Abstract: A method and apparatus for normalizing a score associated with a document is presented. Statistics relating to scores assigned to a set of training documents not relevant to a topic arc determined. Scores represent a measure of relevance to the topic. After the various statistics have been collected, a score assigned to a testing document is normalized based on those statistics. The normalized score is then compared to a threshold score. Subsequently, the testing document is designated as relevant or not relevant to the topic based on the comparison.

Abstract: A radiotelephone (10) simulates the call origination process performed by land-line telephones. Dial tone is generated (78) in response to an off-hook condition and removed when a first digit (54) is dialed. A timer process (84, 110) and a number analysis process (100) simultaneously evaluate dialed digits to detect the completion of dialing. The number analysis process (100) identifies seven, ten, and eleven digit, and indeterminate length phone number formats (64, 66, 52, 68). The ten digit format is recognized in response to remotely programmed (42) connected NPA codes. For most calls, the number analysis process (100) instantly detects a phone number's final digit (62). In a few cases the timer process (84, 110) detects the final digit through the absence of dialing activity for a predetermined duration. When the final digit (62) is detected, an origination message is transmitted to a cellular network.

Abstract: A switch includes input ports, output ports, and merged buffers corresponding to the output ports. Each of the input ports receives cells of a data packet from a source. The output ports output the cells in an order in which they were received by the input ports. The merged buffers temporarily store the cells received by the input ports. Each of the merged buffers includes an output buffer, and input buffer, and a controller. The output buffer stores cells for transmission by a corresponding one of the output ports. The input buffer temporarily stores cells for rerouting to at least one different one of the output ports. The controller reroutes the cells stored in the input buffer to output buffers corresponding to the different output ports.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for performing online data queries. The system for performing online data queries is a distributed computer system with a plurality of server nodes each fully redundant and capable of processing a user query request. Each server node includes a data query cache and other caches that may be used in performing data queries. The data query, as well as request allocation, is performed in accordance with an adaptive partitioning technique with a bias towards an initial partitioning scheme. Generic objects are created and used to represent business listings upon which the user may perform queries. Various data processing and integration techniques are included which enhance data queries. An update technique is used for synchronizing data updates as needed in updating the plurality of server nodes. A multi-media data transfer technique is used to transfer non-text or multi-media data between various components of the online query tool.

Abstract: In a cellular communication network (20) having a channel assignment plan (28) that distinguishes frequency channels (34) assigned to a plurality of cells (24), a method (58) and system (46) adapt the channel assignment plan (28) during network planning to include shared frequency channels (45). Borrower cells (84) are identified in response to a deficiency value (36) indicating a shortage in a quantity of the frequency channels (34) assigned to the borrower cells (84). Donor cells (95) are selected from the cells (24) in response to a load factor (38) for each of the cells (24), the load factor (38) indicating the number of frequency channels (34) already being shared by the cell (24). Candidate frequency channels (34) that may be shared are evaluated against predetermined channel sharing constraints, such as frequency separation constraints (156, 158), co-channel carrier-to-interference C/I constraints (232, and adjacent channel C/I) constraints (280).

Abstract: A method for detecting incorrect categorization of data includes obtaining a database containing a plurality of entry-category pairs, calculating a score for each entry-category pair that corresponds to a likelihood that the pair contains an incorrect category assignment, and verifying the correctness of the assignment based on the score. The verification step can be conducted manually. The score assists users in focusing any manual verification efforts on data that may actually contain incorrect category assignments, thereby making the verification process more efficient. The method can be used to review and correct business name and phone number listings in telephone directories.

Abstract: A computing system (36) provides a network designer with a mechanism for adaptively predicting the propagation of a radio wave (22) along radials (24) emanating from a base station (26) in a wireless communication environment (20). The computing system (36) includes executable code in the form of a propagation prediction process (58, 130). The propagation prediction process (58, 130) selects segments (78) of a selected one of the radials (24) on a per segment basis and ascertains a propagation environment (28, 30, 32, 34) through which the selected segment (78) traverses. The process (58, 130) chooses, in response to a switching parameter (88, 90, 92), a propagation model (62, 64, 66, 68) from a collection of propagation models (60) that is best suited for predicting the propagation of the radio wave (22) at the selected segment (78).

