Abstract: Testing time of interconnections is reducted by splitting up the collection of connection paths to be tested into two or more groups. A set of test vectors, which is applied to each of the groups concurrently, is arranged to insure that the two adjacent connections that are assigned to different groups are not tested concurrently. The user can select the number of groups, and the number of connection paths within each group (which need not be the same for all groups). The disclosed algorithm increases the number of connection paths that are tested with each concatenated test vector, and consequently the number of required test vectors is reduced.

Abstract: Improved operation of multi-processor chips is achieved by dynamically controlling processing load of chips and controlling, significantly greater than on/off granularity, the operating voltages of those chips so as to minimize overall power consumption. A controller in a multi-processor chip allocates tasks to the individual processors to equalize processing load among the chips, then the controller lowers the clock frequency on the chip to as low a level as possible while assuring proper operation, and finally reduces the supply voltage. Further improvement is possible by controlling the supply voltage of individual processing elements within the multi-processor chip, as well as controlling the supply voltage of other elements in the system within which the multi-processor chip operates.

Abstract: In an arrangement where a plurality of cache servers are interconnected to form a virtual cache, each cache server includes a selection module and a caching module. The selection module determines whether the cache server can service an incoming request for information, whether the request ought to be directed to another one of the cache servers, or whether the request be routed to the site from whence the information is requested. In making this determination, in accordance with one embodiment, the module consults a table that associates sites or/and sub-sites with specific ones of the cache servers. In another embodiment, the determination is made by translating the address of the site, or sub-site, or web page that is requested; for example, with a hash function. The caching module determines whether a request for information from a particular site will be cached in the cache server of the caching module, if it is not already being cached by one of the cache servers.

Abstract: A network assisted callback method and system for managing calls that fail to reach to a subscriber, and facilitating callback by the subscriber to one or more calling parties. In an embodiment of the invention, a call to a subscriber is routed to an interexchange network which attempts to complete the connection. If the caller fails to reach the subscriber, the network prompts the caller to determine whether a callback is desired, and to verify and obtain additional information. The network stores the information in a subscriber database file-folder. When the subscriber later decides to return phone calls, the subscriber dials an 800 number from any telephone station in order to access the network callback features. The network callback service may include automatic connection to the most recent calling party, or selective connection to any calling party.

Abstract: An enhanced response unit that is able to send visual information to the customer as well as voice information, thereby providing the customer with a powerful and satisfying mechanism with which to achieve the desired result. The unit determines whether the CPE calling the unit is capable of interacting with visual information and adjusts its mode of operation accordingly. Because two channels of information are available, various capabilities are easily implemented such as interacting with users in visual mode and in aural mode simultaneously, such as recalling the visual menu process anytime, etc. The improved unit also allows for convenient linking, in response to an appropriate choice made by the customer, to a physically different response unit that provides its own menu.

Abstract: A method of performing errorless switching in a ring network having one or more rings and a plurality of transmitting routes. The transmission delays or lengths of at least predetermined sections of the routes are compared, and the comparison is used to determine the value of a first delay added to one of the routes. Another delay is added to enable phase alignment of signals so that errorless switching can be achieved. The delays are then adjusted to reduce cumulative delays which could degrade the quality of data transmission.

Abstract: A call between a caller using a telephone device for the deaf (TDD), and requiring one or more types of expertise from a calling assistant, and another person, including a TDD user, is connected by automatically prompting the TDD caller for calling information, automatically identifying the expertise needed, including the language being used, selecting a communication assistant (CA) capable of speaking in the language and other expertise, routing the call to the selected CA, and connecting the call.

Abstract: An improved communication arrangement includes a head station is connected to a router and delivers a signal to the router that is adjusted to the granularity of the free spectral range (FSR) of the router. At a minimum, a signal is broadcast to all outputs of the router, to which network interface units may be connected, with a modulated carrier that spans as little as one FSR interval. Two independent signals are delivered to the network interface units by adding a second carrier that may be as close as at an adjacent FSR interval. In a telecommunication environment, the head station may be a central office-like station which serves a plurality of customers and which provides the expected private communication. Additionally, it provides new broadcast services, such as TV broadcast (much like cable systems currently do) and other multi-media services.

Abstract: A service establishes conference mailboxes (CMB) for specified durations of time upon request by a user. The CMB service permits a CMB to be accessed by any number of other users authorized by the requesting user. The CMB service also advantageously conferences together authorized users accessing a CMB concurrently. The CMB is advantageously implemented by a CMB control system comprising a processor and memory which CMB control system is connected to a communications network.

Abstract: A cryptographic module, such as a smartcard, is designed to a) store decrypting software programs, and information indicative of predetermined conditions under which an escrow agent is enabled to use the software programs stored on the module to decrypt encrypted data files, and b) records for audit purposes, information indicating every time the software programs are used for decryption.

