Abstract: In one embodiment, a call setup message for a call from a calling party device to a called party device is received. At least one calling party parameter for the calling party device is determined. A user message is selected based on the at least one calling party parameter. Delivery of the user message to the calling party device is initiated in parallel with a call setup for the call from the calling party device to the called party device.

Abstract: A computer readable medium stores a program for a calling party controlled ringback tone service. The service enables a calling party to control ringback tones, even overriding called party selected ringback tones. The service can operate in a wireless or wireline network, such as a voice over IP (VoIP) network or time division multiplexed (TDM) network. The calling party can be periodically billed for the ringback tone control service, as well as the ringback tones. The subscriber can configure the service via the web.

Abstract: A service based Ringback Tone service that may be personalized by a calling party instead of a called party. The calling party generates and stores an originating profile that contains Ringback Tones or Ringback messages associated with a Ringback Tone subscriber (called party). When the calling party contacts the called party, the Ringback Tone chosen by the calling party and associated with the called party is then sent to the calling party until the calling party answers the call.

Abstract: Upon detecting an incoming call, a call screening system determines the CALLER ID information associated with the call and compares it to a database of allowable calling parties. If the calling party is to be allowed to ring through, the call screening system routes the incoming call to one or more communication devices associated with the calling party information in the allowable calling party database. In this manner, certain screened calls only ring through to a handset if authorized, while others are authorized to ring through to a fax machine, an answering machine, another handset, or a remote device connected between a remote handset and the local exchange. A single call screening device having several ports thus filters calls to multiple communications devices. Incoming call screening may be selectively different during different times of the day, for different calling parties, or for different communications devices connected to the call screening device.

Abstract: A noise calculation mechanism is incorporated into a cadence tone detector which upon a miss in either a energy or silence interval allows for retention of those periods corresponding to noise and augments the appropriate energy and silence interval.

Abstract: A DTMF generating device for automatically generating DTMF tones corresponding to a predefined phone number comprises a processor, a memory, and a speaker enveloped in a credit card sized casing. The memory has stored therein DTMF tone samples corresponding to the predefined phone number. When a user presses on a portion of the casing, the DTMF tone samples are played by the speaker.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for distributing urgent public information. For example, one exemplary of the invention provides a method for providing an alert to a subscriber. The exemplary method comprises receiving an alert message from at least one alert source. The alert message often will be pertinent to at least one of the subscribers. The alert message can comprise an alert and associated alert information. The alert information can provide information about the alert such that the information can be analyzed determine whether a particular subscriber likely should receive the alert. Other embodiments provide systems, which can be used to perform the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A system detects an incoming telephone call and routes the ring signal to a loudspeaker so that it can be heard at a distance from the telephony device. Once the incoming call has been acknowledged the incoming signal is routed to the headset. New incoming calls are identified by verifying the presence of unique characteristics that are found only in incoming calls. In a conventional telephone the unique characteristic can be a combination of frequencies which are part of the ring signal. The frequencies can be verified by using a bandpass filter which allows only frequencies centered around the ring frequency to pass. Therefore, if a signal of correct frequency is present it will pass through the bandpass filter and activate a switch that routes the signal to the loudspeaker.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of tone detection and, more particularly, to the detection of dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) tones in software based telecommunications systems. As modem telecommunications systems are becoming increasingly software based and typically require only a minimum of physical hardware, much of the necessary telecommunication functionality is now provided by software functions running on powerful computer servers. A common function which is required to be performed by telecommunications systems is that of dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) detection. Accordingly, the present invention aims to provide an efficient software-based DTMF detection system that satisfies the ever increasing need for efficient software functions.

Abstract: An apparatus that intelligently determines how to alert a user to the arrival of an incoming message at a telecommunications terminal, and what information is imparted to the user via the alert, is disclosed. In the illustrative embodiments, the terminal has a processor that makes this determination based on one or more of the following: properties of the incoming message (e.g., who sent the message, a priority level associated with the message, the semantic content of the message, the length of the message, etc.), the time and date (i.e., the “calendrical time”), environmental parameters (e.g., temperature, ambient luminosity, etc.), the user's physiological parameters (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, etc.), the location of the user, the proximity of other wireless terminals in the vicinity, whether the user is currently receiving another message, and the delivery mechanism of the other message (e.g., voice, text chat, etc.).