Abstract: A computing system (36) provides a network designer with a mechanism for modeling migration, or a shift, of call traffic from a first server (26) operating using a first technology type to a second server (28) operating using a second technology type. The system (36) executes a traffic map generation process (56) for generating a first traffic map (60) responsive to a radio coverage area (30) and a call traffic load (84) for the first server (26), and for generating a second traffic map (62) responsive to a radio coverage area (32) and call traffic load (90) for the second server (28). The system (36) executes a call traffic migration modeling process (58) to adapt the second traffic map (62) to include a proportion (100) of the first call traffic load (84) to be shifted from the first server (26) to the second server (28).

Abstract: The system automatically generates electronic commands necessary to modify or provision different types of program control switches as may be included in a public switch telephone network. A data schema and organization of tables and data structures provide for command generation for each of the different switch types. Additionally, a self-modifying dynamic data structure is used as a common area to communicate information between various programs and formulate the commands due to a limited number of parameters used to communicate information between programs that generate the command for the switches. A technique for verifying switch commands automatically generated by a second new provisioning system is described. A technique is described for automatically extracting switch specific commands and options as generated by a first system for use in populating data stores used in a second system for command generation.

Abstract: A system includes at least one input monitoring unit that monitors an environment and produces a video and an audio signal corresponding to the environment; a Central Monitoring Office that displays image and sound information corresponding to the video and audio signals; and a self-organized mobile wireless communications network. The at least one input monitoring unit is remote from the Central Monitoring Office and transmits the video and audio signals to the Central Monitoring Office over the wireless communication network.

Abstract: In a cellular communication network (20) employing a network planning tool (38), a method (42) and system (48) associate servers (22) with pixels (74) that correspond to locations in an actual cellular environment. When the server (22) resides in a proximity region (88) surrounding a pixel (74) at which a radiofrequency signal (90, 102) is detected, that server (22) is associated with the pixel (74). When no servers (22) reside in the proximity region (88), a server (22) is selected in response to power levels (124, 128) of the detected radiofrequency signals (90, 102) at the pixel (74). When a computed power difference between the power levels is below a power difference threshold, the server (22) is selected for association with the pixel (74) in response to a random selection procedure.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with the present invention analyze control parameters of evolutionary algorithms. To this end, the system determines the value of a control parameter that controls the operation of the evolutionary algorithm. The system then executes the evolutionary algorithm according to the determined value of the control parameter to obtain a response value. Finally, the system determines an effect vector describing how a change in the value of the control parameter affects the response value. Systems and methods consistent with the present invention may also predict how changing the levels of a control parameter will affect the response value of the evolutionary algorithm. The system may also normalize an objective function of the evolutionary algorithm such that control parameters of the objective function have a relatively equal effect on the overall objective function.

Abstract: An Ethernet ADSL adapter controls data communication between an Ethernet port and an ADSL modem connected to an ADSL channel. The adapter includes a first buffer for storing data packets received at the Ethernet port, a second buffer for storing data packets received from the ADSL modem and a controller. When the first buffer contains a first predetermined number of data packets and data packets are not available for transmission to the Ethernet port, a jamming signal is transmitted from the Ethernet port. The jamming signal inhibits transmission of additional data packets to the Ethernet port by other Ethernet nodes until space is available in the first buffer. When the second buffer contains a second predetermined number of data packets, a pause signal is transmitted to the ADSL modem. The pause signal inhibits further transmission of data packets to the ADSL modem on the ADSL channel until space is available in the second+ buffer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing customers with telecommunications intelligence in the form of call management reports. When a call is made to a subscriber of the service provided herein, a call detail record is created using the Telephone Company's Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN). Each call that is made to the customer is processed using AIN service logic programs (SLPs). The SLP is invoked by an AIN trigger that is applied to the track telephone number(s) of the customers that subscribe to this service. For each inbound call, the SLP records several pieces of identifying information in a call detail record. Periodically, the AIN application accumulates the call detail records for all customers subscribing to the service. The information is processed to retrieve the desired data from the call detail records, and the data retrieved is used to develop call management reports for each subscriber of the service.

