Abstract: A switching system for integratedly switching voice, data, image information and the like. The switching system comprises a plurality of front-end modules each adapted to perform a switching processing in association with a subscriber line or a trunk line, and a single or a plurality of central modules for interconnecting the plurality of front-end modules in star-type fashion and switching information prevailing between the front-end modules, in unit of block accommodating the information and a header added thereto to contain connection control information and in accordance with the contents of the header. The front-end modules are connected to the central module via inter-module highways each having frames occurring at a predetermined period and time slots contained in each frame to carry blocks.

Abstract: A method, in an electronic switching system comprising a main processor and line processors which can adapt K number of signaling types, N and K being positive integers, respectively, wherein the system is connected to another electronic switching system at trunk ports through trunk lines and the main processor includes a database for the line processors, route data, prefix data and state of the trunks including the trunk lines and the trunk ports, comprises the steps of: identifying a signaling type of a line processor; informing the identified signaling type to an operator; checking whether the trunk port connected to the line processor adapts the identified signaling type or not if the operator decides to change the identified signaling type; deleting data of the trunk in the main processor's database and assigning a new signaling type to the line processor if said trunk port adapts the identified signaling type, wherein the new signaling type is a same signaling type as used in said another electronic swi

Abstract: A method and system for providing computer-network related information about a calling party. First, the called party receives a telephone number of a calling party. The called party's customer premises equipment (CPE) or elements in a telephone network then use the telephone number to index a database, which contains combinations of telephone numbers and computer-network addresses. Once the calling party's computer-network address is retrieved, calling-party-customized information present at the computer-network location specified by the computer-network address can be sent to and displayed on the called party's CPE. Also, the calling party's telephone number can be sent to an application in the computer network, causing the calling-party-customized information to be automatically displayed on the called party's CPE.

Abstract: A communication system including a management terminal and a plurality of communication terminals connected to a communication network via network termination unit etc., wherein the management terminal instructs the type of the status information and requests transmission of the status information or suspension of transmission of the same to the communication terminals by the user-user information in the call setup message and wherein the communication terminals receiving the request for transmission extract and hold the address information indicating the management terminal contained in the call setup message and, when detecting an occurrence of a failure or other specific phenomenon, transmit the indicated type of the status information to the management terminal by the user-user information in the call setup message while defining address information indicating the management terminal as the termination address information.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide effective technique to inform a subscriber who is a member of a communication service of ISDN about an activated communication service accurately. The present invention relates to the method and system in which the switching system provided to control communication with each ISDN subscriber terminal and where character string showing the names of communication services are stored, writes a character string showing the names of communication service activated for a subscriber terminal to a call setup request acknowledgment signal to be sent in response to a call setup request signal from the subscriber terminal.

Abstract: An Add-Drop Multiplexer (ADMUX) for use in a synchronous digital hierarchy telecommunication system is provided with a by-pass whereby, in use, it can be made to interface with a higher bit rate transmission system.

Abstract: An exclusive VCC is maintained between each two communicating work stations (MT pair). The handoff method differs if the MT moves to a coverage area having a base station connected to the same switch as the previous coverage area (intra-switch mobility) or to a coverage area having a base station connected to a different switch than the previous coverage area (inter-switch mobility). In intra-switch mobility, the switch changes the path directly to the new base station and eliminates the path through the original base station. In inter-switch mobility, the switch performs the path set-up. The path may be elongated from the switch connected to the original BS, to the new BS, rather than from the original BS to the new BS. This eliminates the path through the original base station. The exclusive VCC between the MT pair permits path elongation to be minimized.

Abstract: A digital trunk for in-band line signals, which is capable of performing the local loopback test to verify not only the normality of the digital trunk but also the normality of the operation of upper hierarchy control devices, on-line software controlling the digital trunk and office data, is realized by only adding a small quantity of hardware of signal droppers and signal inserters. The digital trunk has a line signal sender and a line signal receiver of 32 channels and is provided with signal inserters and signal droppers for looping a speech channel at the time of the loopback test of the trunk. Furthermore, signal inserters and a multiplex circuit are provided for looping an in-band line signal. Time slots 0 and 16 which are usually unused as speech channels on the digital circuit are used as an opposed channel and a reserve channel for a loopback test, respectively, and the loopback test of the local trunk is performed.

