Robert Duane Curtis

US Patent:

40400239, Aug 2, 1977

Filed:

Dec 22, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/643140

Inventors:

Robert Bartlett Curtis - Columbus OH
Nelson Andrew Riedel - Columbus OH

Assignee:

Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G06F 308
G06F 704
G05B 1116

US Classification:

364900

Abstract:

Redundant but independently operable data processors called encoders are arranged so that control of a particular recorder gathering billing data in a telephone switching system can be transferred while maintaining billing continuity for calls being handled by that recorder. More specifically, each encoder checks the validity of billing information received from each recorder. However, each encoder only transmits billing data pertaining to a designated group of recorders to a remote processor. When an encoder detects that it is not receiving valid data from one of its designated recorders, the control of only that designated recorder is transferred to the other encoder if the other encoder indicates that it is receiving valid data from that recorder. Moreover, the relinquishing encoder sends a message to the remote processor indicating that it is giving up control of the designated recorder, while the accepting encoder inhibits the transmission of information to the remote processor for a predetermined time interval and then transmits a message indicating that it has accepted control of the designated recorder. This delay ensures that the remote processor will receive the relinquish message before the acceptance message so that the continuity of processing billing data for calls handled by the designated recorder can be maintained.

US Patent:

40586804, Nov 15, 1977

Filed:

Dec 6, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/747509

Inventors:

Robert Bartlett Curtis - Columbus OH

Assignee:

Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

H04M 1518

US Classification:

179 71R

Abstract:

A timing arrangement for use with a telephone switching system having automatic message accounting equipment at a recording center to adjust apparent call duration times to compensate for delays caused by the temporary storage of call data at remote telephone offices. Cycling, counting apparatus is provided at each of the remote telephone offices to generate sequential time interval data representative of successive time intervals. Logic apparatus combines the time interval data with telephone office trunk random answer and disconnect event data to form a plurality of first data words in a buffer store. Transmitting apparatus responds to command of the recording center by transmitting a block of first data words from the buffer store followed by a final data word identifying the current time interval data to the recording center. At the recording center, a comparison of the time interval data in each received first data word with the final data word generates delay times utilized for adjusting the apparent time of day of the answer and disconnect events to compensate for delays encountered in transmitting the event data.

US Patent:

39340902, Jan 20, 1976

Filed:

Oct 21, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/516624

Inventors:

Robert Bartlett Curtis - Columbus OH
Nelson Andrew Riedel - Columbus OH

Assignee:

Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

H04M 1518

US Classification:

179 71R

Abstract:

A timing arrangement for use with a telephone switching system equipped with automatic message accounting equipment to adjust call charging times to compensate for delays in obtaining access to the automatic message accounting equipment. Timing circuitry provided in an automatic message accounting recorder measures the period of time since the recorder was last idle with no call carrying trunks of the switching system waiting to be serviced by the recorder. Apparatus enabled by the timing circuitry generates an allowance time used to adjust a registered trunk call charging time in accordance with the trunk access delay to the automatic message accounting equipment.