Abstract: A systematic convolutional interleaver arrangement that is obtained by treating the input signals of an associated error correcting encoder as if they had been pre-interleaved in a very particular way so that the order of the input signals of the encoder is not altered when it is transmitted to the channel. By way of example, an interleaver/deinterleaver arrangement is disclosed that uses Reed Solomon code RS(120,116) and employs delay element banks and associated routing to interleave and deinterleave the signals.

Abstract: A modem that matches itself to a central office codec to which it is connected and incorporates encoding of the data. An echo canceller following the central office codec subtracts an estimate of the echo introduced in the central offices. More particularly, digital data applied to the modem is multi-level encoded and mapped onto a subset of the levels recognized by the central office codec. In an illustrative embodiment, the multi-level encoding encodes the two least significant bits in the binary representation of the levels delivered by the modem. The least significant bit is encoded with a code that is more robust than the code of the next-to-least significant bit, in recognition of the fact that errors in the least significant bit are much more likely. The corresponding echo canceller in the network first estimates the echo and subtracts it from the signal applied to the digital network by the central office. Thereafter, a decoder decodes the received signal in stages.

Abstract: An automated method for alerting a customer that a transaction is being initiated and for authorizing the transaction based on a confirmation/approval by the customer thereto. In accordance with one illustrative embodiment, a request to authorize the transaction is received, wherein the request includes a customer identifier; a determination is made whether to authorize the transaction based on the customer identifier; if the determination is to authorize the transaction, that fact is communicated to the customer; a confirmation that the transaction should, in fact, be authorized is received back from the customer; and the transaction is authorized in response to the customer's confirmation thereof. In accordance with another illustrative embodiment, a transaction initiated by an agent of the customer (i.e., the principal) is authorized by the principal when one or more threshold parameters that may be pre-defined by the principal are exceeded.

Abstract: A wireless Local Area Network (LAN) includes a repeater which a) synchronizes interface adapters for portable end-user devices and b) retransmits data signals received which retimes and retransmits data signals received from these end-user devices that gain, one at a time, the exclusive right to transmit those signals during a given transmission time subframe by contending for access to the LAN resources that are auctioned off to permit LAN resource utilization that is independent of traffic load and that is implemented in a near collision-free environment.

Abstract: A telephone instrument with computing means and a memory that stores a number of dialed numbers. The computing means follows a process that is responsive to the "re-dial" button of the telephone instrument and to the "#" and "*" buttons on the dial pad. The process provides a "backup" capability that points to successively older entries in the memory, thereby allowing a user to dial out older entries, and also provides a search function that searches through the memory for a specified number.

Abstract: Entities who normally are financially responsible for calls made by them have their calls paid for by a sponsor when they are selected by the sponsor to be included in a "family ring" and they make calls to other entities that are included by the sponsor in the family ring. This capability is achieved with the aid of a database node which maintains information about the identity of members in the family ring. Operationally, in accordance with one embodiment, any member of the family ring who wishes to call another member of the family ring calls a pre-designated number that connects the calling party to a database node. The database node interacts with the calling party by first determining whether the calling party is a member of the family ring, and when the calling party is authenticated, the database node responds to information that identifies a selected called party who is also a member of the family ring.

Abstract: A digital port includes a passive bus and, at least, the registration and call transfer features associated with a switch to provide cellular wireless capability. The passive bus allows a base station to be connected to the channel and thereby interface a plurality of wireless terminals to the switch. While only some of the wireless terminals in the neighborhood of a base station can be active concurrently (as is the case in all wireless systems) by way of a digital communication channel that is included in the passive bus, the switch can register and, hence, keep track of, a larger number of wireless terminals that are present in the base station's neighborhood. The passive bus also includes at least one circuit switched channel to allow communication with one or more wired or wireless terminals.

Abstract: A method for testing a sequential circuit by applying a number of test vectors to the primary inputs of the sequential circuit between each application of a clock circuit. Once the sequential circuit enters a state and that state is a necessary condition for detecting various faults, test vectors are applied to the primary inputs of the sequential circuit, which vectors are designed to propagate all fault effects that can be propagated at that state of the circuit. Once those vectors have been applied, a state-advancing vector is applied immediately before the application of the clock. The state-advancing vector is designed to condition the circuit to allow more fault effects to be propagated to the primary outputs, and to propagate fault effects into the storage elements of the circuit.

Abstract: A communications system is arranged to route a database-queried call (900-number or 800-number call) to a subscriber (pay-per-call sponsor or 800-number customer), and to deliver to the subscriber information identifying the call as a database-queried call, as opposed to a switched-line or POTS call.

Abstract: A signaling provider network which receives and transmits at least a subset of all signaling information associated with a particular call or communication service, allows the received/transmitted signaling information to be processed independently of the originating or terminating communication carrier network which originates and/or completes the call, or provides the communication service.