Abstract: Artificial implants having reduced area to provide reduced wear are provided. The reduced area is particularly located at areas where greatest wear is exhibited. In a particular embodiment of a mobile bearing knee implant, the area is reduced on the mobile bearing insert underside, where it contacts a tibial component. The reduced area may be any shape of indentations, for example, grooves, dimples, straight patterns, curved patterns, crossing patterns, holes, channels or slots. The indentations may be various sizes, and have been found to be particularly effective if covering about 10% to about 20% of the insert at depths between about 1-2 mm.

Abstract: Systems for connecting telecommunications infrastructure lines to telephones, handsets, computers, telecopy machines and other end user interfaces or consumer electronics devices in a residence or business. Systems according to the present invention include Network Control Units which form the center of a star topology and which communicate via RF link with Wireless Access Units and handsets. Wireless Access Units feature an interface, such as, for example, a standard telephone jack, for accommodating a telephone, a fax machine, a compute modem or other device. Computers or other devices may also be accommodated by Wireless Access Units having other physical and virtual interfaces, including, for instance, serial ports or network interfaces. The Wireless Access Units may also be digital to accommodate ISDN or any other digital standard.

Abstract: The system provides a method for gathering and sending monitored traffic data via a short messaging system message over a wireless network through a publicly switched telephone network (“PSTN”) to a central computer. A remote traffic monitoring unit acts as a data collection device collecting data regarding the traffic count and other conditions at its particular location. The remote traffic monitoring unit can monitor different types of traffic—for example, motor vehicles, trains, and pedestrians. The system routes data messages including monitored traffic count data from the remote traffic monitoring unit to a central computer and routes control information from the central computer to the remote traffic monitoring unit.

Abstract: A communication network includes a messaging system connected to a mobile switching center in a cellular network. When calls to a wireless device go unanswered, the messaging system answers the calls and records a message for that device. The messaging system sets a message waiting indicator (MWI) flag in a home location register (HLR) associated with the wireless device. When the wireless device then establishes communications with the mobile switching center, the mobile switching center transmits a MWI signal to the wireless device. The wireless device, after receiving the MWI signal, automatically establishes communications with the messaging system in order to retrieve the messages. The messages are digitized and compressed and are transmitted to the wireless device over a voice channel with DTMF signaling. The wireless device mutes the handset of the wireless device so that communications with the messaging system go entirely unnoticed by the user.

Abstract: Dental implant abutment systems, related devices, and implantology processes and techniques. The abutment systems include a base that is adapted to mount in nonrotating fashion on any desired dental implant, root form or blade, from any supplier, together with a fixation screw which secures the base to the implant. A core, to which an abutment is cast in customized shape and form as desired is attached to the base preferably in threaded fashion and secured with an appropriate antirotational mechanism. Alternatively, the core and abutment may be formed using CAM processes. Such abutment systems, unlike prevalent conventional systems, do not require a central access bore in the core or abutment components, and they occupy significantly less volume than conventional abutments.

Abstract: Processes for tufting substrate or primary carpet backing using conventional double needle bars but in which the needles may be shifted less than a full gauge. Processes of the present invention may employ a conventional double needle bar tufting machine to which is added means for shifting or indexing the hook bar laterally to the machine direction of the substrate being tufted. Timing of shifting of the hook bar may be coordinated with timing of shifting of the needle bar and advance of the substrate through the machine to allow piles to be tufted into the substrate at any desired lateral position with respect to previously tufted piles. The invention creates additional pile color pattern alternatives and eliminates repetitive patterns otherwise necessitated by full gauge shifting. Elimination of repeat color sequences reduces matching color sequences on adjoining edges of adjacent carpet tiles made from such substrate which otherwise accentuate or highlight the seams between carpet tiles.

Abstract: A modular humeral prosthesis for replacement of the humeral head of a humerus. The prosthesis generally comprises a stem to be fitted to a resected humerus; a head sized and configured to approximate the humeral head; and an intermediate connecting member for connecting the stem to the head. A first engagement/mounting portion is provided on the intermediate connecting member for mounting the intermediate connecting member on the stem, and a second engagement/mounting portion is provided on the intermediate connecting member for mounting the head on the intermediate connecting member. The first engagement/mounting portion has an axis about which the intermediate connecting member can be rotated through 360° relative to the stem and thereafter secured at a selected relative orientation. The second engagement/mounting portion has an axis about which the head can be rotated through 360° relative to the intermediate connecting member and thereafter secured at a selected relative rotation.

Abstract: A system and method downloads data and reconfigures the data into a database. A telephone user purchases a specific number of lines and specific services (i.e., call waiting) from a telephone company. The telephony company then programs a switch associated with that user so that the user receives the services purchased. The telephone company also inserts the user's purchases into a database used for generating the user's bills. Discrepancies can occur between the data in the switch and the data in the billing database. Billing correction is performed by downloading all of the data within a switch, reconfiguring the data into a database and then comparing the switch database against the billing database to detect billing errors. To facilitate ease of this billing correction process, the switch database is transmitted to the billing correction center via a network instead of the traditional method of using direct tape copies of the switch being physically transported to the billing correction center.

