Abstract: A method for planning an electrical power transmission network using a planning arrangement includes providing a first input dataset, and converting the first input dataset into graphical representation using a conversion device. The graphical representation contains topology information for interconnection of equipment items and data communication information and parameterization information for equipment items. Different types of equipment are distinguished by a first identifier, electrical connections are distinguished by a second identifier and data communication links are distinguished by a third identifier. Multiply recurring patterns in the graphical representation are identified by a pattern recognition device. A respective frequency of patterns is determined by the pattern recognition device. All patterns having a frequency exceeding a predetermined threshold are marked as candidate samples by the pattern recognition device.

Abstract: A system and method of providing a dynamic optical network topology according to topology determinations made by a network control is disclosed. The system and method includes optical ports on an optical circuit switch system operably connected to a plurality of server groups, and optical ports on the optical circuit switch system operably connected to a plurality of packet processing nodes. The system and method also includes at least one memory and at least one processor to execute network control software to receive input comprising a bandwidth request, determine an output comprising a preferred optical link topology for the optical circuit switch system based on the received input, convert the optical link topology for the optical circuit switch system into optical circuit switch port mapping, and send the optical circuit switch port mapping to the optical circuit switch system and to the packet processing nodes.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article worn about the lower torso of a wearer includes at least one pair of side panels connecting a first waist region to a second waist region forming a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. Each side panel includes a waist region, a hip region and a leg region wherein the waist region, the hip region and the leg region differs structurally, functionally and visually to provide an improved initial fit and sustained fit while exhibiting a garment-like appearance.

Abstract: A frequency-domain based echo and NEXT canceller is provided. The canceller uses log2 encoding to precondition the error signal representing the echo. An improved gradient constraint is applied on at least a portion of a full weight vector in a least-mean-square algorithm. The least-mean-square algorithm is used to compute filter coefficients. The filter coefficients are multiplied by a frequency-domain data vector using a frequency-domain multiplier to generate frequency-domain output vector.

Abstract: This invention provides a communication apparatus, which suppresses abrupt changes of a current and voltage generated in a communication line upon connecting an external telephone to the communication line, and a control method thereof. To accomplish this, in a communication apparatus of this invention, when an off-hook state of an external telephone is detected upon connecting the external telephone to a communication line, an SOC captures a line using a first line capture means having an impedance lower than the external telephone side, and then switches an H-relay to connect the external telephone to the communication line. Furthermore, the SOC temporarily switches a line capture state to a second line capture means having an impedance higher than the first line capture means after the H-relay is switched and before the line is released.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for verifying a commercial transaction between a card-holder, a merchant, and a credit card company. The card-holder makes a purchase with the merchant using a full credit card number. The merchant submits a transaction approval request for approval with the credit card company. The credit card company executes conventional credit approval of the transaction approval request, as well as verifies the transaction approval request with the card-holder. An approval is sent to the merchant only after the transaction approval request is both conventionally approved by the credit card company and verified by the card-holder. The card-holder, or the credit card company, may initiate verification of the transaction approval request. The transaction approval request can also be automatically verified if one or many pre-verification criteria is/are satisfied by data contained in the transaction approval request.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for testing analog telephone line equipment including, in particular to detect faults in their hybrid resistor arrays. It consists in isolating the equipment from the telephone line and then applying the normal ringing signal to it. If the resistor array is defective, the output logic signal of the off-hook/on-hook detector circuit comprises a succession of 0 and 1 at the frequency of the ringing signal, which indicates the fault. This makes it possible to eliminate the equipment test relay usually employed.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) is operative to carry out financial transactions and includes a user interface (15). The user interface includes a card reader (16) which is operative to read data on user cards which identify user's financial accounts. A fascia of the machine includes a keypad (404, 438, 458) through which users input confidential data. Covers (400, 422, 430) prevent unauthorized persons from viewing confidential inputs to the keypad. Alternatively, movable panels (462, 464) are movable to prevent unauthorized viewing of confidential inputs. Alternatively a keypad cover is selectively collapsible to prevent digit access. A visual indicator is operative to indicate to a user that keypad inputs are being encrypted. Disinfecting techniques may be used to disinfect manual contact surfaces of the machine.

