Abstract: A cellular communication system provides dynamic allocation of hardware resources and frequency spectrum. The cellular system includes a server which dynamically controls the assignment of radio ports to a first and second group; each group shares hardware resources. Radio ports assigned to a first group may be reassigned by the server to a second radio port group in response to a predetermined condition, such as when the number of active users in the first group approaches the maximum user capacity of the first group. The transceiver hardware of each radio port is pooled on a group basis at the server location. This increases the user capacity of any radio port of a group to equal the total user capacity available at that group, as well as making more efficient use of transceiver resources.

Abstract: At a station apparatus, a programmable button is programmed in response to a first button depression occurring during the display of an incoming caller identification number (CID), the CID number being stored in a memory location associated with the programmable button. This programmable button enables a called party, who may be busy on another call, to store the CID number being displayed at his/her station set under the programmable button. Thereafter, when the user completes the present call he/she may go off-hook and press the programmed button to repertory dial the CID number stored under the programmed button. At a station terminal having a speakerphone, an on-hook user may press the programmed button to go off-hook, at the speakerphone, and dial the CID number stored under the programmed button. Virtual buttons, which are activated by predetermined combinations of touch-tone pad operations (e.g., #1, #2 etc.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of sending a video bitstream, including a plurality of high priority segments and associated low priority segments, by transmitting only the low priority segments from a transmitter over a facility to a receiver is disclosed. The transmitter and receiver locations are arranged to use previously agreed-to high priority information (e.g., predefined high priority segments or format for generating same) and, consequently, only the low priority segments of the video bitstream need to be transmitted to the receiver. At the receiver, the high priority segments are obtained (from storage or generated using the agreed-to format) and interleaved in real time with the received low priority segments to recreate an interleaved video bitstream.

Abstract: A modular suite of peer-to-peer protocols that are independent of communications network architecture supported, and the type of switching systems (packet-switched or circuit-switched), is used for a broadband and/or narrowband communications network. The protocols are comprised of client-server-oriented signaling messages that are restricted to include information and parameters associated with only one particular function of traditional call processing.

Abstract: A wireless communication apparatus sends X and Y coordinate position signals of a pen on a tablet using position modulation of three pulses, the time separation between the first and second pulses being proportional to the X position and the time spacing between the second and third pulses being proportional to the Y position. At a receiver, the three-pulse wireless signal is received and the X and Y coordinate information is determined therefrom.

Abstract: A telephone apparatus enables the approximate simultaneous transmission and reception of audio interleaved with image and graphical annotation signals, in data packet form, over an analog line which connects the apparatus to a switched telephone network. The audio data packets are transmitted at a periodic rate, during a first time interval, and the image and annotation data packets are transmitted during a second time interval, following the first time interval, enabling the simultaneous output of voice, image and annotation data at the receiver site. Control data packets, as needed, are also transmitted during the second time interval for end-to-end apparatus control. One feature enables the transmission of audio data packets at a first periodic rate, when in an image transmission mode, and at a second periodic rate, faster than the first periodic rate, when not in the image transmission mode.

Abstract: A digital burst-mode packet data receiver receives high-speed burst-mode packet data signals superimposed on a lower frequency data signal. The receiver includes a first detector for detecting the received high-speed burst-mode packet data which is reset during the time period between consecutive bursts of the high-speed packet data signal. A second detector detects the lower frequency data signal during a predetermined portion of the time period between consecutive bursts of the high-speed packet data.

Abstract: A protocol controls communications between a master unit and a plurality (M) of slave units connected thereto. The master unit sends a downlink message over a first communication path to the M slave units, the downlink message including a number N of information bytes, where N.gtoreq.M, each byte except a last byte comprising a data portion followed by a first predetermined control bit and the last byte comprising a status portion followed by a second predetermined control bit. The master unit receives uplink messages over a second communication path from the M slave units, the uplink messages having the same format as downlink messages. A third communication path connects between the master unit and the M slave units enabling a first slave unit to signal other slave units of the first slave unit's desire to send information to the master unit.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of transmitting a video bitstream from a transmitter over a facility to a receiver, the video bitstream including a plurality of high priority segments and associated low priority segments, is disclosed. The transmitter first transmits high priority information, representative of the high priority segments, of the video bitstream over the facility using a first packet delivery mechanism having a first probability of success and subsequently transmits a low priority partition, including the low priority segments, of the video bitstream over the facility using a second packet deliver mechanism having a second probability of success which is substantially lower than that of the first delivery mechanism. At the receiver, the high priority partition is received and used to generate the high priority segments.

