Abstract: A method of alerting a telemarketing agent of a promotion opportunity in response to activity of a potential customer browsing a public server and an apparatus for monitoring the customer activity and alerting the telemarketing agent includes a telemarketing analysis server, computer telephony hardware and a server for controlling the computer telephony hardware. The apparatus further includes software on the public server for collecting data relating to the activity of potential customers browsing the public server.

Abstract: A system for transparently transporting m synchronous data streams as an aggregate data stream on a single channel of a Wave Division Multiplexed (WDM) optical link without pointer processing uses m unique encoding schemes to enable recovery of the respective m data streams from the aggregate data stream. The encoding schemes are preferably self-inverting. The respective m data streams are parsed into data units and encoded. The data units are then interleaved to form the aggregate data stream. Recovery is accomplished using a reverse process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reduction of call setup rate in an ATM network are described. The method and apparatus are particularly useful in ATM networks used for the transfer of bearer traffic between telephone switching offices. The method involves caching a number of switched virtual circuits (SVCs) between edge interfaces to the ATM network. A cache connection is an emulated circuit between two edge interfaces that is available and idle. The apparatus provides a central policy manager which computes and distributes cache policies to cache managers located in the edge interfaces. The cache managers manage pools of cached SVCs established between two edge interfaces. The method and apparatus reduces the number of connection setup requests sent to the ATM switches. The advantage is the ability to use ATM switches which have slow connection setup rates to provide commercially acceptable telephone services in an efficient manner.

Abstract: An Interworking Gateway enabled to provide continuous conversion of Protocol Data Units (PDUs) of any one of a provisioned set of transport protocols to any other member of the set is disclosed. Each transport protocol is associated with at least one transport protocol unit comprising at least one signaling port, at least one receive path, and at least one transmit path. Receive paths are adapted to convert PDUs of respective transport protocols into a base format, and transmit paths are adapted to convert a stream of base format data into PDUs of respective transport protocols. Transport protocol units are autonomous modules. The Interworking Gateway permits telephone services to extend across different broadband telephony networks in today's telecommunications system of networks.

Abstract: A multiprocessor computing machine is adapted to execute processes concurrently without interrupt to improve system throughput. The respective processors maintain local clocks initialized by a scheduler program to determine how long each process can execute without interrupt. Expiry of the local clock generates a hardware interrupt that switches out the process unless lock has been declared by the process. A process that is enabled to declare lock may continue to process for a predetermined period of time. A timer queue is also managed without interrupt. System resources are thereby conserved and throughput is improved.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for completing long distance telephone calls over the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) using an automated Internet Operator are disclosed. The apparatus includes a long distance service provider node connected to the Internet and a call connection control computer connected to the Internet and interfaced to a toll switch connected to the PSTN. The method permits a calling party to request the automated Internet Operator to complete long distance call connections by connecting to the long distance service provider node and identifying himself. The caller completes a call request form which is uploaded to the long distance service provider node and passed to the call connection control computer for processing. The call connection control computer instructs the toll switch to dial the calling party, dial the called party and conference the two lines.

Abstract: A solid fuel composition of spent coffee grounds and/or green coffee bean waste, sawdust and a wax binder is useful for manufacturing a fire-log with more flame output. This combination of solid particulate together with wax burns with a natural-sounding sizzling and crackling. The fuel composition also develops cracks as it burns, in much the same way as natural wood logs do. The cracks expose more surface area to combustion air, thereby enhancing flame output.

Abstract: A method and a system for providing transparent Quality of Service (QoS) and reducing bandwidth usage in an ATM access network uses that uses VC-merging and delivery of content directly through the access network. Root-initiated join proxy messages sent from a service gateway include a merge-eligibility indicator that prompts an access module to merge content delivered through the access networks into a virtual circuit link (VCL) provisioned for the subscriber. TCP splicing is also supported to further improve overall QoS.

Abstract: A method as apparatus for controlling the number of egress points at an ingress node in a multicast tree in a differentiated services network is described. A resource management entity is provided in each edge node in the entity. The resource management entity in the ingress node stores data from a service level specification that specifies the bandwidth, type of service and a limit on the number of egress points that can be grafted to the ingress node. The grafting of egress points to the node is controlled by the limit. If a new egress point cannot be grafted to the ingress node, the downstream node requesting the graft is preferably provided with graft redirect options to permit the downstream node to graft to an existing branch of the multicast tree. The advantage is automated, dynamic control of the multicast tree so that service is delivered in accordance with a service level agreement that governs service delivery for the dynamic multicast tree.

Abstract: A method of recalibrating to compensate for thermal drift between a micro-imaging system and a sample integrated circuit (IC) under investigation determines a planar drift using a cross-correlation between a reference calibration image and a recalibration image, and further determines a focus drift from a difference between a reference focus setting and a recalibration focus setting. The recalibration is performed on detection of a recalibration trigger event, such as expiry of a recalibration time interval. The recalibration time interval can be adaptively adjusted based on a magnitude of the thermal drift. Tile images captured since a last recalibration are recaptured if the thermal drift is too great for reliable image compensation. The system ensures seamless assembly of tile images into image photo-mosaics and increases image photo mosaic throughput.

