Abstract: A method for use in a multimedia conferencing arrangement to control multiple concurrent calls where each call comprises one or more channels. A first call among a first set of user stations and a second call among a second set of user stations are merged into a single call comprising a plurality of channels among at least three user stations from the first and second sets. The plurality of channels of the single, merged call corresponds to a combination of channels of the first and second calls and may include a signalling channel, a voice channel, and one data channel for each data channel of the first and second calls. The method is also applicable to calls including image or video channels.

Abstract: Control of communication by a plurality of devices, such as computer programs and terminals, via a computer is controlled by an arrangement referred to as a connector. The connector receives a request for communication defining the devices to the communication and, in response to the request, establishes a mapping table defining the source devices and destination devices to the connection. A source device stores data in connector memory and the connector reads the mapping table to determine the destination devices for the stored data. The connector then creates a linked list coupling structure between the stored data and the determined destination devices. The destination devices issue read commands to which the connector responds by reading the stored data in accordance with the coupling structure and providing that data to the requesting device.

Abstract: A transformation method for network conference connections where the network operations are determined based on stored information defining the original connection and stored information defining the target connection thus affording the opportunity to advantageously reuse existing paths. The paths to be deleted and the paths to be added to effect the transformation are determined such that no path is both deleted from and added to any switch. The connection information may be stored either in a central control entity or an intra-switch path information in the individual switches of the network. In the latter case, the individual switches determine their own intra-switch path additions and deletions in a distributed fashion.

Abstract: A conference connection method for use in a multicast packet switching network. Once the packet switches and inter-switch links to comprise a multicast connection among three or more endpoints are determined, a check is performed to determine whether that multicast connection would to usable to effect communication in accordance with a specified transmission matrix and meeting a packet sequencing condition. The multicast connection is established only when the check indicates that the connection would meet both requirements.

Abstract: A packet switch arrangement in which a first plurality of user devices is connected to a packet network by a first interface unit and a second plurality of user devices is connected to the packet network by a second interface unit. A virtual circuit is established between the interface units and control information is exchanged over the virtual circuit. The control information defines virtual channels on the virtual circuit and ones of the first and second pluralities of user devices which are to be sources and destinations for data in the defined virtual channels. Data from user devices is packetized and transmitted in the virtual channels by the interface units in accordance with the exchanged control information. Further, packets received in virtual channels on the virtual circuit are distributed to user devices by the interface units in accordance with exchanged control information.

Abstract: A telecommunication and development system for the switching of voice and data under computer control in a customer programmable environment that allows real-time modification of communication services. The computer program controlling the system is written in a nonprocedural language that allows for the direct control of the telecommunication system on the basis of state definition, event definition, and action definition. Program scripts define a particular feature, and each script consists of a plurality of triples that automatically respond to the system state and signal information to execute the necessary actions to provide part of a feature to the telecommunication system. During provision of telecommunication services, a customer can add new features that not only add new operations to the system, but modify existing operations without interfering with the present operation of the system.

Abstract: A software system written in a nonprocedural language for controlling a telecommunication system in which an internal software signal is generated when a state is exited and another internal signal is generated when a state is entered to control common operations for the state transitions. For each state, a group of instructions written in the nonprocedural language is autonomously executed in response to the exit signal to perform common exit operations for that particular state. A second group of instruction is autonomously executed in response to the entrance signal to perform common entrance operations for that particular state. Various services performed by the telecommunication system are written in scripts of groups of instructions called triples. Each triple has an event definition defining the signal that the triple will respond to and a state definition defining the state in which the system must be in before the triple can respond.

Abstract: A telecommunication system for the switching of voice and data controlled by a computer executing a nonprocedural language that allows for the explicit control of interaction between features by the program scripts executing the programs. The program scripts are written in the nonprocedural language that allows for a state definition, an event definition, and an operation definition. The triples automatically respond to the system state and system signal to execute the necessary actions to control the telecommunication system. During the run time of the system, a script whose triples implement a particular feature can control whether or not features of lower precedence are allowed to be implemented by determining whether or not allow the continuation of the processing of the system signals to the scripts of lesser precedence. In addition, a script can control its own deactivation until later conditions are met that allow the deactivation of the script.

Abstract: A method of testing interfaces between computer program modules. The individual cause/effect charts of each of the modules are used to test the interfaces between the modules by executing the test cases in the charts in such manner that each test case need only be executed once. The variables passed between modules are monitored and compared with the input conditions in the charts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for executing parts of a program process on two processors of a multiprocessor system. A home process resides in a home processor and is the destination process of all interprocess messages. The home process may call for the execution of a selected procedure on a remote processor. A call message is sent to the remote processor and a remote process is initiated. When the selected procedure has been executed in the remote processor, a return message is sent to the home process and execution of the home process is continued. Interprocess messages to the program process are received by the home processor and are forwarded to the remote processor. Interprocess messages generated by the selected procedure are transmitted by the remote processor, but are tagged with the identity of the home processor and home process.