Using Plural Diverse Channel Communications With A Dedicated Signaling Channel (i.e., Isdn) Patents (Class 370/264)
  • Patent number: 6609144
    Abstract: When a program transmission apparatus divides a program into a plurality of partial programs before transmission, a program reception execution apparatus executes a partial program when the partial program has already been received, and, when the execution needs to proceed to from a present partial program to a next partial program, executes the other partial program when the next partial program has been received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Inoue, Masahiro Oashi, Yuki Kusumi, Tatsuya Shimoji, Ikuo Minakata, Masayuki Kozuka, Yoshihiro Mimura, Yoshiyuki Miyabe, Kazuo Okamura, Takashi Kakiuchi, Junichi Hirai, Naoya Takao, Toshiya Mori
  • Patent number: 6563800
    Abstract: A data center for providing access to subscriber information from a remote enterprise network in real-time is presented. The data center includes a data network interface system for interfacing with a data network and a login system, which includes a login server and a data center messaging server. The login server receives a request inputted by a subscriber on a remote access device across the data network to access the subscriber information and authenticates the subscriber and the remote device, while the data center messaging server hosting the subscriber information. Upon authenticating the subscriber and the remote device, the login server, accesses the subscriber information on the data center messaging server and provides the subscriber information to the remote access device in response to the received request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Salo, Chris Van Hamersveld, Barry K. Shelton
  • Patent number: 6563799
    Abstract: An application module interface (AMI) is disclosed that allows one or more modules to access voice or data channels in a private branch exchange environment. The AMI provides a number of hardware signals to the telephone terminal and/or modules. The hardware control signals include module present, phone receiving OK and module receiving OK. The module present (MP) signal indicates that a module is plugged into the AMI electrical interface. The module receiving OK (MOD-OK) and phone receiving OK (PHONE-OK) signals indicates that the module and phone, respectively, is receiving valid AMI control channel messages. The hardware control signals permit the presence of a telephone terminal and/or a module to be detected, as well as to detect the disruption of an AMI connection. The hardware control signals are used to implement a start-up, recovery and tear-down mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp.
    Inventors: David W. Haislett, Gregory Lese
  • Patent number: 6560244
    Abstract: A subscriber side network termination unit of an access line network and method for operating same having: (a) first interface for the access line network-side transmission and reception of a transmission frame containing data channels: (b) a second interface for the subscriber-side offering of telecommunication payload data channels for telecommunication applications as well as a signaling channels, and (c) a third interface for the subscriber-side offering of data channels for data applications. The signaling channel; of the second interface is employed for the transmission of signaling data for the transmission of payload data via the second interface or the third interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Manfred Huber
  • Patent number: 6526067
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of transmitting data on an ISDN subscriber line having a data channel (D16) and two or more voice- or data-carrying channels (B64), using the data channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventor: Waldemar Weiss
  • Publication number: 20020196809
    Abstract: A Variable Grain Architecture (VGA) is used for synthesizing from primitive building elements (CBE's) an appropriate amount of dynamic multiplexing capability for each given task. Unused ones of such Configurable Building Elements (CBE's) are reconfigured to carry out further logic functions in place of the dynamic multiplexing functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: Vantis Corporation
    Inventors: Om P. Agrawal, Bradley A. Sharpe-Geisler, Herman M. Chang, Bai Nguyen, Giap H. Tran
  • Patent number: 6449360
    Abstract: A cleaning system retrieves a telephone number from a telephone number list to regard as a called party number and sends a SETUP message to the network, in which a SPEECH or an AUDIO is designated as a bearer capability. In case that an ALERTING or CONNECT message is sent back from the network, the system sends a DISCONNECT message to the network immediately to perform a clear sequence and determines the telephone number effective. In case that a DISCONNECT message is sent back from the network as a result that a call has not been accepted, the system also performs a clear sequence immediately and determines if the telephone number should be treated as an effective number or a null number according to the cause content sent from the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Jintec Corporation
    Inventor: Katsunori Utsumi
  • Patent number: 6425009
