Abstract: A method for transmitting synchronization information with data, which data corresponds to a sequence of samples representative of a signal, includes detecting the occurrence of two consecutive equivalent samples and inserting a synchronization pattern for the second-occurring sample prior to transmission. At a receiving end, the incoming signal is monitored to detect the presence of the sync pattern and hold the value of the receiver output at the value of the immediately previous received sample. In this manner, the signal is reconstructed without degradation, and byte synchronization information is sent without any bandwidth loss.

Abstract: A localized wireless gateway system provides wireless telephone communication, and for at least interexchange communication, provides voice telephone access to a public packet data network, such as the Internet. The wireless gateway system includes base station transceivers and a packet service gateway coupling the transceivers to the public packet data network. The packet service gateway also provides for signaling through the network to establish two-way voice communication sessions. In the preferred implementation, the localized wireless gateway system includes at least one radio port control unit coupled to the base station transceivers for controlling calls through the transceivers. The localized wireless gateway system also includes a telephone switch, such as a digital PBX, selectively providing telephone communication channels between the radio port control unit(s) and the packet service gateway.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic catalog protocol format and process for distributing and disseminating electronic catalogs. The electronic catalog protocol can be used on the Internet and other networks and in physical media such as CD-ROMS.

Abstract: A method is provided for enabling a customer to activate a call waiting feature for a list of caller numbers specified by the user. Calls from numbers on the list generate call waiting tones if they call while the customer is talking to someone. Other callers will hear a busy signal or may be routed to voicemail. The customer can activate the feature and add numbers to, or can remove numbers from, the list by entering one or more codes and interacting with prompts from a network server to enter the numbers to be added or deleted. A method for administering the feature on the network can include administering user charges for activating and maintaining the feature and deleting a number from the list when the user receives a call from the number.

Abstract: A system includes a telephony device (152) and a computer (102) coupled to a telephone line (194). The computer (102) includes an input device (210) and a processor (205). The processor (205) receives an electronic document that includes data representing a telephone number. The processor (205) further receives input via the input device (210) selecting the telephone number from the electronic document. The processor (205) additionally signals, via a packet-switched network (135) coupled to the telephone line (194), a telecommunication system (145) to connect a call between a telephone (156) associated with the telephone number and the telephony device (152) in response to the selection of the telephone number, the call being connected via the telephone line (194).

Abstract: A system encrypts information. The system includes a key storage module (135) configured to store encryption bits in a memory of the key storage module. The system further includes a communication device (105) configured to retrieve a quantity of encryption bits from the memory of the key storage module. The retrieval depletes a total amount of encryption bits stored in the key storage module. The communication device is further configured to encrypt data transmitted from the communication device using the quantity of retrieved encryption bits.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for sequence number checking. Sequence numbers of data packets are compared to a “sliding” window. The sliding window indicates a range of sequence numbers considered valid (or invalid). The size of the sliding window may be a particular value or varied. If a sequence number is “below” the sliding window, then it may be considered invalid. If a sequence number is within the sliding window, then it may be further checked to determine if a duplicate sequence number has been received. If a sequence number is “above” the sliding window, then it may be considered valid and the sliding window is advanced. The sliding window and sequence numbers are processed using multiple level bitmaps, which indicate a historical state of sequence numbers received. Furthermore, the multiple level bitmaps may comprise summary bits to summarize a state of subsequent bits.

Abstract: A system increases the capacity of a CDMA network having a plurality of cell sites. The system defines a pool of frequencies available for assignment, and assigns one of the available frequencies to each of the cell sites so as to minimize the number of neighboring cell sites assigned a same one of the available frequencies. By deploying different frequencies in the cell sites, the amount of interference caused by neighboring cell sites reduces. As a result, the capacity of each of the cell sites operating at a single frequency can be increased, so long as there remains sufficient power to reach the mobile units operating within the cell site. The system attains maximum benefits when the cell sites are located close together and the propagation exponent is low (for example, 10-20 dB/decade).

Abstract: A cellular network configuration tool is described that performs frequency assignments for use in a cellular network. The channels are assigned in accordance with input configuration data such as a channel separation matrix, geographic data, and requested channel assignments for each sector included in the cellular network being configured. The configuration is performed in accordance with predetermined constraints and criteria and quality of service input. The tool uses frequency assignment techniques to perform the channel assignments in accordance with varying constraints and criteria.