Abstract: A network (100) capable of quickly restoring traffic includes main and tertiary communications media (103, 105), each having associated main channels (102.sub.1-- 102.sub.n) and tertiary channels (104.sub.1 -104.sub.m), respectively. A first main channel (102.sub.1) and first tertiary channel (104.sub.1) run in parallel between a pair of digital signal protection switches (106.sub.1 -106.sub.2) coupled to a pair of digital cross-connect systems (108.sub.1, 116) that are spanned by the remaining main channels (102.sub.2 -102.sub.n) and tertiary channels (104.sub.2 -104.sub.m) in parallel. A controller 120 is responsive to the traffic on the main communications medium for signaling the first and second digital protection switches (106.sub.1, 106.sub.2) to switch traffic from the first main channel (102.sub.1) to the first tertiary channel (104.sub.1) should the first main channel become unavailable.

Abstract: The need for manual verification of service on a desired cross-connect in a cross-connect system prior to provisioning may be eliminated by modifying the logic of the cross-connect system to take account of an internal indication characteristic of whether service is present on the cross-connect. Upon receipt of a NORMAL command, the cross-connect system only executes the command to disconnect the cross-connect when no service is present. However, upon receipt of a FORCED command, the cross-connect system executes the command to disconnect the cross-connect irrespective of the existence of any service thereon. Moreover, in response to an indication of service and denial of the NORMAL command, a FORCE command may be issued instead to effect disconnection of the cross-connection with such disconnection is desired irrespective of the existence of service thereon.

Abstract: A network system is logically established according to path information to circulate a data throughout a complex of electronic equipments which are communicably connected to one another. Each electronic equipment has at least either of a receiver port which receives a data and a transmitter port which transmits a data. The path information is effective to enable a primary electronic equipment having a receiver port to identify a secondary electronic equipment having a corresponding transmitter port. The primary electronic equipment opens a logical path of the data connecting between its own receiver port and the corresponding transmitter port of the secondary electronic equipment according to the provided path information to thereby enable circulation of the data throughout the complex of the electronic equipments.

Abstract: A telecommunications network comprises a virtual transport server (VTS) for making network routing decisions and establishing call connections. Each VTS is interconnected to each signal transfer point in a common channel signaling (CCS) system associated with the network. Each VTS is also interconnected to at least one switch in a transmission network, such as an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch. The VTS maintains routing tables identifying trunk groups associated with each central office switch in the network. During operation, an initial address message received from a signal transfer point in the VTS is processed and subsequently extended to an ATM switch so that a call connection can be established. Upon completion of the established call, the VTS releases resources associated with the ATM switch.

Abstract: A private communication system and an allocated, private communication terminal equipment that is not directly connectable, i.e. that is "external", has a respective terminal equipment emulation unit allocated to it. This terminal equipment emulation unit pair are connectable to one another at least via a public dialed communication network, where the connection of at least one message path and of an additional signaling path is controlled via the public dialed communication network and the switching of the paths suited to the terminal equipment emulation unit pair is checked. With the assistance of the terminal equipment emulation unit pair, isolated or external communication terminal equipment can be connected without diminishing the scope of performance features of private communication networks. Misconnections and false signalings are avoided by checking the connection suited to the terminal equipment emulation unit pair with the assistance of a specific check procedure.

Abstract: The present invention is an audio transceiver (having an audio receiver and a transmitter) which, on the receiving side, adaptively controls the amount of audio data in the buffer of a PC audio device, such that the audio device always has something to play. On the transmission side, the audio transmitter provides at least sequence numbers to the audio packets to be sent. The audio receiver is concerned only with the state of the buffer of the audio device. Therefore, the audio transmitter does not have to be synchronized with the audio receiver.