    Abstract: A telecommunications device includes a local area network with redundant first and second buses. Multiple cards coupled to the first and second buses communicate using the first bus. A first monitor coupled to the first and second buses detects a failure of the first bus and communicates a message indicating the failure using a data network. A second monitor also coupled to the first and second buses may detect the failure of the first bus and may also communicate a message indicating the failure using the data network. The first monitor and the second monitor may receive the messages from one another and cause the cards to communicate using the second bus. In a more particular embodiment, the second monitor transmits a test signal using the first bus in response to the message from the first monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent K. Parrish, Ronald A. McCracken, John J. Fernald
  • Patent number: 6396816
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing multiple interactive video teleconferencing sessions over a standard ISDN line is described. Multiple sets of audio, video, and data information are generated and transmitted to a bandwidth allocation device which determines what portion of that information will be transmitted over the ISDN line. Additionally, priority request values are generated that assist the bandwidth allocation device in performing its allocation function such that users interacting with the audio, video and data generation sources will experience acceptable levels of interaction even when bandwidth demand is greater than the supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Astle, William Pohlman
  • Patent number: 6381253
    Abstract: In a system and method of setting a data communication through an Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN) between a transmitting analog device connected to a transmitting Terminal Adapter interfacing the ISDN network, a receiving analog device is connected to a receiving Terminal Adapter interfacing the ISDN network in a data communication system wherein a plurality of transmitting analog devices are connected and transmit data to a plurality of receiving analog devices primarily through a data channel and without device identification therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alain Benayoun, Patrick Michel, Dominique Vinot, Jean-Francois Le Pennec
  • Patent number: 6370122
    Abstract: ISDN telecommunications network and method for the monitoring and checking of subscriber connections of the ISDN telecommunications network. The telecommunications network includes a plurality of subscriber connections, and at least one checking station that is connectable to a desired one of the plurality of subscriber connections. Each of the plurality of subscriber connections includes an answering station adapted to receive messages from and send messages to the checking station. The at least one checking station includes a device to establish a connection with the desired one of the plurality of subscriber connections, and the answering station is adapted to be placed into a monitoring state. Signaling information exchanged over the D channel associated with the desired one of the plurality of subscriber connections is transmitted to the checking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Iwan Nussbaumer, Jürg Thimm, Charles Zehnder
  • Patent number: 6363079
    Abstract: An device, called a facilities management platform (FMP) connects current digital and analog carrier networks and packet switched networks of interexchange carriers with high speed multiple access subscriber links implemented over twisted pair lines. The subscriber line is terminated by an access module containing one or more modems. In preferred embodiments, the modems are high-speed digital tethered virtual radio channel or xDSL modems. The FMP interface applies and receives signaling and voice through a digital loop carrier (DLC) via a multiplexer connected directly to the DLC backplane. The multiplexer is controlled by a controller of an access module. It translates data from the subscriber link to the form compatible with the digital backplane to create the appearance of one or more line cards. The FMP also may contain a sound generator to allow it to handle calls through an analog carrier network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Farhad Barzegar, Irwin Gerszberg, Philip Andrew Treventi
  • Patent number: 6262978
    Abstract: A system and method for establishing a communication path for a call between a video telephone/teleconference call and a packet network telephone terminal through a packet network. The call is routed through a multimedia gateway which performs a conversion process between a video telephone/teleconference domain and a packet network telephone domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Richard Frank Bruno, Howard Paul Katseff, Robert Edward Markowitz, Joseph Thomas O'Neil, Bethany Scott Robinson, Kenneth H. Rosen
  • Patent number: 6243454
    Abstract: A switch (26) in a telecommunications network (34) monitors a call placed by a calling party (12) to a called party (14) to detect the presence of prescribed condition, such as the entry by the caller of a self-muting signal, or an excessive level of background noise. Upon detecting the occurrence of the prescribed condition, the switch mutes the outgoing speech of the calling party while passing to the calling party the speech of the called party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventor: Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Patent number: 6222837