Abstract: A data processing device includes (a) a display unit, (b) a light-emitting unit which illuminates the display unit, (c) a communication unit which makes radio communication with other data processing devices, (d) a detector which detects whether the communication unit is in operation or not, and (e) a controller which limits a current to be supplied to the light-emitting unit in accordance with transmission power consumed in radio communication carried out by the communication unit, when the detector has detected that the communication unit is in operation.

Abstract: A telephone that includes: a storage unit 108; a transmission/reception unit 102 for, when an incoming call is received, acquiring a caller's phone number corresponding to the incoming call; a counting unit 105 for measuring a time period between a start of a reception of the incoming call and a disconnection of the incoming call; and a one-ring-call judgment unit 107 for, if the measured time period is shorter than a predetermined time period, instructing a general control unit 103 to store the acquired phone number into the storage unit 108 as a target for a connection rejection so that if an incoming call is received from a caller having the stored phone number thereafter, a connection thereto is rejected.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for using an electronic phone book in a communication terminal are provided. If a user manually requests a phone number to be registered as a bookmark, or the number of calls to the phone number exceeds a predetermined first threshold, the phone number is saved in a bookmark DB. Upon user request for a bookmark mode operation, bookmarked phone numbers are presented. If the number of calls to a phone number stored in the bookmark DB for a predetermined time period does not exceed a predetermined second threshold, the phone number is deleted from the bookmark DB. Therefore, the user can give a call without memorizing frequently used phone numbers or direct dialing.

Abstract: A system for a caller to control a distinctive ring for a telephone call includes a service switching point and a service control point. The service switching point is operable to receive a feature code and a called directory number, and to issue a query in response to receiving the feature code. The service control point is operable to receive the query and issue a response to the service switching point. The response includes a distinctive ring parameter. Upon receiving the response from the service control point, the service switching point processes the call so that the distinctive ring parameter causes a distinctive ring signal to be applied to a called telephone line associated with the called directory number.

Abstract: Detectors determine the presence of valid sinusoids for DTMF, MF-R1 and MF-R2 protocols for encoding dialed digits. The detectors split electrical signals into subbands. Energies within the subbands are analyzed to determine a presence of sinusoids corresponding to frequencies of dialed digits. In one embodiment, the detectors comprise a PS-IIR filter to split the electrical signal into the subbands. The detectors further comprise at least one bank of filters, such as notch filters, corresponding to the number of possible relevant frequencies within the respective subbands. The detectors further comprise detection logic comprising tests, which may include analyzing the output(s) from the bank of filters. Optionally, a preclassifier is employed to predetermine which filters in the banks of filters are to be executed. The detectors, typically deployed in digital signal processors, allow for an increase in the density of detectors and provide robust performance in talk-off situations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an automatic ring again feature on a telephone set for a user that answers a telephone call not intended for that user is disclosed. If a user has answered an incoming telephone call not intended for that user, a “Ring Again” feature on the telephone set is activated. In response to the Ring Again feature being activated, parallel telephone sets will ring again to allow a different user to answer the call or, alternatively, another device, such as an answering device, to answer the call.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring remote computer access and associated costs is provided. The system includes a remotely located communication server in communication with multiple host computer networks and in communication with a network access server. First and second memory devices contain a list of authorized users for the host computer networks and a user log for use by a billing computer to generate bills. The method includes the steps of creating starting and ending time stamps for each authorized user accessing a respective one of the multiple host computer networks and creating a user log to generate bills and monitor host computer network usage.