Abstract: A method (10, 20) and apparatus (30) enables a customer (47) to distinguish between a dead or broken Internet Protocol telephone line and an out-of-service Internet Protocol telephone line. The method detects (11) a hook status of a device (46) coupled to the IP network (33) during an out-of-service status of the line. Upon detection of a change in state from an on-hook state to an off-hook state, a message is sent (13) to the device (46) indicating that the IP telephone line is currently out-of-service and not dead or broken. This message can be a voice or text message. Moreover, the message can provide status information for all of the interfaces of the device coupled to the IP telephone line. In addition, the message can include information as to how to obtain service, such as a telephone number to call.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of remotely controlling electronic devices, such as telecommunication equipment attached to telephone lines, test equipment, and/or home electronics includes a master board (105) having its own IP address and arranged and constructed to receive (401) instructions via the internet (103) from a remote terminal (101). The instructions are interpreted and converted into one or more commands that are directed (405) to a slave board (113 or 117) that performs, in response to the command(s), one or more operations on a telephone line and its associated hardware and/or software (115), a piece of test equipment (125), lights (123), or other type of electronic device. Any results of the operations may be returned to the terminal (101).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for recognizing, in a system having a first terminal device and a second terminal device connected to a two-wire subscriber line, an off-hook condition of the second terminal device (2; 3) at the two-wire subscriber line (4) in a switching center (5) or the like, in which the off-hook condition of a first terminal device (3; 2) working in a different frequency band than the second terminal device at the same two-wire subscriber line is recognized by acquiring a loop d.c. (i) and comparing it to a threshold. For reducing the consumable power to be made available in the switching center (5), the invention provides that the loop d.c. (i) is compared to a second threshold that is higher than the first threshold by the minimally required current level in the operation of the first terminal device (3; 2).

Abstract: An interface circuit including a galvanic isolation barrier between a transmission line and a user equipment, and a detector for detecting, independently from a transmission, the idle or busy state of the line.

Abstract: A method of repeating a non-voice signal such as a dual tone, multiple frequency (DTMF) signal, by inserting a delay sequence of data values into an output data sequence of data values, a portion of the output data sequence following the delay sequence being the same as a corresponding portion of an input sequence of decoded data obtained from a low bit-rate speech decoder. The input sequence has at least one distorted non-voice sequence. The method provides for inserting a substantially undistorted non-voice sequence into the output sequence, the undistorted sequence being at least of substantially the same length as the distorted sequence, a portion of the output sequence following the undistorted sequence being the same as a corresponding portion of the input sequence, and the output sequence being substantially free of the distorted non-voice signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided reducing false switch hook detection in a line card coupled to a subscriber loop. The method comprises operating in a first state of the line card, receiving a control signal, and disabling switch hook detection in the line card. The method further comprises determining an initial condition of a second state of the line card, operating in the second state of the line card in response to receiving the control signal, wherein the second state begins to operate from the determined initial condition. The switch hook detection in the line card is activated.

Abstract: The present invention earphone support comprises a pair of curved ear contact supports, each held substantially rigidly apart from and attached to a slideable axis, thereby forming two slideable axes that meet and form an angled set of slideable axes. The ear contact supports are thereby releasably slideable from an in-contact position with the wearer's ear to a release position therefrom. The relative dimensions of the present invention comprise are critical to the wearer's comfort.

Abstract: A cleaning system retrieves a telephone number from a telephone number list to regard as a called party number and sends a SETUP message to the network, in which a SPEECH or an AUDIO is designated as a bearer capability. In case that an ALERTING or CONNECT message is sent back from the network, the system sends a DISCONNECT message to the network immediately to perform a clear sequence and determines the telephone number effective. In case that a DISCONNECT message is sent back from the network as a result that a call has not been accepted, the system also performs a clear sequence immediately and determines if the telephone number should be treated as an effective number or a null number according to the cause content sent from the network.

Abstract: A circuit for determining connection status of a phone line shared by multiple telecommunications devices, such as modems and phones, is provided. The phone line includes respective tip and ring lines. The circuit comprises a first transistor stage coupled to receive a signal indicative of a voltage difference between the respective tip and ring lines. The first transistor stage is configured to supply an output signal having a predetermined time response. The circuit further comprises a second transistor stage coupled to the first transistor stage and configured to supply an output signal having a slow time response relative to the output signal from the first transistor stage.

Abstract: Articles and a method related to use of a biocide (e.g., triclosan) incorporated into communication and data transfer/entry products in order to provide cleaner, fresher and more hygienic surfaces by controlling a broad range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, yeast, and fungi on the surfaces of such products.

Abstract: A testing environment and a method for telephone number identification and/or verification. The testing environment and method of the present invention analyzes incoming analog signals of a telephone call being made to the tested line as the receiving party from the central office switch. These incoming analog signals preferably include ring signal, waiting call tone and voice signals. The incoming analog signals are analyzed and processed by the testing unit according to the present invention in order to identify and/or verify the telephone number. Thus, the testing environment and method of the present invention has the advantage of being able to analyze data received from the tested line as the receiving party, rather than requiring the tested telephone line to initiate the telephone call for testing purposes.

