Of Line Signalling Generator (e.g., Dial, Tone Code Generator) Patents (Class 379/31)
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Patent number: 11706044Abstract: A system and method for broadcast response generally employing RDS, DARC, or similar technology is provided, including a method for responding to a broadcast comprising extracting an event identifier from a broadcast signal; detecting a response by a user to the broadcast signal; polling a communications device to determine a user identifier; and communicating the event identifier and the user identifier when the user response is detected.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2022Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: StratosAudio, Inc.Inventors: Kelly M. Christensen, Thomas Daniel Mock, Lewis A. Kushner, Richard L. Bowman
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Patent number: 11265184Abstract: A system and method for broadcast response generally employing RDS, DARC, or similar technology is provided, including a method for responding to a broadcast comprising extracting an event identifier from a broadcast signal; detecting a response by a user to the broadcast signal; polling a communications device to determine a user identifier; and communicating the event identifier and the user identifier when the user response is detected.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: StratosAudio, Inc.Inventors: Kelly M. Christensen, Thomas Daniel Mock, Lewis A. Kushner, Richard L. Bowman
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Patent number: 10439837Abstract: A system and method for broadcast response generally employing RDS, DARC, or similar technology is provided, including a method for responding to a broadcast comprising extracting an event identifier from a broadcast signal; detecting a response by a user to the broadcast signal; polling a communications device to determine a user identifier; and communicating the event identifier and the user identifier when the user response is detected.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2017Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: STRATOSAUDIO, INC.Inventors: Kelly M. Christensen, Thomas Daniel Mock, Lewis A. Kushner, Richard L. Bowman
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Patent number: 10277320Abstract: A disclosed apparatus and method verify whether a hot spot within a scene is a valid laser-com signal, and further identify laser-com signals of interest. An extended Kalman filter (EKF) is applied to a received signal or beacon to detect whether it is modulated according to a square wave or other expected amplitude modulation pattern. Embodiments further determine whether the modulation frequency matches a signal or beacon of interest. In embodiments, a plurality of indexed EKF's are “tuned” to different modulation frequencies, and are used to identify a beacon's modulation frequency index. Where each EKF is required to compute amplitude and phase partial derivatives of the observation vector, the amplitude partials can be calculated according to the expected modulation pattern, and the phase partials can be calculated using a truncated Fourier or step-wise approximation of the expected modulation pattern. Embodiments further assume a time-invariant covariance matrix.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2018Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.Inventors: David A Haessig, Jr., Dennis P Bowler, Robert T Carlson
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Patent number: 9800426Abstract: A system and method for broadcast response generally employing RDS, DARC, or similar technology is provided, including a method for responding to a broadcast comprising extracting an event identifier from a broadcast signal; detecting a response by a user to the broadcast signal; polling a communications device to determine a user identifier; and communicating the event identifier and the user identifier when the user response is detected.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2015Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: STRATOSAUDIO, INC.Inventors: Kelly M. Christensen, Thomas Daniel Mock, Lewis A. Kushner, Richard L. Bowman
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Patent number: 9148520Abstract: An apparatus comprising a decision circuit, a detector circuit and a processing circuit. The decision circuit may be configured to generate a confirmation signal in response to a first lock signal and a second lock signal. The detector circuit may be configured to generate the first lock signal in response to a filtered version of an input signal being above a threshold. The processing circuit may be configured to generate the second lock signal in response to a power signal received from the detector circuit. The processing circuit generates the second lock signal by analyzing the rising edge of a frequency power envelope of the power signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Dariusz Dzik, Bahman Barazesh
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Patent number: 8712030Abstract: A system includes a switching device. The switching device is configured to process a call request as a 12-digit telephone number. The 12-digit telephone number includes a 3-digit area code, a 4-digit location independent code, and a 5-digit location dependent code.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2005Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLCInventor: Chad D. Horton
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Patent number: 8687771Abstract: Methods and apparatus to test a subscriber line for a broadband access service are disclosed. An example network interface device (NID) comprises a tone generator to transmit a tone on a subscriber line to characterize the subscriber line while a DSL modem is providing a DSL service via the subscriber line, the tone having a frequency occurring within a range of frequencies in use by the DSL modem to provide the DSL service, and a pair of terminals to couple the DSL modem and the tone generator to the subscriber line.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: AT&T Intellectutal Property I, LPInventors: Jin Wang, Kapil Shrikhande
