Abstract: Method and apparatus for voice traffic management in a data network includes establishing a default maximum bandwidth setting at a LAN egress port when voice-type traffic is not present in a LAN portion of the data network, detecting voice-type traffic, reducing the bandwidth setting at the LAN egress port to effect a change in a rate of non voice type traffic and monitoring non voice type traffic and voice quality statistics to determine if the rate of non voice type traffic entering the data network has changed. Once the desired change has occurred, performing a linear increase of the bandwidth setting at the LAN egress port to a first value while monitoring voice quality statistics, determining if voice quality has degraded during increase of the bandwidth setting and repeating the last two steps if voice quality has not degraded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gaining access to communication services includes receiving an initial inquiry for communication service access, collecting equipment information based upon the initial inquiry, sending a non-voice communication to said equipment and receiving a request from said equipment to obtain communication service access. The apparatus includes a system having one or more controllers for performing communication service access.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gaining access to communication services includes receiving an initial inquiry for communication service access, collecting equipment information based upon the initial inquiry, sending a non-voice communication to said equipment and receiving a request from said equipment to obtain communication service access. The apparatus includes a system having one or more controllers for performing communication service access.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for voice traffic management in a data network includes establishing a default maximum bandwidth setting at a LAN egress port when voice-type traffic is not present in a LAN portion of the data network, detecting voice-type traffic, reducing the bandwidth setting at the LAN egress port to effect a change in a rate of non voice type traffic and monitoring non voice type traffic and voice quality statistics to determine if the rate of non voice type traffic entering the data network has changed. Once the desired change has occurred, performing a linear increase of the bandwidth setting at the LAN egress port to a first value while monitoring voice quality statistics, determining if voice quality has degraded during increase of the bandwidth setting and repeating the last two steps if voice quality has not degraded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gaining access to communication services includes receiving an initial inquiry for communication service access, collecting equipment information based upon the initial inquiry, sending a non-voice communication to said equipment and receiving a request from said equipment to obtain communication service access. The apparatus includes a system having one or more controllers for performing communication service access.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for voice traffic management in a data network includes establishing a default maximum bandwidth setting at a LAN egress port when voice-type traffic is not present in a LAN portion of the data network, detecting voice-type traffic, reducing the bandwidth setting at the LAN egress port to effect a change in a rate of non voice type traffic and monitoring non voice type traffic and voice quality statistics to determine if the rate of non voice type traffic entering the data network has changed. Once the desired change has occurred, performing a linear increase of the bandwidth setting at the LAN egress port to a first value while monitoring voice quality statistics, determining if voice quality has degraded during increase of the bandwidth setting and repeating the last two steps if voice quality has not degraded.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automated inventory tracking and authentication using device identity-containing information associated with at least one device that is part of an inventory. The method includes accepting initial device identity-containing information from an inventory origination point to a first sales distribution point and accepting additional device identity-containing inventory from each instance of a new and successive sales distribution point as inventory moves through a supply chain. This information is stored and then later compared to a device ID of the at least one device. An authentication action is performed upon the at least one device based upon said accepted initial and additional information. The device identity-containing information includes MAC address information, device serial number information.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for authorizing a calling card telephone call are described. In one example, a telephone calling card includes a planar body having a memory system, an input circuit, a controller, and a display. The memory system is configured to store key code information. The input circuit is configured to receive a personal identification number (PIN). The controller is configured to derive a key code from the key code information using the PIN. The display is configured to present the key code. The user may then use the key code for purposes of authorizing a call made using a calling card. The key code may change from time-to-time as the user uses the calling card. Since the user's PIN is not entered into a telephone by the user, the calling card is less susceptible to unauthorized and/or fraudulent use by third parties.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for provisioning a wireless multi-modal client device in a telecommunications system includes determining a provisioning environment within and a provisioning condition under which the client device is operating, determining a state of a configuration file of the client device and obtaining an updated configuration file based on the provisioning environment and provisioning conditions. The provisioning environment is determined by detecting one or more wireless networks accessible by the client device such as an IP-based network and a PSTN-based network. Connection to the IP-based network is made via WiFi and to the PSTN-based network via GSM/GPRS. The wireless networks defining the provisioning environment have characteristic timing intervals for configuration file updating.