Abstract: A system and method for optimizing data flow through a node in a network system, where messages forwarded to the node have one of at least two priorities, a normal priority and a high priority. A novel token bucket approach allows maintaining Quality of Service (Qos) while maximizing throughput. Token buckets include normal and high-priority levels, which reserve capacity for high priority bursts of data. Messages for which not enough tokens are present are marked as not protected against loss, and dropped or sent on depending on a mode. Two-stage policing using two levels of token buckets is also presented. Each flow into a node or router has an associated token bucket, with normal and high priority levels. A second aggregate token bucket then re-tests all messages which were considered protected against loss from the first stage. Messages can be marked not protected against loss and sent out appropriately (for example, marked CLP-1 in an ATM VBR-tagged system), or dropped.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing multiple users with access to a public network like the Internet are provided. A single high bandwidth connection (e.g., fast Ethernet) allows the users to communicate with the public network. Each user is allocated a specific bandwidth and can freely communicate with the public network up to the allocated bandwidth. Additionally, the invention may be remotely configured to change bandwidth allocations.

Abstract: The Task Manager Window is a computer software component used in real-time telecommunications network monitoring and maintenance. The Task Manager Window organizes and presents to a network operator, a user of a decision support system, task packages corresponding to events of possible concern in a telecommunications network. These task packages organize, contain and allow access to all information relevant to resolution of a particular network problem.

Abstract: A cellular radiotelephone system (10) includes mobile stations (28) which may be remotely programmed from a customer activation system (12) to effect activation and other programming needs. Mobile stations (28) are manufactured in a blank form that causes them to operate only in an inactive state. During activation, information describing the mobile station's electronic serial number (ESN) is collected along with area of use information. A mobile identification number (MIN) is assigned in response to the area of use information. A page message is directed to the mobile station operating in its inactive state, but the page message references the mobile station's ESN. While inactive, the mobile station (28) detects pages directed to its ESN. A remote programming session is then performed wherein digital user-specific programming data, including the newly assigned MIN, are transferred to the mobile station (28) over a voice channel using a control channel protocol (80).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are implemented for providing traditional telecommunications service capabilities in a packet based computer network. The system and method of the present invention automatically provide such service capabilities in the event a terminal end-point is unavailable to receive an incoming call, based upon predetermined associations between the terminal end-point and one or more of the available services.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for charging a charge storage device by placing the charge storage device in an RF or microwave radiation field. One or more antennas which receive the radiated RF electromagnetic field are placed on the charge storage device. Rectifiers connected to the antennas rectify the received RF electromagnetic field an produce a DC output current which is used to charge the charge storage device. The charge storage device may be a battery or a capacitor and may form an integral part of an electronic device. The same RF field that charges the charge storage device can also be employed to communicate data to transponders which may be associated with computing devices.

Abstract: The data network disclosed herein utilizes low duty cycle pulsed radio frequency energy to effect bidirectional wireless data communication between a server microcomputer unit and a plurality of peripheral units located within short range of the server unit, e.g. within 20 meters. By establishing a tightly synchronized common time base between the units and by the use of sparse codes, timed in relation to the common time base, low power consumption and avoidance of interference between nearby similar systems is obtained.

Abstract: A cellular radiotelephone system (10) includes mobile stations (28) which may be remotely programmed from a customer activation system (12) to effect activation and other programming needs. Mobile stations (28) are manufactured in a blank form that causes them to operate only in an inactive state. During activation, information describing the mobile station's electronic serial number (ESN) is collected along with area of use information. A mobile identification number (MIN) is assigned in response to the area of use information. A page message is directed to the mobile station operating in its inactive state, but the page message references the mobile station's ESN. While inactive, the mobile station (28) detects pages directed to its ESN. A remote programming session is then performed wherein digital user-specific programming data, including the newly assigned MIN, are transferred to the mobile station (28) over a voice channel using a control channel protocol (80).

Abstract: A method and apparatus to calculate probabilistic routing parameters to more efficiently route telephone calls from an origin to one of a plurality of call centers. In particular, the rate of calls routed to each gate of each call center is measured for a previous time frame and used to estimate the rate of calls routed to input nodes of a routing network from an origin for a next time frame. Using these estimated rates of calls routed to the input nodes, a quadratic programming technique is used to calculate probabilistic routing parameters. These parameters are modified either automatically or by a network manager to improve the routing efficiency.

Abstract: A computer system for displaying the status of network nodes and links in a large telecommunications network is disclosed. An Overview windowing panel consisting solely of cell bullets representing the connection status of a large number of nodes and links in a telecommunications network is displayed on a computerized display device. The cell bullets are color coded to visually represent the connection status of the nodes and links. A panning rectangle which is moveable under mouse control throughout the Overview windowing panel telescopes the detail of a portion of the densely packed Overview panel onto a second windowing panel, the Detail windowing panel. The Detail windowing panel identifies the node connections displayed therein, and provides further information on the status of the node and connections therein.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting a video stream in an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network comprises steps of encoding the video into an MPEG-2 variable bit rate video stream, shaping the encoded variable bit rate video stream to conform to the traffic contract parameters for a Variable Bit Rate (VBR) connection in the network, and transmitting the shaped variable bit rate video stream on the VBR connection based on the traffic contract parameters. For a given network bandwidth, switch buffer space, and equivalent video quality, the network can statistically multiplex a larger number of variable bit rate video streams by maximizing the utilization of the network bandwidth and switch buffer space that the network allocates to each video stream.