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Patent number: 8615280Abstract: Aspects relate to provision of enterprise call capabilities to mobile devices. For example, a mobile device can indicate, over a data channel, that a PBX is to make a call on its behalf to a called party. The PBX can call back the mobile device, call the called party, and bridge those call legs to establish the call. The mobile device can employ mechanisms that a particular incoming call is made by the PBX. These mechanisms can include using ANI information, sending, and receiving audible verification codes over the voice channel established after answering the incoming call. The verification codes can be selected based different behaviors of the mobile devices.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2013Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Valentina Iquorevna Kramarenko, Ximing Zeng, Zhigang Ruan
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Patent number: 8553848Abstract: Systems and methods can provide for preventing a false alarm generated during a planned network outage during a maintenance window. Security systems can generate and report alarms to a security center through a communications network. Intruders are known to disable the communication network thereby preventing reporting of an alarm to the security center. Security systems can generate local alarms upon detecting loss of the communications network. It is advantageous for a communications network operator to prevent false alarm generation during periods of planned network outages.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2011Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises, Inc.Inventor: William J. Mohr
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Patent number: 8483309Abstract: The invention relates to a method, an arrangement and a device for transmitting information between a central unit (DSLAM) and at least one decentralised unit (TN1, TN2, TN3) in a communication network. During, for example, the training phase in a decentralised unit (TN1, TN2, TN3), a distance between the at least one decentralised unit (TN1, TN2, TN3) and the central transmission unit (DSLAM) is estimated and a value (kl0) representing said distance is transmitted to the central unit (DSLAM). In the central unit (DSLAM), a value (kl0?) representing a fictional distance is calculated using the transmitted value (kl0) and said value (kl0?) is transmitted to the decentralised unit (TN1, TN2, TN3). Subsequently, information is transmitted in accordance with the value (kl0?) representing the fictional distance.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2007Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Nokia Siemens Networks GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Dietmar Gernegross
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Patent number: 8423102Abstract: Aspects relate to provision of enterprise call capabilities to mobile devices. For example, a mobile device can indicate, over a data channel, that a PBX is to make a call on its behalf to a called party. The PBX can call back the mobile device, call the called party, and bridge those call legs to establish the call. The mobile device can employ mechanisms that a particular incoming call is made by the PBX. These mechanisms can include using ANI information, sending, and receiving audible verification codes over the voice channel established after answering the incoming call. The verification codes can be selected based different behaviors of the mobile devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2012Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Valentina Iqorevna Kramarenko, Ximing Zeng, Zhigang Ruan
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Patent number: 8369484Abstract: Methods and apparatus to test a subscriber line for a broadband access service are disclosed. An example network interface device (NID) comprises a tone generator to transmit a tone on a subscriber line to characterize the subscriber line while a DSL modem is providing a DSL service via the subscriber line, the tone having a frequency occurring within a range of frequencies in use by the DSL modem to provide the DSL service, and a pair of terminals to couple the DSL modem and the tone generator to the subscriber line.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2007Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LPInventors: Jin Wang, Kapil Shrikhande
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Patent number: 8233951Abstract: Aspects relate to provision of enterprise call capabilities to mobile devices. For example, a mobile device can indicate, over a data channel, that a PBX is to make a call on its behalf to a called party. The PBX can call back the mobile device, call the called party, and bridge those call legs to establish the call. The mobile device can employ mechanisms that a particular incoming call is made by the PBX. These mechanisms can include using ANI information, sending, and receiving audible verification codes over the voice channel established after answering the incoming call. The verification codes can be selected based different behaviors of the mobile devices.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2010Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Valentina Iqorevna Kramarenko, Ximing Zeng, Zhigang Ruan