Abstract: A network interface circuit that screens out transient signals and provides an indication to the line side that an actual event has occurred, so that appropriate discrimination circuitry is powered up to determine the exact nature of the actual event only when actually needed. The present invention develops an AC signal that represents the events that are desired to be detected. This AC signal is timed so that it has a sustained rate (e.g., a 1 millisecond burst) that is unlike any transient that would occur on the line. Thus, unless the incoming signal meets the timing requirements of the circuit, it is disregarded as a being a transient and no action is taken to determine the exact nature of the signal. This avoids the need to invoke the discrimination circuits that have large power requirements until they are actually needed.

Abstract: A vibrator mechanism is constructed with a permanently magnetized rotor having an eccentrically positioned center of mass and a flat profile. The magnetized rotor is magnetically coupled to a electrically commutated stator having multiple windings. The vibrator mechanism is assembled for compact mounting within the housing of a communication device.

Abstract: A ring voltage generator uses values stored in random access memory to generate a train of pulses used to drive a voltage waveform to ring a telephone ringer. The values are stored in RAM, and are programmable by a user without requiring a change in the ring voltage generator design.

Abstract: A primary object of the present invention is to provide a method of automatically changing a calling mode of a telephone having a program timer installed therein as a timer setting changes, wherein the program timer comprising an on/off item responsible for controlling an on/off of the program timer, a timer setting item responsible for setting a time slot of an activation of the program timer, and a calling mode item responsible for setting a plurality of ring types, so that when the program timer is on and the time slot has been set by the timer setting item, a microprocessor of the telephone will activate the ring type set by the calling mode item for informing of an incoming call within the time slot.

Abstract: The present invention provides a telecommunication device comprising: a telecommunication function block for receiving a call from another telecommunication device for communication; and a priority-determination-standard-setting function block for setting a priority-determination-standard for determining a priority of a received call; and a priority-level determining function block electrically coupled to the priority-determination-standard-setting function block for determining a priority level of the call in accordance with the priority-determination-standard.

Abstract: A DFT is used to compute the magnitude and phase of the frequencies desired to be detected in a frame of sampled data by performing 2 dot products for each such frequency. The two dot products are calculated using the samples in the frame and an equal number of equally spaced cosine and sine coefficients for each frequency to be detected.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system is provided for processing an input signal communicated on a telephone line, the input signal including a first component associated with a first frequency band, a second component associated with a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band, and a third component associated with a third frequency band higher than the second frequency band. The system includes a first filter to receive the input signal and to pass a first signal substantially comprising the second component, a second filter to receive the input signal and to pass a second signal substantially comprising the first and third components, and a third filter to receive the second signal and to pass a third signal substantially comprising the first component according to an input capacitance of a fourth filter that limits the ability of the third filter to pass the second component.

Abstract: A capability for routing calls that are destined to different called numbers to a single customer line is provided by including apparatus at the customer's line that detects called number ID signals. The detecting of called number ID signals is enabled by installing one or more called numbers ID signals in a memory of a customer premises instrument, or a coupler, that is connected to the customer's line. The installing is carried out in a process that first places the customer premises instrument, or the coupler, in a program mode, and then providing the one or more called number ID signals, for storing in the customer premises instrument, or the coupler. In one embodiment, the service provider provides the one or more called number ID signals.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, there is a ring control device comprising a switch, a voltage control device in electrical series with the switch, and a first plug for receiving a first electrical signal, the first electrical signal comprising a first voltage and a second voltage, the first plug disposed in series with and before the voltage control device. The ring control device also includes a second plug for outputting at least one of the first and second voltages of the first electrical signal, the second plug disposed in series with and after the switch. In the ring control device, the voltage control device prevents one of the first and second voltages from passing to the second plug when the switch is in a predetermined position.

Abstract: Telephone network service logic relating to calls over the telephone network to a customer terminal, uses both terminal functions and network functions. The terminal has a service logic script for execution at the terminal to control the terminal functions. To control the execution of this script remotely from the network, a script-control message is determined and sent over the telephone network to the terminal. This may use the GR30 message format, with an additional call qualifier specific to the terminal service logic script, and the type of control being requested, e.g., start execution or terminate the script. This enables the reliability of the interaction between the service logic at the network side, and the service logic script at the terminal to be improved. This enables announcement type services to be provided in which a loudspeaker on the terminal can be remotely controlled to make verbal announcements without requiring customer action to lift a receiver.