Abstract: A group call method, a system controller and a subscriber station in a radio system comprising a plurality of base stations and subscriber stations. In order for a subscriber station to be able to select the group call in which it will participate from among a plurality of group calls while participating in a first group call, group call data are transmitted to the subscriber station during the first group call, by means of which data the subscriber station can engage in another ongoing group call, whereby the subscriber station continues to participate in the first group call or, if it desires, selects another group call from among the group calls whose group call data have been transmitted to the subscriber station and whose group call identifiers are simultaneously displayed on the display of the subscriber station.

Abstract: A network configuration communication system and method comprising at least one brouter for automatically broadcasting its address and other network configuration information and at least one remote control device for receiving brouter broadcasts and automatically updating its network configuration storage locations. The remote control device may also be equipped to send requests for information for automatically transmitted response by proximate network brouters.

Abstract: Provisioning a Central Office (CO) Basic Rate Interface (BRI) access is a complex procedure which involves hundreds, and potentially thousands, of parameters that must be asserted to configure the CO for a particular users service profile. In such a complex procedure, errors in the provisioning may be introduced which are difficult and costly to detect and correct. To solve this problem, a provisioning tool which exercises BRI lines i.e., digital subscriber lines (DSLs) from a CO to a premises switch is defined which validates that transport related restrictions and permissions are properly administered at the CO. This is achieved by the system calling itself over such lines, and varying the types (e.g., voice, digital, data, 3.1 kHz audio, et al.) of call attempts that are placed to ensure that all lines support the intended services.

Abstract: In an communication system including a computer system comprising a digital signal processing adapter for performing a-set of tasks, and a E-1 port for providing and receiving time division multiplexed (TDM) signals in accordance with a first inter-system communication protocol, such as the E-1 or T-1 protocols, a communication subsystem, for coupling to the IP system. The communication subsystem includes an E-1 link for coupling to the first I/O port, and for providing and receiving TDM signals in accordance with the E-1 or T-1 protocols. The subsystem further includes a digital signal processor adapter, coupled to the second I/O port, for enhancing processing capability of the digital signal processing resource; and a third I/O port, coupled to the digital signal processor circuit, for providing and receiving signals in accordance with the first or a second inter-system communication protocol.

Abstract: A system and method for restoring communications between a pair of nodes, between which communications have been broken, in a network.

Abstract: An electronic business set terminal (24) includes a signaling gate array (40) that performs reception and transmission of 8 kHz signaling messages while avoiding collisions that may result in message loss. The signaling gate array (40) includes a receiver section (50) that detects for activity on an 8 kHz signaling line (20). A start bit detector (62) identifies the beginning of a receive message that is collected by a data collector (64). A transmitter section (52) sends a transmit message when no activity is present on the 8 kHz signaling line (20) and there is no indication from the start bit detector (62) that a receive message is in the process of being received. A collision detector and avoidance unit (72) checks for activity on the 8 kHz signaling line (20) while the transmitter section (52) awaits for a zero crossing to occur on an 8 kHz clock signal used in sending the transmit message.

Abstract: An advanced intelligent network (AIN) comprises a services control point providing fully integrated service logic for both narrowband and broadband communications. In the network, a narrowband switch queries the services control point in response to a telephone call and the services control point interacts with a subscriber via the subscriber's broadband set-top terminal device through an exchange of one or more signaling messages prior to instructing the narrowband switch as to how to complete the call. For example, the signalling messages may include a query from the services control point for data indicating whether the subscriber's broadband set-top terminal device is in use or is turned off. The signaling messages from the services control point may carry information for display. If provided, response messages may carry user input information.

Abstract: A control node, such as a services control point, of an intelligent telephone network interfaces to a wireless broadband network for signaling communications with broadband terminals. In normal operation, the terminals present video or other broadband information carried on the wireless network, typically via an associated television set. During processing of a telephone call, a central office switching system of the telephone network will recognize a predetermined event in call processing which triggers a query to the control node. Ultimately, the control node will return an instruction to the switching system to continue call processing. However, as part of its own processing, the control node sends a message through the broadband network to the broadband terminal of the subscriber to which the telephone call relates. If operational, the terminal may display call related information contained in the message, e.g. Caller ID information for an incoming call.

