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: A method reduces the number of computer operations required to analyze many performance measurement issues of wireless systems. A multi-dimensional birth-death model is configured to address a performance analysis issue. The method consists of selecting a first group of states from the multi-dimensional birth-death model and determining a relationship between the non-selected states and this first group of states. Thereafter, the probabilities of being in the first group of states are calculated. Once calculated, the probabilities of being in the remaining states can be calculated using the relationship between the non-selected states and the first group of states and the calculated probabilities of the first group of states. The determined probabilities are used to analyze the performance issue.

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

Abstract: A computer-executable method for diagnosing trouble causes in telephone cable segments when trouble data are available only for entire cables is presented. This method diagnoses problems in the components of processes when the component location of process problems is not known. It gives a statistical relationship between component attributes and process problem rates, to facilitate assessment and improvement of policies about the process. This method may be used for diagnosing systematic problems in segments of telephone cable connections of given central offices.

Abstract: A device (300) for coupling a first and a second fiber optic cable (120, 140) is provided. The device (300) includes a first member (310) having an opening to receive the first fiber optic cable (120). The device (300) also includes a mechanism (314) to secure the first fiber optic cable (120) to the first member (310) and to constrain rotation of the first fiber optic cable (120) relative to the first member (310). The device (300) also includes a second member (320) having an opening to receive the second fiber optic cable (140). The first and second members (310, 320) are coupled together to align the first and second fiber optic cables (120, 140) and to allow the first member (310) to rotate with respect to the second member (320).

Abstract: An Internet gateway video server transmits selection information to a set top box connected to a television. The set top box displays the selection information on the television. A user views the selection information, and inputs user selection requests to the set top box. The Internet gateway video server receives user the requests for information and retrieves the information. The server then converts the network information from a network format to a television format. The conversion includes scanning the network information for selection elements, and adding selection elements for transmission in the television format. The converted network information is then transmitted to the set top box for display on the television. The user may then make further selections based on the displayed network information.

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: A system for performing packet based data communications over a parallel set of sublinks is provided. A transmitter unit separates the sublinks into an available set of sublinks and a busy set of sublinks. This transmitter avoids processing delays by utilizing sublinks in the available sublink set and not waiting for sublinks in the busy sublink set to be released. To receive the packets, a receiver unit utilizes a sequence number associated with each packet. Accordingly, the receiver extracts the one or more packets of data received in parallel over the set of sublinks in sequential order. A packet window buffer is used to store packets in sequence if they are initially received out of order. The receiver utilizes a sliding window to provide packets in continuous sequential order and transmits the packets serially over a single communication link.

Abstract: A system for browsing multidimensional information includes a digital data storage circuit 48 that stores the multidimensional information in a database and a digital logic circuit 44 that imports, manipulates and outputs the multidimensional information in the database in accordance with a mapping model maps each dimension of multidimensional information space to a location in abstract physical space, and a user interface 70 interactively accepts input from a user and, using the mapping model, renders a graphical representation 78 of the multidimensional information space. The graphical representation 78 is responsive to input of user-initiated restrictions on the multidimensional information space by effecting corresponding visible manifestations in the graphical representation 78.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that allow a customer to order drive-through menu items using an RF tag (104). A customer vehicle (102) is equipped with a radio-frequency (RF) tag (104). Prior to placing an order, the customer opens an account and creates a default menu using a food vendor's web site. To order items from the default menu, the customer approaches a drive-through order station (312) at a fast food vendor location (318). As vehicle 102 passes order station (312) a first transponder (110A) queries RF tag (104) and processes a return signal (114). Identification information is extracted from return signal (114) such that the customer's order, consisting of the default menu items, is prepared. The customer's vehicle 102 then approaches pick-up station (316) and a second transponder (110B) queries RF tag (104) and subsequently bills the customer's account for the ordered items.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring the reflection coefficient of a network are disclosed. The methods and systems measure the reflection coefficient by exciting a device under test with a driving signal. The driving signal incident on the device under test is measured and the source providing the driving signal is removed thereafter. A signal reflected from the device under test is sampled at a sample rate that may differ from the frequency of the driving signal. The reflection coefficient of the device under test is calculated by dividing the measured level of the reflected signal by the measured level of the driving signal.

