Abstract: A facsimile document (“fax”) from a first fax device is transmitted to a second fax device over a telecommunications network, which may be a public switched telephone network, wherein the first fax device is coupled to the telecommunications network by a high speed connection adaptable for carrying transmissions at speeds higher than a 64 Kbps voice grade connection. The first and second fax devices are coupled to the telecommunications network by a high speed connection, which may be ATM connections or ISDN connections.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for e-mail address portability are provided. A service control point on the Internet comprises an e-mail address database and a transaction processing object. The e-mail address database has at least a well-known-address field for storing a well-known address value and a literal address field for storing a literal address value that corresponds to the well-known-address value. The transaction processing object, when called with an address translation request, accesses the e-mail address database. The address translation request has a well-known address value which is translated to the corresponding literal address value. After the translation, the transaction processing object returns the corresponding literal address value to the calling routine.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for providing an absent addressing service (i.e. call forwarding, voice messaging, and the like) for subscribers normally connected to a H.323 compliant network. Some network entity, such as a subscriber's gatekeeper, intercepts all set-up calls to subscribers requiring such a service. If the subscriber is properly registered, the set-up call is forwarded to the subscriber. Otherwise messages are delivered, in accordance with the configuration of the network gatekeeper, whereby the calling party becomes connected to an absent addressing service rather than the originally called terminal of the subscriber.

Abstract: A method for performing combinations of functions which can heuristically modify the functional components of the machine, separate such functional components down to the device level, and optimize the distribution of information between the functional components, by defining the domains for the network, acquiring data for each domain at each of a plurality of points in time, creating repetition clusters by looking for combinations of data that recur, identifying action to be performed based on the repetition clusters; and acquiring data from the consequences of actions performed.

Abstract: A financial transaction system that does not require the need for cash, checks or credit cards to carry out financial transactions. In return for prepayment of specified sum, a bar coded wristband is issued to a customer. On issuance of the wristband, a data base record is created that is cross-referenced with the bar code number, as well as an account number, an issue date and a present balance of the account. When the user wishes to purchase goods or services, the bar code of the wristband is scanned, and the amount of the transaction is then placed into the system. The corresponding account is debited. The wristband is constructed so as to be waterproof, and includes an adhesive strip with small tear strips for fastening around the user's wrist. An attempted removal of the wristband is effective to substantially destroy it and render it unusable to other persons.

Abstract: Use of an RF repeater operable with a CDMA cell base station and collocated with, or located near, an offending base station reduces the effects of interference in the CDMA cell generated by the offending base station and improves communications between the CDMA base station and its subscriber stations which are operating near the offending base station. Out-of-band emissions or intermodulation products (interference) generated by the offending base station (utilizing CDMA, FDMA, TDMA or other type of technology) and falling within the frequency bandwidth of the CDMA channel cause interference with CDMA subscriber stations operating near the offending base station thereby preventing establishment or maintenance of a communications link with the CDMA base station. By deploying an RF repeater at or near the offending base station, the effects of said interference is lessened or reduced thus increasing the coverage area of the CDMA cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and an apparatus that can provide backup CPU data synchronization in a time minimization process. All external messages received, that are to be processed by a primary CPU 12, are also stored in a message list 24 of the backup CPU 14. Check-point message data is intelligently stored in the backup CPU 14 by first deleting related external messages from backup message list 24 and then creating a record if none already exists and filling only those fields referenced in the check-point message. If a record does exist, only the check-point message data fields are altered in that existing record. When a data synchronization record is received by the backup CPU 14, a check is made to see if such a record has already been created by a check-point message. If not, a record is created in the backup CPU database 22 and all the fields are made to correspond with the received data synchronization record message.

Abstract: A telecommunications service billing administrator for providing real-time billing query functionality. The billing administrator has a billing system with a processor coupled to a billing information data repository. The billing information data repository updates an account table and a call table during the placement of a telecommunications call leg. The information updated includes a billing account summary. The subscriber can issue a billing inquiry request in which the billing system responds with an announcement of the billing account summary.

Abstract: A method is illustrated for reducing the call setup time of high priority calls such as voice or high speed user generated data without unduly wasting RF frequency resources on non priority calls such as short message calls. This is accomplished by ascertaining the call priority at the base station controller (BSC) level in a GSM system soon after call initiation and immediately changing the channel assignment for use by the remaining signalling type messages to a different operational speed where appropriate. The concept is further extended by supplying the call priority data to a called party's BSC such that all signalling messages after initial contact can be at the operational speed appropriate to the priority of the call.