    Abstract: Enhanced Internet service is provided over an ISDN line by eliminating from the D-channel any packets that will introduce unacceptable delay in packets transmitted over the B-channel. The enhancement is achieved by segregating the packets between the B-channels and the D-channel based on the stream to which the packets belong. Furthermore, instead of bonding together both B-channels and the D-channel, only the B-channels may be bonded to each other, while the D-channel is kept independent. To do so, instead of using MLPPP over the combination of both B-channels and the D-channel, as in the prior art, MLPPP is used over only both B-channels, while data that is separately directed to the D-channel employs another protocol, e.g., PPP. Advantageously, the number of protocols used to transmit the information over the D-channel may be reduced, resulting in a higher bandwidth for applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Sudhir Raman Ahuja, Murali Aravamudan
  • Patent number: 6212272
    Abstract: An analog subscriber unit adapter/interface which generates a low voltage ring-tone signal to an audio speaker is provided The adapter facilitates the use of an analog subscriber unit over an ISDN communications link and provides added functionality to ISDN devices. The SLIC simulator interface of the present invention is preferably provided as part of an ISDN modem, thereby giving added functionality to the modem by allowing analog phones to operate over an ISDN line. The interface operates by simulating the services and functions of an analog SLIC (Subscriber Line Interface Circuit) while converting and formatting the analog information to an ISDN compatible form, and vice versa. The SLIC simulator provides an audible ring-tone signal indicative of an incoming call by way of an audio speaker, thereby obviating the need for a high amplitude ring voltage signal to be sent to the subscriber unit. The need for a ring-trip circuit is therefore also obviated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: Scott C. Herschler, Meir Dahan, Leming Xu
  • Patent number: 6157635
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting frame-type transmissions to packet-type transmissions. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a medium access controller (MAC) coupled to a packet-based network and multiple packet assembler/disassemblers (PADs). The PADs include a data link layer (DLL) PAD coupled to the MAC, a high level data link control (HDLC) PAD coupled to the DLL PAD, a network layer (NL) PAD coupled to the DLL PAD, and a NL/frame alignment sequence-bit-rate allocation signal (NL/FAS-BAS) PAD coupled to the DLL PAD. Multiple detection units are coupled to respective PADs, wherein each of the plurality of detection units detects a frame-type transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Si-Sheng Wang, Ismail Dalgic, Kenneth Araujo
  • Patent number: 6147977
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that process messages within a wireless communications system based on originator priority and recipient priority is accomplished when a server (12, 52) receives a message from an originating party (50). The message includes identity of the receiving party (54), originator priority information, and message content. Upon identifying the receiving party, the server retrieves recipient priority information of the receiving party. The server then merges the originator priority information with the recipient priority information to produce a message priority. In addition, the server generates a recipient index, which identifies an address for subsequent retrieval of the message content. Next, the server provides notice of the message to the receiving party based on the message priority. The notice of the message may be sent to the receiving party's pager, cellular telephone, e-mail account, facsimile machine, wireline telephone, or answering service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart W. Thro, Alex P. Hirsbrunner, Sewim Fewsi Ablay
  • Patent number: 6141330
    Abstract: High-speed digital transmission can be achieved with existing phone lines and HDSL chipsets while retaining plain old telephone service (POTS) with full failsafe capability. Two original ISDN signals [4,5] at a rate of 160 kbps and one POTS channel [10] digitized at 64 kbps are multiplexed by a MIPCS card [6] of a signal provider [1]. The resulting digital signal is transported over a twisted cable pair [2] which has an approximate maximum length of 16 kft based on the current technology. At a receiving end, the signal is demultiplexed and regenerated by a subscriber's MIPCS card [7]. The subscriber's MIPCS card is line-powered via the cable [2] to avoid dependence upon local power. The regenerated signals are transmitted over one POTS line [42] and two ISDN cables [8,9] to remote premises. Both MIPCS cards have bypass relays for the POTS lines to ensure the subscriber's POTS access in the event of a local power outage or electronic failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: GoDigital Networks Corporation
    Inventor: Francis I. Akers
  • Patent number: 6134222
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for interfacing a plurality of ISDN lines from a telephone company central office to equipment which transmits video data, such as videoconferencing equipment. A single telephone wiring jack is directly coupled to two, three, or four ISDN lines without conversion to S/T channels. The single telephone wiring jack is coupled to an interfacing device which converts each ISDN line format into a format compatible with the videoconferencing equipment, such as the Multi-Vendor Interface Protocol format. Rather than using conventional wiring pin-outs for the single telephone wiring jack, all pins of the jack may be allocated to carrying ISDN data. The inventive method and apparatus avoids the expense of various conversion devices and wiring of separate telephone jacks, and permits as many ISDN lines to be allocated as are needed to support a desired bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Video Network Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Rogers, Brian Hoppes