Abstract: A mesh is created from selected focus points having locations on a surface of interest of a sample being micro-imaged. The mesh and associated focus settings of the focus points are used to define adjacent focus facets forming a focus surface substantially coincident with the surface of interest of the sample. In micro-imaging the sample, a micro-imaged portion of the surface of interest is segmented for the purpose of acquiring tile images. A tile image focus location is used to extract a tile image focus setting from the focus surface. A tile image focus determination process selects a focus facet coincident with the tile image focus location and interpolates a tile image focus setting from focus settings associated with the focus points defining the focus facet. If a coincident focus facet is not found, the tile image focus setting is set to the focus setting of a nearest focus point. Dependence on autofocus is thus eliminated, providing faster imaging and better focused images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving longer data transmission distances in Symmetrical Digital Subscriber Lines (SDSL) systems, while providing spectral compatibility with Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Lines (ADSL) systems is disclosed. The method and apparatus enables deployment of SDSL and ADSL in any mix in a binder group of twisted pair copper wires without sacrificing performance of either system. The apparatus transmits signals from opposite ends of the twisted pair subscriber loop using first and second discrete frequency bands. The advantages include longer service reach and deployment without regard to ADSL/SDSL services mix in a binder group.

Abstract: A step-down switching voltage regulator with a push-pull output stage is adapted to provide a voltage converter with an auxiliary voltage rail that supplies an auxiliary voltage that is higher than the input supply voltage. The push-pull output stage of the step-down voltage regulator is used to drive a charge pump voltage-doubler circuit. In this way, a single integrated topology provides a regulated low voltage output as well as an auxiliary high voltage output. The circuit topology enables a low component count resulting in lower component cost and smaller physical size.

Abstract: Methods and systems for process rollback in a shared memory parallel processor computing environment use priority values to control process rollback. Process classes are defined and each process class is allocated a base priority value. Each process run by the system is associated with one of the classes. In accordance with a first embodiment, process priorities determine which process is rolled back. In accordance with a second embodiment, collision counts and class pair priorities determine which process is rolled back. The methods and systems ensure that critical processes are granted at least a minimum allocation of processor time, while less critical processes are not completely starved. The functionality the system is thereby improved.

Abstract: A receiving circuit having a termination impedance and an equalization capacitor. The receiving circuit is connectable to a signal source having a source impedance through a DC (direct current) blocking capacitor. The value of the equalization capacitor is chosen such that voltage spikes otherwise caused by the blocking capacitor are eliminated. The receiving circuit is especially useful in distributed electronic amplifiers and electro-optic modulators.

Abstract: A service capable telecommunications network permits a communications network user, user agent or another network simplified access to network communication services, based on a clear separation of transported payload information, network-based communications enhancing and enabling services, and physical network transport. Functions, functional layers and coupling of both functions and functional layers enable a simplified choice of, and access to, communication services to meet user requirements.

Abstract: A high-capacity switch for transferring variable-sized packets under rate control is described. The packets are divided in the switch into segments of predetermined equal size. The packets are reconstructed before egress from the switch. The switch serves traffic of different classes of service, but the class of service distinction is relevant only at the ingress or egress modules. The switch control is preferably centralized to facilitate effective sharing of the inner capacity of the switch. The control is based on modulating the ingress/egress rate according to traffic load, the central control being unaware of the class of service disposition of the traffic it controls. The advantage is a high capacity switch adapted to transfer variable-sized packets with guaranteed rate control.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a frame quality indication of a frame of a received turbo encoded wireless signal is provided. A turbo decoder is used to decode a demodulated frame and provide a decoded frame. A turbo encoder is used to encode the decoded frame to provide a re-encoded frame. A modulator modulates the re-encoded frame. The frame quality is assessed based on a degree of correlation between the demodulated frame and the re-encoded modulated frame. The advantages include a less complex receiver due to reduced computational load, and potentially greater payload capacity in frames due to elimination of Yamamoto bits.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing enhanced telecommunications services troubleshooting in multi-carrier telecommunications networks are described. Troubleshooting information gathering is initiated by launching a “Test Service Call with a Travelling Log”. The Travelling Log acquires data from enabled intelligent network elements in each carrier network through which a Test Service Call is routed. The Travelling Log entries permit information posted to the Travelling Log to be relayed back to network management personnel. Network management personnel equipped with network management system terminals or customers, as appropriate, can initiate the Test Service Call with Travelling Log. The enabled intelligent network elements may include any element in NB/BB PSTN/ISDN with TDM, ATM, Internet, or SONET transport capabilities. The advantage is a cost-effective enhanced troubleshooting information retrieval system operable across service delivery carriers in multi-carrier telecommunications networks.

Abstract: A high-speed wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM) network that provides compliant, “invisible” paths of adaptive capacity from an external information source to an external information sink is described. The WDM network includes a plurality of high-speed electronic edge switch modules that are connected by WDM optical links to parallel-plane switch core modules. Smearing distributors ensure that packets to be transferred to a given output link are distributed evenly among the planes of the core modules. Consequently, contention is resolved. Each edge switch is connected to each core module by a WDM optical link. For purposes of admission control, the capacity of the link, rather than the capacity of channels in the link, is considered. This provides much improved granularity in connection bandwidth. The smallest connection may be a few kb/s, while the largest connection may be link capacity. Each edge switch is also adapted to accept data from external sources in a plurality of formats.