Abstract: A state machine space for concurrent state machines is provided for use in a telecommunications system. Processing of the state machines (and their functions/actions) utilizes specialized data structures and processes to normalize and control data and events dynamically in the telecommunications system. A Universal Data Structure (UDS) provides data uniformity and represents an event in the telecommunications system. A typical UDS includes four fields which are defined by the UDS definition. Three of these fields include event, component types, and data, while an embedded fourth field includes enums. Each UDS represents an event occurring in the telecommunications system and activates one or more state machines contained within a sub-space.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a telephone operating company with the ability to rapidly deploy advanced services into a public switched telephone network includes a service control unit (SCU) for externally controlling call processing of a service call received on a port of a switch matrix. Call control processing is achieved through a high-speed communications link between the switch matrix and the SCU. The SCU receives a new call event notification message from the communications link and selects a service application stored within the SCU to control processing of the service call. One or more primitives is generated by the SCU and output to control actions of the switch matrix, thus controlling processing of the service call. The primitives may include a comprehensive set of primitives (instructions) for call manipulation and control at the switch matrix.

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: A method and apparatus for providing a telephone operating company with the ability to rapidly deploy advanced services into a public switched telephone network includes a programmable service node interacting with a programmable switch matrix. The call processing of a call (associated with one or more ports on the programmable switch matrix) is controlled externally when particular triggering criteria is met (i.e., the call requires or desires external control). When the triggering criteria is met, the service node outputs a new call event notification message over a communications link to an external unit and receives one or more messages over the same link. Call control processing is achieved through this high-speed communications link between the programmable switch matrix and the external unit using a communications protocol defining a comprehensive set of primitives (instructions) for call manipulation and control at the programmable switch matrix which are received by the programmable service node.

Abstract: The design of electrical switches that operate under load (with current flowing) requires replacement of the electrical contact after erosion and wear experienced by arcing and raised temperatures reduce functionality below acceptable limits.A quantity of trace element or compound is implanted at a depth representative of the point at which wear or erosion requires contact replacement. When exposed by wear or erosion, the quantity of the trace element is released into the oil or other medium surrounding the contact, providing an indication of excessive wear.

Abstract: An algorithm or method for ascertaining minimum cellular system costs is presented based on the recognition that the proper distribution of wired network blocking probability is the prime consideration in optimizing system design for minimum cost. System costs are calculated for each of a series of VCs maximum blocking probabilities "b" wherein the total wired network blocking probability is "BP" and the channel element blocking probability for each of those calculations must not exceed "(BP-b))/(1-b)". An examination of the resulting calculations will then reveal the appropriate distribution of resources to minimize costs.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for quickly generating an error free MIB file of the type used by a SNMP manager to manage and display error and log trap messages received from agents reporting to said manager. This is accomplished by retrieving data from definition and template libraries to be used in conjunction with a network element database to correctly generate, element by element, a completed MIB file.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a telephone operating company with the ability to rapidly deploy advanced services into a public switched telephone network includes a programmable switch matrix, a service control unit (SCU), and a media resource unit (MRU). The call processing of a call (associated with one or more ports on the programmable switch matrix) is controlled externally by the SCU when particular triggering criteria is met (i.e., the call requires or desires control by the SCU). Call control processing is achieved through a high-speed communications link between the programmable switch matrix and the SCU using a communications protocol defining a comprehensive set of primitives (instructions) for call manipulation and control at the programmable switch matrix. The SCU executes different service application software programs that operate within the SCU for different types of service calls that are under the control of the SCU.

Abstract: A surge suppressor for a radio frequency (RF) transmission line includes an a printed circuit board having a conductor for connection in series with a RF transmission line. The conductor has a capacitance for passing RF signals and blocking transients. To the printed circuit board are mounted a choke and a resistor, each of which is connected in series with the transmission line and in parallel to each other and to the capacitance of the conductor. The choke passes steady, direct current signals for powering equipment located on an antenna. The surge suppressor further includes the first and second discharge stages connected to the conductor on opposite sides of the impedance. Each stage includes a discharge device connected to the conductor through a radio frequency choke. The choke blocks leakage of radio frequencies into the discharge devices. A gas discharge tube is used for the first stage, which is for connection to an antenna side of the surge suppressor.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the distribution of call blocking probabilities in the design of a new cellular system to minimize the total cost of the system. In most systems, the cost of cells including real estate, RF channels antenna construction, etc. comprises the most costly portion of the system. As allowable call blocking for a cell increases, the area coverage of the cells increases and thus the total number of cells required decreases for servicing a given area. Thus, the system should be designed having the maximum number of vocoders in the BSC and the maximum number of channel elements in each base station for initial system design with the number of channel elements being optimized after the number of cells and placement thereof is finalized. The algorithm of the present invention, accomplishes the optimization by completing the design in the manner of the last sentence.