Abstract: The invention is a system for digital watermarking that operates on a conventional digital video stream to etch, on hand, and read, on the other hand, digital watermarks in the stream that do not visibly interfere with the video content. A system according to the invention operates on digital data that has been transformed into the spatial-frequency domain, using inter-block differences between spatial-frequency coefficients to encode the bits of a digital watermark. Using the principles of the invention, it is possible to encode multiple watermark bits between two adjacent blocks, thus providing higher watermark data rates relative to underlying video content.

Abstract: Interconnect traffic between local exchange carrier (LECS) networks and other carrier networks, particularly competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) networks, dictates a need for efficient monitoring and analysis of the interconnect traffic. In accord with the invention, monitor equipment on the LEC network captures call related messages produced by the LEC network and compiles data from those messages to form call detail records for the interconnect traffic. These records are loaded into a relational database. A data preparation routine enhances the data, for example, by translating certain codes from the records into more useful text and by spreading or binning usage over predefined time intervals. An on-line analytical processing program runs one or more applications to allow the LEC to analyze the interconnect traffic between the LEC network and the other carrier's network. The analysis provides useful traffic data for accounting purposes, e.g.

Abstract: A localized wireless gateway system provides wireless telephone communication and provides access to a public packet data network, such as the Internet, for at least voice telephone type communications. The wireless gateway system includes a number of base stations, essentially built around computers with digital transceiver circuitry, which provide an air interface to a number of digital terminal devices. The terminal devices communicate audio information in a standard digitized and compressed data format. The base stations provide two-way communications of the audio data over a public packet switched data network, either directly or via a local area network and a server coupled to the public data network. A server and local area network provide local voice and data communications as well as voice and data communication access to the public packet data network.

Abstract: An adaptive antenna system (20) includes a programmable reflection surface (22), a controller (24) in communication wit the programmable reflection surface (22), and a feeder element (26) outwardly spaced from a receiving side (28) of the programmable reflection surface (22). The controller (24) is operable to write a pattern (34) of reflective (36) and absorptive (42) regions into the programmable reflection surface (22) in accordance with a frequency and a direction of a received or transmitted electromagnetic wave (32). The controller (24) is further operable to write patterns (68, 80) into the programmable reflection surface (22) to dynamically adjust adaptive antenna system (20) to changing frequencies and directions of transmitted and received electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing call forwarding services using AIN techniques and next event list messages are described. Methods of notifying a subscriber of a call forwarded using AIN techniques are also described. In accordance with one feature of the present invention, a subscriber is allowed to set the number of rings which are allowed to occur prior to a call being forwarded. The number of rings, e.g., the ring count, is stored as part of a customer's call processing record (CPR) which is used by a service control point (SCP) to implement the call forwarding service. The ring count information may be updated via the Internet or via a dial-up telephone connection. Call forwarding customers are provided with a distinctive ring, e.g., a ring shorter than an ordinary telephone ring, to notify them when a call is being forwarded. Distinctive rings may be used to distinguish between different forwarding services.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for generating nodes and link definitions for a hypertext database from at least one source document which includes text and formatted properties that define a logical structure of the source document. Initially, the source document is segmented according to selected formatted properties. A node is then generated for each segment of the source document. Thereafter, link definitions are created to establish associations between the nodes so as to maintain the logical structure of the source document defined by the format properties. The nodes and link definitions can be imported to a hypertext database and searched with a hypertext engine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device and computer storage medium for determining whether two pages linked on the World Wide Web are a part of the same World Wide Web site. The method involves examining and comparing the IP addresses of the Web pages, and can also be extended to finding other pages to which a given Web page is linked on the Web, and to determining whether a Web page of interest is part of a Web site with a desired characteristic, such as being part of an electronic commerce site.

Abstract: A system and method for providing telephone type services over the internetwork commonly known as the Internet. Public switched telephone networks utilizing program controlled switching systems are arranged in an architecture with the Internet to provide a methodology for facilitating telephone use of the Internet by customers on an impromptu basis. Provision is made to permit a caller to set-up and carry out a telephone call over the Internet from telephone station to telephone station without access to computer equipment, without the necessity of maintaining a subscription to any Internet service, and without the requiring Internet literacy or knowledge. Calls may be made on an inter or intra LATA, region or state, nationwide or worldwide basis. Billing may be implemented on a per call, timed, time and distance or other basis. Usage may be made of common channel interoffice signaling to set up the call and establish the necessary Internet connections and addressing.

Abstract: A telephone network interface device that provides at least two drop-wire connection ports and two distribution cable ports. One drop wire port provides full bandwidth service with the second port providing telephone service only, reducing radio frequency ingress and egress magnitudes. Bridging options allow limited bandwidth or full bandwidth communication between distribution cable ports.

Abstract: A multi-line telephony system and method deliver multiple concurrent telephone conversations to a customer premise via a single traditional twisted-pair communications connection, and support telephone services via a traditional dial-up connection. Improved packet-based communications are performed using the multi-line telephony system and method with better transmission characteristics, such as transmission speed, over traditional twisted-pair wire connections to provide H.