Abstract: The data communications systems disclosed herein accommodates terminals having different throughput capabilities by flexibly allocating cyclicly rotated phases of a common pseudo-noise (P/N) code. Throughput capabilities of the terminals are expressible in multiples of a preselected minimum throughput rate so that a single respective code phase is assigned to any terminal operating at the minimum throughput rate while a plurality of sequential consecutive phases are assigned to each terminal having a capability greater than the minimum throughput rate. One or more unassigned phases are provided between phases assigned to different terminals. Any terminal operating at the minimum throughput rate utilizes all time slot intervals in a predetermined frame interval while terminals of greater capability are assigned time slots in accordance with the amount of data traffic to be carried by that terminal and the number of code phases assigned thereto.

Abstract: A biometric certifying authority (BCA) management system and method provide and maintain a hierarchical relationship among biometric certifying authorities in the issuance of biometric certificates. Biometric certificates may be used in all electronic transactions requiring authentication of the participants, based on the accuracy and uniqueness of the biometric, which allows the electronic transaction to be insured to provide global standards for all electronic commerce. The BCA management system includes a transaction request parser which extracts a biometric certificate signal and transaction-type data from a electronic transaction request. A biometric verification processor verifies the biometric certificate signal against previously stored biometric data in a database. The biometric verification processor generates a verification message corresponding to the authenticity or fraudulent status of the biometric certificate signal.

Abstract: A system and method for performing call handoff in a mobile communication system. The system is employed on commercial aircraft and enables cans to be transferred between different traffic service channels in order to continue and/or improve communications. In a conservation handoff scenario, user service channels are transferred between partially utilied traffic service channels resulting in unused traffic service channels that are released, thus freeing more traffic service channels for use by other aircraft. In a seizure handoff scenario, signal quality on one traffic service channel has begun to deteriorate prompting a call handoff wherein a call on the deteriorating traffic service channel is transferred to an unused user service channel on another traffic service channel already in use aboard the aircraft, thus allowing users to continue their calls.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a first virtual circuit in an asynchronous transmission mode (ATM) network comprises the steps of establishing in the network a second virtual circuit with the same path and QoS parameters as the first virtual circuit, and monitoring the first virtual circuit by determining the QoS parameters of the second virtual circuit. Specifically, a monitoring station determines the QoS parameters of the second virtual circuit by inserting monitoring information in cells transmitted and received on the second virtual circuit. The monitoring station inserts the monitoring information immediately before transmitting each cell and immediately after receiving each cell. Furthermore, the monitoring station compares the QoS parameters of the second virtual circuit with the QoS parameters of the first virtual circuit to determine network alarm information.

Abstract: A method for testing printed circuit boards (PCBs). The PCBs are initially transported to a reorienting apparatus that aligns the PCBs to accommodate automated test equipment (ATE). The ATE consists essentially of two stations interconnected by a conveyor. At the first station testing of PCBs occurs sequentially at two test wells that are vertically movable between respective idle and testing positions. Upon being discharged from the first test station, a predetermined number of PCBs are concatenated along the conveyor that connects the first test station to the second test station. The concatenated PCBs are delivered to the second test station that simultaneously performs a second test on the predetermined number of PCBs. Inasmuch as the first test is of a duration substantially shorter than the second test, the concatenation of a number of PCBs prior to performance of the second test compensates for the difference in respective durations.

Abstract: A heterostructure device includes a ridge-waveguide laser monolithically integrated with a ridge-waveguide rear facet monitor (RFM). An integral V-groove etched directly into the device substrate enables passive alignment of an optical fiber to the active region of the laser. The layer and RFM facets were formed using an in-situ multistep reactive ion etch process.

Abstract: A vibration reduction system including a base, a disturbance generating device, and at least one active mount connecting the base and disturbance generating device for imparting a force at a point on the base to minimize the transmission of the disturbance to the base. The active mount includes a passive element on which the disturbance generating device is supported, an actuator for imparting a force on at least the base, a sensor located on the base for sensing the total force imparted by the active mount at the selected point and generating a corresponding signal, and a controller for generating an input signal corresponding to the force to be imparted by the actuator on at least the base and sending the input signal to the actuator. The controller regulates an impedance error as a function of the signal received from the sensor to generate the input signal.

Abstract: An Ethernet ADSL adapter controls data communication between an Ethernet port and an ADSL modem connected to an ADSL channel. The adapter includes a first buffer for storing data packets received at the Ethernet port, a second buffer for storing data packets received from the ADSL modem and a controller. When the first buffer contains a first predetermined number of data packets and data packets are not available for transmission to the Ethernet port, a jamming signal is transmitted from the Ethernet port. The jamming signal inhibits transmission of additional data packets to the Ethernet port by other Ethernet nodes until space is available in the first buffer. When the second buffer contains a second predetermined number of data packets, a pause signal is transmitted to the ADSL modem. The pause signal inhibits further transmission of data packets to the ADSL modem on the ADSL channel until space is available in the second+buffer.

Abstract: A real-time process estimates the source-destination traffic matrix in a packet-switched communications network. The inputs for the process are a set of aggregate link traffic measurements and a set of source node traffic measurements. The process uses a novel and computationally efficient decomposition method to estimate the traffic matrix. The process also makes uses of Linear Programming (LP) methods to estimate the source-destination traffic matrix.