Abstract: A perforating gun assembly (60) for creating communication paths for fluid between a formation (64) and a cased wellbore (66) includes a housing (84), a detonator (86) positioned within the housing (84) and a detonating cord (90) operably associated with the detonator (86). The perforating gun assembly (60) also includes one or more substantially axially oriented collections (92, 94, 96, 98) of shaped charges. Each of the shaped charges in the collections (92, 94, 96, 98) is operably associated with the detonating cord (90). In addition, adjacent shaped charges in each collection (92, 94, 96, 98) of shaped charges are oriented to converge toward one another such that upon detonation, the shaped charges in each collection (92, 94, 96, 98) form jets that interact with one another to create perforation cavities in the formation (64).

Abstract: System and method for dynamically assigning wavelengths wavelength division multiplex (“WDM”) ring networks is described. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a method for dynamic wavelength assignment on a ring in a WDM network comprising, for each new requested traffic flow from a source node to a destination node on the ring, for each segment on a path around the ring between the source and destination nodes, classifying the new requested traffic flow into one of a set of spatial relationship types for each existing wavelength; determining a corresponding number of optical-to-electrical and electrical-to-optical (“OEO”) interfaces needed for each spatial relationship type selected for each segment; determining the total number of OEO interfaces needed for the entire path between the source and destination nodes along the ring; and selecting the existing wavelengths that minimize the OEO interfaces.

Abstract: A hierarchical scheduler architecture for use with an access node terminal disposed in an access network portion. Ingress flows aggregated via a plurality of aggregation layers are switched through an ATM fabric that segregates flow cells based on service priority categories (planes). Thus, a two-dimensional scheduler employs arbitration on a per-aggregation layer, per-service priority basis, wherein each layer is responsible for selecting the most eligible flow from the constituent flows of that layer, which is forwarded to the next layer for arbitration. A service-based arbiter selects overall winner cells for emission through the fabric from winner cells generated for each service plane.

Abstract: A system and method for interconnecting two network domains operable to transport SS7 traffic of different types. A gateway disposed between a first network domain and a second network domain includes a generic Interworking functionality that is operable to effectuate an MTP2-based relay linkage between a first MTP2 interface and a second MTP2 interface. A first link segment is established between the gateway's first MTP2 interface and an equivalent interface in the first network domain's end node. A second link segment is established between the gateway's second MTP2 interface and a corresponding equivalent interface in the second network domain's end node. Thereafter, the relay linkage coupling the link segments is established for facilitating MTP2 traffic therebetween.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for supporting operations and maintenance (“OAM”) functionality in an OBS network is described. One embodiment is an OBS network having OAM functionality, the OBS network comprising a plurality of OBS nodes interconnected via links. Each of the OBS nodes comprises an OAM module (“OAMM”) for processing information regarding OAM functions in the OBS network and a routing manager (“RM”) for processing routing information; and wherein at least one wavelength in each of the links comprises an OAM/1 wavelength for OAM/1 transmissions between nodes, the OAM/1 transmissions comprising OAM activity information; wherein at least one wavelength in each of the links comprises a reference wavelength for providing a wavelength reference to which light generating devices in the OBS network lock; and wherein at least one wavelength in each of the links comprises a routing wavelength for providing routing information between nodes.

Abstract: A partially preemptive quality of service (“QoS”) scheduling model for application in an optical burst switched (“OBS”) network node is described. In one aspect, the invention comprises a method for dropping only an portion of a data burst under consideration that overlaps with a portion of an already-scheduled data burst. In another aspect, the invention comprises preempting only that portion of an already-scheduled data burst that overlaps with a portion of a data burst under consideration and scheduling the data burst under consideration in its entirety. In one embodiment, the decision whether to drop a portion of the data burst under consideration or preempt a portion of the already-scheduled data burst is based on the relative priorities of the bursts. Similarly, the decision whether to perform a partial or full drop or preempt is based on the amount of overlap between the bursts.

