Abstract: A data marker (20) for use in connection with one or more signal carrying members, such as a fiber optic cables (12-18) includes a carrier (21) that mounts a data storage device (24) that includes a non-volatile memory (26). The memory (26) stores status information about the signal carrying member and any status updates. In a preferred embodiment, the data marker (20) is mounted inside or outside of a splice case (10) to store status information about splices between fibers to enable an outside plant technician to accurately provision service, and to easily update such status information.

Abstract: An improved video production architecture adds an additional transition element for controlling external devices in synchronism with a given transition so that the transition is treated like a simple mix or wipe. The additional transition element is a “Trigger” function that has a value indicating when during the given transition the external device is activated. The trigger function, device controlled and trigger value are set up during preconfiguration of an effect in an effects memory. When the effect is recalled, if the Trigger function is activated on a switcher control panel, then the external device is activated at the time during the given transition specified by the trigger value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission or transmission/reception device having a transmission path structure which makes it possible to increase the range of variation of the transmission power without degrading the signal-to-noise ratio. The attenuation is achieved in part in an internal unit 5 and in part in an external unit 4 with the aid of a switching circuit 25 which selectably couples an antenna between an output or an input of an amplifier.

Abstract: A receiver (10) achieves more reliable detection of signals transmitted by Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Transmission by correlating received signals with a separate of N symbol patterns via N detector stages (181-18N). A maximum peak power detecting mechanism (241-24N, 261-26N and 28) detects which of the N correlated symbol patterns has a maximum peak power, as well as the identity of each of the N patterns actually received and an index of the peak power in each symbol. A computing mechanism (30, 32 and 34) computes a running power average of the received signals, while a ratio computing stage (36) computes the ratio of the largest peak power of the N correlated symbol patterns to the running power average. A comparator stage (38 and 40) compares the ratio to a threshold value to determine a first symbol in the received signals.

Abstract: A display system (10) comprises a digital micromirror device (DMD) (24) controlled by a driver circuit (30) responsive to sequences of pulse width segments formed by a processor (31). The processor (31) increases the pixel brightness by actuating selected pulses such that within a first range of brightness levels between first and second pixel brightness boundaries, a first large-duration pulse element becomes actuated to reach the second pixel brightness boundary, and within a second range of pixel brightness levels between second and third pixel brightness boundaries, the first large duration pulse element remains actuated. Upon reaching the third pixel brightness boundary, a second large duration pulse element now becomes actuated with the first large duration pulse element remaining actuated. Forming the pulse width segments in this manner serves to reduce motion contouring.

Abstract: When a played scene of a VCR (sequential access recorder) (90) is overwritten or added to the play list derived from the cut edit of the video scenes already stored in a disk (random access recorder) (140) according to the first instruction of a user, a selector (96) switches the play output of the disk following the play list and said played scene of the VCR to provide it to a monitor (6A) so that the user can confirm the edit result during the recording in real time. If there is the second instruction (VIEW instruction) during the recording, it plays the same edit result of the disk (140) again based on the renewed temporary play list to provide it to the monitor (6A) without interrupting the recording. On this occasion, it approves the user to change the play speed and stops advancing the play if the user try to play beyond the recorded point.

Abstract: A bidirectional serial port for digital audio data includes a cable connector for coupling the port to a cable, a cable driver having a serial digital audio signal as an input and also having an output, a receiver having an input and an output, and an impedance and level matching network coupled to the output of the cable driver, the input of the receiver, and the cable connector. The port can be selectively configured either as an input port by causing the impedance and level matching network to act as a cable termination or as an output port by allowing the serial digital audio signal to pass through the cable driver and the impedance and level matching network to the cable connector.

Abstract: A mobile terminal user (16) can trigger a handoff from a first radio access node (18) to a second radio access node (30) in a communications network by making such a request to one of the two nodes. The request made by the mobile terminal user (16) will trigger in the network (10) a command to relocate (handoff) the mobile terminal user. In response to the command, the mobile terminal user is assigned to the second radio access node (30) and is released from the first radio access node (18).

Abstract: A calling party may receive an audio logo or an audible announcement during a telecommunications call. Upon receipt of the call, a switch (30) within a network (10) accesses a service database (40) to determine if the call should receive an audio logo or audible announcements during call set-up. This determination is based on call attribute information such as the calling party number, the dialed number, the carrier identification code, trunk group characteristics, and/or “II” digits; and pre-provisioned data arrays, such as lists of originating numbers, destination numbers, carrier identification codes, trunk group characteristics, and/or II digits that should or should not receive an announcement or announcements. An announcement frame (50) in the switch (30) plays the announcement(s) to the calling party, while the switch simultaneously sets up the call to the called party (70).

Abstract: A Network Interface Unit (38, 38′, 38″) routes incoming calls to, and outgoing calls from, a plurality of telephone sets (12-22) at a subscriber premises (24). The Network Interface Unit continuously monitors for incoming calls and the availability of telephone sets. Upon receipt of a call, the Network Interface Unit determines which telephone sets are idle and applies a distinctive ring to each idle telephone set o identify the telephone line or equivalent on which the call was received. Once a telephone set goes off hook, the Network Interface Unit routes the call to that set and releases the remaining telephone sets for subsequent calls. When a subscriber initiates an outgoing telephone call, the Network Interface Unit detects the call and routes it on an idle outgoing telephone line or equivalent.

