Abstract: Managing a virtual private network includes receiving information describing at least one virtual private network attribute from multiple computers providing at least one virtual private network function, preparing a report by organizing the received information into a table that lists each of the multiple computers and the corresponding virtual private network attribute received from each of the multiple computers, and displaying the prepared report to a user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of monitoring messages forwarded from a first application to a second application each filter messages to produce a designated set of messages. Analysis of the designated set often can determine the source of an application error. To that end, the apparatus and method each receive messages forwarded from the first application to the second application. Each received message then is filtered by a filtering function that identifies the designated set of messages. Each message in the designated set is identified by the filtering function to be in the designated set when it determines that such message is a preselected type of message. An error thus may be detected in at least one of the first application and the second application, and at least one message in the designated set responsively may be analyzed to determine the cause of the error.

Abstract: In ATM networks, digital data in ATM cells are sent to a destination node over more than one transmission link in round robin fashion. This is called inverse multiplexing. At connection start-up, the source node informs the destination node of the specific round robin fashion of the transmission links so that the ATM cells are reassembled in a proper sequential order. Inverse multiplexing control cells are used to communicate between the source node and destination node for connectivity testing of transmission links. Cell stuffing is also provided in one embodiment to accommodate non-synchronized links among transmission links. In a particular embodiment, two consecutive control cells indicate a stuffing cell. A start-up procedure is described when not all the transmission links are usable.

Abstract: A teleconferencing system, including apparatus and methods, for providing transcription and/or translation services during a teleconference is disclosed. The disclosed teleconferencing system establishes a voice connection and a data connection with participants to the teleconference desiring transcription services. The speech of each participant to the teleconference is transcribed using voice recognition technology in real or near-real time. Additionally, the transcribed text may be translated into a participant's desired language. The translation may be generated in real or near-real time on a word by word basis or alternatively, on a phrase by phrase or sentence by sentence basis. The translated and transcribed text is displayed for a participant using the established data connection. The transcribed (and possibly translated) text may be displayed in real or near-real time during a participant's speech.

Abstract: The present invention guarantees that voice data (and other information types) will switch within a predetermined time period. Systems and methods consistent with the present invention accomplish this guarantee by, among other things, establishing permanent virtual paths between each network element, guaranteeing each voice line a slot in a packet in each frame, employing both octet switching and packet switching, synchronizing the operation of the network elements to a reference clock, and providing several levels of network redundancy.

Abstract: The present invention guarantees that voice data (and other information types) will switch within a predetermined time period. Systems and methods consistent with the present invention accomplish this guarantee by, among other things, establishing permanent virtual paths between each network element, guaranteeing each voice line a slot in a packet in each frame, employing both octet switching and packet switching, synchronizing the operation of the network elements to a reference clock, and providing several levels of network redundancy.

Abstract: A system for implementing a high-availability architecture comprising a first compact Peripheral Component Interconnect shelf, a second compact Peripheral Component Interconnect shelf, and a network. The first and second compact peripheral component interconnect shelf are redundant systems. The first compact peripheral component interconnect shelf comprises a first system utility card connected to a first compact core to network interface connected to a first compute platform connected to a first high speed pipe interface. The second compact peripheral component interconnect shelf comprises a second system utility card connected to a second compact core to network interface connected to a second compute platform connected to a second high speed pipe interface. The first and second compact peripheral component interconnect shelf are connected via Ethernet. The first and second compact core to network interface is connected to the network.

Abstract: The present invention guarantees that voice data (and other information types) will switch within a predetermined time period. Systems and methods consistent with the present invention accomplish this guarantee by, among other things, establishing permanent virtual paths or circuits between each network element, guaranteeing each voice line a slot in a packet in each frame, employing both octet switching and packet switching, synchronizing the operation of the network elements to a reference clock, and providing several levels of network redundancy.

Abstract: Managing a virtual private network includes providing a graphical user interface for displaying one or more virtual private network subscribers and one or more computers offering virtual private network functions. The graphical user interface is programmed to display tunnels associated with either the subscribers and/or the computers offering virtual private network functions based on user input.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling telephone network subscribers using a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) to communicate with other network subscribers lacking such a device. The TDD user dials a number that connects them with an automatic relay switch (ARS). The ARS determines the intended recipient of the call and establishes a connection to them. The TDD user then transmits a message in TDD format to the ARS, which converts it into an ASCII text file that is in turn provided to a text-to-speech (TTS) engine that synthesizes a voice message from the text file. The voice message is then sent to the non-TDD-enabled subscriber. The ARS then preferably prompts the non-TDD-enabled subscriber to enter a response. The response may be made by voice communication or by using the telephone keypad to send dual-tone multi-frequency tones back to the ARS according to instructions that were provided to the called party for this purpose.