Abstract: A marine radio wireless communication system (10) incorporating a remote wireless handset (26) and a fixed mount marine radio (18) for wireless communication on board a waterborne vessel (12) is disclosed. At least one marine radio remote wireless handset (26) is associated with and wirelessly linked to the fixed mount marine radio (18) for onboard remote acoustic communications between the two. Each fixed mount marine radio (18) and marine radio remote wireless handset (26) incorporates a speaker (80, 106) and a microphone (72, 102).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for scheduling transmission of data bursts in an OBS network are described. One embodiment is a router in an OBS network, the router comprising a grouper module for collecting a group of BHPs arriving during a BHP collecting period and classifying each BHP of the group of BHPs into corresponding baskets depending on the data channel scheduling window of its corresponding data burst; a classifier and channel assignment module for assigning data bursts to appropriate data channels; and a channel scheduler for constructing an interval graph representing data bursts corresponding to BHPs classified in a single one of the baskets having overlapping segments on each data channel as adjacent vertices and scheduling data bursts on each data channel based on a process that finds a maximum number of non-adjacent vertices on the interval graph.

Abstract: Method and system for implementing an inter-domain constraint-based shortest path first (“IrD-CSPF”) technique for supporting hierarchical routing in interconnected multi-domain OTNs are described. In one embodiment, the invention is a method for calculating a network path in an interconnected multi-domain network. The method comprises receiving a path setup request message for a new traffic flow in the network identifying a source node in one domain of the network and a destination node in a second domain of the network; determining a common ancestor hierarchical routing domain that includes ancestor nodes of both the source and destination nodes; calculating an inter-domain path from one ancestor node to the other ancestor node that determines, for each lower-level domain, border nodes in the domain from the source node to the destination node; and for each bottom-level domain, calculating an intra-domain path between the border nodes that were determined for the domain.

Abstract: A notification system and method for a mobile data communication device is provided. A clientbased software program operates at the mobile communication device to manage and execute, user-selectable notification schemes (“notification module”) in response to data items transmitted to the mobile device from a host system via a communications network. The user configures the notification module to execute certain audible, visual and/or tactile notifications in response to certain types of messages being received at the mobile device.

Abstract: System and method for compensating for DS0 timing source transients, such as may occur during a switchover to a new external reference, is described. In one embodiment, an SFI control signal is monitored for embedded frame position information. When the frame position information is initially detected, a 10-bit frame clock counter is reset to zero. The counter is then incremented using an 8.192 MHz clock. From that point on, each time the SFI frame position information is detected, the value of the frame clock counter is checked. If the counter value is zero, the counter continues to run freely. If the counter value is non-zero and the most significant bit (“MSB”) thereof is zero, the count of the frame clock counter is held for one clock period. If the counter value is non-zero and the MSB thereof is one, the count of the frame clock counter is advanced by a value of two, rather than one, for one clock period.

Abstract: A system (100) for automatically redialing a telephone number includes a first telephone component (104, 106, 108, 132) operable to initiate a call to the telephone number and operable to transmit the telephone number and a second telephone component (104, 106, 108, 132, 302) operable to initiate telephone calls and operable to receive the telephone number transmitted by the first telephone component (104, 106, 108, 132, 302). A memory unit (162, 182, 306, 312), disposed within the second telephone component (104, 106, 108, 132, 302), is operable to store the telephone number transmitted by the first telephone component (104, 106, 108, 132, 302). A redial module, disposed within the second telephone component (104, 106, 108, 132, 302), is operable to retrieve the telephone number from the memory unit (162, 182, 306, 312) and operable to automatically initiate a call to the retrieved telephone number.

Abstract: A detachable wireless transceiver module (306, 308) operable to communicate with a marine radio wireless communication system (10) on board a waterborne vessel (12) is disclosed. The module is designed to be secured and operably connected to a handheld marine radio (250) in order to provide local wireless communications capability thereto. The enhanced handheld marine radio (250) is operable to communicate directly with one or more fixed mount marine radios (18, 38) and/or wireless handsets (26, 46, 50, 52) via local wireless channels.