Abstract: A floating ground isolator for shunting only selected damaging and/or annoying induced energy from a communications cable sheath to ground, thereby facilitating long range cable location using conventional signal radiation techniques. The floating ground isolator provides a surge suppression circuit to effectively suppress dangerous transient surges present on the cable sheath and a filtering circuit to pass annoying periodic signals within a preselected frequency range from the cable sheath to ground. A selectively connected terminating resistance is also provided between the cable sheath and ground to form a side leg termination useful in facilitating long range cable location on spurs emanating from a main cable line. Furthermore, a relay controlled floating ground circuit is disclosed having a normal position shunting the cable sheath to ground and an actuated position lifting the ground connection.

Abstract: A zoomable light beam spreader comprising first and second multiple-lens arrays includes a plurality of plano-convex lenses in correspondence with a plurality of plano-concave lenses having matched, curved optical surfaces. In a zero-power state, the two multiple-lens arrays are very closely spaced so that the matched convex and concave surfaces effectively cancel each other optically but, as the two arrays are separated coaxially along the axis of a light beam, beam divergence angle increases as a function of the distance of separation. A large amount of beam divergence is obtained when the curved surfaces of the plano-concave lenses of the second array are positioned beyond the focus points of the plano-convex lenses of the first array.

Abstract: A surge suppressor conducts heat from a surge protection component (SSC) through a heat conductive element, such as a copper pad, on a printed circuit board, to at least one thermal fuse to cause the thermal fuse to open when the resistance of the SSC begins to decrease, resulting in an increase of heat generated by the SSC.

Abstract: A method and system for passively exercising a selected portion of a human body by applying a partial vacuum pressure to the selected portion of the human body; maintaining the partial vacuum pressure applied to the selected portion of the human body for a first predetermined period of time; releasing the partial vacuum pressure so that substantially atmospheric pressure is applied to the selected portion of the human body; and maintaining the substantially atmospheric pressure applied to the selected portion of the human body for a second predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading software into a Java virtual machine (“JVM”) in a manner suited for real-time server applications. The software to be loaded is organized by Java package and class so that an application may be loaded in units of packages. Each package, and each class within a package, is loaded into the JVM in an order such that no package or class is loaded before the packages or classes upon which it depends. All software for an application is loaded into the JVM, and any compilation, optimization, or initialization takes place, prior to execution of the application program, so that no delays are incurred during such execution. Software loaded into the JVM, as well as attributes of that software, are identified. Versions of packages are compared when loading the packages to ensure compatibility. An “image” of loaded software is created, which image may be reused by the JVM in order to restart an application rapidly following a failure.

Abstract: The invention includes a novel profile for a container bottom and method of manufacturing the improved bottom. The improvement involves the creation of an additional angled portion in the inner leg area of a container bottom during the formation of the bottom profile during the body making step. Known container bottom profiles have a single portion in the inner leg area after the bodymaking process. The inventive profile includes the following discrete portions starting at the nose of the container bottom and working inwards towards the central axis: a nose, a substantially linear lower leg portion projecting upwards from the nose, a separate angled portion between the lower leg portion and the dome inclined generally at an angle more towards the longitudinal central axis of the container than the angle of the lower leg portion, and a dome.

Abstract: A state machine space for concurrent state machines is provided for use in a telecommunications system. Universal State Machines (USMs) use a universal data structure (representing an event in the telecommunications system) as a way for the system architect to dynamically alter the how the events are handled. The USMs are designed to function concurrently with other USMs without requiring explicit knowledge of other USMs or their functionality. A USM definition (USMD) defines a state machine and contains configuration, states and transitions information. An instantiation of a USM includes a USM definition pointer, a current state indicator, a current event processor indicator, and optional lists of event processors and spawned child state machines (other USMDs). Other state machines may be hooked or referenced by a main state machine in its definition.

Abstract: A rotary fluid machine, such as a pump or motor, is provided with a fluid flow control mechanism that allows the flow of fluid to be easily and precisely controlled. The device has a housing with a spherical interior in which primary and secondary vanes rotate, with the secondary vane reciprocating between open and closed positions. The primary and secondary vanes define fluid chambers within the housing that communicate with inlet and outlet ports of the device. An adjustable fixed shaft, about which the secondary vane rotates, allows the degree of communication to be varied between the inlet and outlet ports and the chambers formed by the primary and secondary vanes. In this way, the flow rate or fluid capacity of the device, and even the direction of fluid flow, can be changed.