Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for processing and displaying objects to permit a search of a database by a user of a telephone station. The telephone station includes a computer, a display device having a display screen adapted to cooperate with a pointing device. The method includes providing a database and a first index list. The method further includes displaying an array of objects on the display screen. The method also includes receiving a first set of signals relating to at least one object from the displayed array of objects; creating a first search string based on the first set of signals; displaying a plurality of entries of the first index list based on the value of the first search string; and receiving a signal relating to one of the displayed entries, the signal identifying an entry selected by the user. The method finally includes the step of displaying at least one object representing a phone number associated with the selected entry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of interface between a voice activated dialing system and a user. The present invention solves the problems presented by the prior art by providing a user interface which can add a name and corresponding telephone number to a directory during the process of initiating a telephone call. In addition, the present invention provides the user the opportunity to select which element of a directory listing should be changed, using a single integrated review, erase and change functionality accessible while in a directory mode.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for alleviating the harmful effects of convolutional distortions of speech, such as the effect of a telecommunication channel, on the performance of an automatic speech recognizer (ASR). The technique is based on the filtering of time trajectories of an auditory-like spectrum derived from the Perceptual Linear Predictive (PLP) method of speech parameter estimation.

Abstract: An improved logistics planning method and system for recommending optimal order quantities and timing, choice of vendor locations and storage locations, and transportation modes, for individual items and for product families. The system is designed for use in cooperation with the computer having memory and incorporates item, customer, supplier, and routing information databases. In operation, the item, customer and supplier databases are accessed in order to provide customer and warehouse demand forecasts. The routing and customer databases are similarly accessed to provide transportation cost forecasts necessary to determine optimized routing modes for selected items, customers and suppliers. The demand and transportation costs are processed in accordance with a dynamic programming model to determine stock and non-stock order/shipment solutions for the selected items and customers, including optimized supplier and routing selection, order timing and quantity.

Abstract: A feature manager that handles the interactions between features in a telephone network is disclosed. A basic call processor transmits a sequence of event messages to the feature manager. The event messages are then transmitted from the feature manager to a subset of feature modules for processing. The feature modules, following receipt of an event message, each formulate a response message that is returned to the feature manager. The response messages contain information that instructs the basic call processor to act. Information contained within the response message is utilized to determine what other feature modules, if any, must be polled. The feature manager formulates a call processor response from the response messages received and returns the call processor response to the basic call processor. The call processor response includes information that instructs the basic call processor to act accordingly.

Abstract: An apparatus for generation of multi-level navigable video environments is disclosed. Generation of the virtual realities is accomplished by a video monitor, a touch screen, a CPU, and a compact disc storage device. The storage device contains pre-generated audio and visual data. The visual data includes a plurality of digitized photographic images stored as a plurality of frames of a visual track. The frames may be selectively accessed by a user through the touch screen to provide the user the ability to navigate through a navigable video environment. Further, while the user is within the navigable video environment, a second-level of a navigable video environment is accessible. The data for generation of the second-level of video environment is also stored within the storage device and is also pre-generated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering passband and telephony signals including signal combining and splitting. The method and device employs passive electronics in the form of L-filters, high pass filters and low pass filters to deliver baseband telephone communications and interactive video communications.

Abstract: A user interface for use in a mobile telephone handset which includes static visual display means for presenting the status of the mobile telephone and other services accessible by the user. The interface further includes dynamic visual display means for presenting a plurality of context sensitive function labels. A plurality of fixed-labels signaling keys and soft-label signaling keys are also provided in electrical communication with the static and dynamic visual display means. The soft-label signaling keys are operative to access the displayed function labels relevant to the current context of the user interface. A method is further disclosed which includes the provision of a mobile telephone handset as described above, as well as the steps of viewing the static and visual displays to obtain instructions as to the status of the mobile telephone, the availability of telephone functions and whether fixed or soft-label signaling keys should be utilized.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for sensing the presence of fluids, such as hydrocarbon-based liquids and/or water, in an ambient environment based upon their light refractive properties. An optical waveguide is deployed in the environment (or a sample chamber disposed within the environment), such that the transmittance of light through the waveguide is attenuated in the presence of the fluid analyte. In one preferred embodiment, the light source is aligned with the waveguide, such that the light entering the waveguide enters one end at an angle relative to the central axis of the waveguide and propagates by internal reflection within the waveguide. Optimal propagation occurs in the absence of the fluid while the presence to the fluid in contact with the waveguide walls causes detectable losses in light propagation due to degradation of the internal reflectance.

