Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention test a network element in a telecommunications network using a universal command, such as a telephone number or circuit identification number. By doing so, the network element can be easily identified along with the type of service provided by the network element and the appropriate test system can be identified and used without requiring the user to have detailed system-specific knowledge of the test system. Methods and systems consistent with the invention provide an interface to a user. A universal command is received, typically as a telephone number or a circuit identification number. Using the universal command, the type of service associated with the network element is determined and a test system for testing the service type of the network element is identified. A test request is formatted based upon the universal command, the service type to be tested, and the particular test system to be used to test the network element.

Abstract: A communications system for communication among plural stations in a network has stations (CH1, CM2, CM3, CH4, CH5, CM6, CM7) arranged in clusters (1a, 1b, 1c) of communication member stations, each communicating with each other. One of the member stations (CH1, CH4, CH5) is a head station of the cluster. The cluster head stations (CH1, CH4, CH5) communicate with other cluster head stations (CH1, CH4, CH5). A method for configuring the network of stations includes a step of operating at least a first (CH5) and a second (CH4) station of the plural stations as cluster head stations, the first (CH5) and second (CH4) stations forming a communications link. The method also includes a step to resign the first (CH5) station from operating as a cluster head station when a predetermined resignation condition is met.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for selecting documents, such as Web pages or sites, for presentation to a user, in response to a user expression of interest, during the course of presentation to the user of a document, such as a video or audio selection, whose content varies with time. The method takes advantage of information retrieval techniques to select documents related to the portion of the temporal document in which the user has expressed interest. The method generates the search query to use to select documents by reference to text associated with the portion of the temporal document in which the user has expressed interest, as by using the closed caption test associated with the video, or by using speech recognition techniques. The method further uses a weighting function to weigh the terms used in the search query, depending on their temporal relationship to the user expression of interest.

Abstract: A system subsidizes telephone calls over a network. The system includes a service provider 120 that establishes a telephone call between a calling party terminal 130 and a called party terminal 140 over the network 110. During the telephone call, the service provider causes at least one advertisement 312 to be displayed at the calling, or called party terminal. At any time during, or after, the telephone call, the service provider generates a bill based on a subsidized billing rate related to the display of the at least one advertisement.

Abstract: A server facilitates communication between a calling party and a called party. The server includes a communications interface for enabling communications with the calling party. The server also includes a processing device that receives a telephone call from the calling party and identifies the calling party. The processing device then determines whether the calling party is a predetermined party and transmits a notification to the called party when the calling party is the predetermined party.

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 filly 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 multimedia data transfer technique is used to transfer non-text or multi-media data between various components of the online query tool.

Abstract: A method for managing the transmission of packet objects distinguishes between packet objects having and not having quality of service (QoS) requirements for transmission over a logical channel. Packet objects for a logical channel having QoS requirements are placed in a sorted tree queue based on its scheduled departure time and on a weighting system related to the QoS requirements. Packet objects for a logical channel only requiring best effort transmission are place in a FIFO queue. Each logical channel is associated with either a sorted tree queue or a FIFO queue.

Abstract: A portable telephone bank includes a group of public telephones connected to a central communication unit. The public telephones permit callers to place telephone calls over a public telephone network. Each of the telephones includes a portable handset that permits a caller to roam within a predetermined range of the portable telephone bank. The central communication unit transmits communication signals from the telephones to the public telephone network via wireless communication channels.

Abstract: A system optimally assigns pseudo-noise (PN) offsets in a cellular network that includes several sectors. The system sets parameters for the cellular network, determines potential interference between each of the sectors and mobile units in the cellular network based on the set parameters, and identifies constraints for each of the sectors based on the determined potential interference. The system then approximates a highest co-offset protection value for successful PN offset assignments based on the determined potential interference and the identified constraints, and selectively adjusts a sector co-offset protection value using the approximated highest co-offset protection value as a starting point to obtain optimum PN offset assignments.