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for voice traffic management in a data network includes establishing a default maximum bandwidth setting at a LAN egress port when voice-type traffic is not present in a LAN portion of the data network, detecting voice-type traffic, reducing the bandwidth setting at the LAN egress port to effect a change in a rate of non voice type traffic and monitoring non voice type traffic and voice quality statistics to determine if the rate of non voice type traffic entering the data network has changed. Once the desired change has occurred, performing a linear increase of the bandwidth setting at the LAN egress port to a first value while monitoring voice quality statistics, determining if voice quality has degraded during increase of the bandwidth setting and repeating the last two steps if voice quality has not degraded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gaining access to communication services includes receiving an initial inquiry for communication service access, collecting equipment information based upon the initial inquiry, sending a non-voice communication to said equipment and receiving a request from said equipment to obtain communication service access. The apparatus includes a system having one or more controllers for performing communication service access.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for voice traffic management in a data network includes establishing a default maximum bandwidth setting at a LAN egress port when voice-type traffic is not present in a LAN portion of the data network, detecting voice-type traffic, reducing the bandwidth setting at the LAN egress port to effect a change in a rate of non voice type traffic and monitoring non voice type traffic and voice quality statistics to determine if the rate of non voice type traffic entering the data network has changed. Once the desired change has occurred, performing a linear increase of the bandwidth setting at the LAN egress port to a first value while monitoring voice quality statistics, determining if voice quality has degraded during increase of the bandwidth setting and repeating the last two steps if voice quality has not degraded.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for provisioning a wireless multi-modal client device in a telecommunications system includes determining a provisioning environment within and a provisioning condition under which the client device is operating, determining a state of a configuration file of the client device and obtaining an updated configuration file based on the provisioning environment and provisioning conditions. The provisioning environment is determined by detecting one or more wireless networks accessible by the client device such as an IP-based network and a PSTN-based network. Connection to the IP-based network is made via WiFi and to the PSTN-based network via GSM/GPRS. The wireless networks defining the provisioning environment have characteristic timing intervals for configuration file updating.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for information conveyance in an end user device of a packet-based communication service where the end user device is connected to a PSTN-based communication device includes detecting a power up condition of the end user device connected to the PSTN-based communication device, detecting a packet-based network connection, retrieving an end user profile from the packet-based communication service attempting a communication registration operation and displaying one or more non-binary type messages at the end user device regarding the status of the communication service. The apparatus for enhanced information conveyance includes a main body having a local area packet network connection means, a wide area packet network connection means and a non-packet network connection means for connection of a PSTN-based communication device and a display panel body adapted to display information regarding the status of the communication service in a non-binary manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for flexible FXS port utilization includes a switch adapted for connection to a plurality of Internet Protocol (IP) based communication lines, a subscriber line interface card (SLIC) connected to the switch and having a single FXS port and an IP based handset connected to the switch. The switch may be a softswitch with switching operations executed by a network processor adapted for connection between an external IP signal source and the switch. A method of the invention includes providing a utilization status of the single FXS port and performing an automated switching operation at least the SLIC; based on and in response to a desired port utilization status initiated remotely from the communication device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automated inventory tracking and authentication using device identity-containing information associated with at least one device that is part of an inventory. The method includes accepting initial device identity-containing information from an inventory origination point to a first sales distribution point and accepting additional device identity-containing inventory from each instance of a new and successive sales distribution point as inventory moves through a supply chain. This information is stored and then later compared to a device ID of the at least one device. An authentication action is performed upon the at least one device based upon said accepted initial and additional information. The device identity-containing information includes MAC address information, device serial number information.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for authorizing a calling card telephone call are described. In one example, a telephone calling card includes a planar body having a memory system, an input circuit, a controller, and a display. The memory system is configured to store key code information. The input circuit is configured to receive a personal identification number (PIN). The controller is configured to derive a key code from the key code information using the PIN. The display is configured to present the key code. The user may then use the key code for purposes of authorizing a call made using a calling card. The key code may change from time-to-time as the user uses the calling card. Since the user's PIN is not entered into a telephone by the user, the calling card is less susceptible to unauthorized and/or fraudulent use by third parties.