Abstract: A system and method to transfer messages between signaling systems in different domains for wireless communication. In one aspect of the invention, a method for communicating between a switch servicing a roaming mobile phone in a domain different than a home switch to which the mobile phone is defined. A signaling gateway is used as an interface between the two domains. The method includes storing in the signaling gateway a mobile identification number (MIN) and the home switch point code that the mobile phone is defined to. When the mobile phone roams into another domain, the switch servicing the roaming mobile phone, the serve switch, identifies the mobile phone as belonging to another domain and sends a message to the signaling gateway. The signaling gateway stores this information and informs the home switch that all messages designated for the serve switch need to be sent to the signaling gateway.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for improving the quality of documents selected in response to a user query for documents such as Web pages or sites. The method is one of iteration, and involves the successive review by the user of a limited number of documents as being relevant or not relevant, the analysis of the characteristics of the documents so graded by means of information retrieval techniques, and the modification of the search query based upon that analysis, until the user is satisfied with the quality of the documents presented to him.

Abstract: An embedded genetic allocator system uses genetic algorithms to generate trial solutions to the allocation of data buffers among various kinds of memory banks and measures the quality of each solution. The quality is determined through the use of a monitoring system that accurately measures application execution times while maintaining low intrusiveness in the software execution. Because the allocation process is highly automated and based upon accurate performance data derived from actual system operation, optimal solutions to the allocation problem are reached much more quickly and efficiently than can be done using current, largely manual, approaches.

Abstract: In a telephone network supporting local number portability, a system and method for assigning a location identifier uses a location routing number to identify the geographic location of a customer. A local carrier assigns a telephone number to a customer. The local carrier then assigns a location routing number to the telephone number. A first portion of the location routing number represents routing information and a second portion represents the location of the customer. The second portion may then be used to determine billing.

Abstract: A computer system provides authenticated access for a client computer over an insecure, public network to one of a plurality of destination servers on private, secure network, through the use of a client-side X.509 digital certificate. A firewall is disposed between the insecure, public network and the private network. A demilitarized zone (DMZ) proxy server intercepts messages destined for the destination servers, and forwards the intercepted messages through the firewall to a gateway on the private network. The gateway is configured to create a cookie, based on the selection of one of a several applications available on the private network. The cookie contains an identifier sufficient to identify the destination server corresponding to the selected application. Messages from the client computer include the cookie. The gateway processes the cookie and appends the identifier on a destination URL portion of the messages for routing.

Abstract: A data link layer switch includes a switching mechanism coupled to a plurality of port interface controllers. Each of the port interface controllers comprises a multicast address table, a multicast matcher, and a timer. The multicast address table stores multicast addresses for hosts attached to the port interface controller. The multicast matcher matches an incoming packet to a target pattern, generates a multicast address from the incoming packet if the incoming packet matches the target pattern, and stores the generated multicast address in the multicast address table. The timer determines an amount of time that the generated multicast address remains in the multicast address table.

Abstract: A voice activated and operated Internet web browser where voiced utterances are digitized and the digitized representation is input to a speech recognition program is disclosed. The speech recognition program determines the most likely set of words from a stored vocabulary making up the utterances. The words are analyzed and searched against a database of topics or micro-domain areas. If a match occurs the words are analyzed by a subprogram associated with the specific topic area and key words are identified and other words discarded. The key words are input to a search engine or the equivalent. The search engine returns information associated with the topic. If no topic match is found a general search on the recognized words is performed. The recognized words are fed to a identification module where key words are extracted that are associated with names of people, organizations, locations, and companies; times; money amounts; percentages; dates; and not-a-name.

Abstract: Method and computer network for enhanced security for applications using downloadable executable content is described. More particularly, a client is operatively coupled to an authentication server and a remote host through a gateway. In an initial login session, authentication information is provided from the client to the gateway for obtaining client-authenticating credentials from the authentication server. These client-authenticating credentials may be encoded to be in a form of a data string and provided to the client, for example as the value of an HTTP cookie. The encoded data string may be provided to the client as one or more parameter values. These parameter values may be employed along with requested downloadable executable content, such as one or more Java classes, for running on the client. The Java classes may communicate the parameter values to an execution server of the gateway for decoding the encoded data string in order to extract the client-authenticating credentials therefrom.

Abstract: A telecommunications system operating over a packet-based network that enable calls seeking to connect with an unavailable destination to be completed, and for the intended called party to elect the call disposition on either a call-by-call basis, or for all incoming calls. Automatic disposition of incoming calls is performed in the event that the user does not elect such disposition to make use of the interactive interface for call disposition.