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Patent number: 7596112Abstract: A medium access control (MAC) entity first computes an achievable rate region based on a total transmit power limit and a channel gain of each of a plurality of WTRUs. Next, the MAC entity selects an order of DPC among the WTRUs. A rate set for use in transmitting to the WTRUs is then selected, said rate set being within the computed achievable rate region. Then, based on the selected DPC order and rate set, a DPC entity performs DPC on a plurality of data streams intended for the plurality of WTRUs. If nested lattice-based DPC is utilized, rate compatibility is achieved by selecting proper nesting ratios corresponding to a desired data rate set. Otherwise, if binary-code based DPC is utilized, rate compatibility is achieved via selecting appropriate message input sizes for input to point-to-point coding units prior to performing DPC.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2005Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: InterDigital Technology CorporationInventors: Alexander Reznik, Zhenyu Tu, Guodong Zhang
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Patent number: 7590222Abstract: Techniques for measuring a one way delay between two handsets over an Internet protocol (IP) network utilize a delay measurement subsystem connected to both handsets and a procedure to couple a test signal to both handsets and measure the response to the test signal. The delay measurement subsystem is connected to a call originating handset to play an acoustic test signal to the transmitter of the originating handset. The delay measurement subsystem is connected to a call terminating handset to play the acoustic test signal to the transmitter of the call terminating handset and to record acoustic signals received on the call terminating handset. Signals recorded at the call terminating handset include a sidetone signal and a signal received from the call originating handset. The difference between the sidetone signal and the signal received from the call originating handset represents the delay through the handsets and the IP network.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2005Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventor: Wallace Smith
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Patent number: 7587028Abstract: A method and an apparatus, which generates and plays diagnostic messages indicative of a media terminal adaptor provisioning status. The media terminal adaptor detects errors in its provisioning status or an out-of-service state. Thus, when the telephone connected to the media terminal adaptor is taken off-hook and the media terminal adaptor that is not provisioned, improperly provisioned, or placed in an out-of-service state by the service provider, the media terminal adaptor will generate an appropriate diagnostic audio voice message or tone sequence to the telephone instructing the listener on how to proceed in order to resolve the problem.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2003Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Keith Robert Broerman, Glen Wakeman Ruch, Blaine Edward Ramey, David Brian Baehl
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Patent number: 7319863Abstract: A mobile device (620) provides an opinion system (600) for receiving opinions from a user and displaying results relating to the received opinion. Opinion user interface elements (621-622) receive input relating to the item of the opinion. The opinion is aggregated with other opinions received from other mobile devices and the result is provided to the user. A probability thereon may be applied to the aggregated opinions, and may be used to generate estimates of probability for a users propensity to an item based on the user's preferences.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2002Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignee: Wildseed, Ltd.Inventors: G. Eric Engstrom, Peter Zatloukal
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Patent number: 7181003Abstract: A method of generating a subscriber line ringing signal includes the step of applying a time-varying waveform W(t) to the tip line while maintaining the ring line at a pre-determined supply level for a duration T/2. The time-varying waveform is subsequently applied to the ring line while maintaining the tip line at the pre-determined supply level for the duration T/2. A subscriber line interface circuit apparatus includes a power supply providing a time-varying supply level, W(t). A signal processor controls a linefeed driver to alternately couple W(t) to one of the tip and ring lines while coupling an alternate supply level to the other of the tip and ring lines for a duration T/2. In various embodiments, the resulting differential ringing signal is trapezoidal or sinusoidal.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2003Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Silicon Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Scott A. George
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Patent number: 7181004Abstract: A method of generating a subscriber line differential ringing signal with a DC component includes providing a time-varying supply level, W(t), having a plurality of non-equidistantly spaced critical points along a folding line. W(t) is coupled to the tip line while coupling an alternate source to the ring line in response to a first critical point. W(t) is coupled to the ring line while coupling the alternate source to the tip line in response to a second critical point. An apparatus for generating the ringing signal includes a power supply providing a supply level W(t)=|f(t)?C|+C+D, wherein D is a power supply offset, wherein C?0. When W(t)?K a signal processor controls a linefeed driver to toggle between 1) coupling W(t) to the tip line while coupling the ring line to an alternate supply, VALT(t), and 2) coupling W(t) to the ring line while coupling the tip line to VALT(t), wherein K is a pre-determined switching threshold.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2003Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Silicon Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Scott A. George