Abstract: A method for activating a distinctive ring-tone can include the steps of extracting caller identifying data from an incoming phone call; comparing the caller identifying data to data in a caller list; determining whether the caller is authorized to activate a distinctive ring-tone based upon the comparison; and, activating a distinctive ring-tone if the caller is authorized and if a request to activate a distinctive ring-tone can be detected in the incoming phone call. The extracting step can include the step of extracting a source phone number from the incoming phone call. The determining step can include the step of determining whether the caller has been included in the caller list as an authorized caller. Conversely, the determining step comprises the step of determining whether the caller has been included in the caller list as an unauthorized caller.

Abstract: A method of allowing a telephone network user to initiate a call feature request during an in-progress call using a conventional touch tone telephone with a telephone handset and conventional touch tone telephone keys. The method includes receiving and recognizing a touch tone signal resulting from the user pressing one or more of the telephone keys, recognizing a user spoken predetermined voice command, then interpreting the touch tone signal and voice command as a request for a call feature. The call feature is then provided in accordance with the request.

Abstract: A method and a system for providing configurable call progress tones in a telephony session by identifying a receiver of the telephony session, selecting a tone in accordance with the preferences of the receiver and providing a configurable call progress tone of the selected tone.

Abstract: A telephone with a call-incoming-operation limiting function which has a clock means 2 for measuring the time and changes over call-incoming operation according to the time, comprises: a ringer-tone-volume controlling means 4 for controlling the tone volume of a ringer 5 during call incoming; and a call-incoming-operation limiting function controlling means 3 for instructing the ringer-tone-volume controlling means at the time set by a user to change over the tone volume of the ringer to a tone volume set by the user. By designating the time when the surroundings become quiet and by lowering the tone volume of the ringer, the user is able to know call incoming without imparting discomfort and annoyance to the surrounding people.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide for filtering of voiceband and specified tone frequencies of a mixed voice/data signal, such as an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) signal. A lowpass filter section passes voiceband content of the mixed signal and suppresses mixed signal content having frequencies falling within a databand of the mixed signal. A bandpass filter section is coupled to or integral with the lowpass filter section and passes the specified tone frequency, such as a metering or billing tone frequency. The lowpass and bandpass filter sections exhibit a combined frequency response that provides for a stopband between the voiceband and the metering tone frequency. The bandpass filter section effectively detunes a frequency response of the lowpass filter section to provide for the stopband.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supporting enhanced ring scheduling for devices on platforms with limited power supply while seeking to preserve caller ID information and normal ringing cadence is disclosed. The ring scheduling apparatus includes a “Line Manager” coupled to a “Ring Scheduler”. The Line manager monitors the signaling events and determines whether the signaling commands associated with the signaling events should be modified to indicate ringing, no ringing, or pass the signaling commands unmodified. The “Ring Scheduler” manages the available resources according to a ring cadence schedule so that the power supply of the device is not exceeded.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and system to provide the capability of a serial based analog modem to play its connection call progress in a digital format, thus eliminating the need for analog to digital conversion at the host. In one aspect of the invention, an exemplary method includes receiving data at the serial communication device, from a serial communication network; identifying the data as call progress audio samples; transmitting the call progress audio samples to the host through the serial interface, the serial interface carrying serial data or call progress audio samples; and playing the call progress audio samples at the audio system of the host. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: In an emergency notification and rescue request system having an answer detector for detecting a call receiving party's answer to a telephone call, the answer detector comprises a level detector for outputting a first signal when a level of an audio signal on a telephone line is greater than a prescribed level and otherwise outputting a second signal which is different from the first signal, wherein an interval between adjacent prescribed state changes in the output signal from the level detector is computed every time the prescribed state change is detected, and the current and previous intervals are compared so that if such an event that the current and previous intervals do not substantially correspond to each other has occurred prescribed times consecutively, it is determined that no regular signals such as the busy signal or ring signal exist on the telephone line, i.e., the call receiving party has answered the telephone call.