Abstract: The present invention is a software implementation for the processing of ISDN signaling protocol independent of the equipment type and vendor variations of the CCITT Q.921/Q.931 protocol specification with which it is connected, including at least one layer two filter and at least one layer three filter which are adapted to cooperate together to process ISDN D-channel signals independent of ISDN facility type.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an elastic linear buffer. The buffer is arranged in a closed loop, so that upon reaching the last address, the message is wrapped around and writing continues from the first address. Three markers are provided: a write pointer, which indicates the address of the data currently being stored; a head pointer, which indicates the last address of a previously recorded message; and a tail pointer, indicating the address of the data last read from the buffer. When the last bit of a presently received message is recorded, the head pointer is updated to indicate the address of that bit. Thereafter, a message is sent to the CPU which may commence reading of the message just received. Concurrently, a newly received message can be recorded at the addresses following the address of the head pointer up to the address of the tail pointer.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for establishing a video dialtone connection between a customer's terminal, such as a set top terminal, and a server system, such as a video server. The connection is established via an access switch that is not part of a backbone broadband network. The backbone network is connected to the video server system and the access switch. A level one gateway controller controls establishment of the connection by establishing a connection between the server system and the access switch using the backbone network. A separate connection is then established between the path to the access switch and a circuit through the access switch to the customer terminal. Advantageously, the access switch need not be a part of the backbone network, an arrangement that is desirable for serving consumer type customers. The connection to the access switch is treated by the backbone network essentially as if it were a connection to a terminal or any of a group of terminals.

Abstract: In a time division multiplex digital communication system, access devices are capable of generating and detecting data sequences that are normally suppressed by end user equipment for establishing in-band communications between the access device and selected intelligent channel units (ICU's ). An ICU initiates in-band communication with the access device by transmitting a service request sequence to the access device. The access device transmits a wake-up sequence to the ICU to establish in-band communication. Once established, in-band communications can then be used to accomplish automated provisioning, performance reporting, status reporting, alarm reporting as well as other important functions.

Abstract: A data switch is described with a multi-port data switching element, one or more input/output adapters for receiving user data cells from outside the switch and for transmitting cells switched through the switching element to a network outside the switch, and a control element including a control processor. To reduce the complexity of the data switch, the single control processor is used to control operations of hardware modules on both the the control element on which the processor is located and on the input/output adapters. The control is provided by means of control cells which generally traverse the same data paths as user data cells and generally conform to the format of user data cells, at least within the data switch. Both the control processor and the hardware modules are capable of generating control cells and transmitting them toward a target, either the control processor or hardware modules.

Abstract: A communication apparatus in accordance with the present invention determines the origin of an incoming telephone communication based on the calling party's number. When a call is made to a communication line to which an apparatus of the present invention is connected, the apparatus determines the number of digits in the calling party's number, and uses a ringing pattern or tone to indicate the source of the incoming call to the called party.

Abstract: Establishing a multimedia telecommunication conference call with reduced bandwidth if not all participants are available to be part of the conference call by telecommunication terminals. When one telecommunication terminal is initiating a conference call, the initiating telecommunication terminal first establishes low speed data links with each of the other telecommunications terminals that are to be part of the conference. When all users of the other telecommunication terminals are ready for the conference, the other telecommunication terminals signal the initiating telecommunication terminal which then adds the necessary bandwidth to the conference call to establish the multimedia telecommunication conference call. Since the conference call is already set up, the initiating telecommunication terminal only has to add the necessary bandwidth to conference call. Each participant in the telecommunication conference call designates when they are ready to have the conference call start.

Abstract: A communication system including a switching system which comprises a switching unit and a control circuit. The control circuit comprises a transmitting-side signalling handler procedure (ASH) for managing the connection and for exchanging messages with other procedures, and a receiving-side signalling handler procedure (BSH) for managing the connection and for exchanging messages with other procedures. For providing optional external services, the switching unit is coupled to a service control system. Furthermore, the control circuit comprises an additional procedure (ZUSA) for exclusively exchanging messages with the transmitting-side and the receiving-side signalling handler procedures (ASH, BSH).