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Patent number: 6813340Abstract: A line card or other telephone or communications interface provided with a ringing SLIC outputs relatively high voltage, such as in excess of about 90 volts, and/or relatively high current such as in excess of about 20 milliamps during normal use, but decreases the voltage or current of a ringing signal or other signal upon occurrence of a tip and/or ring line fault or other abnormal condition. The abnormal condition is detected by measuring voltage and/or current on the tip line and/or ring line. In response to an excess voltage or current, the ringing current or other output current is reduced to achieve desired safety and/or compliance with standards.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Michael Issaa, Steven Chow
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Patent number: 6775355Abstract: The eavesdropping prevention system and method of the present invention provides a mask signal generator which generates a mask signal superimposed over a leakage signal. The mask signal prevents meaningful detection and amplification of the leakage signal. The amplitude of the mask signal is low enough so as not to interfere with the transmission of analog POTS signals over the communication line on which the mask signal is superimposed. In the preferred embodiment, the amplitude of the mask signal exceeds the amplitude of any anticipated leakage signals which may be manifested on the communication line. Alternative embodiments of a mask signal are described.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2000Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Paradyne CorporationInventors: Thomas J. Bingel, Gordon Bremer, Rafael S. Martinez
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Patent number: 6711238Abstract: A parallel-connected dialing signal detection and transmission-inhibiting device is disclosed which detects dual-tone multi-frequency dialing signals across tip and ring conductors of a telephone link and switches in an a.c. load that attenuates the dialing signals by at least 30 dB. This prevents action in response to the DTMF signals by a central office servicing the telephone link, thereby allowing commands-data to be transmitted within the home telephone wiring. Such commands can be used to invoke a speed/auto dialing function, to provide an intercom, to control appliances, etc. To allow fast response, the controller charges a capacitor of the a.c. load by connecting it across the tip and ring conductors in response to an off-hook condition. Then it is disconnected to allow a dial tone to reach a user at the telephone. Further transparency is provided by the fact that a single interfacing capacitor connects both the dialing signal detector and a tone generator to the tip line.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1999Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Zoom Telephonics, Inc.Inventors: Frank B. Manning, William Hume Vance
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Patent number: 6707886Abstract: A subscriber loop test apparatus relates to the testing of a subscriber loop by the use of a touchtone telephone. The touchstone buttons on a telephone provide Dual-Tone, Multiple Frequencies for each key pressed. For example, referring to FIG. 1, pressing the ‘3’ key causes tones at 697 and 1477 Hz to be sent across the telephone line. Pressing a sequence of keys provides discrete coverage of the frequency band from 697 to 1477 Hz, through the use of the touchtone telephone. The frequency band from 697 to 1477 Hz can be characterized in this fashion. Information about the line: loop loss (loop length), presence of bridge taps (i.e., excessively long bridge taps in particular) or loading coils, and the presence of Digital Loop Carriers (DLCs), et cetera. The use of the switch-hook flash provides the ability to determine the channel (impulse) response of the loop, including any noise and hum that may be on the loop due to imbalance or coupled interference.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Richard Henry Erving, Maura Elizabeth Marcus, Robert Raymond Miller, II, Christopher W. Rice
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Patent number: 6693992Abstract: A system, method, and signal are disclosed for line probing. The invention provides an improved signal for line probing having desirable characteristics. In various embodiments the signal comprises a periodic sequence having good autocorrelation characteristics. The periodic sequence of the invention provides a faster and more accurate evaluation of the channel. Another embodiment of the invention comprises processing of the received sequence to determine a desired or maximum data rate for the line or channel. The invention also provides an evaluation and calculation of the noise on the line or channel.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Mindspeed TechnologiesInventors: William W. Jones, Shrenik Patravali, Ragnar H. Jonsson, Sverrir Olafsson
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Patent number: 6466650Abstract: Telephone line service type identification is provided to a telephone technician in the field by the placement of one or more tuned circuit(s) across the telephone line. In one embodiment, an inexpensive tuned circuit such as a ceramic resonator forms a telecom service resonator ID device which is placed across a telephone line, either at the central office or at the customer premises. Injection of a test current at a predetermined frequency, and a suitable amplitude of the same indicates to the technician aspects of telecom service to that particular telephone line (e.g., the existence of POTS, ISDN, and/or xDSL) and or use of the telephone line by a home network such as HPNA. In another embodiment, a telecom service transponder ID device is formed to provide line service identification to an interrogating line technician. The telecom service transponder ID device is activated when the test signal including an appropriate frequency is present to cause excitation in the telecom service transponder ID device.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2000Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Agere Systems Guardian Corp.Inventors: Jonathan H. Fischer, Donald R. Laturell, Lane A. Smith
