Abstract: Advertising system for callers to busy data service providers. A caller to an ISP or similar service for which the number is busy can be automatically connected to a server which provides advertisements or other information while waiting for the number to become free. The connection to the server is dropped automatically when the ISP number is no longer busy, and a connection to the service provider originally dialed is automatically established. Software in a PSTN implements part of the invention, while software in a computer application or modem firmware implements the steps of the invention performed at the CPE. A user of the invention need not keep trying a busy number, and the feature can be paid for by revenue from selling the advertising.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assigning and/or storing routing metric values for routing traffic in a network having line terminating equipment connected by an line data communications channel (LDCC), so that routing traffic is sent across the LDCC. These methods and systems include a node and network that use the LDCC for transmitting routing information, such as Intermediate System to Intermediate System Level 2 routing traffic.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a method for laser soldering optical components is described. In that method, a first selected material is disposed on the components to facilitate the deposition of solder. Subsequently, solder is disposed on that material and the component is aligned. A laser beam is properly focused on the solder such that the solder melts and, when the laser beam is turned off, hardens, thereby fixing the component in the desired position.

Abstract: A method for implementing customer group functionality in a wireless environment. A group table can contain group data associated with a group of wireless subscriber stations. A subscriber table can contain subscriber data for a plurality of wireless subscriber stations. A request is received from a network element for information relating to a wireless subscriber station. Subscriber data associated with the wireless subscriber station is obtained from the subscriber table, and group data referenced by the subscriber data is obtained from the group table. A message including information based at least in part on the contents of the group data referenced by the subscriber data is sent to the network element.

Abstract: A quantum well optoelectronic device exploiting the multistability of the light-current characteristic of a multiple quantum well structure to achieve complex manipulation of the optical output of a light-emitting channel. Intraband tunneling of each of two distinct carrier types gives rise to a nonlinear dependence of optical gain on injected current.

Abstract: A quality of service (QOS) server gathers information in relation to transport introduced delays and obliterations of so called real-time protocol (RTP) signal streams which are used to packetize signals of synchronous signals origins, for example origins such as telephones and raster scan apparatus, for transport via the IP network. The QOS server is able to provide recently gathered QOS information about a requested call, apriori the actual call set up. In an example of a PBX call centre, an automatic dialler is coupled with a QOS server and in relation to endpoint and route selected data, determines if an IP telephony call should proceed, contingent upon the probable QOS being sufficient, before a call controller initiates a call set up.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus used in an AO/DI networking service that automatically changes thresholds that increase or decrease bandwidth to cause a corresponding change in the rate of data transfer capacity. The AO/DI networking service uses apparatus that comprises a circuit switched network having an end office with a network management center that monitors the circuit switched network. A computer and a packet switched network are connected to the circuit switched network. An ISP connected to the packet switched network and the end office is used for determining the status of telephone circuits in the circuit switched network serving both the computer and the ISP. Once this status is determined, the AO/DI automatically changes thresholds for increasing and decreasing bandwidth thereby effecting a corresponding change in the rate of data transfer capacity for an AO/DI subscriber.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for evaluating a business proposal in which a computer is used to perform the steps of presenting questions regarding the business proposal, using information gathered from responses to these questions to determine a score for the proposal, and then providing this information and score for evaluation of the proposal.