Abstract: A personal photographic collection system involving activities of a customer at an amusement park, which includes personal images captured by a plurality of cameras, environ images separately captured and interleaved between the personal segments, and text. The organization of certain images of the personal photographic collection is determined by a customer who registers identification and information data prior to activating the cameras. Upon completion of the image capturing, the personal photographic images, the text and environ images are assembled, processed, and duplicated for delivery to the subscriber. The environ images are selected to display weather conditions existing at the time of capturing the personal photographic images.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for selecting documents, such as Web pages or sites, for presentation to a user, in response to a user expression of interest, during the course of presentation to the user of a document, such as a video or audio selection, whose content varies with time. The method takes advantage of information retrieval techniques to select documents related to the portion of the temporal document in which the user has expressed interest. The method generates the search query to use to select documents by reference to text associated with the portion of the temporal document in which the user has expressed interest, as by using the closed caption test associated with the video, or by using speech recognition techniques. The method further uses a weighting function to weigh the terms used in the search query, depending on their temporal relationship to the user expression of interest.

Abstract: A pay telephone includes a keypad, a card reader, and a processor. The keypad receives input signals from a caller. The card reader reads identification data and speed dial numbers from a card received from the caller. The processor receives the input signals from the keypad and the identification data and speed dial numbers from the card reader, and concurrently validates the card using the identification data and initiates a telephone call using the input signals or the speed dial numbers.

Abstract: A method, executed on a simulation system (20), characterizes propagation of a radiofrequency signal (56) in a three-dimensional environment (52). The method includes forming a database (42) of propagation paths (54) of the radiofrequency signal (56) transmitted from a transmitter (58) at a fixed location (66) in the three-dimensional environment (52). The propagation paths (54) are represented by a plurality of line segments (120, 122) in the database (42). Local line segments (188) are selected from the plurality of line segments (120, 122) to establish a subset (47) of the propagation paths (54). The subset (47) includes those propagation paths (54) each having one of the local line segments (188) proximate a location (182) of a receiver (72) in the environment (52). Distinct multipath components (246) representing distinct wavefronts of the radiofrequency signal (56) are subsequently identified from the subset (47) of the propagation paths (54).

Abstract: A system includes at least one wireless communications device having a standard wireless interface and a wireless provisioning device that provisions the wireless communications device. The wireless provisioning device uses the standard wireless interface to transfer the provisioning information, including an authentication key, to the wireless communications device when both devices are interconnected via a wireline link between a transceiver antenna of the wireless communications device and a communication unit of the provisioning device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for designing or determining parameters for a system are disclosed. These systems and methods exploit the Tensor Convolution Block Toeplitz (TCBT) structure involved in certain systems wherein a symmetric positive definite linear system of equations needs to be solved in the design or determination of the parameters for the system. Further, these methods and systems employ a TCBT-PCG process that uses a fast matrix-vector multiply in order to improve the computational efficiency in the design or determination of these system parameters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for performing online data queries. The system for performing online data queries in 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: A distributed system provides a quality of service by generating at least one system condition object storing a value, monitoring at least one resource in real time using the system condition object, and setting the value of the system condition object in response to the monitoring of the resource. The system determines a current quality of service based on the value stored in the system condition object. The system then regulates activity within the distributed system based on the determined quality of service.

Abstract: A communication network includes plural nodes capable of receiving and issuing messages. Each node has actual neighboring nodes to which it is connected. At each node, network information is received from other nodes of the network. Information of potential neighboring nodes to which the node could possibly be connected is generated in the node in response to the network information received from other nodes of the network. A network information message issued from the node to the other nodes of the network that includes information of the potential neighboring nodes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for all-to-all personalized exchange for a class of multistage interconnecting networks (MINs). The method is based on a Latin square matrix corresponding to a set of admissible permutations of a multistage interconnecting network. Disclosed are first and second methods for constructing a Latin square matrix used in the personalized exchange technique. Also disclosed is a generic method for decomposing all-to-all personalized exchange patterns into admissible permutations to form the Latin square matrix for self-routing networks which are a subclass of the MINs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for all-to-all personalized exchange for a class of multistage interconnecting networks (MINs). The method is based on a Latin square matrix corresponding to a set of admissible permutations of a multistage interconnecting network. Disclosed are first and second methods for constructing a Latin square matrix used in the personalized exchange technique. Also disclosed is a generic method for decomposing all-to-all personalized exchange patterns into admissible permutations to form the Latin square matrix for self-routing networks which are a subclass of the MINs.