Abstract: There is provided a method for specifying an operation via a graphical interface. The method comprises the steps of examining an image to distinguish a first bordered region within the image; examining the image to distinguish a second bordered region within the image; and determining a functional attribute of the second bordered region based on a position of the second bordered region relative to the first bordered region. There is also provided a system for specifying the operation via a graphical interface.

Abstract: A portable, automated telephone line test device includes a test module which applies test signals to a telephone line to be tested and detects electrical characteristics of the telephone line, and a user interface module. The user interface module includes a microprocessor, a display, a keyboard and a program memory in accordance with a standard microcomputer architecture. The processor of the user interface module is programmed to control the test module to perform a pre-programmed sequence of tests. The display provides indications of the tests being performed. The programmed sequence is varied by the device according to test results. Depending on the results obtained, the device also provides interpretative diagnostic messages and instructs the user to carry out additional test procedures.

Abstract: A telecommunications system provides telephone services to subscriber locations over dedicated optical fibers which extend in a “star” configuration from a telephone central office. A transmultiplexer installed at the central office is connected between a digital switch and the optical fibers. The transmultiplexer has a plurality of FDM ports, each of which is connected to a respective one of the optical fibers. The transmultiplexer is connected by one or more TDM ports to the digital switch. Preferably, the transmultiplexer provides a concentrating function whereby the number of subscriber lines served by the transmultiplexer is greater than the total voice-grade channel capacity of the connection between the transmultiplexer and the digital switch.

Abstract: A system for distributing multimedia information from a central office to a plurality of customer's premises each interconnected to the central office with a dedicated optical fiber includes a switch for transmitting a plurality of optical bands from the central office to each of the subscriber premises. The switch, being located in the central office and controlled by selection signals provided to or by the central office, selects a subset of first signals, either electrical or optical, and blocks others of the signals that are not contained within the subset so that the customer receives only the signals subscribed to by the customer. Each customer's premises has a receiver, coupled to the corresponding dedicated fiber, to detect the subset desired by the customer.

Abstract: A system and method using enhanced processing, responsive to domain name translation requests, to provide selective routing services through a public packet switched data network. The name processing applies to translation of a domain name into a group of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and to providing routing information for a packet data network such as the Internet. Following name translation into a group of addresses communication is automatically established between a calling terminal and a terminal designated by one of the addresses and determined through processing which effects linkage with the first terminal to respond. The selective routing is particularly advantageous for processing of voice telephone communications through the Internet packet data network based on domain name translations.

Abstract: An interactive training application has three components: a lesson engine, a lesson delivery system, and a lesson authoring tool. The lesson engine runs an interactive, multimedia training exercise based on the contents of a lesson file, which comprises a plurality of pages. Each page includes a navigation item, associated with another page, and a reference to multimedia content. The lesson delivery system displays a menu of lessons to a student, fetches a lesson file corresponding to the student's selection, and invokes the lesson engine upon the lesson file. The lesson authoring tool provides a graphical interface for inputting and editing storyboards, from which the lesson authoring tool is configured for generating a lesson file.

Abstract: A lawfully authorized electronic surveillance operation requires reporting of detailed call data for a variety of calls associated with the subject of the surveillance. For at least some specified calls to or from the subject, the invention provides profile data in a switching office serving the subject that causes the office to generate accounting messages for each call, essentially in the same manner as for billing, regardless of whether the calls are billable. Accounting records formed from the messages are uploaded to a server system, for processing and formatting as necessary for delivery to the law enforcement agency. The surveillance could entirely rely on these accounting records for the data reporting. In the preferred embodiments, however, the surveillance also involves monitoring of common channel signaling messages to accumulate call detail records for surveillance purposes, with respect to many calls associated with the subject.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing operator services to callers in a fully or partially automated manner are disclosed. In addition, the present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for providing new telephone services, e.g., the forwarding of messages to non-published telephone number customers. It is also directed to methods and apparatus that can be used to detect, report and correct operator input errors. Automated, e.g., unmanned, apparatus of the present invention are capable of interfacing with conventional telephone switches using known operator protocols. This allows automated devices of the present invention to appear to existing telephone switches as manned operator positions capable of servicing telephone calls. In accordance with the present invention, the unmanned apparatus of the present invention is assigned one or more operator position identifiers conventionally used to identify manned operator positions.

Abstract: The present invention involves a transmission of a known signal over a line intended for a digital subscriber line (xDSL) service, measurement of a resulting waveform received through the line and processing of the received signal to derive a set of eigenvalues characterizing the transfer function of the line. In the preferred embodiment, a transmitter applies a known test signal waveform to the transmission line. The test signal corresponds to a desired one of several available xDSL services. At the receiving end of the line, the output signal from the line is sampled, to capture a digitized sample waveform for the received signal. A computer processes the captured waveform to determine eigenvalues characterizing the transfer function of the line with respect to the one service. If the eignevalues for the line bear predetermined relationships to threshold values, indicating acceptable line transfer function for the desired xDSL service, then the invention certifies the tested line for use on that service.

