Abstract: The telephone system of the present invention is realized by a unique dynamic time slice architecture which allows for up to 480 transfers of data. A dual port RAM is utilized in which are stored two pages of data, containing time slice information identifying the sending and receiving devices for each time slice slot within the frame. The time slice configuration can be easily modified to accommodate a change in the current system configuration, for example, a handset connecting or disconnecting from a central office line, or the initiation of a conference call. The time slice configuration is modified by updating the second page and swapping the two pages at the beginning of the next frame so that the time slice controller accesses the second page and the configurations specified therein. Thus the system can be updated and controlled in real time with no delays to the users of the telephone system.

Abstract: A method for combining signals for a telephone conference may include a multiplicity of identical adders for combining six signals and providing a single combined output. The adders may be arranged in a repeatable hierarchical scheme in which each group of six conference members includes an adder for combining all six signals, with the output of this adder being provided to other groups of six so that each conference member receives signals from every other conference member. As few as three hierarchical levels of addition may be used with up to 216 members. Adders may also be arranged so that a member of a first conference may monitor other conferences without affecting the first conference.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray diffractometer device, comprising an X-ray source, a collimator device for the source, a sample support, a collimator device for the beam reflected by the sample and a counter producing an output signal in the form of a voltage which is proportional to the number of photons reflected by the sample. This device furthermore includes a motor drive for the sample support, recording means for the signal Y originating from the proportional counter as a function of the angle .theta. between the plane of incidence of the sample and the incident beam, denoted X, mechanical means having a support for a plurality of filters having different coefficients of absorption and including a motor drive for this filter support, data processing means for selecting one of the filters of the filter support and for controlling the motor drive of the sample support, the motor drive of the filter support and the recording means, respectively.

Abstract: A key telephone system having an off-hook announcing function comprises a main unit and a plurality of standard key telephone sets each connected to the main unit. In the system, the main unit includes a plurality of digital telephone interface circuits connected to the key telephone sets and also a voice addition circuit. When one telephone set issues an off-hook announcement to another telephone set, the voice addition circuit adds together the voice signals received from the telephone sets and transmits the resultant added voice signal to yet another telephone set to provide to that telephone set an off-hook announcement.

Abstract: A computer connected to an ISDN switch via an ISDN digital subscriber line, has shared cell appearances with a number of telephone stations connected to the switch and on the basis of shared call appearance associated messages from the switch, controls the forwarding of calls directed to the stations with which it has a shared call appearance. The associated messages are interpreted by the computer, which generates station status information. The computer responds to messages associated with predefined ones of the stations to select an alternate destination for the call and to transmit ISDN messages to the switch to cause the call to be forwarded to the selected alternate destination. Calls may be forwarded depending on call type, called number or other criteria. The computer responds to calls forwarded to it in the event that an associated station is busy and connects a holding party to the principal phone when the principal phone is no longer busy.

Abstract: Several ISDN telephone terminals in a passive bus configuration are enabled to be used to share a single voice communication in the familiar extension phone arrangement by means of a second bus connecting the analog sides of the terminal circuits. Once an incoming or outgoing voice call has been established at one of the number of ISDN terminals located on the premises, any others of such terminals may join the conversation by simply completing an off-hook connection by way of the analog bus. In conversion of premises to ISDN systems, the abandoned conventional telephone wiring may be employed as the analog bus. Conventional analog phones may also be utilized with ISDN voice terminals via the analog bus.

Abstract: A break-in method and a circuit in a key system for switching a key system to a conference-call state by use of a conference-call circuit is disclosed in the invention. In the break-in method, when an attendant perceives a telephone subscriber on the line, the attendant breaks in forcefully upon the subscriber's call currently on the line, changing the present call to a conference call. Thereafter, if the attendant hangs on the phone, the subscriber having waited for being switched breaks into the conference-call replacing the attendant.

Abstract: A conferencing bridge provides conferencing capabilities for a plurality of input lines and for a plurality of output lines. The conferencing bridge has a signal processor which processes the audio information transferred between the input lines and the output lines. A plurality of codecs analog to digital conversion and digital to analog conversion for interfacing the signal processor to the plurality of input lines and output lines. A control processor is operatively connected to the signal processor and controls and operation of the signal processor as well as the conferencing bridge through number codes that are inputted to the conference bridge via the telephone key pad. A tone converter converts the inputted tones to digital information to which the control processor will respond. The signal processor provides not only identification of the telephone line on which a speaker is talking but also performs an amplitude adjustment so that there is a minimum loss involved for the conferencing network.

Abstract: A telephone exchange equipment system for enabling transmission of a speech message from a fresh calling party to another busy party without interruption of the connection for the original conversation. Each of the telephone sets are connected to the exchange equipment through a four-wire cable comprising a transmitting line and a receiving line. The exchange equipment is provided with a mixer having two input terminals and an output terminal.

Abstract: A distributed control switching system where calls, to and from a directory number that is shared by a key-system group of terminals, are processed cooperatiavely by multiple, distributed control units but in response to busy/idle data for the shared directory number stored advantageously by only a lead one of the control units. In addition to processing a call, for example to complete a connection to or from one of the terminals of the group, the multiple control units also cooperate as the call progresses to inform each of the group terminals of the call status as though the terminals were connected in parallel to a central office line as in an electromechanical key system.

Abstract: A signaling arrangement where all terminal configuration data is stored in a switching system, but where each user terminal responds to a message from the system, defining one of the user terminal buttons as the selected call appearance at the terminal, by operating in a functional signaling mode to communicate with the system using functional messages concerning a call at the selected call appearance. Idle and ringing preference methods for use in terminating calls and auto-drop and auto-hold alternatives for use when moving from one call appearance to another are disclosed as well as methods for holding or dropping calls. Implicit and explicit conferencing methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A two line telephone available for the home or the small business employs five pushbuttons for line selection, conference, hold and intercom. The line circuits and the conferencing switches are opto-isolated so that a single transformer coupled power supply is used. The usual illumination is provided in all of the pushbuttons to indicate that their function is being implemented. The conference function is implemented using the transformer coupled SCR circuit of U.S. Pat. No. 3,470,867.

Abstract: A communication system includes station sets having one or more function enable buttons and a plurality of line access buttons. The function enable buttons include the extension, transfer and send message buttons. Each line select button is associated with a communication line and with the station set associated with that line. Operation of a function enable button initiates the feature associated with that button and also changes the function of a line select button from a line access button to an auto-dial select button for dialing the station associated with the line select button.

Abstract: Apparatus for interconnecting a plurality of communication line pairs, typically voice frequency lines of the telephone type. A passive resistance bridge with pairs of bridge terminals and switches for connecting bridge terminal pairs to communication line pairs or to terminating resistors. Local and remote control for the switches and control apparatus which permits service personnel to selectively terminate a bridge terminal pair with a fixed resistor and leave a subscriber's communication line open, for maintaining service for other communication lines connected to the bridge while performing maintenance on the disconnected line. The apparatus is suitable for two wire and for four wire systems and for resistance bridges with various numbers of terminals, such as six way, eight way and twelve way.