Abstract: A process is provided for a billing controller receives a request identifying a customer and indicating one of a plurality of providers for a selected product, converts a portion of the received request into a provisioning request based on the selected product; and provides the provisioning request to the provider. The billing controller also receives a request identifying a customer and including a bundle code indicating a plurality of providers for selected products, converts portions of the received request into provisioning requests based on the code, and provides the provisioning requests to the providers. The billing controller also receives usage data for a customer from a plurality of providers, converts the usage data from each provider into a standard usage data format based on predetermined billing rules, and stores the converted usage data linked to a customer record.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for synchronizing the memory of a wireless telephone with a networked computer over a wireless link. A communication network in accordance with the present invention, includes a plurality of portable wireless telephones; a plurality of base stations; and at least one controller coupled to the Internet. The portable wireless telephone is adapted to operate a program that stores information locally and automatically synchronizes the local memory with a host computer on the Internet. In operation, when a wireless telephone user receives a telephone call or data from the Internet, the number or the information is stored in the telephone memory and then automatically stored on a computer coupled to the Internet. In another embodiment, a computer coupled to the Internet is adapted to automatically synchronize a portion of the information stored in its memory with that of a portable wireless telephone.

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming and operating mesh communications networks. A primary application of these methods would be for a network for interconnecting telephone central offices. Compared to current networks, a network based on these methods may provide higher resource utilization efficiency, greater provisioning flexibility, and robustness against a wider range of network failures. These methods may enable protection and restoration of service following a failure to be tailored to the requirements of particular data flows. Mesh networks based on these methods of this invention may be extended seamlessly across contiguous LATA so that the data flow between central offices in different LATAs would not need to be routed through a separate inter-LATA network and would not require long haul transmission lines.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for context based querying to more efficiently provide directory services. In particular, methods and apparatus for querying a database to resolve contact information, e.g., a phone number, based on the context of the query are provided. By querying based on context, the query may be searched using a smaller field of search. Moreover, a context based query allows private phone numbers to be provided when the context of the query has been authenticated and approved for disclosure of the private phone number. Thus, when processing a query for a phone number, the present invention evaluates the context of the query in addition to the query itself to determine what results to provide to a user.

Abstract: In a telecommunications network, a platform is provided to perform authorization, routing, gathering, and delivery of transmissions between multiple remote units and host locations. In a controlled environment, remote units are authorized to initiate transmissions to and receive transmissions from a limited number of locations. The platform stores profile information for remote units in a database, including services authorized for remote units based on timing events. The platform determines the appropriate destination for a transmission from a remote unit based on the profile information stored in the database and identifiers associated with the remote unit and telecommunications router serving the remote unit. The platform authorizes a transmission to the destination based on the profile information, determines a routing number associated with the destination, and transmits the routing number to an appropriate point in the network to enable completion of the transmission.

Abstract: Mobile communication systems and methods consistent with the present invention include a central station, a mobile unit and a plurality of radio base stations The mobile unit communicates with the central station through one of the radio base stations. The central station receives from the mobile unit registration information identifying the radio base station the mobile unit is currently communicating with. This registration information is then stored in a registration database located at the central station. Files are then transferred from the central station to the mobile unit using the radio base station identified by the registration information stored in the registration database.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling congestion in an IP network comprises the steps of preallocating, for a predetermined interval of time, a set of burst access parameters to a set of predetermined routes between a set of source node and destination node pairs in the IP network, and controlling, at the burst level, the traffic at each source node based on the preallocated set of burst access parameters and without communicating with other nodes in the IP network. Specifically, a network controller, for a predetermined interval of time, determines a set of routes between each source-destination node pair in the network, preallocates a set of maximum permitted rates to the predetermined set of routes, respectively, and pre-assigns a set of burst access thresholds to a set of service classes, respectively, in the predetermined routes, where the pre-assigned burst access thresholds are less than or equal to the corresponding preallocated maximum permitted rates.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, unwanted calls may be prevented. In particular, information about a particular destination is stored in a registry at a clearinghouse server located within a network, e.g., the public telephone network. When a call is being made to the destination, it is routed to the clearinghouse server. Identifying information such as caller-id data is retrieved and the registry is searched. If the caller is registered as being approved, the call is forwarded with information indicating that the call is “approved”. If the caller is not registered or is unknown, the call is forwarded with information indicating that call is “unregistered” or “unavailable”. A user at the destination is then able to quickly determine if the call is unwanted.

