Abstract: A method for using an expert system to validate the customized call processing information (CCPI) records which permit a customer to customize services in a telephone network. The information corresponding to a CCPI record is converted into a set of "schemas" for evaluation by the expert system. These "schemas" are tested against a set of rules by the expert system which indicates errors in the CCPI record.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating and implementing customer service procedures for individual customers of a telephone network. The method and apparatus provides for the creation and execution of customized call processing information (CCPI) records to provide the desired service. The CCPI records are created by an operator at a display terminal to provide a visual representation of the desired service. The displayed representation of the service is translated into a binary representation and executed in a call processing environment to process calls to or from a phone number identified by the customer, in accordance with the customer's desires. Thus, each individual customer can design and have implemented unique telephone services.

Abstract: An adaptive transform coding algorithm for a still image utilizes a quadtree based variable block size discrete cosine transform to achieve a better tradeoff between bit rate and image quality. The choice of appropriate block size is made according to a mean based decision rule which can discriminate various image contents for better visual quality.

Abstract: To recover the service clock of a variable bit rate source (170) which generates data at a rate which is not proportional to a service clock (76), timing cells are generated. The timing cells are generated at a rate which is proportional to the service clock (76). The timing cells and data are transmitted via a network (100). At the receive-end, the data is stored in a buffer (82). A phase locked loop (90') generates a local clock signal in the form of a read signal which controls the rate at which the received data is read out of the buffer (82). The read signal produced by the phase locked loop (90') is proportional to the average rate at which timing cells are received at the receive-end. In this manner the signal which reads the data out of the buffer (82) at the receive-end approaches the service clock (76) at the source end.

Abstract: An integratable temperature-stable voltage controlled capacitor circuit comprising a variable gain current amplifier connected in parallel and between a reference capacitor and an input-output port. The current amplifier reproduces the current from the reference capacitor, amplifies it, and then adds it in phase to the original current at the input/output port. The equivalent capacitance realized at the input/output port is a linear function of the current amplification and the applied control voltage. The magnitude of the current amplification is determined by a ratio of at least two bias currents applied to the amplifier from two different current sources. Since the gain is dependent on a ratio of bias currents and since temperature affects the bias currents equally when the voltage variable capacitor circuit is integrated on a single chip, this design provides for greater temperature stability.

Abstract: A token ring network in which the token release mechanism adapts to the status of the other stations in the ring. Rather than releasing the token at the end of the token holding period, the token-holding station requests permission to continue transmitting. If permission is not denied by another station desiring to use the network, the token-holding station continues to transmit without interruption. Both absolute and relative priority can be accommodated with this adaptive token release mechanism. The permission denied message preferably comprises a simple modification of the request for permission to continue message.