Preferred customer communication system in which trunks available to a regular switching network are selectively connected to preferred customers whether or not these trunks are engaged on a regular customer call. A commandeer doubly coded signal controls a transfer relay. The commandeer signal is in the "p out-of n" code and the bits 1 and 0 are represented by short and long duration pulses.

A customer service closure includes a base having a plurality of indentations on one side for facilitating the mounting of a variety of communications apparatus such as protective devices. On an opposite side of the base there is provision for mounting the closure on a number of structures such as walls, horizontal and vertical conduits, pedestals, and mounting posts. Protection against environmental contaminants is provided by a cover which is slidably engageable with the base. The cover and ba...

This invention relates to an apparatus and method for registering and filling customer orders for merchandise at fast food restaurants or other retail stores. The system includes an opaque card of predetermined size which includes therein a data matrix of punch-out blanks for being removed by the customer from the card to form data apertures therein which represent the items and quantities ordered. The order card is then removably inserted into a frame such that the data matrix is in stationary ...

A system for directing customers to available clerks positioned at their respective work stations includes a counter serving to separate each work station from an associated customer service region. An open pedestrian space is typically located in front of the counter including the service regions and serves to permit movement of customers up to and passing freely in front of the counter. Means are located at each service region for detecting the absence of a customer thereat. Display means are ...

A thermal cycling switch mounted on a control panel for a surface cooking unit with calibration means attached to the switch and extending forwardly of the control panel for customer access. Abutment means in the path of movement of the extension determine the maximum adjustment that can be made by the user. The extension is disposed so as to normally be covered by the forwardly projecting control knob of the switch which must first be axially displaced some distance from the control panel for a...

A remote controlled or customer activated service display indicator for use in businesses serving large numbers of customers, particularly where a group of customers are maintained in a designated area to await their turn for services by one of several clerks, the service display indicating which clerk is available for service whenever a clerk has completed business with a previous customer.

A Customer Activation System, including a method and apparatus, for expeditiously providing a cellular mobile radiotelephone (CMR) customer access to CMR service. The system includes a regional processor programmed to: accept information identifying the CMR customer; obtain a credit check of the CMR customer; assign a telephone number to the CMR customer; and insert and activate the telephone number in a cellular switch.

A customer convenience center, or merchandise display stand, for use principally in convenience stores, the stand having a metal base frame on legs or casters or a combination thereof, perforated hardboard panels resting on the frame, said panels retained in place by metal uprights, and said uprights retained in place by a top frame enclosing the uprights. A planar top covers the top frame. Shelf bracket standards may be attached to the perforated hardboard panels as desired for support of shelf...

A customer premises network for interfacing customer premises equipment with a broadband digital trunk and exchange network comprises a relatively large bandwidth optical broadcast bus for broadcasting downstream data to the customer premises equipment and a smaller bandwidth looped bus for transmitting upstream data from the customer premises equipment. The units of customer premises equipment are connected by the looped bus in a daisy chain.

A chair for rendering service to customer includes a base member affixed to a stationary support such as a floor, a seat structure and an adjustment device interposed between the base member and the seat structure for adjusting the vertical distance between the seat structure and the base member. The base member is disposed beside the seat structure seen in a horizontal direction. By operating the adjustment device which includes articulated arms and a pushing member, the seat structure is moved...