Abstract: A method for the removal, separation, and concentration of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, Pb and/or Tl cations from a source solution which may contain larger concentrations of other ions comprises bringing the source solution into contact with a compound comprising an oxygen donor macrocycle-containing ligand covalently bonded through an organic spacer silicon grouping to a solid inorganic support. The ligand portion(s) of the compound has affinity for alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, Pb and/or Tl thereby removing them from the source solution. The alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, Pb and/or Tl cations are then removed from the compound through contact with a much smaller volume of a receiving solution in which these cations are either soluble or which has greater affinity for such cations than does the oxygen donor macrocyclic ligand thereby quantitatively stripping the complexed cations from the ligand and recovering them in concentrated form in said receiving solution.

Abstract: A system for adaptively processing a telephonic speech signal performs modification in either the spectral domain or the time domain to bring the power in each frequency above the hearing threshold of the listener but below the upper limit of the listener's dynamic range.

Abstract: An emergency call routing system includes a platform having a call router and a processor for identifying destinations to which such router directs emergency calls. The processor receives administration commands from administrators, some of which are at a public safety answering point (PSAP) to which the router directs calls for handling and redirection to emergency service providers (ESPs). Some of such administration commands relate to defining intervals during which a particular PSAP is, according to an administered night service schedule, to be inactive with respect to handling emergency calls. Other of such commands relate to administrative operations to place such PSAPs into such inactive state earlier than the schedule. Others of such commands relate to administrative directions to withdraw such PSAP from such inactive state before the scheduled time.

Abstract: A fiber optic/coaxial cable telephony network including power. Power is supplied through the coaxial cable portion of the video network to an optical network unit where the power is converted and supplied to the telephone network.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for controlling dispensation of hydrocarbon fuels from storage tanks and the like, by employing a sensor in an environment proximal to the dispenser. The sensor preferably includes an optical waveguide having a central axis along which light can transmitted, and the waveguide is disposed in the environment, such that fuel present in the environment contacts at least a portion of the waveguide. The sensor further includes a light source for projecting light into a first end of the waveguide, and a detector for detecting the amount of light propagated through the waveguide. The sensor is electrically connected to a controller which terminates the dispensation of fuel in the event that a leak is detected by the sensor.

Abstract: A community emergency response service system is provided with three types of destinations to which emergency calls may be routed. These include public safety answering points (PSAPs), switch directory numbers and public switching telephone network directory numbers. A last chance routing system is effective upon failure of the system to route an incoming one of such emergency calls to one of such three types of destinations. The last chance routing facility performs a linear search of all PSAPs within such system to determine whether any of such PSAPs has been inspected for availability to handle such emergency call. When such linear search identifies a PSAP which has not previously been inspected with respect to its availability to handle such emergency call, a determination is made as to whether such PSAP is currently available. Such determination includes determining whether such PSAP is currently at its call capacity.

Abstract: A method for the removal of antimony ions from solid phases which have an affinity for antimony ions comprises contacting the antimony containing solid phase with an aqueous eluent solution comprising a mixture of a concentrated solution of sulfuric acid and a dilute solution of hydrochloric acid to quantitatively strip the antimony ions from the solid phase The antimony containing eluent is then removed from contact with the solid phase. The eluent used is a mixture having a sulfuric acid concentration of about 6 to 10M and a hydrochloric acid concentration of about 0.05 to 0.5M. The sulfuric acid can be a "black acid" obtained from copper refining operations. The solid phase having an affinity for antimony ions is generally a member selected from the group consisting of chelating ion exchange resins and macrocyclic or nonmacrocyclic ligands bonded to a hydrophilic solid support.

Abstract: A video codec evaluation method and apparatus is provided that permits an objective evaluation of the performance of a codec. A plurality of motion graphics scenes, selected to test for specific motion artifacts, are stored on a video disc which is read by a video player and supplied to a codec under test. The evaluator views the graphic scenes as processed by the codec, on a monitor, and uses visual and audible scoring levels, that are incorporated on the disk, and associated with the graphic scene, to identify the onset or disappearance of motion artifacts and record a score for the test.

Abstract: A method and at least one subscriber station utilizes a software package in combination with at least one terminal adapter which links ISDN circuit-switched channels, such as "B", "H0", "H10", "H11" and the like, into a single logical connection and synchronizes the linked channels in an ISDN system. The station allows a subscriber to dynamically select various bandwidths (i.e. different channels) for data transfer, such as text or graphics. The software package and, preferably, multiple terminal adapters, reside on a personal computer and also permits simultaneous messaging and voice functions between several such subscriber stations. Any number of logical channels can be managed. ISDN data is segmented based on the channel's respective data rates and thereafter simultaneously sent on the channels of the logical connection. ISDN data is consequently transferred at a rate greater than the rate available on any single ISDN channel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting and/or monitoring the presence of hydrocarbons in a fluid medium at a remote location, by sensing the presence of hydrocarbon-based fluid in the fluid medium in the remote location, generating a signal indicative of the sensed fluid, and transmitting the signal to monitoring means for indication of hydrocarbon contamination. The apparatus has multiple sensors at different vertical levels for sensing the fluid medium at a plurality of levels within the fluid.