Abstract: A delegate assures quality of service in a distributed system while performing a remote object invocation. The delegate receives a request for the remote object invocation from a client object, identifies a current quality of service provided by the distributed system, and determines whether the current quality of service is acceptable. The delegate then performs the requested remote object invocation when the current quality of service is acceptable.

Abstract: A band manager (100) for a frequency-agile network simplifies packet transmission over multiple channels in an ad hoc network or wireless network by acting as a filter between a radio layer (104) and a network layer (102). The band manager (100) selects one channel out of multiple channels for transmitting and receiving packets, thereby taking the channel-decision making responsibility away from the components (e.g., the routing module (206), packet multiplexer (204), clustering module (210)) in the network layer (102). As a result, the radio layer (104) and the network layer (102) transmit and receive packets over a single channel selected by the band manager (100) rather than handling multiple packets over multiple channels. The inventive band manager (100) simplifies a multiple-channel network by making the network layer (102) and radio layer (104) act like a single-channel network.

Abstract: A system assigns PN offsets in a network (100) with multiple sectors (110). The system sets parameters for the network (100) and assigns PN offsets to the sectors (110) based on the set parameters. The system then identifies sectors (110) in the network (100) that have poor network performance as a result of the PN offset assignments. The system changes parameters for the identified sectors (110) and reassigns PN offsets to the sectors (110) based on the changed parameters to improve network performance.

Abstract: An improved telephone system is provided for handling a long distance call made by a mobile modem 5 to a remote land-based terminal 7 as a local call. A register in the system examines the number of the cellular telephone, and the location of the mobile, as represented by the identity of the serving switch. The register then instructs the system to connect the mobile modem 5 to a hard-wired modem 37 local to the visited switch 11. The modem designated is one of a pool of geographically dispersed modems 39 connected to an alternative network 41 such as the TCP/IP based Internet. The call is completed as a local call with data flowing from the mobile modem 5 to the local hard-wired modem 37. From the hard-wired modem 37 the data is then routed over the alternative network 41 to the land-based terminal 7, which is also connected to the alternative network 41. Such an approach eliminates the long distances fee connected with the use of the public switched telephone network 31.

Abstract: A voice activated and operated Internet web browser where voiced utterances are digitized and the digitized representation is input to a speech recognition program is disclosed. The speech recognition program determines the most likely set of words from a stored vocabulary making up the utterances. The words are analyzed and searched against a database of topics or micro-domain areas. If a match occurs the words are analyzed by a subprogram associated with the specific topic area and key words are identified and other words discarded. The key words are input to a search engine or the equivalent. The search engine returns information associated with the topic. If no topic match is found a general search on the recognized words is performed. The recognized words are fed to a identification module where key words are extracted that are associated with names of people, organizations, locations, and companies; times; money amounts; percentages; dates; and not-a-name.

Abstract: A process for reducing spatial redundancy and thereby increasing the efficiency of video compression techniques for video conferencing. A process for improving video coding by differential macroblock coding. One video coding process involves differential formation for the coding of each macroblock in comparison to at least one other macroblock within each video picture. Another video coding process involves differential formation for macroblock coding by comparison to two macroblocks, including the macroblock immediately to the left of the coding macroblock and the macroblock immediately above the coding macroblock. These processes involve improvements to the H.263 video coding standard as well as improvements to the H.324 video conferencing standard. These processes also involve improvements to the MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 video standards.