Abstract: A system monitors performance in a network (130) having several routers (210). The system determines a roundtrip path in the network (130) between a source and a destination, identifies routers (210) located on the path, collects performance data from the identified routers (210), and compares the performance data to at least one performance criteria to determine compliance with a service-level guarantee.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide a unified messaging system. The unified messaging system comprises a unified messaging system server and clients, such as personal computers, telephones, facsimile machines, and two-way paging machines connected via both land based and wireless connections. This system enables a user to access and retrieve a variety of messages, including voice mail messages, facsimiles, and electronic mail messages via a unified user interface that clearly distinguishes each message type using message identifiers, and segregates messages by type.

Abstract: An optical scanning and imaging system and related method for scanning and imaging an object is disclosed. The scanning and imaging system does not use mechanically moving components to achieve lateral scanning of an object. Instead, the system includes a deflecting prism comprised of a material having an index of refraction that varies with changes in an applied electromagnetic field and that remains substantially constant with changes in wavelength of incident light within a predetermined wavelength range. An optical fiber transmits light within a predetermined wavelength from a light source through a gradient index lens which sends a collimated beam of light to the prism. Due to the unique properties of the prism, the light is deflected at a substantially constant angle within a lateral scanning plane. An objective lens can be used to further focus the light exiting the prism prior to directing it on the object being imaged.

Abstract: A method of increasing the tack of a pressure sensitive adhesive by exposing a polymeric pressure sensitive adhesive to an activating treatment, activatable articles containing such an adhesive and adhesive compositions resulting from such an activating treatment. The activatable, polymeric, pressure sensitive adhesive is preferably a water based adhesive prepared by free radical polymerization of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylate, or methacrylate monomers having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms. The activating treatment is preferably corona charging or corona charging in combination with uv light.

Abstract: The adenyl cyclase derivatives are atoxic derivatives in which one or several amino acids are different from those present in the toxic protein, the antibodies formed against these derivatives recognize, however, the toxic protein. These derivatives can be used as vaccines.

Abstract: A set of numbered golf clubs made from a plurality of progressively lofted clubs, each club having a club head, a shaft fixed at one end to the club head, and a grip fixed to the shaft at the other end. A counterweight is positioned at the distal end of the golf club opposite the club head, and the length of the shaft and the weight of the head, the shaft, the grip, and the counterweight of each club are selected so that each club within the set has a lorythmic swing weight of less than A minus 6 points, each club preferably having a shaft of the same flexing properties. The club heads with the counterweight system provides the user with increased stability, control and power.

Abstract: A process for the polymerization of acrylic monomers and optionally of vinyl comonomers using (i) an initiator of formula (I):R--M (I)in which M denotes a metal selected from the group consisting of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals and R denotes a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms or an aryl radical, and (ii) at least one non-nitrogenous macrocyclic complexing agent.The polymerization process is used to make products of acrylic polymers having a narrow distribution of molecular masses.

Abstract: A system for positioning an automotive vehicle side body wherein slide rails for supporting a sliding conveyor for movement thereon in an automotive vehicle body assembly line is located, not on a floor of the assembly line, but at the same height as an underbody supported at a elevated location above the assembly line floor, so that an open space below the slide rails can be used for installing other necessary equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for removing liquid from a liquid-solid mixture by forcing the liquid-solid mixture under low pressure through a filter means attached to filter support doors to form a filter cake, supplying compressed air into an expandable space to deform an elastomeric bladder which squeezes additional liquid out of the cake, and opening the filter support doors to cause discharge of the filter cake from the filter means.

Abstract: A tandem master cylinder comprising a first plunger mechanically connected to a foot brake pedal and a second plunger separated from the first plunger to define one of the two fluid chambers. A T-shaped intermediate member provided with a retainer head is interposed between two plungers so as to limit the spaced distance therebetween and mount a return spring on the retainer head abutting the second plunger. The retainer head is of a reduced diameter thereby providing an annular gap between the retainer head and the inner wall of the cylinder body. Thus undesirable injury to the inner wall due to radial displacement of the retainer head will be avoided.