Abstract: A computer-executable method for diagnosing trouble causes in telephone cable segments when trouble data are available only for entire cables is presented. This method diagnoses problems in the components of processes when the component location of process problems is not known. It gives a statistical relationship between component attributes and process problem rates, to facilitate assessment and improvement of policies about the process. This method may be used for diagnosing systematic problems in segments of telephone cable connections of given central offices.

Abstract: An escrowed key distribution system for over-the-air service provisioning of cellular telephones and other wireless communication devices provides a secure and efficient authentication key distribution method for wireless communications networks. To ensure security, an authentication key used to activate the wireless device is never transmitted over the air. In addition, mutual authentication is performed between the wireless communication device and the service provider using an embedded private-key algorithm to ensure proper authentication key transfer.

Abstract: In accordance with methods and systems consistent with the present invention, an improved fact recognition system is provided that automatically learns from syntactic language examples and semantic language examples, thus facilitating development of the system. The language examples are rather simplistic and can be provided by a lay person with little training, thus relieving the need for knowledge engineers. Furthermore, the learning performed by the improved fact recognition system results in a collection of probabilities that is used by the system to recognize facts in a typically more accurate manner than conventional systems.

Abstract: According to the principles of the invention, there is provided a system for generating a message authentication code for a conventional digital video stream. The system operates on the rows and columns of block data for a video stream, and more specifically on histograms of DC coefficients from each row and column, to produce a compact code that is nonetheless descriptive of the underlying images in the video stream. The message authentication code can be reproduced from the images of a received video stream, and if desired, compared with a digital watermark embedded in the video stream in order to confirm the accuracy of the video content or identify the source of the video stream.

Abstract: The in-situ measurement of the shear modulus of a surface layer of soil (12) is performed by apparatus in which a contact foot (11) with a preselected downward bias force engages a defined area of a region of soil. A drive transducer (13) shakes the contact foot (11) vertically and sensing transducers (17, 18) determine the force applied to the foot (11) and the resulting movement of the foot (11) and generate respective first and second output signals. The in-phase movement responsive output signal is analyzed in relation to the force signal to obtain a measurement of a single parameter which is representative of the stiffness provided by the soil (12). The shear modulus as well as the void ratio of the soil can be calculated from the stiffness. The drive transducer (13) is energized by an a.c.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and technique for obtaining calling party information where existing “caller-id” techniques do not provide calling party information. Described is a service for a subscriber of a communication medium service for handling incoming calls when the subscriber is connected to the Internet. The techniques give a calling party a chance to provide information to the called party in the form of a voice recording in described circumstances, such as where caller identification information is unavailable if there is an unlisted phone number of a calling party.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for reliably transmitting Internet Protocol (IP) data packets over fading Internet communication channels. The invented system 10 comprises a transmitting device 12 having an interleaver circuit 22. The invented system 10 also includes a receiving device 14 having a de-interleaver circuit 38. The transmitting device 12 and the receiving device 14 communicate over a fading Internet communication channel 16. The transmitting device 12 applies error control coding to the IP packets before they are transmitted over the fading Internet communication channel 16. The Interleaver circuit 22 interleaves the IP data packets before transmitting them over the fading Internet channel 16. The receiving device 14 receives the interleaved IP packets from the fading Internet channel 16. The de-interleaver circuit 38 de-interleaves the received IP data packets.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing voice communication between a packet-switched network and a circuit-switched network includes a network interface unit for coupling to the packet-switched network, a phone interface unit for coupling to the circuit-switched network and a gateway processor coupled to the network interface unit and to the phone interface unit. In response to a call request, a packet-switched network connection is established between the gateway processor and a first station in the packet-switched network, and a circuit-switched network connection is established between the gateway processor and a second station in the circuit-switched network. Incoming voice data packets received from the first station are converted to outgoing voice signals, which are transmitted over the circuit-switched network connection to the second station.

Abstract: In the communications network disclosed herein, each of a plurality of similar stations is operated so that the group automatically organizes or configures itself into a multi-layered network for relaying messages from station to station, with some of the stations operating at a relatively high power level as message gateways for a cluster of stations operating at lower power thereby to form, through the gateways, a network backbone providing longer distance network links. Initially, individual stations attempt to affiliate at a lower power level with an existing cluster gateway and, if that attempt is unsuccessful, the station switches to a higher power level and commences operation as a cluster gateway. Each cluster gateway periodically communicates data at least identifying to other cluster gateways the non-gateway stations which are affiliated with it.