Abstract: A device for automatically identifying DTMF and FSK system is disclosed. A signal detector is provided for detecting signals on a telephone line. A DTMF and a FSK decoders are provided for decoding DTMF and FSK signals, respectively. A microprocessor is activated when the signal detector detects a signal on the telephone line for only activating the DTMF decoder to calculate frequency spectrum of the detected signal. When the calculated frequency spectrum conforms to DTMF frequency spectrum, it is determined that a DTMF system is in use. When the calculated frequency spectrum only has a frequency of about 1,200 Hz or 1,300 Hz, it is determined that a FSK system is in use, so as to deactivate the DTMF decoder and activate the FSK decoder.

Abstract: A method for determining the time required for a server to effect a telephone ring signal at a client computer, the method including tracking elapsed time concurrently at the server and the client computer, initiating a telephone call from the sever to the client computer after a specified time period has elapsed, detecting at least one telephone ring signal at the client computer, recording the time at which the telephone ring signal is detected at the client computer, and transmitting the recorded time to the server.

Abstract: Energy cadence detector detects a signaling tone in the presence of voice by requiring multiple cycles of the tone to be detected before detection is indicated.

Abstract: Deactivating a switch in a handset when a user wishes to answer an incoming call or terminate a call. A sound card within a personal computer transmits a hook tone that is above the human hearing range to a transmitter section of the handset. When the switch is in the activated state, the handset re-transmits the hook tone back to the sound card which converts the hook tone to digital information so that the hook tone can be detected by software running in the personal computer. When the manual switch is deactivated, the handset ceases to re-transmit the hook tone back to the sound card. The software detects the absence of the hook tone to determine if the handset is answering the incoming call. In traditional telephony terms, when the manual switch is deactivated, this is the offhook condition. When the manual switch is activated, this is the onhook condition.

Abstract: A method and system for providing suppression of near-end speech energy for tone signal detectors. In accordance with the invention a system or device is connected between the tip and ring on a subscriber loop, the subscriber loop being connected to office equipment and that subscriber's station set. The system also includes a receive interface that is connected to either a tone signal detector or a frequency shift keying modulator. The system achieves speech cancellation by forming a Wheatstone bridge with a mirror circuit possessing a scaled image of the loop and office equipment impedance. In one embodiment of the invention the Wheatstone bridge is formed using the combined impedance of the loop and office equipment as the impedance that is to be matched by a set of balanced networks included within the system.

Abstract: A method and circuit for distinguishing between a first voltage signal having a high amplitude and a second voltage signal having a low amplitude, the first and second voltage signals comprising respective AC components superimposed on a DC level. The DC level of the first and second voltage signals is blocked and the respective AC components of the first and second signals are attenuated by an attenuation factor which is voltage dependent and substantially frequency independent, so that the respective AC components of the first and second voltage signals after attenuation have similar amplitudes. The respective attenuated AC components of the first and second voltage signals are then processed so as to distinguish between the first and second voltage signals according to their respective frequencies.

Abstract: A telephone caller screening device is operable with a pre-existing telephone line with an existing installed telephone device. In one mode, the telephone caller screening device selects and stores caller ID information from incoming telephone calls for later use to compare with caller entered identification data to determine whether the premise telephone user should be alerted to the incoming telephone call. In a second mode the telephone caller screening device controls the telephone system by generating an off-hook condition on the pre-existing telephone line to suppress the ring signal from an incoming telephone call to prevent audible ringing of the telephone device. The telephone caller screening device generates an alerting signal in an alerting device when the caller entered identification data compares with a stored caller identification data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a signaling tone within a communications channel, such as a telephone line, is presented. The energy level of the communications channel signal is measured at the frequency of the signaling tone and at one or more frequencies that are integer divisors of the signaling tone (i.e. at one or more subharmonics). The subharmonic energies are evaluated in determining whether the signaling tone is present. The technique can be implemented using a plurality of resonators and a comparator.