  • Patent number: 6101546
    Abstract: A file is logically partitioned into data channels where each data channels holds a sequence of data of a particular data type. The data channels are logically partitioned into delivery times. The format of the file explicitly sets forth the synchronization between the data channels and the delivery times of data held within the channels. The file format is especially well adapted for use in a distributed environment in which the file is to be transferred from a server to a client. Channel handlers are provided at the client to process respective data channels in the file. The channel handlers are data type specific in that they are constructed to process data of an associated data type. The data in the file may be rendered independently of the delivery time of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Galen C. Hunt
  • Patent number: 6094212
    Abstract: This invention proposes to eliminate the limitation that the reception data, assigned to a subchannel, cannot be re-assigned to another subchannel in the transmission. For this purpose, in a configuration of the present invention, the transmission information, formed by multiplexing information of plural kinds in a multiplexing unit, is transmitted to a line control unit which is connected to a communication line and serves to transmit and receive information to and from different locations, while the reception information received from the communication line is received by the line control unit and separated in a demultiplexing unit into the information of respective kinds, and at least one is selected by an entire control unit from thus separated plural information and is turned back to the multiplexing unit through a turn-back bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Eiji Imaeda
  • Patent number: 6078658
    Abstract: A call control processing system in an intelligent network providing a service to a subscriber terminal of a user when the user requests a service such as a conference call. The call control processing system has an internal primitive unit for managing the physical requirements of the subscriber terminal in response to a number allocated to the call and requests a concept generating and managing unit to execute the service request processing. The concept generating and managing unit generates and manages a concept independent of the physical condition, such as a concept expressing a path between the service switching point and the service control point and a concept for connecting more than two paths and transmitting a message based on the concept through a telephone signal network to the service control point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Hideo Yunoki
  • Patent number: 6031848
    Abstract: Apparatus for an improved ISDN terminal adapter (5) and accompanying methods for use therein. The adapter provides automatic ISDN switch detection, automatic SPID configuration, baud rate unblocking and automatic data compression. Specifically, with respect to baud rate unblocking, the adapter detects instances of baud rate blocking, through excessive communication errors for a known input, and forces the adapter to relinquish its high speed setting and automatically return to autobaud operation but at a lower maximum speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel M. Brennan
  • Patent number: 6028856
    Abstract: The present invention is associated with data traffic systems. Specifically, the invention relates to a procedure and system for forming a virtual exchange. The purpose with the virtual exchange is to provide customer-specific call transfer, intermediate call and chaining services in a public data traffic system. The customer is enabled to program and to store in the system those subscriber-specific characteristics and functions he desires. The subscriber's calls are marked, and the marked calls are routed to the virtual exchange for processing the characteristics of the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Sonera Oyj
    Inventor: Antti-Jussi Suominen
  • Patent number: 6005847
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for facilitating multiple data communications with a first platform (100, 102, and 104) using a single communication conduit (108) having first and second channels. First data are transmitted between the first platform and a second platform (114) via the first and second channels (202). It is determined whether an incoming call comprises second data of a particular type (206). Where the incoming call comprises the second data of the particular type (208), transmission of the first data via the second channel is inhibited (226) thereby enabling reception of the second data by the first platform via the second channel while the first data continue to be transmitted via the first channel. The second data are then received at the first platform via the second channel (230). Transmission of the first data via the first and second channels is resumed in response to termination of transmission of the second data (266).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Information and Communications Network, Inc.