Abstract: A signal band width limiter is provided in a telecommunication path that includes a leased unbundled subscriber line. The limiter may be a programmable active filter such as a digital signal processor in which filter characteristics are set under control of a controller at a central office. The controller may acquire the necessary subscriber level information via a data network from a data base at a remote location. Band pass ranges are set to frequencies corresponding to subscribed services. As the subscribed service is changed, replacement by the appropriate passband filter readily can be made. The telecommunication path can be monitored to determine whether an upgrade of service is required. Parameters of subscriber line leased from an ILEC by a CLEC can be tested at the ILEC premises.

Abstract: A system and method for providing Internet access via a Public Switched Telecommunications Network (PSTN) using full time asymmetric digital subscriber line connections between subscriber premises processor terminals and a local area network (LAN) node and router gateway on Telco premises connected to a Telco digital packet network connected to Internet service providers and Internet information providers. A domain name server (DNS) and a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server are connected to the router to provide domain name to IP address translations and temporary assignment of IP addresses to said customer premises processor terminal. The customer or subscriber going on-line communicates with the DHCP using encryption and preferably public/private key encryption to both authenticate the customer and the DHCP. The DHCP updates the database in the DNS to maintain freshness.

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: A telephone directory search method and system intelligently utilizes secondary information contained in subscriber listings to disambiguate search results and provide telephone number and other data associated with a desired party. Upon identification of more than one listing for a particular requested named party, the system searches through secondary information for each of the parties to identify distinguishing information which is solicited from the calling party. Thus, where there are multiple listings for a particular name, the system attempts to identify distinguishing categories of information such as location, department, terminal type, etc., helpful in refocusing the search and eliminating listings from further consideration.

Abstract: A communication service loads subscriber profile information corresponding to an intended call recipient in a call processing register of a switch serving a link to a destination station and transmits a distinct predetermined call alert signal over the link to the destination station based on the loaded subscriber service profile information. The distinct call alert signal identifies the intended recipient subscriber.

Abstract: A number of proposals have been developed to provide data communications over two-wire copper circuits at rates equivalent to a number of combined ISDN B-channels. For example, for an ISDN rate digital subscriber line (IDSL), the circuit between the network termination at the customer premises and the channel bank carries data on two combined B-channels. An IDSL circuit cannot carry voice communications. Some such services carry the lower rate signaling D-channel only on the subscriber line circuit. Normal ISDN services carry voice services on one of the two B-channels, limiting data communications to the other B-channel. Normal ISDN services do carry the lower rate D-channel through the network, but this channel is used only for call set-up signaling, low speed data communications and the like. The invention uses two or more B-channels on the DSL circuit for data communications and transports voice telephone communications on the low speed signaling D-channel.

Abstract: A real-time or streaming speech processing system and method is disclosed with capabilities distributed between and client and a server where the server may be reached via the Internet. The speech processing entails digitizing and converting the utterances to features extracted to help the processing. The features are sent via a communications channel to the server where the recognition occurs. The features extracted allow low bandwidth channels to be used with still maintaining real-time response. The recognizer will determine the most likely text representing the utterances and return the text to the client. The system can be used to identify and/or verify who is speaking.

Abstract: An apparatus and computerized method of assigning workers to a plurality of work-projects, utilizing linear programminig is disclosed. The linear programming formulations forecast the adequacy of the workforce, assigning workers so as to maximize scheduling of appointments while minimizing the aggregate travel time of workers to reach the work-project sites.

Abstract: A multiple mode, personal, wireless communications system is disclosed which exists within a radiotelephone network serving general customers and provides unique additional services to a select group of customers equipped with special handsets, without impacting the general customers. The special handsets automatically switch between and operate in either analog or digital mode with the standard radiotelephone network and in an enhanced cordless mode when within range of independent pico cells, that are interconnected with the public switched telephone network. Each of the network transparent pico cells is controlled via a framework of overlay cells that operate independently of the radiotelephone network and use a unique control protocol on a relatively small number of reserved channels, with a use hierarchy that is reversed with respect to standard radiotelephone channels.

Abstract: A signal switch with merged buffer architecture has multiple input ports connected to a circuit switch matrix which partially sorts the input signals based on output port destination. The circuit switch matrix is connected to multiple merged buffers, each in turn connected to a corresponding output port and feedback. Input signals entering the circuit switch matrix are normally sent to the buffer attached to the destination output port of the input signal, but, if more than one input signal is contending for an output port, all but the first contending input signal are misrouted to merged buffers that are not busy. The location in memory of all of the correctly routed and misrouted input signals in the switch is tracked by a control, which also routes input signals to their output port destinations from the merged buffers, and reroutes misrouted input signals to the correct buffers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for activating telephone services in response to speech are described. A directory including names is maintained for each customer. A speaker dependent speech template and a telephone number for each name, is maintained as part of each customer's directory. Speaker independent speech templates are used for recognizing commands. The present invention has the advantage of permitting a customer to place a call by speaking a person's name which serves as a destination identifier without having to speak an additional command or steering word to place the call. This is achieved by treating the receipt of a spoken name in the absence of a command as an implicit command to place a call. Explicit speaker independent commands are used to invoke features or services other than call placement. Speaker independent and speaker dependent speech recognition are performed on a customer's speech in parallel.