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Patent number: 6377663Abstract: A call management system includes a local telephone circuit, a first telephone set, a second telephone set, and a telephony device. The first telephone set, the second telephone set, and the telephony device, each coupled to the local telephone circuit. The telephony device includes an off-hook monitor that detects an off-hook state on the local telephone circuit, and a command processor which recognizes a voice command signal transmitted from either the first telephone set or the second telephone set. A method for telephone call management is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 1997Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: NCR CorporationInventor: Donald W. Thurber
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Patent number: 6298119Abstract: A system and method for telephone trouble reporting. One aspect of the present invention is a context-sensitive graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI allows a user to select a trouble reporting option at various stages of a telephone call in a telephony-over-LAN system. Thus, a series of menus listing potential call difficulties are provided in the interface of the digital or IP phone or telephony-enabled computer to the user during the telephone call. Selecting one of the options allows the user to report the problem to the server or other central switch.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2000Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Siemens Information and Communication Networks, Inc.Inventors: Shmuel Shaffer, William J. Beyda
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Patent number: 6263047Abstract: An apparatus and method for characterizing a loading pattern of a twisted pair telecommunications transmission line includes a variable frequency signal generator and a measurement receiver connected to the twisted pair line. The signal generator applies a variable frequency signal to the twisted pair line and the measurement receiver acquires magnitude values representative of the impedance of the twisted pair line. A controller, operating under program control, models a plurality of baseline transmission line and twisted pair lines to generate magnitude values representative of the models. Error values are generated between the acquired magnitude values and the modeled magnitude values. The error values are compared to each other to determine the model with the minimum error value which is used as the model for charactering the twisted pair transmission line.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1999Date of Patent: July 17, 2001Assignee: Tempo Research CorporationInventors: William C. Randle, Ronald J. Larrick, Phillip F. Kochan
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Patent number: 6253069Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide a reply to a telephone caller in response to an abbreviated input string. A message is received from a telephone caller during a telephone call, and supplemental information is derived which relates to at least one of the telephone caller and the telephone call. Using the message from the caller in combination with the supplemental information, an appropriate reply to the message is identified, which is then provided to the caller. The invention is applicable to various telecommunications infrastructures, including cellular telephony. The message may be provided by the caller in response to a request forming part of a radio or television broadcast, in which case the message might relate to channel number or broadcast frequency, with the system storing a channel map to identify the station responsible for the broadcast, if so required.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1999Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Inventor: Roy J. Mankovitz
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Patent number: 6233312Abstract: Circuit faults between different circuits in a telecommunications network are located. In this invention a test signal is generated on a particular circuit and all adjacent circuits are tested for the presence of the test signal. Using information from a routing database the likely location of a circuit-to-circuit fault may be determined.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1998Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: British Telecommunications public limited companyInventor: Andrew D Chaskell
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Patent number: 6128370Abstract: A multiple tone detector includes n tone detectors, each detecting one of n distinct tones, where n.gtoreq.2, and a background detector which generates a measure of accumulative background energy E.sub.avg in a frequency band or bands which do not include at least a subset of the n tones. The output of the background detector is applied to a smoothing filter, which generates the accumulative background energy measure E.sub.avg for a current frame as a weighted sum of the background detector output for the current frame and the background energy measure E.sub.avg from a previous frame. A parameter controlling response time of the smoothing filter is varied depending upon whether or not speech is determined to be present in the background portion of the input signal. A processor uses the energy measures from the n tone detectors and the background detector to compute n ratios, where a given ratio is the ratio of the energy measure of the ith tone to the accumulative background energy measure E.sub.avg.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1997Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.Inventors: Bahman Barazesh, Sherry Shuihong Zhu