Abstract: An intelligent telephone network provides personalized communication services based on a voice identification of the subscriber. The network executes a speech processing operation to identify the person or a party that the person is calling as a known subscriber. The network can provide personalized services to several subscribers sharing a common line. For incoming calls to such a line, the network executes an interactive procedure to determine from the caller which subscriber is being called. If the line is free, the switch applies distinctive ringing. If the line is in use, the switching office uses the profile of the identified subscriber to provide a distinctive call waiting tone or a voice message over the line. The tone or voice message indicates to the party using the line that there is a call waiting and specifically identifies the called subscriber.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for communicating between dissimilar radio voice communication devices across a wireless or wireline interface. The apparatus comprises a voice over Internet protocol (voIP) terminal connected to a computer network and an analog radio transceiver. The voIP terminal is comprised of at least one microprocessor for providing master control to a data acquisition (DAQ) board to create a system which is fully integrated in terms of the interface capability it provides to end users. In operation, the voIP terminal receives analog data from the analog radio transceiver, converts the data into a format recognizable by the computer network, and transmits the data to a desired location on the network. It also receives digital data from the computer network and transmits it into a format recognizable by the attached analog voice transceiver.

Abstract: Telephone number translations and other data, such as class of service, that heretofore resided in end offices are relocated to one or more locations remote from the switches. Such locations may contain Integrated Service Control Points (ISCPs), or processing systems of like capacity, that are accessible through the SS7 network to the central office switches that serve calling subscribers. Translation tables that relate exchange codes to point codes, as well as triggers for routing to ported numbers, thus are not set individually in each central office. Information for each new service is loaded only into a single, or relatively few, centrally located databases rather than at each switch.

Abstract: A signal acquisition device captures signals from a telecommunication line such as a local loop. The captured signals are spectrally analyzed using a signal-processing unit. The output of the signal-processing unit—in the form of a test spectrum—is provided to a signal identification system. The signal identification system comprises at least one of a plurality of spectra of known signals stored as templates. Using a matching algorithm, the spectrum of the test signal (unknown signal) is correlated with spectra of at least two known signals. The unknown signal is determined to be the same type as that of the known signal with whose spectrum the unknown signal produces the largest absolute correlation score. Alternatively, an unknown signals is determined to be that of a known signal if a correlation of both signals results in a score the absolute value of which is greater or equal to a predetermined threshold level.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing communication services such as voice dialing services are described. In one Centrex based voice dialing embodiment, voice dialing service subscribers are given access to personal voice dialing records including calling entries via the Internet as well as via telephone connections. Each calling entry normally includes the name and, optionally nickname, of a party to be called. It also includes one or more telephone numbers associated with each name. Different telephone number identifies, e.g. locations, can be associated with different names. A user can create or update entries in a voice dialing directory using text conveyed over the Internet or speech supplied via a telephone connection. In order to facilitate updating and maintenance of voice dialing directories over the Internet speaker independent (SI) speech recognition models are used.

Abstract: A networked system of voice-activated dialers is described. When a calling party using a local voice-activated dialer utters a phrase which indicates that information to reach a called party may be available at a remote site, a network connection is established to the remote site, spoken words or phrases are transmitted to the remote site, and the called party information is obtained from the remote site. The called party information is used to provide additional networked services to the calling party such as call-completion, voice messaging, or paging. These additional networked services may use the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and an existing signaling network such as the Signaling System No. 7 network.

Abstract: In a public switched telephone network, interoffice call attempts to or from a line under surveillance generate a variety of query, response and release messages between the offices, as part of the normal procedures for setting up and tearing down the calls to and from the line. To insure that all calls under surveillance generate signaling messages, terminating, dialing and release triggers are set with respect to the target's line. As a result, the end office serving that line sends queries to a database on the signing network, receives response messages, and sends release report messages. A site processor compiles data from the signaling messages and forms a call detail record (CDR) for each call attempt relating to the target under surveillance. A central file server further processes the CDRs and supplies composite data regarding the target's calls through a data network connection to one or more law enforcement agencies.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing communication services such as voice dialing services are described. In one Centrex based voice dialing embodiment, voice dialing service subscribers are given access to personal voice dialing records including calling entries via the Internet as well as via telephone connections. Each calling entry normally includes the name and, optionally nickname, of a party to be called. It also includes one or more telephone numbers associated with each name. Different telephone number identifies, e.g. locations, can be associated with different names. A user can create or update entries in a voice dialing directory using text conveyed over the Internet or speech supplied via a telephone connection. In order to facilitate updating and maintenance of voice dialing directories over the Internet speaker independent (SI) speech recognition models are used.

Abstract: A method of providing a user the option to accept an incoming call, play a prerecorded message to the incoming party, ignore the incoming call or forward the incoming call to a separate telephone number is disclosed for use when the user is connected, via the same telephone line, to the Internet. The disclosed invention reduces the number of times the incoming call is transferred which reduces the number of reserves used in processing the incoming call. This reduction frees up system resources and allows overall system resources to be used more efficiently.

Abstract: In recent years, the world-wide packet data network, commonly known as the Internet, has grown exponentially. The data network now reaches virtually all businesses, most schools and an increasing number of homes. To provide an alternative to all or portions of the carrier-based telephone network, a number of companies have developed equipment and software that enable voice telephone-like communications via the Internet. Severs are now coming on line, which enable calls over the Internet to go off-net to end user stations still coupled to the local telephone network. A number of situations arise where a telephone service subscriber wants to allow callers to call the subscriber's equipment and have part or all of the communication charges billed to and paid by the subscriber. The invention enables such billing to the called party, for calls routed partially or entirely via the Internet.