Abstract: To distinguish multiple operator services systems (OSS) and provide services within a single local area telephone network, originating end telephone offices include database tables that correlate end user telephone numbers to selected OSS providers. When an OSS-type call is placed to an originating end office (OEO), the OEO uses the database to correlate the calling party's number to a code corresponding to the OSS provider. In one embodiment, this code is used to populate at least part of the ISUP called party number digit field of the SS7 signaling protocol. This number, as well as the original called party number are transmitted to the switching network which relies on the called party number digits field to route the call to the appropriate OSS.

Abstract: An optical signaling header technique applicable to optical networks wherein packet routing information is embedded in the same channel or wavelength as the data payload so that both the header and data payload propagate through network elements with the same path and the associated delays. The technique effects survivability and security of the optical networks by encompassing conventional electronic security with an optical security layer by generating replicated versions of the input data payload at the input node, and the transmission of each of the replicated versions over a corresponding one of the plurality of links. Moreover, each of the links is composed of multiple wavelengths to propagate optical signals or optical packets, and each of the replicated versions of the data payload may be propagated over a selected one of the wavelengths in each corresponding one of the plurality of links.

Abstract: A cross-connect for a multi-ring, multi-channel telecommunications network, especially for a wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) optical network. Each of the interconnected rings is self-healing by provision of a redundant counter-rotating ring or excess capacity on pairs of counter-rotating rings. Because an interconnect between self-healing rings does not need to connect working to protection fibers, or similarly redundant fibers, the complexity of the interconnect can be substantially reduced. For several important architectures, the interconnect can be decomposed into one or two 3x3 interconnects. Further, a wide-sense non-blocking 3x3 interconnect can be advantageously implemented as four 2x2 switches, which may be a basic building block of optical switches. A novel algorithm is available to add new paths through such a 3x3 interconnect. The interconnect can be decomposed into one or two 4x4 interconnects when another pair of add/drop lines are added.

Abstract: A method and system identify in a database one or more data entries that are the nearest neighbors of a query. The database prebuilds a first set of strings by probabilistically selecting values of respective bits in each of the first set of strings based on a probability that depends on a first hamming distance. Based on the first set of strings, the database predetermines the trace values of each data entry in the database, respectively, and stores the predetermined trace values as entries in a trace table. For each trace value entry, the database identifies the data entries whose trace values are within a second hamming distance of the trace value entry, and stores the addresses of the identified data entries in the trace value entry. When the database receives a query, by identifying the trace value entry in the trace table that match the trace value of the query, the database identifies the data entries that are within the first hamming distance of the query.

Abstract: An optical signaling header technique applicable to optical networks wherein packet routing information is embedded in the same channel or wavelength as the data payload so that both the header and data payload propagate through network elements with the same path and the associated delays. The technique effects survivability and security of the optical networks by encompassing conventional electronic security with an optical security layer by generating replicated versions of the input data payload at the input node, and the transmission of each of the replicated versions over a corresponding one of the plurality of links. Moreover, each of the links is composed of multiple wavelengths to propagate optical signals or optical packets, and each of the replicated versions of the data payload may be propagated over a selected one of the wavelengths in each corresponding one of the plurality of links.

Abstract: A method and system for privately retrieving selected information from a database. The method includes determining, at a server, a first commodity and a second commodity, communicating the first commodity to an inquiring processor and the second commodity to the database, and retrieving the selected information from the database based on the first commodity and the second commodity such that the selected information is not revealed to the database. The first and second commodities may, for example, include a random address in the database and a private information retrieval query for encoding the random address, respectively. The inquiring processor determines an address offset based on the random address and the address of selected information in the database, and sends the address offset to the database. The database cyclically shift its contents according the address offset, and executes the query on the cyclically shifted contents.

Abstract: A cellular-fixed call transfer service is effected by introducing a Fixed-Cellular Mobility Agent (FCMA) into the cellular network, the FCMA having the functionality of a PSTN central office/CN mobile switching center for interconnecting incoming calls to the MSC as outgoing calls to the CN or the PSTN and which, in addition, monitors each call connection to carry out call transfers between the CN and the PSTN.

Abstract: A methodology and concomitant circuitry wherein an optical attenuator, having a range of settings including a minimum attenuation, is set to a pre-selected value less than the minimum attenuation whenever a loss of incoming signal power is detected in an optical path coupled to the attenuator.

Abstract: A cellular-fixed call forwarding service is effected by introducing a Fixed-Cellular Mobility Agent (FCMA) into the cellular network, the FCMA having the functionality of a PSTN central office/CN mobile switching center for interconnecting incoming calls to the MSC as outgoing calls to the CN or the PSTN and which, in addition, monitors each call connection to carry out call forwarding between the CN and the PSTN. The PSTN and the CN are both provided locally by the same service provider.

Abstract: Methods and systems disclosed efficiently detect potential interactions between features in a telecommunications network. The methods and systems specify AIN (Advanced Intelligent Network) and switch-based features and detect their interactions when present within a feature package provided to a single subscriber. The methodology supports the assumption that each feature is created without the knowledge of other features, and that each feature is specified as a “black box,” i.e., nothing is known about its internal logic except its input/output behaviors. The invention models a call environment, models two or more features, and combines the call variable usage for each feature. Methods then compare the combined call variable usages to detect potential feature interactions.

