Abstract: Methods, computer-readable media, software, and apparatuses provide a system for controlling access to text messaging capabilities of a mobile computing device of a user while the user is driving. The mobile computing device may be configured to restrict a user from sending or receiving text messages while the user is driving depending on a current driving situation. Whether a user can send or receive text messages may further depend on a priority of the text message or a priority level of a sender or intended recipient of the text message. The system may include devices for collecting information regarding the vehicle and its surroundings and for determining the current driving situation based on the collected information. Further, the system may include devices for maintaining records of the restrictions placed on text messaging and of rewards earned for agreeing to be subject to such restrictions.

Abstract: A cell phone which has been modified by the addition of software which responds to the press of one or more Busy keys by automatically sending a pre-typed text message to the sender of the latest text message just received or automatically answering an incoming call immediately upon pressing the Busy key and playing a pre-recorded audio message. The outgoing text or audio message can inform the sender of the incoming text or the caller that the user is driving or otherwise engaged and cannot respond immediately. In some embodiments, one or more Busy keys can be added keys or one or more existing keys on the cell phone or on the keypad of the cell phone or on a touchscreen or a visual depiction of a keypad on a touchscreen of the cell phone.

Abstract: A method and telecommunication system is disclosed for transmission of a message from a first telecommunication terminal to a second telecommunication terminal, of which at least one is connected to a line-connected telephone network. The message is converted as a short message into the short message format, a connection setup is realized and the short message is transmitted in the short message format to a short message service center and from the latter to the second telecommunication terminal, where the transmission of the short message to the short message center and/or to the second telecommunication terminal is carried out by means of DTMF or FSK off-hook signaling in the voice band.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a uniform interface on heterogeneous access devices, that are capable of requesting specified classes of information from a server. Access devices, such as those that access Internet content, are often of different hardware and software configurations. Each access device displays a similar interface, for example, an interface similar to the touchpad of a telephone. The interfaces are configured so that similar keys included in the interfaces of different access devices request a similar specified classes of information. Then, when similar keys on different access devices are selected by a user, the selection causes the access devices to request a similar specified class of information. Thus, users of access devices with differing configurations become accustomed to similar keys requesting similar specified classes of information. This makes the interface easier to learn and less confusing for users.

Abstract: A system is provided for synchronizing a PSTN clock and a DSL clock. The system comprises a PSTN interface for transmitting and receiving voiceband samples, a data DSL transceiver for modulating and demodulating data to and from DSL samples, a synchronization circuit for synchronizing the voiceband samples and the data samples, and a converter for converting the synchronized voiceband and DSL samples between analog and digital formats. The synchronization circuit synchronizes the voiceband and the data samples for conversion by the same converter.

Abstract: A method for processing a dialed signal in a WLL terminal. Upon sensing of an off-hook state of a telephone connected by wires to a WLL terminal, a DTMF signal corresponding to a key input from the telephone is generated and it is converted into a digital signal. If the digital signal is not a predefined specific key, the digital signal is stored in a dial buffer. If the digital signal is a predefined specific key, the DTMF signal corresponding to the digital signal stored in the dial buffer is sequentially generated to be radio-transmitted.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method enabling the generation, by means of voice frequencies, of a sequence of several characters and the high-speed transmission of these characters. This method comprises the step of the elimination, during transmission, of the blanks between two successive characters when these characters are distinct or are encoded distinctly.

Abstract: In a telephone, a speech band switching circuit selectively provides a received speech with one of a plurality of frequency characteristics. A sensing circuit senses the level of noise around the telephone. A speech band control circuit compares the noise level sensed by the sensing circuit with a predetermined level and controls the speech band switching circuit on the basis of the result of comparison. When the noise level is higher than the predetermined level, the control circuit sends a control signal to the switching circuit. In response, the switching circuit selects a high-pass filter in place of a low-pass filter. As a result, a received speech is easy to hear despite the noise around the telephone because the low frequency range thereof is filtered out.

