Abstract: Systems and methods for certificate revocation management for advanced metering infrastructure networks are provided. An accumulation manager can be used to accumulate certificate revocation list (CRL) information and determine an accumulator value and a proof value based on the accumulated CRL information using a plurality of functions. These values can be sent on to smart meters, which can then use them for authentication purposes.

Abstract: A communication apparatus, which is connected to a phone line, and to which an external telephone is connectable to. The communication apparatus includes: a line-voltage detecting unit which detects a line voltage; a communication-signal detecting unit which performs detection on a communication signal, which is input to the communication apparatus from the phone line or from the external telephone upon the external telephone is hooked up; and a control device which performs a hook-up determining process of determining that the external telephone is in a hook-up state when the line voltage detected by the line-voltage detecting unit is equal to or less than a first threshold value and the communication signal is detected by the communication-signal detecting unit.

Abstract: A system for automatically detecting status of an agent in a call center is provided. The system may have a call center management system with a plurality of agent workstations coupled to the call center management system and a plurality of telephones associated with the agent workstations. The system may also have a switch that automatically connects calls to the telephones. An off-hook detector automatically detects a manually initiated off-hook status of at least one of the telephones and signals the switch that the agent at the telephones is unavailable. The switch may then avoid connecting a call to the unavailable agent.

Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure include methods in which a three-way call attempt is detected. Methods include monitoring the active communications of a telephone management system for pulses of energy indicative of a three-way call. A Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is computed for each pulse of energy with time domain characteristics consistent with a click. Phases of each component for the pulse are also analyzed. If the phases are generally linear (i.e., if the phases have a common group delay or phase delay), then the pulse is a three-way call click and appropriate action (e.g., monitoring the call, terminating the call, warning the caller, etc.) is initiated.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, the disclosure is directed to a method of making a digital subscriber line (DSL) connection to a remote network. The method includes detecting the presence of a powered-on network capable device that is connected to a DSL modem; establishing a network connection over a DSL line to the remote network after detecting the presence of the powered on network capable device; terminating the network connection over the DSL line after detecting an absence of network capable devices connected to the DSL modem; and releasing network resources supported by the remote network after the network connection is terminated.

Abstract: Method, including monitoring an audio signal on a telephone line with a detector and detecting an energy pulse in the audio signal on the telephone line; processing the energy pulse with a processor, where the energy pulse comprises a plurality of frequency components; determining a length of the energy pulse on the telephone line; calculating a phase for each of the plurality of frequency components to generate a plurality of phase values; generating a signal if the plurality of phase values are linear and if the length of the energy pulse is less than 40 milliseconds, where the signal is indicative that the plurality of phase values are linear and that the length of the energy pulse is less than 40 milliseconds, and further indicative that the signal is a three-way call attempt on the telephone line; and transmitting the signal to a host computer.

Abstract: The system includes a device (1) for detecting hung up/picked up line, which provides a signal showing whether the line is open or closed, a device (2) for closing or opening the line (7), which provides the data to be transmitted, a device (3) for detecting a conventional call, a module (4) for exterior connection, a power supply circuit (5), which receives electrical current from the telephone line (7) itself and control means (6) which, on receiving a signal through the connection module (4), transmit an appropriate signal to the device (2) for closing and opening the line (7), which transmits the data of a message to be transmitted.

Abstract: A method for handling an off-hook event can include the step of detecting an off-hook event with a modem communicatively linked to a circuit loop in which the off-hook event occurs. The detection can be based upon audible information conveyed within the circuit loop. At least one programmatic action can be initiated with a computing device communicatively linked to the modem. An off-hook notification can be conveyed as a result of the programmatic action.

Abstract: An auxiliary connection mechanism for allowing a Digital Switching System (DSS) to share an analog line with an analog device (via an auxiliary device port) is disclosed. The auxiliary connection mechanism includes a pair of relays for releasably connecting the auxiliary device port and the DSS to the analog line. When the analog line is idle, both the analog device and the DSS are connected to the line in order to receive incoming calls on the analog line. However, once one of the devices (either the analog device or the DSS) uses the line, the other device should not access the line. A busy line detect circuit is included to detect whether a device is using the line.

Abstract: A device for redirecting alarm-messaging from an alarm control panel from its connection to the PSTN to a backup radio transceiver for transmission of the alarm signaling to a central alarm station via a radio network. The switch-over to the radio network occurs not only when the PSTN line is down, for whatever reason, but also occurs when the PSTN line is already occupied by an existing transmission by a premises' telephones, in order to allow the user to make a call over the PSTN during such an alarm condition. Moreover, if during the time the alarm control panel is transmitting its alarm messages over the PSTN, a premises' telephone goes off-hook, the device of the invention terminates the alarm panel's connection to the PSTN and automatically switches over the alarm panel to the radio backup system.

Abstract: A telephone incoming signal discriminator includes a first relay, an FSK detector, a DTMF detector, a pin detector, a tone amplifier and oscillation control, an FSK/DTMF decoder IC, a memory, a buzzer, a comparison/setting control IC, an auto answer machine, and a second relay. When a telephone signal is received, it is detected by the FSK detector and the DTMF detector, decoded by the FSK/DTMF detector IC, and then compared with a set code by the comparison/setting control IC, so that the comparison/setting control IC drives the telephone to ring when matched, or switches on the second relay for enabling the incoming telephone signal to be shifted to the auto answer machine when not matched.

Abstract: A system and method that allows one network device that is connected to the Internet to gain access to another network device via the Internet that is initially off-line and connected to an idle phone line, but is ultimately brought on-line, on-demand, in a seamless manner by the first network device for information access.