Abstract: Systems and methods measure a round trip delay of voice packets through a telephone system that includes a plurality of cabinets connected through a network. Each cabinet includes a link for communicating with other cabinets through the network by passing information such as voice packets. Each link includes a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that inserts and reads information in the voice packets to measure a time delay of the network. A first cabinet link sets a transmit bit in a voice packet directed to a second cabinet and starts a timer. The second cabinet monitors the transmit bit in received voice packets to determine if the bit is set. If so, the second cabinet sets a receive bit in the next outgoing voice packet directed to the first cabinet. The first cabinet monitors the receive bit in incoming voice packets and if set, stops the timer. The resulting value in the timer reflects the network delay.

Abstract: A method and system for handling, that is routing and tracking, a plurality of incoming media streams of varying types—such as faxes, e-mail, Voice over IP, and others—is disclosed. The system analyzes the incoming media's type, header information and content and, in conjunction with other databases available within an enterprise, such as a human resources or customer information management databases, determines a plurality of suitable enterprise resources that may be able to adequately respond to said incoming media stream. The system may, again in conjunction with the enterprise databases, determine the availability of an identified enterprise resource and, if available, routes said incoming media stream to said identified and available resource. If the identified resource is unavailable, alternate resources are selected from said plurality of identified resources for possible routing of the incoming media stream.

Abstract: System are generally comprised of a (“PBX”) module, a text server, a voice mail system, at least one telephone, at least one terminal device, and in some cases, a computer network. Communication paths are used to selectively couple the above elements together, as needed to execute or implement the particular application or feature. Calls (TDD or otherwise) are initiated over the Internet or the world wide web to the text server, which is preferably in communication with the PBX module. The PBX module is in communication with a text server via modem. The text server is directly or indirectly in communication with a voice mail system and with the PBX module. The text server may be in communication with the voice mail system via voice card and PBX module or directly with certain voice mail system with specialized software. The PBX module is in communication with at least one telephone.

Abstract: A method for real-time communication among two or more individuals separated in space. The method includes the steps of determining that a first individual is likely to be interested in communicating with a second individual via a first communications link; retrieving information via the first communications link about one or more additional individuals from electronic memory means associated with the second individual; and establishing communication with at least one of the additional individuals based on the retrieved information.

Abstract: Apparatus, system, and methods for a high availability computer system architecture using high-speed pipes are provided. An active computer system and a standby computer system are connected using a physical pipe for transferring data between the active computer system and the standby computer system. A first logical pipe is used for transferring data over the physical pipe, and a second logical pipe is used for transferring high-availability data over the physical pipe. Network-interface cards may be used to implement the high-speed pipes.

Abstract: Parallel data network and telephone network communications are established to facilitate a collaboration combining the data transfer and document sharing strengths of a data network with the superior audio communication of a telephone network. The method involves receiving an identifier of a calling station and called station, determining the IP addresses of computers associated with the calling station and called station, and causing the computers of the called and calling stations to establish a data-only collaboration. In an alternative embodiment, the method additionally involves determining the CLIDs associated with the calling and called stations, and connecting the telephones of the called and calling stations.

Abstract: Managing a virtual private network includes transmitting configuration information for at least one virtual private network function to multiple computers providing the at least one virtual private network function.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of configuring a first network device that is a part of a subnet ascertains configuration data from packets in a subnet having configuration dat. More particularly, the packets, which are transmitted by a second network device in the subnet, first are retrieved and then parsed to ascertain the configuration data. At least a portion of the configuration data is stored in a configuration database. In addition, at least one datum from the configuration data is processed to produce additional configuration data that also is stored in the configuration database. The first network device consequently operates in accord with the data in the configuration database.

Abstract: The invention provides a key system unit comprising a first interface suitable for connection to a plurality of local terminals and a control unit coupled to the first interface. The control unit is operative for receiving a user data signal from the first interface and routing the user data signal toward a selected destination. The control unit has a registry for storing status information, the status information including a local segment and at least one remote segment, the local segment providing a representation of the functional status of the key system unit, the remote segment providing a representation of the functional status of a remote key system unit. The information in the registry can be displayed on a display screen on a local terminal to provide the user with system status information on the local key system unit and the remote key system unit.

Abstract: An indication of urgency of a call is received from a caller. The urgency indication is communicated to the called party through a distinctive notification, such as distinctive ringing. The urgency indication may be obtained from a caller via a personal agent.