Abstract:
A method and apparatus for entry of alphabetical characters and numeric characters using a touch pad or display screen on an electronic device (e.g., cell phone, GPS navigation system). The touch pad or display has numbers and letters displayed in an optimal arrangement to allow rapid entry of characters by depressing, touching or sliding of a finger. Electronic circuitry beneath the pad or display can detect whether the user is fully depressing, slightly touching, or sliding a finger across the pad or display. Recognition of the specific finger action indicates the specific letters, numbers, or special symbols to be entered into the device application (e.g., SMS text, email, navigation, etc.)
Abstract:
A computer connected to an ISDN switch via an ISDN digital subscriber line, has shared cell appearances with a number of telephone stations connected to the switch and on the basis of shared call appearance associated messages from the switch, controls the forwarding of calls directed to the stations with which it has a shared call appearance. The associated messages are interpreted by the computer, which generates station status information. The computer responds to messages associated with predefined ones of the stations to select an alternate destination for the call and to transmit ISDN messages to the switch to cause the call to be forwarded to the selected alternate destination. Calls may be forwarded depending on call type, called number or other criteria. The computer responds to calls forwarded to it in the event that an associated station is busy and connects a holding party to the principal phone when the principal phone is no longer busy. The computer may be connected simultaneously to several ISDN switches via ISDN subscriber lines to receive shared call appearance associated messages from the several switching systems and forward calls for a telephone station connected to one switch, to a telephone station connected to another switch.In order to handle voice message recording, an ISDN line shares the directory numbers of the analog lines connecting a switch to a message recording system. The ISDN line then receives all messages destined for the lines connected to the message switch. The ISDN line is connected to an interface for converting between ISDN messages and data messages for controlling the message recording system. Avdantageously, this permits an ISDN switch to provide an inexpensive interface to a voice message system.
Abstract:
A computer connected to an ISDN switch via an ISDN digital subscriber line, provides management information regarding activities of a plurality of telephone agents. The computer has shared call appearances with a number of telephone agent stations and receives shared call appearance associated messages from the switch reflecting call handling messages exchanged between the ISDN switch and each of the agent stations. The messages are interpreted by the computer which generates station status information and management information such as the number of calls handled, average holding time per call, etc. The computer may be connected simultaneously to several central offices via ISDN subscriber lines and generate management information for a group of geographically separated agents, such as home telemarketing agents operating out of their individual homes and connected to different central offices.
Abstract:
A call coverage arrangement in which coverage personnel are informed of the switch-hook status of covered terminals by way of a single two-part indicator on the coverage terminal. The two-part indicator indicates switch-hook status for any one of a number of covered terminals. The first part of the indicator identifies the covered terminal and the second part defines the switch-hook status of the identified terminal. The arrangement is flexible in providing coverage for additional terminals and in providing coverage via forwarding from any termianl, since there is no need to assign and dedicate status indicators to particular terminals.
Abstract:
A signaling arrangement where all terminal configuration data is stored in a switching system, but where each user terminal responds to a message from the system, defining one of the user terminal buttons as the selected call appearance at the terminal, by operating in a functional signaling mode to communicate with the system using functional messages concerning a call at the selected call appearance. Idle and ringing preference methods for use in terminating calls and auto-drop and auto-hold alternatives for use when moving from one call appearance to another are disclosed as well as methods for holding or dropping calls. Implicit and explicit conferencing methods are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A computer connected to an ISDN central office switch via an ISDN digital subscriber line, provides management information regarding activities of a plurality of telephone agents. The computer has shared call appearances with a number of telephone agent stations and receives shared call appearance associated messages from the switch reflecting call handling messages exchanged between the ISDN and each of the agent stations. The messages are interpreted by the computer, which generates station status information and management information such as the number of calls handled, average holding time per call, etc. The computer may be connected simultaneously to several central offices via ISDN subscriber lines and generate management information for a group of geographically separated agents, such as home telemarketing agents operating out of their individual homes and connected to different central offices. Based on the generated status and management information, the computer performs an incoming call management function by selecting agents connected to different switches for handling incoming calls and transmitting to the ISDN switch appropriate messages for causing the switch to transfer incoming calls to the selected agents. Additionally, the computer performs an outgoing call management function by initiating outgoing calls and causing the switch to connect an answering party to an agent, selected by the computer on any of the switches.
Abstract:
A switching system in which telecommunications features are improved by the use of the proximity status of a telephone station set user. The status is transmitted to the switching system over the same telephone line used for the station set. The proximity status information simply defines the presence or absence of a person to answer calls to the station set without identifying a particular person.