Abstract: A telephone line state detecting device that is connectedly provided with a hardware detecting circuit when a telephone line is connected to a modem. The hardware detecting circuit is connected to a processing unit such that, in use, the hardware detecting circuit can detect pulses generated by voltages flowing through the telephone line. The pulses are being processed by the processing unit to judge whether the telephone is disconnected or the electrical contact thereof is deficient, or whether the telecommunications equipment used in conjunction therewith is busy or not in use.

Abstract: A VMWI (Visual Message Waiting Indicator) multisense detection device solves both the problem of long CLASS VMWI signal retransmission delays and unreliable CLASS VMWI signal transmission by simultaneously enabling both stutter dial tone detection and CLASS VMWI signal detection. The multisense device samples the line each time the phone is placed on-hook or after the phone goes unanswered after a ring. If a valid CLASS VMWI signal is detected before the scheduled dial tone test, the dial tone test will be canceled. If no CLASS VMWI signal is detected, after a given amount of time, the VMWI device automatically enables stutter dial tone detection. The detection circuitry periodically polls for a preamble field of the CLASS signal to determine whether a valid CLASS signal is about to be transmitted. If the preamble indicates a CLASS signal is being transmitted, the detection circuitry remains on and the CLASS signal is received and processed.

Abstract: A circuit and method for maintaining switch-hook detection (SHD) in the presence of a fault in a telephone system may include a comparison of one of a tip current and a ring current to a reference current. A switch-hook detection indicates that a request for service has been made. The reference current may be a conventional switch-hook detection threshold current, I.sub.SHD, times a factor (G.sub.0 +1).sup.-1, where G.sub.0 is the predetermined operating gain of the amplifier in the telephone subscriber line interface circuit. The line current may be reduced in response to detection of a fault in the telephone system without affecting the determination whether a request for service has being made.

Abstract: An apparatus for muting communications subscriber equipment connected to a communications line includes a monitoring circuit for monitoring electrical conditions of the communications line, when the subscriber equipment is connected thereto. A disconnection circuit is provided for disconnecting the subscriber equipment from the communication line and a termination circuit is provided for terminating the communications line with a dummy termination when the subscriber equipment is disconnected, such that, the communications line appears to be terminated by the subscriber equipment. When the subscriber equipment is disconnected from the communications line a power supply circuit provides power to the subscriber equipment with the same electrical conditions as determined by the monitoring circuit prior to disconnecting the subscriber equipment.

Abstract: A cleaning system retrieves a telephone number from a telephone number list to regard as a called party number and sends a SETUP message to the network, in which an unrestricted digital information is designated as a bearer capability. In case that an ALERTING or CONNECT message is sent back from the network, the system sends a DISCONNECT message to the network immediately to perform a clear sequence and determines the telephone number effective. In case that a DISCONNECT message is sent back from the network as a result that a call has not been accepted, the system also performs a clear sequence immediately and determines if the telephone number should be treated as an effective number or a null number according to the cause content sent from the network.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a telephone number list is capable of automatically perform deleting process for null telephone number and updating process for re-writing telephone number list.

Abstract: An inadvertent-off-hook-condition detecting apparatus for use with a telephone connected to a telephone system is described. The telephone has a hookswitch which connects the voice network of the telephone system across the input lines to the telephone when the hookswitch is in an off-hook position, and which disconnects the voice network from the telephone input lines when the hookswitch is in an on-hook position.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus and a telephone set are connected to one telephone line in parallel with each other. A voltage variation .DELTA.V caused by closing and opening of a DC circuit of the telephone set is detected via an off-hook detector of the facsimile apparatus to establish the operation mode of the telephone set. The detected operation mode of the telephone set is stored in a RAM. The detected mode of the telephone set, and thus the closing and opening of the DC circuit of the telephone set, is displayed and/or printed.

Abstract: A marketing system for selectively modifying an existing communications network by modifying a portion of the processing software permits replacing at least a portion of a call progress signal generated by the communications network by a generally continuous pre-recorded announcement. A first station is provided for placing a call by a calling party at a first network address. The network is adapted for connecting the call to an identified called station at a second network address, the called station having either a busy status or an idle status. The network initially determines the busy/idle status of the called station and, if the called station has an initial busy status, thereafter checks the busy/idle status of the called station at predetermined intervals. A player plays at least one generally continuous announcement to the calling party for a predetermined period of time during a time period when a call progress signal would have been provided to the calling party.