Abstract: A vocal frequency suppression apparatus for suppressing selected portions of a vocal signal to prevent inadvertent control of components controlled by dual tone multi-frequency ("DTMF") codes. The vocal frequency suppression apparatus includes a DTMF code generator having a plurality of user-selectable switches. The apparatus further produces a vocal signal which may contain vocal frequencies which correspond to at least one frequency of at least one of the DTMF codes. The apparatus includes a device for suppressing one or more of the vocal frequencies which correspond to frequencies found in the DTMF codes to prevent inadvertent control of any DTMF controlled components by the vocal signal. The suppression device is operably located between the producing device and the DTMF generator.

Abstract: An apparatus for "hands off" control of a Voice Mail System over a telephone line by a user to allow the user to simultaneously perform other functions such as manually processing the "oral mail" to take notes, do data entry or the like. The apparatus includes a foot pedal that is wired with switches. The foot pedal switches are connected through an interface circuit to a DTMF tone generator or a generator of digital signals corresponding to VMS functions. The interconnection is such that depending upon the pedal activated a different tone or digital signal will be generated. The user can readily reconnect the interface to vary the signal to pedal correspondence for changes in Voice Mail Systems or to implement other Voice Mail System commands. The DTMF tone generator is connected in series between the hand set and base set of a telephone so that system can be readily connected to an existing telephone and so that the tones can be sent over the phone line to a Voice Mail System.

Abstract: This invention is a method of remotely accessing an Intelligent Network Channel Terminating Equipment device to expedite the testing and servicing of telecommunications circuits.Intelligent Network Channel Terminating Equipment devices from different manufacturers have different operating characteristics. Therefore, prior to remotely accessing and operating an Intelligent Network Channel Terminating Equipment device in a telecommunication circuit from a remote location, the operating characteristics of the device must be determined. At the heart of the invention is our recognition that Intelligent Network Channel Terminating Equipment can be categorized according to their operational characteristics and that the type of Intelligent Network Channel Terminating equipment device present at a remote location can be identified from its response to signals which are sent to the Intelligent Network Channel Terminating Equipment device.

Abstract: An apparatus for "hands off" control of a Voice Mail System over a telephone line by a user to allow the user to simultaneously perform other functions such as manually processing the "oral mail" to take notes, do data entry or the like. The apparatus includes a foot pedal that is wired with switches. The foot pedal switches are connected through an interface circuit to a DTMF tone generator or a generator of digital signals corresponding to VMS functions. The interconnection is such that depending upon the pedal activated a different tone or digital signal will be generated. The user can readily reconnect the interface to vary the signal to pedal correspondence for changes in Voice Mail Systems or to implement other Voice Mail System commands. The DTMF tone generator is connected in series between the hand set and base set of a telephone so that system can be readily connected to an existing telephone and so that the tones can be sent over the phone line to a Voice Mail System.

Abstract: A dialer circuit equipped with built-in dialer memories for auto-redial or abbreviated-dial telephone communication and operable to send out a DTMF signal or a pulse signal to a telephone circuit based on a key input signal. A battery voltage is supplied to the dialer memories from a back-up battery, while a supply voltage is supplied to the other function circuits from a telephone circuit line. A voltage level converter means is located between the dialer memories and the other function circuits and eliminates production of through current resulting from the difference between the back-up battery voltage and the line voltage.

Abstract: The functionality of the keypad of a telephone test set is augmented by an interface circuit arrangement which enables keys of the keypad to be used to control both dialing signal generation and prescribed test functions, while effectively preventing interference between the operation of a dialing signal generator, to which the keypad is coupled during a first mode of operation, and that of test function signal generator circuitry, provided exclusive of the dialing signal generator, during a second mode of operation. Additionally, the test set includes a ringing signal coupling circuit for enabling the test set microphone, through which a telephone craftsperson voices audio speech signals to a speech signal processing circuit, to be used to audiblize the ringing signal, without impacting the normal voice input functionality of the microphone and associated speech signal processor.