    Inventors: Leroy E. Gilbert, William J. Beyda, Selena Dilley, Shmuel Shaffer
  • Patent number: 6005846
    Abstract: Apparatus for an improved ISDN terminal adapter (5) and accompanying methods for use therein. The adapter provides automatic ISDN switch detection, automatic SPID configuration, baud rate unblocking and automatic data compression. Specifically, the adapter automatically detects a type of ISDN switch (480) to which the adapter is connected by analyzing D-channel initialization messages which are received by the adapter from the switch as well as specific responses to ISDN messages sent by the adapter. The switch type value is then used, during SPID determination, in conjunction with a telephone area code of the user, to access an internal database (435) of predefined SPID formats, referenced in terms of particular telephone service areas and switch types, to access the possible SPID format(s) for the ISDN switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: Reginald P. Best, Daniel M. Brennan, Cheng T. Chen
  • Patent number: 5995595
    Abstract: A method of automatically sharing and transferring information between a Work at Work (WAW) ISDN telephone and a Work at Home (WAH) ISDN telephone. This information includes, calling line identifier delivery from the WAW telephone to the WAH telephone, facilitating subsequent transferring of the call to the WAH telephone if desired. Message waiting status is also shared, facilitating the coordination of message waiting lamps at both the WAW and WAH telephone. Information from one telephone to the other is carried transparently through the ISDN network as user-to-user information, calling party subaddress, D channel X.25 packet message, lower layer compatibility or a combination of these elements. The telephones automatically establish ISDN calls between themselves and swap information pertaining to the status of the companion telephones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Michael Hickey, Robert John Laitman
  • Patent number: 5991293
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement is provided for connecting a personal computer (PC) to a port of a key telephone system via an adapter circuit which also interfaces a digital key set to the port. The adapter circuit is connected to the computer via an RS-232 single channel data link. The PC is programmed to generate and receive a serial data stream into which are encapsulated messages relating to link control and telephone functionality. The adapter circuit is also programmed to receive and generate the serial data stream. The data rate through the adapter circuit and the telephone system and hence to a remote computer is dependent on the utilization of the attached key set by the user to make a call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Corporation
    Inventors: Chris Buchanan, Dick Keilty, Ron Wellard, Chi-Yin Wong, Tim Jenkins, Timothy Winston Hibberd
  • Patent number: 5961589
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a system for translationless videoconferencing interoperability between an analog modem based node and an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) node having a videoconferencing engine coupled to the ISDN node, the videoconferencing engine generating videoconferencing data according to an analog modem protocol. Further the system has a modem emulator coupled to the videoconferencing engine, the modem emulator configured to model said data as analog modem data interpretable by the analog modem based node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Carl Christian Hansen
  • Patent number: 5959978
    Abstract: In a communication system having a plurality of communication terminals connected by a communication circuit in the form of a loop or a bus, data circulated through the communication circuit has a multi-frame structure having a multiplicity of frames in which data fields are assigned to the terminals, and the circulated data is relayed and updated. If all data generated by the terminals is circulated through the communication circuit, each terminal may receive data generated from itself, which is essentially meaningless for the terminal. Data which has become essentially meaningless is deleted during communication to prevent such meaningless data from always occupying a part of the communication circuit to reduce the communication speed and the efficiency of utilization of the communication circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Horikoshi, Masanori Kawashima
  • Patent number: 5953647
    Abstract: A Mobile Switching Center (MSC) includes a cellular modem pool that comprises a number of pairs of modems in which the data terminal equipment (DTE) ports of each modem pair are cross-connected in a "back-to-back" fashion. This allows the two modems of each pair to interchange data via their DTE ports and thereby isolate that portion of the cellular fax call over the cellular communications channel from that portion of the cellular fax call through the public-switched telephone network (PSTN). Fax information is transmitted over both the PSTN-portion of the cellular fax call and the cellular portion of the cellular fax call using standard fax modulation techniques. The cellular-side modem of each modem pair is adapted to recover fax handshaking and data signaling from the received--fax modulated--signal and translate the recovered fax information into non-modulated signals (e.g. AT commands) for application to the corresponding PSTN-side modem of the modem pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Paradyne Corporation
    Inventors: Satya A. Patel, Kris A. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 5938735
    Abstract: A method, and apparatus in an ISDN system form a setup message at a source ISDN terminal where the setup message includes a resource coordination message containing the communication attributes of the source terminal. The ISDN source terminal sends the setup message to an ISDN switch, where the ISDN switch implements a central resource coordination mechanism that extracts the source terminal attribute information. The ISDN switch sends an inquiry message over a D channel to a destination terminal so as to ascertain the communication attributes of the destination terminal, which are reported to the ISDN switch in a reply message. In light of the communication attributes of the source terminal and destination terminal, the ISDN switch and central resource coordination mechanism therein, compares and allocates ISDN communication resources and identifies common attributes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd., Ricoh Corporation
