Abstract: A method for operating a directory assistance system responsive to Voice over IP device requests includes the steps of receiving a directory assistance request from at least one Voice over IP device and identifying the requested information for delivery to the Voice over IP device. The requested information is formatted in accordance with a format required by the Voice over IP device and a notification message is transmitted to the Voice over IP device indicating that information relating to the directory assistance request is available. A request from a web server is received for retrieval of the requested information in response to the directory assistance request, where the web server is accessed by the Voice over IP device after receipt of the notification message. The requested information is transmitted to the Voice over IP device via the web server.

Abstract: In a known wavelength multiplexer, optical signals to pass are passed with their wavelengths held identical. Therefore, unless an unused wavelength common to all zones exists in case of setting an optical channel, the channel cannot be set. According to the present invention, a drop/add type wavelength multiplexer includes a wavelength converting section (50 in FIG. 5) which converts the wavelengths of optical signals to pass from the input side of the multiplexer to the output side thereof. In a network employing the wavelength multiplexers at individual nodes, a new optical channel can be easily set by utilizing wavelengths not used at the nodes.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of manufacturing a graded index plastic optical fiber having an index that varies continuously between the center and the periphery of the fiber, from at least one polymer P and at least one reactive diluent D1 to allow the refractive index of said fiber to be varied.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing the speed of flow of a quantity of data or of a plurality of data types through a communication system. The communication system comprises a plurality of switches including a source and a sink, each of the switches connected to a neighboring switch by a communication link having a capacity, each of the links having a pair of queue buffers, and one queue buffer of each pair of queue buffers is located at each switch connected by a link. For a single data type, a flow is computed for each link as a function of a last previous amount of flow across the same link. In the multi-data type case, a weighted queue difference is computed as a function of a last previous amount of flow between the same pair of queues and an amount of flow fi of said data type i is routed across each said link such that &Sgr;1≦i≦Kfi (&Dgr;′i(e)−fi) is maximized.

Abstract: A high-efficiency air filtering apparatus for cleaning and circulating air in a closed room is in the shape of a vertical cylinder and includes a semi-cylindrical housing and a semi-cylindrical filtering chamber, both enclosing a centrifugal blower configured to suck filtered air out of the apparatus through the filter and to blow it into the room. The apparatus is characterized by that the filtering chamber contains a closely pleated filter sheet of HEPA-filter which is covered on top and bottom by flat panels and is air-tightly pressed onto the semi-cylindrical housing, thus making the apparatus completely air tight. The filtering chamber is urged onto the contour of the filtering chamber and is releasably fastened to the top and bottom of the housing, permitting replacement of the filter after clogging.

Abstract: An inflatable orthopedic pillow for use by an individual while sleeping in a lateral position. The pillow elevates one leg relative to the other leg, when the person is resting in a lateral position on a substantially planar support surface. The pillow has a pillow body and one or more inflatable chambers disposed within the pillow body for supporting one leg of the person. The chambers are selectively inflatable for supporting one of the legs in the second plane. Thus, the spine is straightened and disposed substantially parallel to the support surface when the person is oriented in the lateral position.

Abstract: A game board includes a field defining an m by n array of playing spaces arranged in rows and columns on the field and a plurality of edge regions, wherein each edge region is disposed between a corresponding pair of adjacent playing spaces and wherein visually distinguishable first and second home positions are defined by two of the playing spaces. The game board further includes first and second visually distinguishable playing pieces and first and second sets of fence pieces. The fence pieces of the first set are visually distinguishable from fence pieces of the second set. The fences are stored in a bag from which they are randomly withdrawn during the game.