Abstract: Components are controlled in a communication system composed at least of a network for transmitting digital communication signals. The network has at least one switching equipment and communication terminal equipment allocated to subscribers multipoint-multiconnection call set up. The components respectively contain control units for controlling a call set up, whereby one component is respectively controlled with signalization information in the form of messages communicated over the network from a different component. Each message contains at least one protocol and message identification, attributes of the object of call, subscriber and connection with object identification numbers for each of the individual objects. Each message also contains information about the relationships between different objects. The information elements of objects are contained in a message independently of the relationship to the other objects.

Abstract: Dynamic reconfiguration of T1 access channels to various Nodal (network) services can be realized by applying carefully devised trunk-conditioning signals to disconnected channels to provide proper system responses and prevent billing errors as well as unwanted alarm conditions. Trunk-conditioning with specific signals in binary sequences are defined for Terminal lines and Private Branch Exchange ("PBX") lines for the popular signalling type of E&M, LS, GS and PLAR. A steady idle signal is recommended for Terminal line conditioning; and a short duration of idle signal followed by a steady busy signal for inter-switch applications (eg. PBX to 4ESS.TM.) while loss of connectivity exists. This technique can be used in implementing the RINA service function for services offered by AT&T and any similar service provider. The service function will allow for greater access flexibility and better utilization of access bandwidth as well as network services.

Abstract: A method for controlling an operation and management subsystem in a signalling message exchange No.1 system, the operation and management subsystem including a user interface subsystem, a target interface subsystem, an operation control subsystem, a signalling network operation system interworking subsystem, an operation and management subsystem management subsystem and a data management subsystem.

Abstract: A telecommunication network includes first subscribers served by a first independent PBX supported by a first telecommunication switch. The first switch receives a first signal from the first PBX indicating that call origination services for a first subscriber are to be provided directly by a second switch disposed at a hierarchical level above the first switch. A second signal received by the second switch identifies the first subscriber. A record is located in a database coupled to the second switch based upon the identification of the calling subscriber. A group affiliation parameter stored in said record is identified; the group affiliation parameter defines one organization of which the one first subscriber is a member. The second switch transmits a call setup message to a third switch associated with the second subscriber; the call setup message includes the group affiliation parameter so that the first subscriber's membership in the one organization can be used in further call processing.

Abstract: A large amount of control information is transmitted at high speed to a telephone terminal without changing the transfer capacity of a current control channel. When a call is terminated by any of the extension terminals, the extension terminal sends, for example, a lamp control signal to a extension terminal via D channel. thereafter, if a large amount of display control signals are to be transmitted to the extension terminal, after sending the display control signal to the extension line, a central controller causes the extension line to send a B channel seizing signal to the extension terminal via D channel. This causes paths of the B channel(s) to be so changed that both the controllers within the extension line and the extension terminal are accessible to the B channel(s). Subsequently, the extension line can transmit the display control signals at high speed to the extension terminal via B channel(s).

Abstract: Automatic provisioning of dedicated circuits (40, 44, 48, 49, 55, 56, 64, 68, 72, and 74) within a network (10) to obtain connectivity of a prescribed bandwidth between an origin (12) and an end point (16) is accomplished by first identifying circuits having a prescribed bandwidth and suitable location from a map of such circuits maintained in a data base (80). Once the circuits having the prescribed bandwidth and suitable location are identified, then a group of circuits is selected, based on one or more predetermined criteria. Thereafter, provisioning commands are generated for receipt by Digital Access Cross-Connect Devices (42, 46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66 and 73) that interconnect the circuits to provide the desired conductivity between the origin and the end point.

Abstract: A private exchange includes a changeover control in order to control existing POTS customer premises equipment access redefinition in a changeover to an ISDN basic rate interface. The exchange includes a first port for connection to a local exchange, a second port for connection to a conventional analog subscriber station, and a controller which is connected with the first and second ports. The controller includes a digital network communication circuit and a cutover device for bypassing the digital network communication circuit in order to directly connect the first and second ports. The controller further includes a detector for activating the cutover device to bypass the digital network communication circuit in response to the first port being connected to a plain old telephone service and for deactivating the cutover device to connect the first port to the second port through the digital network communication circuit when the detector determines that the first port is connected to a digital exchange.