Abstract: A method is provided for estimating the size of a computer network such as the Internet. A computer generates a random sample of potential network addresses and then determines whether those sample addresses are currently allocated to computers on the network. Using samples taken at multiple points in time, the computer statistically models the growth of the network. The model has unknown parameters, and values of the parameters are estimated using previously sampled data. Using the estimated parameter values in the model, the computer estimates the number of computers on the network at historical points in time. The computer also uses the model to forecast the number of computers on the network at future points in time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for privately retrieving information from a single electronic storage device (e.g., a database) is described. An inquiring processor identifies a portion of a database memory with information for retrieval and encodes address of the information into a preselected mathematical function that conceals the identity of the selected information from the database. The inquiring processor transmits the encoded function to the database. The database cooperates by executing the encoded function on the database and transmits an encoded result that represents an evaluation of the encoded function to the inquiring processor. The inquiring processor, having knowledge of the selected mathematical function, decodes the encoded result to generate the information from the selected memory section of the database. The inquiry can be repeated until the inquiring processor can retrieve the selected information.

Abstract: A method for enabling the integration of the Personal Access Communications System (PACS) which supports low-tier radio, wireless communication devices with a GSM network used to support high-tier, cellular devices to allow connection of the PACS system to public switched telephone networks that do not have Advanced Intelligent Network capabilities. The functions of the conventional PACS Access Manager are redistributed among the various components of the PACS/GSM integrated system. Modifications to the PACS protocol to make it compatible with GSM protocol are detailed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting faults and restoring connections in networks including, e.g., ATM networks are described. The restoration methods of the present invention can be applied on an application by application or user by user basis. In accordance with the present invention virtual connections affected by link or node failures are restored through re-routing as opposed to establishing a completely new connection between a source and a destination device. VPI/VCI values are assigned at the time of re-routing thereby avoiding the potential problem of VPI/VCI exhaustion which may be encountered when backup VPI/VCI values are assigned at the time a communication session is initiated. The connection restoration process of the present invention is initiated by a node on the source side of a connection detecting a failure and initiating a re-routing operation or transmitting a message to the source switch to initiate a re-routing operation.

Abstract: An optical signaling header technique applicable to optical networks wherein packet routing information is embedded in the same channel or wavelength as the data payload so that both the header and data payload propagate through network elements with the same path and the associated delays. The technique effects survivability and security of the optical networks by encompassing conventional electronic security with an optical security layer by generating replicated versions of the input data payload at the input node, and the transmission of each of the replicated versions over a corresponding one of the plurality of links. Moreover, each of the links is composed of multiple wavelengths to propagate optical signals or optical packets, and each of the replicated versions of the data payload may be propagated over a selected one of the wavelengths in each corresponding one of the plurality of links.

Abstract: A method and system for creating very thin displays producing virtual images based on extremely small "pinpoint" light sources. In an embodiment, a pinpoint light source is used in a manner analogous to a pinhole lens to magnify and view a displayed image up close. In another embodiment, an array of pinpoint light sources with or without intervening lenses is used to illuminate a spatial light modulator to produce an extremely thin virtual image display.

Abstract: An Internet based service control channel connects a subscriber to a service provider. The subscriber can get information about the services, can get subscriber-specific information and can directly make changes to service via the Internet channel.

Abstract: System and method for implementing call waiting functions over a network architecture which includes a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and the Internet. The call waiting system allows a user to receive incoming call information from a third party without interrupting an active connection with a second party, such as an Internet Service Provider (ISP). When the user attempts to connect to the ISP, a call waiting service is activated at a service control point connected to the PSTN and the user is notified about any incoming call attempts made after the user establishes a successful connection with the second party. The call waiting system indicates the number of, and provides information about incoming call attempts to the user. Meanwhile, the third party caller has the option of leaving a voice mail message for the user. If the user is actively connected to the Internet, a call waiting Internet server can be used to provide the incoming call information to the user's computer terminal.

Abstract: A software system which allows a guide/specialist to interact with a client on a real-time, interactive basis over the World Wide Web. The methodology includes configuring a guide system with a special-purpose browser displaying both locally displayable frames and remotely displayable frames; the client system utilizes a conventional browser. The remotely displayable frames are transmitted to the client so that both the guide and the client have identical views of the remotely displayable frames. The guide uses the locally displayable frames to call upon available Web resources, typically in response to a client request also transmitted over the Web via, for example, a chat program, and then the guide can load the remotely displayable frames into the remotely displayable frames for rendering by the conventional browser. In addition, the guide and client can interact with a shared pointer and a shared whiteboard. Moreover, the guide can record the live session for later playback by other clients.

Abstract: A method and system for reconciling in a scheduling database the execution of a high priority stream of transactions that is concurrent with a low priority stream of transactions comprise the steps of copying a portion of the database into a temporary storage, establishing the high priority stream in the database, establishing the low priority stream in the temporary storage, reconciling the low priority stream with the high priority stream, and establishing some or all of the low priority stream of transactions in the database such that the high priority stream has data priority over the low priority stream and the resulting database satisfies certain safety and liveness constraints.