Abstract: A calling card subscriber is allowed to choose at least some of the digits of his or her calling card number to form a virtual card number. Associated with the virtual card number is a standardized card number i.e., a number conforming to the Bellcore calling card numbering plan. When the subscriber uses the virtual card number to make a calling card call, the virtual card number is mapped into the standardized number. The latter is then used by the telephone system for subsequent validation and billing.

Abstract: An adjunct unit provides Incoming Caller Line Identification (ICLID) capability for a communication system. The adjunct unit interposed between the control unit and station sets of a communication system obtains ICLID from ringing central office lines and monitors signalling between the control unit and station sets to determine which stations are to receive the ICLID information. Using prestored database information the ICLID information can be used to obtain the calling party name for output to the station sets. The adjunct unit also outputs ICLID information to an application processor which stores calling records for the system.

Abstract: An improved pulse width modulation type switching power supply uses an opto-isolator as an output voltage error amplifier which feeds back an error signal to control pulse width modulation as well as to provide isolation between the primary and secondary voltages of the power supply.

Abstract: A network architecture is designed to allow a communications service subscriber to select a signaling provider independently of a) the transport carriers which control the local loops for particular communications services, and b) the providers of those services. Upon the establishment of a signaling connection from a subscriber's terminal device to the signaling provider's network, the latter requests those services from the service providers selected by the subscriber for delivery over the local loops of the transport providers.

Abstract: An optical packet switch which receives data packets and switches those data packets in the optical domain without using recirculation devices is provided. The switch staggers the data packets in time to avoid packet collisions within the switch. The switch includes two stages that are coupled by optical delay lines. The non-blocking stages include a scheduling stage and a switching stage. Incoming data packets are received at the scheduling stage and are output to appropriate optical delay lines. The scheduling stage and the delay lines ensure that the data packets do not collide when the packets are switched at the switching stage of the optical switch.

Abstract: A method and a system allow an inbound telecommunications subscriber to receive notification of blocked calls directed to that subscriber and other information associated with calls that are blocked due to lack of available egress facilities at the subscribers' premises communications systems.

Abstract: A multi-code code division multiple access system allows a user at a radio transmitter unit to dynamically change its source data bit rate. In response to a user input selecting one of the plurality of source bit rates, an adjustable coding circuit in the transmitter spreads and transmits the user's digital bit stream received at the selected bit rate to a channel bit rate which at least equals the highest bit rate of the plurality of source bit rates. The plurality of source bit rates includes a basic bit rate R and at least one bit rate which is a multiple M of the basic bit rate R, where M is an integer of at least 1. The user's input selects a particular user source bit rate by identifying a basic bit rate multiple M to a base station that is to receive the transmission.

Abstract: A Sagnac gate-based self-routing optical signal switching node demultiplexes each channel of data bits of an N channel multiplexed optical data signal to one of a plurality of output terminals in accordance with the routing bit(s) of each data channel received in the N channel multiplexed optical data signal. In one embodiment, each data channel includes multiple routing bits enabling greater demultiplexer selectivity.

Abstract: A distributed, server-based communications network architecture delivers broadband and narrowband communications services. In the architecture, various traditional call processing functions, such as switching fabric or channel control, call control, and connection control are separated into distinct application processes with clearly defined interfaces for communications between these application processes. Those distinct application processes may be implemented in separate physical or logically partitioned nodes. The well-defined interfaces allow communications among: a) physical or logically partitioned nodes within a network and b) physical or logically partitioned nodes of other networks.

Abstract: A multiple optical fiber connector is constructed from a unitary planar substrate having two surfaces with 1) multiple fiber holes and 2) plural alignment regions located in opposing relationship to each other along edges of the substrate, the multiple fiber holes and plural alignment regions being formed substantially perpendicular to and between the surfaces of the substrate using photolithographical techniques. Each optical fiber is permanently mounted through one of the holes in one surface of the substrate so that the end of each fiber is substantially flush with the other surface of the substrate. Alignment posts which are positioned against the alignment regions and mounted substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the substrate are used to align optical fibers mounted in the substrate with optical fibers mounted in a substrate of a mating connector.

Abstract: A dc-coupled packet mode digital data receiver, for use with an optical bus uses peak detectors to adaptively establish an instantaneous logic threshold at the beginning of a data burst. A dc compensator, responsive to outputs of the peak detectors, shunts dc or low frequency currents, corresponding to "dark level" optical signals, from the input of the receiver.