Abstract: An auxiliary connection mechanism for allowing a Digital Switching System (DSS) to share an analog line with an analog device (via an auxiliary device port) is disclosed. The auxiliary connection mechanism includes a pair of relays for releasably connecting the auxiliary device port and the DSS to the analog line. When the analog line is idle, both the analog device and the DSS are connected to the line in order to receive incoming calls on the analog line. However, once one of the devices (either the analog device or the DSS) uses the line, the other device should not access the line. A busy line detect circuit is included to detect whether a device is using the line.

Abstract: Metering of a data transfer operation between two end systems across a communications infrastructure is done by having at least one of the end systems send a metering message to a service system. Both end systems can be set to send respective metering messages to the service system at the conclusion of the transfer operation. Metering messages can also be sent on an on-going basis during the course of the transfer operation by one or both end systems; in this latter case, the end system or systems involved preferably maintain a connection with the service system throughout the transfer operation. Metering can be in terms of pages sent.

Abstract: A telecommunication assembly includes various terminals which share a transmission channel via a base station for granting or not granting a terminal access to the transmission channel on the basis of different priorities being assigned to the terminals. The base station includes communication-and-control circuitry for providing a communication channel between the base station and each terminal irrespective of whether a high-priority terminal has been granted access to the transmission channel. This allows a user of a low-priority terminal to be informed that he or she cannot make use of the telephone line for reasons of priority. Once the telephone line is free, the base station may signal this to the low-priority terminal which has been denied access to the telephone line. An internal communication between two different low-priority terminals can be effected while a high-priority terminal uses the telephone line.

Abstract: A telephone-based automatic meter reading (AMR) system includes a telemetry device through which a host computer can collect meter readings remotely. So that the telemetry device does not interfere with customer usage of other telephone devices on the telephone line, an apparatus and method is provided which enables the telemetry device to sense both the static off-hook status and the dynamic off-hook status of the telephone line. Numerous circuit components in the telemetry device are shared in sensing both the static and the dynamic off-hook status. Whenever it is determined that a telephone device is, or has become, off-hook, the telemetry device is prevented from using the telephone line. Isolation between the telephone line and the meters is ensured using a transformer and optocouplers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to detect off-hook and intrusion conditions on a telephone line. A voltage to frequency converter is used to convert the voltage measured between the TIP and RING terminals of a telephone line to a frequency. The voltage is continuously monitored, once during each sample period. The measured frequency is compared to predetermined threshold values to determine the state of the telephone line. The predetermined threshold values are updated in each sample period.

Abstract: A full-featured data access arrangement (DAA) for connecting a modem to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) includes a bridge current loop circuit, a line in use detection circuit, an off hook relay, a loop current sense circuit, and an extension/remote event detector circuit. The off hook relay is connected in series with the current loop circuit to enable the DAA to detect external off hook and on hook events when the modem is in an on hook state. The DAA is configured to detect the off hook and subsequent on hook status of an extension telephone at a location even though the modem and a handset sharing a line connector with the modem are both in an on hook state. The DAA is also capable of detecting an off hook state of an extension telephone even though the modem is in an off hook state. In addition, the DAA can detect when a remote telephone device that initiates an incoming call is placed on hook.

Abstract: A device for rerouting the report call of an alarm system to another telephone number through the interruption of the alarm system's out-dialing process, includes two electronically controlled switching devices that allow the device to momentarily isolate the alarm from the phone line. Switches are operated under microprocessor control, for causing dialing of the new phone number by the generation of DTMF tones by a DTMF generator operating under microprocessor control. Triggering of the report call rerouting process is keyed to the presence of two conditions: one being loss of voltage from the handset lines, and the other being presence of dialing activity, either DTMF tones or pulse-dialing pulses on the telephone line. The device will reset itself after the telephone has been held in the on-hook condition for a predetermined interval by the alarm system, to allow the device to reroute subsequent report call attempts if initial attempts to connect are unsuccessful.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for generating user warning signal during data transmission suspension or degradation, that allows an user to identify that parallel operation of plain old telephone system (POTS) and digital data communications equipment is either occurring or being attempted. More particularly, the user signal warning indicates the impact to the operation of a multiple channel data communications device as a result of the parallel operation with the POTS equipment. A multiple variable signal alerts the user to the parallel operation, the amount of degradation, the elapsed time of the degradation to data communications, and which user site is causing the degradation by the direction of the data traffic being impacted.

Abstract: The usage detection system establishes a suppressed ringing connection to the subscriber line for either a predetermined extended time interval to enable at least two successive usage readings to be taken, or for a duration as determined by the telemetry equipment to perform the necessary usage readings to detect the presence of usage anomalies. This usage detection system communicates with the serving central office to establish a suppressed ringing connection, the duration of which is either under the control of the usage detection system or the telemetry equipment located at the customer premises. The usage detection system communicates with the telemetry equipment to identify the usage measurements that are desired.

Abstract: A method for billing consumers of on-demand commodities consumed at a site remote from the site at which they are produced. It is modeled after certain contemporary telephone-company billing practices, though it is not limited to use with telephone companies. In one embodiment the method uses a telephone service provider to bill and collect for monies owed to the producer of the commodity for the amount of the full commodity units consumed during a billing period. In a simple embodiment of the method, commodity-consumption information is sent to the billing service by an automatically reading meter located at the point where the commodity is delivered for consumption. In particular, this commodity meter—such as an electric power meter—is designed to generate a discrete signal each time that a predetermined commodity-billing-unit has been consumed.