Abstract: A communication system (100) includes a primary site (102) coupled to a plurality of secondary sites (104-108) using DMT technology. The primary site (102) includes a controller, a data multiplexing switch, a Discrete Multi-Tone transmitter, and a Discrete Multi-Tone receiver. Each of the secondary sites (104-108) includes a site controller, a subscriber interface, and a secondary Discrete Multi-Tone receiver.

Abstract: A remote subscriber control system for controlling communications between remote subscriber terminals and a switch includes a remote subscriber transmitter coupled to a subscriber line interface, a switch side transmitter coupled to the switch and a digital transmission path connecting the remote subscriber side transmitter to the switch side transmitter. The remote subscriber side transmitter includes a state change detector for detecting whether or not a state of a remote subscriber terminal has changed, and a state memory for storing state information of the remote subscriber terminal. A dialing number memory stores a dialing number specifying a called terminal. A transmitter/receiver transmits state information and a dialing number, as subscriber control information, to the switch side transmitter and receives control orders from the switch.

Abstract: A simultaneous voice and data (SVD) modem includes two analog ports and a data terminal port. Both of these analog ports are capable of transmitting telephone numbers and are coupled to a switching system like a private branch exchange (PBX). The data terminal port is coupled to a data terminal of an SVD user. In one embodiment of the invention, the SVD user, the calling party, sends at least one command to the SVD modem, via the data terminal port. In response, the SVD modem separately transmits, to the PBX, the calling party number from one of the analog ports and the called party number from the remaining analog port. The SVD modem then subsequently communicates any voice signals received on one of the analog ports to the other analog port. This allows a voice call to be switched through the SVD modem, yet requires no modification to the PBX.

Abstract: An SDH transmission system including a container selection unit for selectively extracting a specific virtual container VC-m of a particular hierarchy from among the uppermost layer virtual containers VC-4 obtained from a demapping circuit that is a part of the SDH transmission system, and a path overhead processing unit for processing the path overhead of the specific virtual container VC-m obtained from the container selection means. Whereby, it is possible to extract and check the path overhead of the through path and to facilitate maintenance and inspection.

Abstract: In the development of development systems, efforts are being made to design software systems which are as modular as possible for controlling the switching system. Efforts are also being made to achieve this aim for the call processing system for controlling connections in a switching system. The basic structure of the call processing system has a signaling interface system and a call control system, both of which are limited to logic connection control and submit autonomous connection requests to a resource control system which carries out the physical connection control. The call processing system furthermore has a coordination system for coordinating the autonomous connection requests with respect to the resource control system.

Abstract: A coordination system coordinates connection requests of a modular connection system to a switching control system. The connection system controls connections at a logic level, and the switching control system controls connections at a physical level. Coordination modules have the following elements. A receiver receives and buffer-stores connection requests produced from the connection system for an active connection end point involved with a connection. A connection request, which is buffer-stored by the coordination modules, is passed on to the switching control system when the coordination modules have received control over an active connection end point. Control over a specific active connection end point is surrendered to one another such that only one coordination module has control over this specific active connection end point at a specific point in time.

Abstract: A system and method for backing up CCS7 call control messages between an IXC network and an LEC network in the event of failures in the CNI-based signaling system of the IXC toll switches. The architecture provides network paths for the LEC's CCS7 call control messages to reach the IXC toll switches with CCS7 signaling isolation, and for control messages from the CCS7-isolated toll switches to reach the LEC's switching offices. Messages from the LEC are routed from an IXC Signal Transfer Point to a Gateway switch. The Gateway switch routes the messages to the isolated victim switch via helper switches using 56 kbps F-links to the victim switch.

Abstract: A digital loop system with a distributed architecture that provides telephone services with high reliability and quality and is cost-effective to install. The system is central office powered and uses a trunk unit interface to interface with a wide range of mechanical and electronic switches. The trunk unit interface connects to remote terminals via digital transmission lines. The remote terminals drive a large number of subscriber circuits through short subscriber loops. The distributed digital loop system employs sealed and environmentally hardened packaging for flexible outdoor installation. The electronic circuitry used by the remote terminals is divided into modules for flexible, incremental deployment of the system.