    Inventor: Naeem Iqbal Malik
  • Patent number: 5867653
    Abstract: A distance learning system consists of a plurality of multi-cast clients of various classes and priorities with one multi-cast client as a primary multi-cast client, a multi-cast server, arbitrator and a distance learning session coordinator. The primary multi-cast client provides the default or primary Audio-Visual Material (AVM) stream. The Multi-Cast Server (MCS) setups a multi-cast over a point to multi-point connection which connects all multi-cast clients that are to take part in a particular distance learning session, along with the Primary multi-cast client. Additionally, the primary multi-cast client is connected to the MCS via a point-to-point link. The multi-cast clients and the primary multi-cast client receive an AVM material stream from the multi-cast server via the point to multi-point connection. When a multi-cast client wishes to speak, a speaking request is sent to the arbitrator, the arbitrator determines whether to grant or deny the speaking request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Caglan M. Aras, Roch A. Guerin, Gerald Lebizay, Raif O. Onvural, Gary Roy Shippy, Ling-Ching Wang Tai
  • Patent number: 5828468
    Abstract: A fax network for communicating fax transmissions over either a conventional public switched telephone network or a digital (frame relay) network based on a telephone number of a destination fax machine. If the destination fax machine can be serviced by the digital network, a faxjack intercepts the phone digits on the telephone link, and redirects the call to a local point-of-presence, which is preferably located near the local exchange carrier. The POP receives information related to the desired fax transmission from the faxjack, and accesses a destination POP via the digital network. The destination POP is local with respect to the destination fax machine, and the destination POP attempts to contact the destination fax machine to ascertain if a fax session is allowable. If so, the destination POP notifies the source POP, which then notifies the faxjack, thereby allowing the fax session to start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: NKO, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren S. Lee, David W. Copp, Dale T. Platteter, Neil P. Carrier
  • Patent number: 5815505
    Abstract: A communications device is presented which is configured to provide selective signal processing at a "plain old telephone service" (POTS) interface, an ISDN U interface, or an ISDN S/T interface. A first POTS connector allows the communications device to be connected to an analog POTS telephone line. A second ISDN U connector allows the communications device to be connected to an ISDN network at an ISDN U interface point. A third ISDN S/T connector allows the communications device to be connected to an ISDN network at an ISDN S/T interface point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Mills
  • Patent number: 5815562
    Abstract: A server allows a worldwide telephone number associated with a local telephone to be shared by one or more remote telephones. A call placed to the worldwide telephone number rings at the local telephone and at least one of the remote telephones. The server stores a set of telephone numbers to be associated with a worldwide telephone number serviced by the switch to which the local telephone is connected. The server receives notification of a telephone call from a calling telephone to the worldwide telephone number The server retrieves the set of telephone numbers associated with that worldwide telephone number, and places calls to telephone numbers in the set through the switch. The server then causes a connection to be made between the local telephone or the remote telephone, depending on which telephone goes off hook first, to the calling telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Business Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David Iglehart, Leland Lester, Roger Bjork, Vedat Bilgutay, Andrzej Koscinski, Lee Rosenbaum
  • Patent number: 5812535
    Abstract: Disclosed are call processing methods which are performed by a network terminator located at a subscriber's premise. The network terminator is coupled to a digital network and a communication device at the subscriber's premise and can perform call waiting, caller identification, call conferencing without intervention from a telco's switching system that requires an additional charge to the subscriber for these services. In addition, the network terminator can perform a method which allows two digital communication devices coupled to one S-bus to share a communication session. In another embodiment, up to a six way conference call can be established with an analog telephone coupled to an ISDN network via the network terminator of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Clifford Hallock, Baiju Dhirajlal Mandalia, Himanshu Chandrakant Parikh, Gaby J. Salem, Charles Henry Sederholm, Wasim Joseph Shomar, Carl Louis Thomson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5809127
    Abstract: In the method, a call setup in an ISDN communication network (ISDN) is initiated from a further communication terminal equipment (KEX) to a communication terminal equipment (KE) whose performance features are to be influenced. At least one setting information (esi) that influences a performance feature as well as an activation signal (aki) is communicated to the communication terminal equipment (KE) via a user--user information element (uui) that is standardized in the draft prETS 300 286 and inserted into the ISDN signaling information (si), and the call setup is subsequently ended. Initiated by the activation information (aki) and during the set up connection or after the cleardown of the connection, the respective performance feature of a service is automatically influenced in the communication terminal equipment (KE) according to the communicated setting information (esi). A remote control of performance features of services in ISDN communication networks is possible with the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Richard Ostrcil
