Harris Corporation

Virginia Ellen Lacker

Terry Gregory Svetz

Jason Mansfield Bailis

David S Dayner

Paul Hirsohn

John Bradford Henel

A method of enhancing communication among a plurality of communicating devices in which an interface comprising a list of features for enhancing the ability of devices to communicate is copied from a device controlling communication to the controlled communication devices. The interface may be a variable portion of a communication protocol that, together with a static portion of the protocol provided separately, defines the communication capability of the devices. The method finds application in telephone systems where the controlling device is a public or private telephone exchange and the controlled devices are computer operated telephones. The display screen of the computer at each telephone may be used to select features of the interface that are to be used.

Dynamically negotiated application program interface method

A method for recognizing and releasing unnecessary trunk lines in a private branch exchange telephone system including a plurality of switching nodes, each having a unique node identification number where each pair of nodes is connected by a plurality of trunk lines, includes steps for (a) compiling a telephone call identifier list containing node identification numbers and an associated trunk call identification number used in defining and connecting a call path between a calling party and a called party, (b) examining a call identifier list at each of the switching nodes for information indicative of redundant node identification numbers, and (c) releasing the unnecessary trunk lines between the redundant node identification numbers.

Growing community of inventors

Petaluma, CA, United States of America

Virginia Ellen Lacker