conventional email server, but includes enhanced conversion capabilities. In one embodiment, the determination of whether an attachment is accessible without conversion occurs at the server level. In another embodiment, the determination is implemented at the client device level.

Abstract: A system and method for organizing and accessing multi-media messages from a displayless interface (112a, 112b). According to one embodiment, voice recognition techniques are used to allow the user to identify and create a hierarchical organization (200) for stored messages.

Abstract: An apparatus and method controlling a projected image (24) is provided. The apparatus (10) includes a detector (16) that tracks a visual pointer (22) appearing on a projection screen (20). The visual pointer (22) is positioned on the image (24) by a viewer. The visual pointer (22) can be generated by a computer cursor, or a light pen or laser pointer (12). The detector (16) generates a position signal indicating the location of the pointer (22). An auto-focus device (18) focuses the portion of the image (24) referenced by the visual pointer (22) as a function of the position signal. To focus the image portion, the auto-focus device (18) positions a projector lens (26) based on the measured image contrast within the selected image portion.

Abstract: A method and system for utilizing a plurality of communications lines includes establishing a connection between a messaging system, a communications switch, and a plurality of communications lines. The messaging system has the ability to store files of data for transmission via the communications switch and the communications lines. The communications switch controls the flow of data files to the communications lines. Data traffic through the communications lines is monitored and the data traffic level is compared to an established data traffic threshold. Data files are transmitted from the messaging system to the communications lines if the measured data traffic level is below the data traffic threshold. The method and system may be used to efficiently utilize a leased telecommunications trunk line.