Abstract: When one party (25) to a call or connection request invokes a telecommunications service, a platform (30) monitors that request and determines whether the other parties (25) also subscribe to that service. If any party to the call does not subscribe, then the platform makes an offer of that service to each non-subscribed service. In this way, non-subscribed parties may obtain telecommunications services in a “point-of-sale” manner.

Abstract: The relative position of a cable (10) within a pipe (16) is obtained by first applying a locating signal to a metallic part (12) of the cable so that the locating signal radiates beyond the pipe. The strength of the locating signal is measured at two separate distances from the cable via a pair of signal detectors (24, 26). By comparing the difference in the locating signal strengths to a predicted differential locating signal strength for a given cable depth within a pipe of known parameters, the actual cable depth can be detected.

Abstract: A restoration network architecture (100) includes both service and protection SONET/SDH rings (15, 17) as well as a mesh network (25) including point-to-point paths (261-262). Monitoring Equipment (28, 30) monitor the status of service links (141-164) and protection links (161-164) in the service and protection rings, respectively, along with the status of the point-to point links in the mesh network. Upon detecting a failure of one of the service links and point-to-point links, an Operations Systems Data Server (32) establishes a restoration path based on the available protection links and available point-to-point links. Traffic is then restored on such the restoration path. In this way, a failure in the service ring can be restored in the mesh network while a failure in the mesh network can be restored in the protection ring.

Abstract: A service provider that buries multiple utility conveyances (12a. 12b and 12c) along a common right of way (14) may facilitate their location via a technician (24) by impressing a pulsed confirmation signal (23) on each conveyance in addition to a conventional locate signal (16). The pulsed confirmation signal is uniquely identifies that conveyance, but also contains information that identifies the total number of conveyances and their relationship with each other.

Abstract: Location of an underground utility conveyance having a metallic part (10) running along its length is enhanced by providing a plurality of selective conduction units (30) spaced along the length of the conveyance. Each selective conduction unit selectively shunts the metallic part of the conveyance to ground at a point between its first and second ends in response to a particular pattern of pulses modulated onto the locating tone impressed on the metallic part by a cable-locating signal generator (14) to cause only that portion of the metallic part lying between the first end and said point to radiate the locating signal. In this way, the amplitude of the locating signal radiated above the earth for locating purposes is increased.

Abstract: A participant (14) in electronic commerce can validate his/her own certificate (24, 31) by accessing an authority (28, 32) that checks whether the participant's certificate is valid. If the certificate is valid, the authority embeds with the participant's terminal (12) a block of data, in the form of a Cookie (28, 30) that includes a plurality of attributes indicative of the certificate, for example, the certificate's date of expiration. When accessing a secure application (16), the participant presents both the certificate and the authenticating Cookie, obviating the need for a real-time inquiry to the authority, unless the Cookie is stale or missing.

Abstract: Provisioning of dedicated service in a communications network is made more efficient by creating a service path, (200) that includes a permanent service communications link (230) between an automatically remotely provisionable cross-connect system (240) and a network gateway element (240), such as a cross-connect device or a telecommunications switch. The service communications link remains active to carry traffic notwithstanding whether the automatically remotely provisionable cross-connection system is provisioned to provide dedicated subscriber service, or to terminate such service. In this way, service may be re-provisioned by appropriately provisioning the cross-connect device without the need to dispatch a technician to re-establish a link between the cross-connect system and the network gateway device.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (10) is buried below ground, either by direct burial, or by being pulled through a previously buried duct. During cable burial, the instantaneous resistance between the sheath and ground (the sheath-to-ground resistance) is continuously monitored. If the instantaneous sheath-to-ground resistance drops below a prescribed value, an alarm is generated, signaling a sheath fault. During burial, the length of cable paid out and placed underground is monitored, thus providing an indication of the relative location of the sheath fault.

Abstract: A subscriber (12) seeking to enter a conference call does so by dialing a non-directory conference call access telephone number maintained by a telephone carrier for conference call service. Upon receipt of the call within its network (14), the carrier identifies the subscriber, and thereafter determines from a record stored in a database (24) the identity of the conference call that the subscriber desires to enter. Knowing the identity of the conference call, the network (14) can then route the subscriber's call to the corresponding bridge (26) carrying the conference call. In this way, the subscriber seeking to enter a conference call need not know the particular conference bridge number or access code.

Abstract: Restoration of service in a mesh network (10) upon the failure of a working channel (16) on a link (14I) connecting a pair of nodes (12A and 12D) is accomplished by first attempting to route traffic on an restoration channel (18) in the same link when such a channel is available. If such “localized” restoration can not be accomplished, then the end-point (traffic originating and/or terminating) nodes that are connected by a path that includes the link having the failed working channel then implements a precomputed path. Each pre-computed path identifies a collection of channels in a series of links that connect the end-point nodes (and any intermediate nodes) so as to bypass traffic around the link having the failed working channel. The pre-computed path information is typically pre-stored in the end-point nodes to enable the end-point nodes to effect rapid restoration in the event localized restoration in not achievable.