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Patent number: 5995557Abstract: To detect a dual tone pair signal in a telephone communication system, the signal is sampled at the Nyquist frequency. The sampled signal is filtered to determine the top three tone frequency power results. The input signal is then resampled at one-half of the Nyquist frequency. The resampled signal is filtered to determine signal power in the row and column frequency bands. The top three power results from tone filtering and aliasing row and column band pass filter power results are checked for lack of excess power to reject false digits.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1997Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: Nortel Networks CorporationInventor: Balaji Srinivasan
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Patent number: 5937030Abstract: An off-hook signal and dial pulse generating circuit which has a smaller number of switching devices having a high withstand current characteristic and has a less surge voltage than up to now. A dial pulse circuit and a switch block circuit are connected in parallel with the output side of a full-wave rectifying circuit. The circuit comprises an impedance circuit and a first switch circuit to be turned on/off by a signal. The impedance circuit operates in a state where it has an inductance component in case that a signal synchronized with a signal is off and operates in a state where it has no inductance in case that the signal is on, and an electric current flowing therethrough is turned on/off by the first switch circuit. The circuit comprises a series circuit composed of second and third switch circuits. The second switch circuit is turned on/off in response to a signal synchronized with the signal (where this circuit is off when the signal is on).Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1997Date of Patent: August 10, 1999Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tokio Miyashita, Tokuo Nakamura, Toshihiko Kotaka
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Patent number: 5898756Abstract: A parallel-connected dialing signal detection and transmission-inhibiting device is disclosed which detects dual-tone multi-frequency dialing signals across tip and ring conductors of a telephone link and switches in an a.c. load that attenuates the dialing signals by at least 30 dB. This prevents action in response to the DTMF signals by a central office servicing the telephone link, thereby allowing commands-data to be transmitted within the home telephone wiring. Such commands can be used to invoke a speed/auto dialing function, to provide an intercom, to control appliances, etc. To allow fast response, the controller charges a capacitor of the a.c. load by connecting it across the tip and ring conductors in response to an off-hook condition. Then it is disconnected to allow a dial tone to reach a user at the telephone. Further transparency is provided by the fact that a single interfacing capacitor connects both the dialing signal detector and a tone generator to the tip line.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1995Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Assignee: Zoom Telephonics, Inc.Inventors: Frank B. Manning, William Hume Vance
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Patent number: 5881146Abstract: A technique for minimizing the number of users which must dial training digits in a voice processing system. The system uses the first digit normally dialed as part of the user responses to the voice processing application, and measures such digit to determine whether it and future digits can be detected accurately without the use of a training digit. If they can, no training digit is required. If they can't, then a training digit is required, and the user is prompted for the same.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1997Date of Patent: March 9, 1999Assignee: Dialogic CorporationInventor: Chris Hamilton
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Patent number: 5818904Abstract: A method and connectivity evaluation system for testing trunk lines dedicated by a centralized telecommunications system to a customer switching system, such as a PBX, includes allowing the trunk-seizing capability of the telecommunications system to be remotely accessed from the premises of the customer switching system. The dedicated trunk lines can be sequentially isolated in response to the remote access of the trunk-seizing capability. Isolated trunk lines can be used to transmit test signals to opposite end equipment for evaluating characteristics of the signal. The test signals can be generated from either or both of the central office of the telecommunications system and the premises of the customer switching system, but in the preferred embodiment, all such transmissions are controlled from the customer switching system. In another embodiment, the transmissions are controlled from the central office.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1996Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Assignee: Siemens Business Communication Systems, Inc.Inventor: Matthew T. Dean
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Patent number: 5809111Abstract: A multi-station telephone system having a telephone control module (24) based user site network is provided. The system includes a plurality of electronic devices (26) located at a user site (12). A site telephone line (20) is coupled to a telephone line (16) provided by a telephone network (10) and extends through the user site (12). A plurality of telephone control modules (24) are coupled to the site telephone line (20) and to associated electronic devices (26). The telephone control modules (24) are operable to monitor telephone line communications (32) on the site telephone line (20) and to monitor associated electronic devices (26). The telephone control modules (24) are also operable to isolate associated electronic devices from and couple them to the site telephone line (20). Each telephone control module (24) is further operable to communicate with other telephone control modules (24) to form a user site (12) network for providing control of telephone line communications.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1996Date of Patent: September 15, 1998Assignee: Matthews Communications Management, Inc.Inventor: Gordon H. Matthews