Abstract: System and method for providing a customer with the ability to obtain temporary advanced telecommunication services in the Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) for the customer's calling line by dialing a call to special access code, without the intervention of a service representative. The call is recognized as a request for an initiation of a temporary advanced telecommunication service with respect to the customer's calling line. On the basis of the recognition, an association may be retained between the calling line number and the service switching point serving the calling line number. This retained association may be used later in the activation of the temporary advanced telecommunication service for the calling line number. The call is routed to a rental service interface through which rental information from the caller may be collected.

Abstract: System and method for providing a customer with the ability to obtain temporary advanced telecommunication services in the Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) for the customer's calling line by dialing a call to special access code, without the intervention of a service representative. The call is recognized as a request for an initiation of a temporary advanced telecommunication service with respect to the customer's calling line. On the basis of the recognition, an association may be retained between the calling line number and the service switching point serving the calling line number. This retained association may be used later in the activation of the temporary advanced telecommunication service for the calling line number. The call is routed to a rental service interface through which rental information from the caller may be collected.

Abstract: System and method providing a customer with the ability to obtain temporary notification service in the Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) for the customer's calling line by dialing a call to feature access code, without thc intervention of a service representative. The call is recognized as a request for an initiation of a temporary notification service with respect to the customer's calling line. On the basis of the recognition, an association may be retained between the calling line number and the service switching point serving the calling line number. This retained association may be used later in the activation of the temporary notification service for the calling line number. The call is routed to a rental service interface through which rental information from the caller may be collected. This rental information may be compiled into a rental agreement that is used for activation of the temporary notification service with respect to the caller's calling line number.

Abstract: A system and method control prostheses and other devices with signals received by sensors implanted directly in the brain or other parts of the nervous system of a subject/patient and transmitted to an external receiver. Included in the system are sensors in the form of bundles of small, insulated, flexible wires, configured in a parallel or twisted array, which are used to receive multicellular signals from small clusters of neurons. A new “calibration/adaptation” system is developed, in which the neural signals are cross-correlated with the parameters of a set of standardized or model movements as the subject/patient attempts to emulate the model movements, and on the basis of the correlations the neural signals that are best suited for control of the corresponding movement or movement parameter of the external device are selected.

Abstract: The disclosed system and method provide a customer with the ability to obtain temporary caller identification services in an Advanced Intelligent Network. The customer initiates the service by dialing a call to a feature access code and does not require the intervention of a service representative. The call by the customer is recognized as a request for caller identification service. On the basis of the recognition, an association is retained between the line number and the Service Switching Point serving the line number. This retained association may be used later in the activation of the temporary caller identification service for the requested line number. The call is routed to a rental service interface through which rental information from the caller may be collected. This rental information may be compiled into a rental agreement that is used as the basis for activation of the temporary caller identification services with respect to the requested line number.

Abstract: System and method for providing a customer with the ability to obtain temporary voicemail service in the Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) for the customer's calling line by dialing a call to special access code, without the intervention of a service representative. The call is recognized as a request for an initiation of a temporary voicemail service with respect to the customer's calling line. On the basis of the recognition, an association may be retained between the calling line number and the service switching point serving the calling line number. This retained association may be used later in the activation of the temporary voicemail service for the calling line number. The call is routed to a rental service interface through which rental information from the caller may be collected. This rental information may be compiled into a rental agreement that is used as the basis for activation of the temporary voicemail service with respect to the caller's calling line number.

Abstract: A system and method for activation of an enhanced telecommunication service without a turn-on call by a subscriber. The present invention is described in the AIN environment, where an enhanced telecommunication service is set up for a directory number. The enhanced telecommunication service has an active state wherein the enhanced telecommunication service is applied to calls received for the directory number. The enhanced telecommunication service also has an inactive state wherein the enhanced telecommunication service is not applied to calls received for the directory number. The first call is directed to the directory number, where the enhanced telecommunication service is in the inactive state. A no answer condition from the directory number is detected with respect to the first call. In response to the detection of the no answer condition, the enhanced telecommunication service changes to the active state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic area code dialing includes a processor, software, and a memory for storing telephone numbers. At a dial tone, a caller dials a ten digit number. The processor sends an area code dial request to the caller for future calls. The caller can confirm the request of the dialed number as a frequently-dialed number. The processor stores the number as a seven-digit portion and an area code portion. On subsequent calls to only the seven-digit portion of the number, the processor compares the seven-digit number to a group of stored numbers. If a match is found, the processor transmits both the seven-digit number and its corresponding area code.

Abstract: The present invention provides a data acquisition and error correcting speech recognition system especially adapted for use in mobile telecommunications switching offices. The system comprises speech recognized dialing information with historical user calling information and attempts to determine whether the dialing information has been misspoken or misrecognized. If a mistake appears likely, the system suggests corrected dialing information to the user. The system also maintains data on the likelihood of various components of dialing information being misrecognized and updates this information with each call. The historical calling information indicates the user's propensity to call within particular area codes and office codes, to call particular phone numbers, and to call at particular times of day.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling access to information stored in an information database includes an unbundled port service control point coupled to an unbundled port information database. A signal transfer point routes line information database, calling name information, and other queries from an originating network to the unbundled port service control point. The unbundled port information database stores an unbundled port identifier that includes a dialing number for an unbundled port and a service provider identifier. The unbundled port information database also stores an information service identifier that includes a location for the database storing the service provider's information and access rights to that information for various networks. The unbundled port service control point extracts the originating network identity from the query and determines access rights to the requested information based upon the access rights for the information as stored in the database.