Abstract: A virtual network is configured in a communication system in such a manner that the virtual network is not required to have associated therewith any particular physical home location, or more generally any dedicated arrangement of physical network infrastructure elements. The communication system includes a communication network, such as a wireless network or the Internet, connectable to one or more user communication elements. Information is received from a given one of the communication elements indicating association of the given communication element with a particular virtual network, and responsive to the received information the virtual network is configured to include the given communication element. The virtual network may be comprised entirely of remote users.

Abstract: An apparatus for enhancing packet communication is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an encoder configured to convert input data to a binary coded base system of an augmented code employing a base of an original code used for coding the input data, wherein the augmented code employs more symbols for coding than the original code, the encoder including: (1) an adder configured to add the input data to a multiplication product to generate a base sum that is binary-coded in the augmented code, (2) a multiplier configured to multiply an accumulated value by a base of the original code to provide the multiplication product that is binary-coded in the augmented code, and (3) an accumulator configured to employ the base sum to provide an accumulated value as an output for the encoder, wherein the accumulated value is binary-coded in the augmented code to represent the input data.

Abstract: An apparatus for enhancing packet communication is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an encoder configured to convert input data to a binary coded base system of an augmented code employing a base of an original code used for coding the input data, wherein the augmented code employs more symbols for coding than the original code, the encoder including: (1) an adder configured to add the input data to a multiplication product to generate a base sum that is binary-coded in the augmented code, (2) a multiplier configured to multiply an accumulated value by a base of the original code to provide the multiplication product that is binary-coded in the augmented code, and (3) an accumulator configured to employ the base sum to provide an accumulated value as an output for the encoder, wherein the accumulated value is binary-coded in the augmented code to represent the input data.

Abstract: Techniques for synchronizing the clock of a local telecommunications network connected to a remote clock source through an asynchronous transport network such as an Ethernet metropolitan area transport network. A basic holdover loop for retaining the current reconstructed clock frequency signal receives weighted corrections from an open loop and a network time protocol filter loop. The open loop measures data packet interarrival times on the local network and calculates a first reconstructed clock frequency signal. The network time protocol loop applies network time protocol to generate timestamps over the asynchronous transport network which are used to generate a second reconstructed clock frequency signal. The first and second reconstructed clock frequency signals are combined using dynamically adjusted weight factors and compared with the current reconstructed clock frequency signal to correct the latter which then synchronizes the clock of the local telecommunications network.

Abstract: A virtual network is configured in a communication system in such a manner that the virtual network is not required to have associated therewith any particular physical home location, or more generally any dedicated arrangement of physical network infrastructure elements. The communication system includes a communication network, such as a wireless network or the Internet, connectable to one or more user communication elements. Information is received from a given one of the communication elements indicating association of the given communication element with a particular virtual network, and responsive to the received information the virtual network is configured to include the given communication element. The virtual network may be comprised entirely of remote users.

Abstract: Techniques for synchronizing the clock of a local telecommunications network connected to a remote clock source through an asynchronous transport network such as an Ethernet metropolitan area transport network. A basic holdover loop for retaining the current reconstructed clock frequency signal receives weighted corrections from an open loop and a network time protocol filter loop. The open loop measures data packet interarrival times on the local network and calculates a first reconstructed clock frequency signal. The network time protocol loop applies network time protocol to generate timestamps over the asynchronous transport network which are used to generate a second reconstructed clock frequency signal. The first and second reconstructed clock frequency signals are combined using dynamically adjusted weight factors and compared with the current reconstructed clock frequency signal to correct the latter which then synchronizes the clock of the local telecommunications network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a communication controller interfaced to a plurality of networks. The communication controller is able to monitor and measure the network characteristics of all the networks and route information signals that are part of established communications between users of a network to another network based on criteria set by the users or the network system provider. The routing is done without any disruption of the established communications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a network terminating unit configured to receive communication signals associated with a packet telephony system and modify said signals to maintain the quality of service of a data network associated with the packet telephony system at or below a certain level of quality of service independent of the traffic load of the data network.

Abstract: In a communications system for conducting a teleconference, a voice bridge is employed to establish communication connections with attendees of the teleconference. In addition, a facsimile bridge is employed to distribute facsimile data associated with the teleconference. In an illustrative embodiment, the attendees provide, through the communication connections, their facsimile numbers which may be used by the facsimile bridge to distribute the facsimile data to those attendees. Alternatively, through the communication connections, the voice bridge provides the attendees with an access number for retrieving the facsimile data from the facsimile bridge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling bit slips in a high-speed, two-way, communications channel. More particularly, the entire communications system, comprising, inter alia, a receiver, a transmitter and the physical communications channel is operated as a feedback loop. That is, the detection of bit slips is performed continuously in the receiver and a bit slip signal is generated that indicates the number of bit slips and the direction, i.e., forward or backward, of the bit slip. Thus, the bit slip signal is communicated to the transmitter and certain actions are performed to introduce bit adjustments in the bit stream to eliminate the effects of any future bit slips. The bit slip signal contains an indication of the number of bit slips which have occurred, the time between bit slips, and the direction of the slip. As a function of this information from the bit slip signal, bit adjustments are made in the communications stream to correct for the bit slips and mitigate any effect in future transmission.

Abstract: An audio note taking system and method that permit a user to record audio information during a conversation on a wireless or wired communications device and distribute the information to other users in an efficient and accurate manner by working in concert with other types of communication and information devices, such as voice mail and electronic mail servers. The audio note taking system has a processor for controlling when an audio recording is to be commenced, which parties are to be recorded and what processing is to be performed on the recorded message. The notes recorded by one party are fully independent from the notes recorded by the other parties. As a consequence, each party can record private comments by muting transmission to the other parties involved in the call. The recorded message may be distributed to other parties as an audio or text file utilizing electronic mail and voice mail servers.

Abstract: A technique for programming operating parameters in an electronic device, such as programmable configuration settings, uses an interactive response configuration server accessible through the telephone network. The configuration server provides voice prompts to an electronic device operator over a telephone connection. The voice prompts concern a desired manner of operation achievable with particular operating parameter settings. Desired operating parameter settings are determined based on the operator's responses. A programming signal including representations of the desired operating parameter settings is then generated and transmitted to the electronic device. The electronic device then sets the values of its programmable operating parameters in accordance with the received programming signal.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a selected local carrier may be operated by receiving a first signal and initializing provision of a second signal to a residential communications device in response to the first signal. More specifically, the first signal is, e.g., indicative of a particular local carrier (e.g., a first local carrier or a second local carrier) being chosen as the selected local carrier from a group of local carriers. The group of local carriers comprises the first local carrier and the second local carrier. Illustratively, the second signal is a dialtone signal, the first local carrier is a local exchange provider and the second local carrier is an interactive television provider. Various devices capable of choosing the selected local carrier are also disclosed. Advantageously, the method provides consumers with a choice of local access carriers.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a selected local carrier may be operated by receiving a first signal and initializing provision of a second signal to a residential communications device in response to the first signal. More specifically, the first signal is, e.g., indicative of a particular local carrier (e.g., a first local carrier or a second local carrier) being chosen as the selected local carrier from a group of local carriers. The group of local carriers comprises the first local carrier and the second local carrier. Illustratively, the second signal is a dialtone signal, the first local carrier is a local exchange provider and the second local carrier is an interactive television provider. Various devices capable of choosing the selected local carrier are also disclosed. Advantageously, the method provides consumers with a choice of local access carriers.

Abstract: A device for restricting access to certain programs. The RCU comprises an entry pad, a controller, a read-only-memory ("ROM"), and an transmission system.