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Patent number: 5787147Abstract: A test message is constructed using a set of predefined natural language message types and keywords. The constructed test message is then interpreted during run-time and converted to a properly formatted Transaction Capable Application Part (TCAP) message. The converted TCAP message is transmitted to a telecommunications software module being tested. When a response to the transmitted TCAP message from the software module is received by the interpreter, it is compared against yet another test message constructed using a set of predefined natural language message types and keywords to verify the proper execution of the software module. If a difference exists, an error message is generated by the interpreter and recorded in a log file.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1995Date of Patent: July 28, 1998Assignee: Ericsson Inc.Inventor: Hans Gundersen
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Patent number: 5781611Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the status of a speech connection between central office lines in a private exchange system may be constructed with a controlling unit for controlling a connection between a network and a corresponding central office line to perform a speech connection between first and second central office lines; a line interface unit for interfacing the first and second central office lines under the control of the controlling unit; a network unit for connecting the first and second central office lines to each other under the connection control of the controlling unit; and a speech monitoring the status of unit for monitoring the speech connection during the connection of the first and second central office lines, by directly detecting the presence or absence of a signal from the first and second central office lines inputted thereto through the network unit without interrupting the connection between the first and second central office lines and for outputting the speech connection sType: GrantFiled: June 13, 1996Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Seong-Kue Park
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Patent number: 5570418Abstract: A device for detecting an operation state of a telephone hook switch in a telephone includes a timer, a controlling circuit, a counter and a table electrically interconnected. According to the present invention, the abnormal signals generated by the hook switch cannot be accepted by an exchange or even if the signals are accepted by the exchanger, the mute function of the telephone will be utilized to make the users unable to listen to each other.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1995Date of Patent: October 29, 1996Assignee: Winbond Electronics CorporationInventors: Jui-Kuang Wu, Mao-Sung Chen, Meng-Tsang Wu
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Patent number: 5561700Abstract: A device, for digitally measuring in real-time analog telephony signals appearing on a subscriber line during a telephone call thereover, having a converter for converting analog subscriber line voltages into corresponding digital samples, a memory for storing a number of these samples and a processor which resides in any one of various states. For each such state, the processor generates at least one different mask condition, the condition being a limit value of a pre-defined characteristic of at least a particular one of the stored digital samples relative to other such samples. The processor occupies various states with the selection of any one of these states depending upon a particular previous and/or subsequent history of the line voltages with respect to that call, i.e. the state of the call. The processor checks whether some of the stored digital samples satisfies the mask condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1994Date of Patent: October 1, 1996Assignee: Koninklijke PTT Nederland N.V.Inventor: Lodewijk M. Van Breda
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Patent number: 5528661Abstract: A self diagnostic test routine resident in firmware in a remote, programmable device for testing telephone lines diagnostically examines the operational capability of each of a plurality of prescribed signal processing functions contained within the test device, on a selected one of a `loop` (effectively continuous) basis, `automatically`--at a less than continuous but still meaningfully periodic rate, or `on-demand`--at any time requested by the user. In addition, a running log is maintained of the results of each diagnostic test, and the results of each diagnostic test are compared with a set of thresholds associated with respectively different standards of performance of the test device. As a result of this comparison, the performance capability or status of the device is classified into one of three categories: PASS, MARGINAL, or FAIL, and communicated to system maintenance personnel.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1994Date of Patent: June 18, 1996Assignee: Harris CorporationInventors: Edward K. W. Siu, Richard L. Walsworth, James Jollota, Alex Knight
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Patent number: 5528663Abstract: By testing a received signal for power, frequency content, and stability, one can measurably improve DTMF signal detection and identification performance in voice store and forward systems. The algorithms described here have been found to be especially useful in minimizing talk-off. Further, the approach improves the performance with acoustic-type generators and minimizes transhybrid loss.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 1995Date of Patent: June 18, 1996Assignee: Siemens Rolin Communication Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Locke, Morteza Hagh-Panah
