Abstract: Blocks in frames of a video are matched to similar blocks across frames using qualitative characteristics of the pixels in the block. Pixels in a frame are categorized into two or more categories. In one embodiment, three pixel categories are: 1) quasi-constant (QC) pixels having intensity values that vary slowly (e.g., pictorial portions), 2) textured pixels characterized by many small edges and thin-line signals (e.g., texture portions), and 3) dominant-edge (DE) pixels characterized by few sharp and dominant edges (e.g., edge portions). Blocks in different frames are matched by minimizing a cost function that measures the mismatch between a block in a first frame and a plurality of candidate blocks in a second frame. In one embodiment, a cost function comprises a contrast component and a brightness component. The brightness component is determined as a function of the pixel categories. Block matching in sequential frames of a video enables a calculation of displacement or motion estimation in the video.

Abstract: A speech signal divided into frames, each frame having a sound type, and a class is determined for each frame depending on the sound type of the frame. One of multiple filters is selected for each frame depending on the class of the frame. Each frame is filtered according to the filter selected, and the filtered frames combined to provide a filtered speech signal. The system includes filters and software.

Abstract: A method and system for generating and posting a message to callers based on a caller's identity includes a communication station for determining whether a calling party is attempting to connect with the subscriber. An adjunct processor determines an identity of the calling party based on the calling party's calling number and optional personal identification number (PIN). An intelligent peripheral unit generates a voice or textual message for receipt by the calling party based on the identity of the calling party according to instructions provided by the adjunct processor. Each message may be received by one or more callers, i.e. individuals or groups.

Abstract: An improved positioning system and method for use in a wireless communication system including a plurality of base stations each having a corresponding coverage area. Scaled contour shapes are generated having minimum and maximum boundaries based upon determined RF measurements of each of the base stations. The intersections of the contour shapes define a bounding polygon area that describes the position of a mobile unit in terms of minimum and maximum error estimate. Once the bounding polygon area has been defined, the latitude and longitude of the center of the polygon area is determined whereupon corresponding street addresses may be obtained through reference to one or more databases.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting and preventing a fraudulent request for mobile telephone service to be provided to a mobile subscriber by one of a plurality of serving carrier mobile networks in one of a plurality of roaming markets subject to fraud includes a first database storing home/serving market identification codes and a second database storing authorized subscriber identification data. A monitoring device monitors communication data in response to a power-on signal transmitted by the mobile telephone unit. A central server then determines if the subscriber is authorized to receive service in the roaming market based on the communication data, the home/serving market identification codes stored in the first database, and the authorized subscriber identification data stored in the second database.

Abstract: A method of automatically routing a facsimile transmission from a calling party to a called party over the Internet. A facsimile transmission is detected from a calling party's CPE device. A destination number for the called party's CPE device and a corresponding remote Internet gateway are determined. The facsimile transmission is routed to a local Internet gateway wherein it is converted to a form compatible with the protocol used by the Internet. It is then routed over the Internet to the remote gateway wherein it is converted to a form compatible with the protocol used by the telephone network. The facsimile transmission is then routed to the called party's CPE device.

Abstract: A method and system for segmenting and acting upon segments of, for example, a previously generated voice message by inserting audible interrupts into the voice message for partitioning the voice message into segments. Upon initiating or encountering such an interrupt in a voice message, a subscriber may act upon a segment adjacent to the interrupt. Actions on the adjacent segment include replaying the segment, forwarding the segment to an addressee with comments, deleting the segment, or no action although retaining the option of future action on the adjacent segment. Furthermore, the inserted interrupts may be inserted by the originating party of the voice message for action by the originating party, or by the originating party for future action by another receiving party.

Abstract: A frame relay network planning tool is provided for analyzing the status of an existing network, for evaluating the condition of any user defined configuration, and for optimizing the expansion of the network based on demand and costs. The tool recommends the optimal locations of new switches, the configurations of existing switches and the placement of new trunks, and backhaul locations where desirable. The tool attempts to optimize the network configuration for the given demand by a sequence of network configuration changes. After each change, an attempt is made to route the demand, with minimal cost, until all demand is routed. The network changes made by the program include in order of priority, upgrading a link, adding a link, upgrading a switch, and adding a switch. When this process is completed a survivability test is run to insure that the network configured by the tool is survivable.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a software program over a cable network includes a head-end server operative to compress a plurality of software programs and transmit the compressed software programs over the cable network at a plurality of corresponding predetermined scheduled times. A primary processor in communication with the cable network receives a selected one of the plurality of software programs at the corresponding predetermined scheduled time, decompresses the program and stores it. A secondary processor in communication with the primary processor includes navigational software and drivers to enable the primary processor to select and receive the software program from the cable network without upstream communication to the head-end server.

Abstract: A method and system for broadcasting digital audio signals is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of processing at least a first audio signal from a first audio source, inserting at least the first audio signal onto the vertical blanking intervals of at least a first television broadcast signal, and transmitting at least the first television broadcast signal having at least the first audio signal inserted therein to customers.