Abstract: A switching circuit places a load across the TIP and RING signals of a telephone line when the computer is reset and removes the load when the computer accesses a selected memory location. Thus, the telephone line remains in an off-hook state after the computer is reset and remains in that state until the computer executes software that causes the telephone line to return to the on-hook state. The computer may also execute software that causes the telephone line to enter the off-hook state.

Abstract: A marketing system selectively modifies an existing telephone network by modifying a portion of the call processing software of the existing telephone network and by replacing at least a portion of an audible call progress signal generated by the telephone network by a prerecorded announcement. A calling party places a telephone call at a first telephone to a second telephone having a particular calling status. Once the call is made, a switch or an associated network signaling system determines the busy/idle status of the second telephone. In place of the usual ringback or busy signal, an announcement indicates to the calling party the status of the second telephone and a series of announcements are played for a predetermined period of time. During the announcements, the system continues to determine the status of the telephone line of the second telephone. The announcements are played until the call is completed or abandoned.

Abstract: To detect tones for call progress monitoring, hysteresis apparatus is provided whereby the output of a typical tone detector such as a comparator operating in conjunction with a selective filter is monitored by a counter. The counter is incremented and decremented according to whether the input is indicative of the presence or absence of a tone. If the counter reaches a predetermined count within a given period of time, then an indication is made that the tone exists. If the counter does not reach this predetermined count or threshold within the applicable time, then it is an indication that the tone does not exist. The thresholds of the counters plus the amount by which a counter may be incremented or decremented for each input signal is variable for each tone.

Abstract: An arrangement that enables an adjunct processor to determine the service status of switching system communication ports to which the adjunct processor is connected, without reliance on switch-to-adjunct status-conveying messages. In-service and idle ones of the ports participate in calls on a rotating basis. Following receipt of N calls, where N is the number of in-service ports connected to the adjunct processor, the arrangement determines whether each port that is presently designated as being in-service and idle has participated in one communication before a port has participated in a second communication. The arrangement then treats as out-of-service any port presently designated as being in-service that has been so determined a predetermined number of sequential times. It also selectively designates as in-service ports that have participated in communications since the last determination had been made.

Abstract: A remote control telephone service apparatus, for connection into a telephone line between a customer's telephone and a telephone switching central office main distribution frame. One or two selected code numbers are manually input into the apparatus. Later, if these correct code numbers are dialed into the apparatus, an output signal is provided to control changes in interconnect circuitry and to provide pre-recorded voice messages relative to the condition and status of the circuit. If the dialed number does not match the code number, the apparatus will not operate, but will emit a warning message or an alarm. The apparatus may also be used to disconnect a telephone from the main distribution line as long as the receiver is left in an "off-hook" condition. The apparatus will provide pre-recorded information to the customer concerning the status of his service. When the receiver is replaced, the apparatus automatically restores the telephone to full service.

Abstract: An apparatus for effectively monitoring the hook status of a remotely stationed telephone, and a sub-audible tone associated with a corresponding alarm reporting device, monitors variations in impedance in the subscriber loop, preferably from the central facility which is monitoring the remote location. To this end, a disturbance (voltaage signal) is introduced onto the subscriber loop by an appropriate source. Steps are then taken to measure potential variations in this voltage signal, and to determine the hook status of the subscriber loop based upon these variations in potential. To make sure that the ancillary equipment which is being connected to the telephone network will not adversely affect basic telephone services, care is taken to make sure that the signal which is introduced onto the subscriber loop will neither create audible noises on the telephone line, nor interfere with the operation of the switching equipment of the telephone company.

Abstract: A line condition data collecting system for a telephone exchange includes an image memory in a central processing unit which stores line condition data to reduce the amount of time the central controller in the central processing unit waits for the line condition data. A signal receiving memory in the telephone exchange stores the line condition data and is sequentially accessed by an image memory controller autonomously from the central controller in the central processing unit. When the central controller requires line condition data, the image memory is checked and if the line condition data stored therein is valid, it is supplied to the central controller. If the line condition data in the image memory is invalid, a conventional access request is made to the signal receiving memory, but this occurs less frequently than in a conventional system.

Abstract: A solid state circuit designed to be incorporated into a telephone terminal instrument to provide a visual indication at that instrument that a telephone line to which the instrument is connected is already in use by another telephone instrument.

Abstract: The present administration arrangement disables any idle system apparatus which would be affected by the administration changes being made. In the station administration mode once the selected station is idle it is held in a forced idle state until administration is completed. During the system administration mode all idle stations are held in the forced idle state and all idle central office lines are placed in a forced busy state until system administration is completed. Station visual and audible signals indicate the administration status to system users. At the conclusion of administration, any forced idle stations and forced busy central office lines are returned to the normal state.