Abstract: A data communications system, particularly suited for shared or wireless communications channels, capable of accommodating terminals having different throughput capabilites by flexibly allocating cyclically rotated phases of a common code is disclosed. One or more shifts of a cyclic orthogonal code are assigned to a terminal. These codes are preferably cyclically padded to increase their tolerance to arbitrary time shifts, and the resulting codes are used to spread the signals for transmission.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring the reflection coefficient of a network are disclosed. The methods and systems measure the reflection coefficient by exciting a device under test with a driving signal. The driving signal incident on the device under test is measured and the source providing the driving signal is removed thereafter. A signal reflected from the device under test is sampled at a sample rate that may differ from the frequency of the driving signal. The reflection coefficient of the device under test is calculated by dividing the measured level of the reflected signal by the measured level of the driving signal.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for transmitting data over transmission bandwidth in a communication channel over a wireless network through asynchronous, reservation-oriented, multiple access to support real-time multimedia. The access to a transmission bandwidth in a communications channel is guaranteed (or reserved) from a terminal to a server by establishing a reserved bandwidth for a transmission in an on-demand, as-desired manner. A terminal reserves bandwidth with a server by corresponding with the server to reserve a finite bandwidth for transmissions of a data packet. A server recognizes the request for a finite bandwidth and approves the request, if capacity permits. Once a request has been approved, the systems and methods consist with this disclosure provide for reserved access to transmission bandwidth in a communications channel to support real-time network applications, including transactions involving wireless local area networks, cellular networks, and ad hoc networks.

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: The invention provides a method for managing the resources of a network so that a data signal can be carried more efficiently over the network. Generally, the methods of the invention include the steps of identifying a link in the network over which the data signal can be carried, determining whether the data signal can be carried over the link as a part of a multiplexed signal, comparing network resource requirements for delivering the data signal as part of a multiplexed signal with network resource requirements for delivering the data signal directly, and allocating network resources for the data signal as a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A system (101-139) receives a transmitted optical signal and generates an orthogonal despreading code that is different than the code used to spread the transmitted signal. The system (101-139) then despreads the received signal using the despreading code. By using a code to despread the received signal that is different than the code used to spread the signal, the overall interference in the system can be reduced and even eliminated.

Abstract: A network system capable of changing the billing rate for a telecommunication service includes Service Switching Point (SSP) (7) and a Service Control Point (SCP) (9). The SSP (7) implements call management by performing switching functions for placing a call, and implements service selection functions by detecting service indicators associated with the call. The SSP (7) also activates interactions with the SCP (9), which contains logic programs used for providing the indicated service. Signaling System 7 (SS7) of the Common-Channel Interoffice Signaling (CCIS) system is used for digital signaling between the SCP (9) and the SSP (7). When a user initiates a call, the SSP (7) acquires user data and trigger information from a Service Data Base (SDB) (11) associated with the SCP (9). During the call, when the SSP (7) detects that a trigger corresponding to the trigger information has been activated, the SSP (7) subsequently activates a SCP whose address the activated trigger gives.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a transmitted signal and generating an orthogonal despreading code that is different than the code used to spread the transmitted signal. The method then despreads the received signal using the orthogonal despreading code. By using a code to despread the received signal that is different than the code used to spread the signal, the overall interference in the system (100) can be reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for selecting documents, such as Web pages or sites, for presentation to a user, in response to a user expression of interest, during the course of presentation to the user of a document, such as a video or audio selection, whose content varies with time. The method takes advantage of information retrieval techniques to select documents related to the portion of the temporal document in which the user has expressed interest.

Abstract: A method and system for testing network-based location determination technologies within a single test area in the field. Channel models are developed to simulate the propagation impairment conditions associated with identified test scenarios. The channel models for an identified test scenario can be developed by estimating the amount of multi-path, path loss, and Doppler frequency shift effects one would expect under the conditions and environment of the identified tests scenario. The path loss effects of an identified scenario may be estimated by combining the Okumura-Hata outdoor path loss models with available indoor path loss models. A single test area having receiving antennas and signal transmission of fixed and known geographic locations may be selected.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented to classify a region on a map, or to update a preexisting classification of the region. The method utilizes postal records, associated with geographic positions, and corresponding land classifications to classify the region or to update the preexisting classification.