  • Patent number: 5796816
    Abstract: A cleaning system retrieves a telephone number from a telephone number list to regard as a called party number and sends a SETUP message to the network, in which an unrestricted digital information is designated as a bearer capability. In case that an ALERTING or CONNECT message is sent back from the network, the system sends a DISCONNECT message to the network immediately to perform a clear sequence and determines the telephone number effective. In case that a DISCONNECT message is sent back from the network as a result that a call has not been accepted, the system also performs a clear sequence immediately and determines if the telephone number should be treated as an effective number or a null number according to the cause content sent from the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Jintec Corporation
    Inventor: Katsunori Utsumi
  • Patent number: 5796812
    Abstract: A re-directing party (14) may transfer call-specific data to a target party (16) via a telecommunications network (10) in connection with the re-direction of a telephone call by the network between the parties. To transfer the call-specific data, the re-directing party transmits an out-of-band message containing the data to the network. The network forwards the data in an out-of-band message to the target party. The message may be one that effects call set-up to the target party or call termination by the re-directing party. Alternatively, the message may be of the type that effects data transfer during the call itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventors: Edite M. Hanlon, Steven T. Heinsius, Mrinalini Natarajan, Antoinette Rule, Tejanand Sarju, Gary D. Walden
  • Patent number: 5740162
    Abstract: A memory has stored therein ISDN addresses of destination stations, as they constitute sets with heading addresses thereof different from each other, and is retrieved from a controller to detect a match between an ISDN address in a call request and a heading address of a corresponding set, and a total number of ISDN addresses are read from the corresponding set for controlling channel connection processors and S/T point interfaces to have a corresponding number of channels connected to a corresponding destination station in accordance with a necessary number of channels for a bulk transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kozuka, Shigeru Natsume
  • Patent number: 5721729
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method that provides a universal call processing system to process all possible data types transmitted over an ISDN telephone line. A universal call processing system generally comprises an ISDN interface subsystem, a call control subsystem, a call processing subsystem, a controller state machine, and user interface devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Edwin E. Klingman
  • Patent number: 5684869
    Abstract: The invention provides a remote access telephone system that includes a telephone station which has two access numbers. The remote access telephone system responds to a first one of the two access numbers by providing remote access features and responds to a second one of the two access numbers by providing normal access features. The remote access telephone system also includes a remote access controller that prevents a remote caller from having access to the telephone station unless the remote caller dials a valid password. The remote access features includes remote dialing a number recalled from a directory memory based on a second party name spoken by the remote caller. A remote directory feature is provided when the remote caller speaks a remote directory command and a name. The remote access controller recalls a number corresponding to the name and outputs the number to the remote caller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Palumbo, Randall J. Penning
  • Patent number: 5604738
    Abstract: A multipoint teleconference system dispensing with an MCU, in which terminals are connected into a loop configuration through an ISDN in such a way that each terminal is coupled with each of the adjacent terminals by a single B channel. Thus, a communication frame is revolved through a looped communication channel. Each terminal enters control information for controlling a multipoint teleconference, into a predetermined area within the communication frame, and it relays the resulting communication frame to the next terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoji Shibata, Masaaki Takizawa
  • Patent number: 5600684
    Abstract: A framed format identification signal is imbedded with a flagged format identification signal so that two terminals connected to a digital transmission network can automatically determine whether they are compatible and choose their preferred format for full communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Inventor: Andrew Kuzma
  • Patent number: 5592473
    Abstract: A digital private branch exchange system and methods of operating same are provided. A system is capable of providing improved and integrated conferece calling, voice mail, music on hold, and call forwarding features, without being subject to the typical problems associated with the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Newton Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Matern, Amy K. Leach
  • Patent number: 5590127
    Abstract: Providing multimedia conference calls with communication type conversion for changing types of communication terminals on one multimedia conference call. In addition, users of communication terminals can change communication types during the multimedia conference calls. Also, a set of users can use additional communication types not presently in use by a multimedia conference call to enhance communication among the set of users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Bales, Stephen M. Thieler