Abstract: A signal detector includes a transform unit and a cross-frame energy level unit. The transform unit is adapted to receive at least a first and a second frame of time domain input samples. The transform unit generates at least a first frequency energy value for the first frame and a second frequency energy value for the second frame based on the time domain input samples. The cross-frame energy level unit is adapted to compare the first frequency energy value to the second frequency energy value to determine the presence of a first tone in the time domain input samples. A method for detecting a signal includes receiving at least a first and a second frame of time domain input samples. At least a first frequency energy value for the first frame and a second frequency energy value for the second frame are generated based on the time domain input samples. The first frequency energy value is compared to the second frequency energy value to determine the presence of a first tone in the time domain input samples.

Abstract: A ring back signal for a call between a calling party and a called party can be simulated. A ring back message associated with the call is received. The calling party is associated with a first network. The called party is associated with a second network. A prestored ring back signal is selected from a set of prestored ring back signals based on the ring back message and/or a called number for the call. The selected prestored ring back signal is associated with the second network and is different from a second prestored ring back signal associated with the first network. The prestored ring back signal is sent to the calling party.

Abstract: A system for processing an input signal communicated on a telephone line includes an input node to receive the input signal. The input signal comprises a first component associated with a first frequency band, a second component associated with a second frequency band higher than the first frequency band, and a third component associated with a third frequency band higher than the second frequency band. A first filter coupled to the input node receives the input signal, attenuates the first and third components, and communicates a first signal substantially comprising the second component. A second filter coupled to the input node receives the input signal, attenuates the second component, and communicates a second signal substantially comprising the first and third components. A third filter coupled to the second filter receives the second signal, attenuates the third component, and communicates a third signal substantially comprising the first component.

Abstract: A subscriber system transmission apparatus has a line concentrating capability which is performed a relatively simple efficient redundant structure for increased overall system reliability. A remote terminal has a mode selector for switching between modes of operation such that when a remote terminal line concentrating and connecting unit suffers a fault, no line concentrating process is effected on a call from a subscriber's terminal, and the call is connected directly to a trunk transmission line by a bypassing unit. When the remote terminal line concentrating and connecting unit suffers a fault, since the call is not subjected to a line concentrating process in the remote terminal, the call from the remote terminal is subjected to a line concentrating process by a central terminal line concentrating and connecting unit in a central terminal.

Abstract: A method of allowing a telephone network user to initiate a call feature request during an in-progress call using a conventional touch tone telephone with a telephone handset and conventional touch tone telephone keys. The method includes receiving and recognizing a touch tone signal resulting from the user pressing one or more of the telephone keys, recognizing a user spoken predetermined voice command, then interpreting the touch tone signal and voice command as a request for a call feature.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for accurately detecting an alert signal. Improving detector accuracy decreases missed detects and false detects. In one example embodiment the detector monitors received telephone signals for an alert signal such as a CPE alert signal. In such a configuration, the invention processes the received signal prior to monitoring by the detector to remove or reduce unwanted echo, interference and/or other signal portions that may otherwise inhibit accurate detection of alert signals sent from a remote location. In one configuration, the invention performs echo suppression or cancellation on the received signal to eliminate or reduce echo, such as may be introduced by a hybrid.

Abstract: The telephone line coupler circuit has a single transmit opto-coupler whose output includes a DC bias component connected to a gate of a line seize switch for connecting a DC line seize load across the ring and tip contacts of the telephone line. The line seize switch is saturated by the transmit opto-coupler bias output and the AC component of the transmit opto-coupler output is sent over the telephone lines. The receive opto-coupler is used both for receiving communications signal and for detecting the ring signal. The band pass filter connected to the output of the receive opto-coupler may be switched to pass a ring signal frequency band or a communications frequency band. The circuit operates using two opto-coupler devices while conventional circuits require four opto-coupler devices.