Abstract: A memory compiler characterization system and method for determining parametric data, wherein memory compilers of a first type are rigorously characterized and memory compilers of a second type are sparsely characterized with respect to a particular parameter. Absolute scale factors are determined based on the ratio of the parametric data points of two congruent memory compilers, one from each type. Interpolated scale factors are obtained based on the absolute scale factors. Parametric data for the remaining compilers of the sparsely characterized compiler set is filled out by applying the interpolated scale factors in conjunction with the data of the congruent memory compilers of the first type.

Abstract: The lock cylinder assembly of the present invention incorporates a number of features designed to defeat attempts to pick or destroy the lock. The lock cylinder assembly employs multiple arrays of pass key pins, making picking of the lock much more difficult. Second, the arrangement of the pass key pins in separate arrays requires that multiple cuts would have to be made into the lock housing mogul or cylinder blank in order to defeat the lock cylinder assembly. Third, the lock cylinder assembly of the present invention may incorporate multiple sets of hardened dowel pins to prevent drilling through the lock housing mogul in the area of the driver pins. Fourth, the lock cylinder assembly of the present invention may incorporate a hardened cylinder shield behind the front face of the cylinder blank to prevent drilling through the cylinder blank.

Abstract: A perforating gun assembly (110) for creating communication paths for fluid between a formation (114) and a cased wellbore (116) includes a housing, a detonator and a detonating cord (136). The perforating gun assembly (110) includes one or more substantially axially oriented collections of shaped charges (122, 124, 126) each of which is operably associated with the detonating cord (136). A perforation (152, 154) is formed in the formation (114) as a result of the interaction of jets (141, 142) formed upon the detonation of at least two shaped charges (122, 126) that create a weakened region (148) in the formation (114) followed by the detonation of at least one shaped charge (124) that forms a jet (150) that penetrated through the weakened region (148).

Abstract: An optical switch controller (“OSC”) and method for use in a Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (“GMPLS”) network is described. A Used Pool (“UP”), an Available Pool (“AP”), and a Flagged Pool (“FP”) are maintained at the OSC. The FP includes wavelengths that have been suggested but not yet reserved by a lightpath. The UP includes wavelengths that are currently being used by LSPs. The AP includes wavelengths not included in the UP or the FP. Each wavelength included in the FP includes a time stamp. At each node along the path during lightpath establishment, for each wavelength of the Label Set, if the wavelength is an element of the node's UP, the wavelength is extracted from the Label Set. If the wavelength is an element of the node's FP, a determination is made whether the local clock time minus the time stamp for the wavelength is less than a first threshold.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for implementing optical supervisory channel using broadband noise modulation are described. One embodiment of the present invention is a system for transmitting a supervisory channel from an optical fiber amplifier. The system comprises a first stage amplifier and a noise modulator module. The noise modulator module includes an erbium-doped fiber (“EDF”) that receives a pump for exciting the EDF and emits an amplified noise signal and a modulator that modulates the amplified noise signal with a supervisory signal, wherein the modulated noise signal is input back into the first stage amplifier.

Abstract: A look-up table (LUT)-based arbitration (LTA) system and methodology for use in a network switch element. Input control signals generated by ingress and egress entities associated with a cross-connect matrix of the network switch element are encoded into address information that is used for interrogating a storage structure. Pre-computed arbitration results based on a select arbiter scheme are stored into fields associated with the storage structure. When a particular input combination is applied with respect to an arbitration iteration, a selected arbitration result is obtained by querying the appropriate field, which is then decoded into a corresponding selected entity for the arbitration iteration.

Abstract: A system (100) for tracking incoming telephone calls includes a first caller identification decoder (166) that decodes caller identification data for a first incoming telephone call including a time stamp having a value reflecting a first time. The system (100) also includes a database (170) for storing the value of the time stamp, a second caller identification decoder (164) that decodes caller identification data relating to a second incoming telephone call initiated at a second time and a frequency counter (156) having a first value at the first time and a second value at the second time. A central processing unit (152) is operable to retrieve the value of the time stamp, identify the first and second values of the frequency counter and thereby determine the second time. A database (170) stores a record reflecting the second time for the second incoming telephone call.