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Patent number: 5452339Abstract: A remote measurement unit for testing and conditioning one or more telephone lines includes multiple electronically erasable flash memory banks, which contain respective versions of the operating system employed by the test unit's micro-controller. An operating system modification routine employed by the host processor of a remote site allows the functionality of the remote test unit to be selectively modified by electronically installing an upgraded or downgraded version of the operating system, or by electronically selectively activating or deactivating one or more operational features of the currently active operating system. A reset routine ensures that the operating system modification mechanism will only boot up the `correct` one of the two quasi-redundant systems available to the RMU's microcontroller after a system modification has been performed.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1994Date of Patent: September 19, 1995Assignee: Harris CorporationInventors: Edward K. W. Siu, Onofrio Schillaci, Michael Kennedy, Laura E. Moser
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Patent number: 5440609Abstract: A junction box for coupling alligator test clips to a modular telephone line. The device includes a housing having a plurality of contacts to which each alligator clip of a telephone testing apparatus may be connected. A female modular telephone receptacle is provided having a plurality of color-coded wires electrically coupled to the respective contacts. The contacts are each labeled in accordance with conventional telephone wire colors. The telephone testing apparatus may be easily coupled to a male modular telephone connector of the telephone line to be tested. The device eliminates the conventional practices of moving furniture to access telephone outlets, and disassembling telephones for access to internal contacts.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1994Date of Patent: August 8, 1995Inventor: Tony G. Curtis
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Patent number: 5359646Abstract: A system and method for testing subscriber's services and sectionalizing service trouble in distributed networks, such as Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN), includes a test call set-up component, which enables a tester to set-up a test call. A test call can be set up by the tester by interactively defining the test environment and other information to emulate a call from a subscriber's communication line. A test call can also be set-up by marking triggers in the subscriber's trigger criteria and by marking the subscriber's subscription data at the service control point/adjunct. The test call set-up component also establishes a maintenance parameter which defines the environment in which a test call is to be processed and the data to be collected, if any, during the test call.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1992Date of Patent: October 25, 1994Assignee: Bell Communications Research, Inc.Inventors: Myranda A. Johnson, Timothy J. Zebo
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Patent number: 5357556Abstract: A system and method for testing equipment in a telephone network is disclosed for remote maintenance and verification of subscriber loops. The system and method accommodates known AC and DC fault testing techniques while improving reliability by providing duplex verification of the subscriber loop identification.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1992Date of Patent: October 18, 1994Assignee: Pacific BellInventor: Stephen A. Dresser
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Patent number: 5357557Abstract: In an inter-mobile-terminal testing method in a cellular automobile telephone system, test sequence information indicating a test sequence, next terminal number information indicating a terminal which is to make a next call, and test data are transmitted and down-loaded from a cellular automobile telephone exchange to each terminal. A test start command is output from the cellular automobile telephone exchange to the first terminal serving as a start point. In response to the test start command, the first terminal makes a call to the second terminal as a next terminal in accordance with the next terminal number information so as to transmit the test data thereto. The second terminal transmits connection determination information indicating success in connection of the call and data determination information indicating correct reception of the test data to the third terminal as a next terminal together with the test data. The same procedure is subsequently executed up to the nth terminal as a last terminal.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1992Date of Patent: October 18, 1994Assignee: Nec CorporationInventor: Yukinori Sakakura
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Patent number: 5307398Abstract: A remote controlled tone generator system is provided that permits a telephone technician to remotely control the operating mode of a test tone generator. This allows the technician to install the test generator at the telephone interface, climb the telephone pole and connect the line test monitor, and remotely control the test generator without having to leave his position on the pole. The test generator can operate in the following modes: direct current for polarity test, steady tone and dual tones for line transmission checks, and off for line noise checks. The remote control unit can be a separate module, or it can be built into a conventional technician handset. Alternatively, the tone generator may be controlled by a conventional telephone keypad.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1992Date of Patent: April 26, 1994Inventors: Joseph Contonzo, John M. Cannata, Gil D'Orazio