Abstract: A method and system for manipulating playback of advertisements selected from an electronic classified advertising system. The method includes advancing playback an advertisement a first predetermined period of time in response to a first user input, and retreating playback of an advertisement a second predetermined period of time in response to a second user input. The method also includes pausing playback an advertisement in response to a third user input, and resuming playback of the paused advertisement upon the expiration of a third predetermined period of time. The system includes input and output devices, a processor, memory, and software for performing the method.

Abstract: An interface system and method for providing information concerning items available via an interactive system and service is disclosed. In one embodiment of the method of the present invention, the method includes the steps of displaying at least a first menu item to the viewer or user via a screen associated with the interactive system, the first menu item denoting a first item, processing at least a first input from the viewer regarding obtaining information related to the first item and displaying serially to the viewer a plurality of images related to the first item.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for using a computer to provide justification of a plurality of characters and fonts in a plurality of text strings within a document from a document system library. Document files from a document system library are obtained and relevant information is transferred to a dBase II relational database. Character and font information for each character in a text string is identified so that the location and length of a text string can be determined. The text string is then manipulated as required for a desired justification.

Abstract: An improved system for translating an optimization problem for use in efficient resource allocation. The improved system of the present invention includes means for generating an index link record for each of the index variables in the optimization problem so as to eliminate the need for a symbol table and a plurality of temporary data records. The system also includes means for linking the index link records of the index variables requiring expansion in a reverse order of the order listed in the optimization problem so as to reduce the number of traversals performed during expansion processing. The index link records have a pointer for identifying the next index variable requiring expansion.

Abstract: A support system architecture for use in a communications network environment enabling automatic provisioning, change in service, and maintenance at a plurality of subscriber locations. A gateway allows communication between a plurality of programmer providers and a network provider including status information for each of the plurality of subscriber locations. A customer management system in communication with the gateway determines whether service at a subscriber location can be remotely provisioned or changed based on the status information. A service control manager in communication with the customer management system automatically provisions or performs a change in the service of the subscriber location if the service of the subscriber location can be remotely provisioned or changed.

Abstract: A method, system and product are provided for mixing of encoded audio signals. The method includes receiving a first encoded audio signal, the first signal having a plurality of frequency subbands, each subband having an audio level, and receiving a second encoded audio signal, the second signal having a plurality of frequency subbands, each subband having an audio level. The method also includes mixing the first and second signals to create a mixed encoded audio signal having a plurality of frequency subbands, each subband having an audio level based on a masking effect relationship between the audio levels and sample data of corresponding subbands of the first and second signals. The system includes control logic for performing the method. The product includes a storage medium having computer readable programmed instructions recorded thereon for performing the method.

Abstract: A method, system and product are provided for harmonic enhancement of an encoded audio signal. The method includes receiving the encoded audio signal, the encoded audio signal having multiple frequency subbands, selecting one of the subbands having a data sample associated therewith, and generating a frequency doubled copy the data sample associated with the subband. The method also includes generating a new data sample for a second subband using the frequency doubled copied data sample, the second subband having a frequency greater than the first subband by one octave, and modifying the encoded audio signal to create an enhanced encoded audio signal having the new data sample associated with the second subband. The system includes control logic for performing the method. The product includes a storage medium having computer readable programmed instructions for performing the method.

Abstract: An architecture for providing interactive broadband products and services uses existing cable and telephone plant. The architecture includes a central office switch in communication with a head-end server and a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) device such as, for example, a modem emulator, data terminal, set-top terminal or personal computer. The CPE device is provided in communication with the head-end server via cable plant for downstream broadcasts and is further provided in communication with a central office switch via telephone plant for upstream signaling and downstream control messages.

Abstract: A method and system for providing interactive data exchange between an interactive platform, a caller and at least one operator work associated with the interactive platform. A public switched telephone network having a call transfer feature connects the caller to the interactive platform and connects the caller to the at least one operator in response to an operator assistance signal. The interactive platform is operatively connected to the public switched telephone network and includes an audiotex subsystem for responding to a plurality of telephone signals received from the caller and facilitating interactive data exchange with the caller by providing audio output signals to the caller in response to the plurality of telephone signals. The interactive platform further stores an interactive data exchange record representing the interactive data exchange between the caller and the interactive platform.

Abstract: A method to audibly announce an identified caller name includes one embodiment, the caller name includes determined by making a query to a database with phone numbers and corresponding line owners (e.g., to the line information database (LIDB)). In this embodiment, the system phonetically pronounces the name found in the database to the subscriber in an announcement. In another embodiment, the system requests that the calling party speak their name. The spoken name is recorded, and played back to the subscriber in an announcement. The caller is placed on hold while the caller name is provided to the subscriber in an announcement. The subscriber may either accept the call, or reject the call. If the call is accepted, the call is connected. If the call is rejected, the line is busy, or there is no answer, the caller is notified. In one embodiment, a rejected call is transferred to a voice mail system.