Abstract: Methods for modeling costs of wireless network infrastructure are described. More specifically, the cost contribution models for modeling radioports are described. Various radioport architectures include a constant channel capacity model (48) and a constant offered load model (82). Under constraints imposed by a class of dense user networks, such as wireless metropolitan area networks, cost models are shown to exhibit convex cost functions having minimums. Processes for analyzing these cost models are described for determining which radioport architecture, provides a least-cost radioport cost segment to the overall network cost.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring transmission signal interference in a bi-directional transmission/reception system in which a modulated signal received at a receiver location is subjected at the receiver location to analog to digital (A/D) conversion by an A/D converter 3, an output of which is routed to an input of a digital demodulator 6 for demodulation. The method includes the steps of accessing the output of the A/D converter 3 before the output is subjected to demodulation by the demodulator 6 and storing the accessed data in a storage buffer 7. The data stored in the storage buffer 7 is available for inspection to assist in determining the presence of signal interference.

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: An improved terminal block includes a first connection mechanism which, when enabled, connects a customer to a first service provider, a second connection mechanism which, when enabled, connects the customer to a second service provider, and an enabling mechanism for enabling either the first connection mechanism or the second connection mechanism.

Abstract: A technique for qualification of loops for new digital subscriber line services (DSL) involves use of an expert system, such as a neural network. A database of loop characteristic information and performance data enables the expert system to train or learn how to predict performance for future loops. In response to data characterizing a new loop to be qualified, the trained expert system predicts digital subscriber line performance for the new loop. Typically, the prediction enables classification of service capacity for the new loop into one of several classes corresponding to levels of DSL service offered through the network. The database for use by the expert system is updated as each newly qualified loop is brought into service and actual performance for that loop is known.

Abstract: There is provided a method for routing a call through a telecommunications network. The method comprises the steps of receiving a prompt, from one of a plurality of service switching points in a predetermined geographic service area, for a service associated with the call, and determining one of a plurality of tandem switches to which the call will be directed based on a probability distribution. There is also provided a system for routing a call through a telecommunications network.

Abstract: A system (36) provides a network designer with a mechanism for analyzing the performance of a code division multiple access wireless network (20). The system (36) includes executable code in the form of a probable server identification module (52), a forward link initial estimation module (54), a reverse link initial estimation module (56), a forward link analysis module (58), and a reverse link analysis (60). The modular architecture of the modules (52, 54, 56, 58, and 60) are appropriately configured and interconnected in order to form a network performance analysis process (62) that accurately analyzes both the reverse link performance and the forward link performance of the network (20).

Abstract: A network device configured to detect a framing pattern includes a data scanner and a frame detector. The data scanner examines parallel bytes of data and detects portions of a framing pattern in the parallel bytes of data, identifies the phase of the framing pattern and outputs alignment information and phase information when a framing pattern has been detected. The frame detector receives the alignment information and phase information and determines whether framing patterns having the same phase relationship have been detected within a predetermined number of frames.

Abstract: There is provided a method for determining a topology for a network. The method comprises the steps of obtaining data that describes a requirement for a service between a first node and a second node, and searching a state space to define a solution that fulfills the requirement. The solution provides a topographic arrangement for the first node and the second node in the network. There is also provided a system for determining a topology of a network.

Abstract: Offering vertical services to subscribers and service providers is an avenue to immediately improve the competitiveness of digital subscriber line access service, for example of the type offered by a local exchange carrier. To deliver high-quality vertical services, however, the underlying ADSL Data Network (ADN) or the like needs to establish Quality of Service (QoS) as a core characteristic and offer an efficient mechanism for insertion of the vertical services. The inventive network architecture introduces QoS into the ADN, in a manner that enables the delivery of sophisticated and demanding IP-based services to subscribers, does not affect existing Internet tiers of service, and is cost-effective in terms of initial costs, build-out, and ongoing operations.

Abstract: Mobile communication systems and methods consistent with the present invention include a central station, a mobile unit and a plurality of radio base stations. The mobile unit communicates with the central station through one of the radio base stations. The central station receives from the mobile unit registration information identifying the radio base station the mobile unit is currently communicating with. This registration information is then stored in a registration database located at the central station. Files are then transferred from the central station to the mobile unit using the radio base station identified by the registration information stored in the registration database.