Abstract: A communication billing system comprising a processing system coupled to an interface system. The processing system is configured to process a plurality of wireless service events from a wireless system together at the event level with a plurality of wireline service events from a wireline system to generate total charge records for a plurality of wireless services and a plurality of wireline services. The processing system is also configured to process the total charge records for the plurality of wireless services and the plurality of wireline services to generate a customer bill. The interface system is configured to receive the plurality of wireless service events from the wireless system, receive the plurality of wireline service events from the wireline system, and transmit the customer bill for the processing system.

Abstract: A vehicle simulation system has an image system for projecting a simulated out-the-window scene and symbology as produced by a head-up display onto a viewing screen. A dummy beamsplitting or combiner structure is positioned so that the user can view the scene with the head-up display symbology through it. A filtering structure is provided on the combiner structure to prevent the user from viewing the head-up display symbology outside the combiner structure.

Abstract: A toner container holding device that engages with a toner container having a first opening to supply toner to a developing device is provided. The toner container holding device includes a container holder that detachably holds the toner container and has a second opening at a position coinciding with the first opening, and a hopper frame that stores the toner received from the toner container. A first seal member if provided between the toner container and the container holder, when the toner container is engaged with the container holder. A second seal member is provided between the container holder and the hopper frame. The container holder has an opening portion spaced from the first and second seal members.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing data packets within a communication system such as a synchronous optical network (SONET) detect an invalid byte and drop and shift bytes of data to address an invalid byte. A method according to one embodiment of the present invention, includes receiving a first data packet in the communication system. Thereafter, it is determined whether this packet ends with both a valid byte and an invalid byte of data. If both the valid and invalid bytes are present, the invalid byte is dropped and a valid byte from a succeeding data packet is concatenated with the valid byte of the first data packet, and byte shifting occurs in the succeeding data packet. Byte shifting continues until a second packet ending with an invalid byte is encountered. Skipping a clock cycle at the end of the second packet with the invalid byte results in packets with only valid data.

Abstract: A method and system for starting up a network or network device with particular discussion regarding Fibre Channel networks and switches. The method and system relate to powering on or re-starting a plurality of Fibre Channel switching devices, each of those devices having ports. The system generally calls for the selection of a priority threshold that relates to the importance of tasks in fabric formation. Some embodiments of the system exploit a port authentication procedure to separate the execution of tasks higher in priority than the threshold from tasks lower in priority than the threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing networks, focusing on application in Fibre Channel networks. A combination of unique security techniques are combined to provide overall network security. Responsibility for security in the network is assigned to one or more designated entities. The designated entities deploy management information throughout the network to enhance security by modifying the capabilities and operational permissions of the devices participating in the network. For example, through network control: logical management access or physical I/O access may be limited on a per device or per I/O basis; and all devices and ports in the network operate only with other approved devices and ports. These designated entities can better manage network security by exploiting a unique link authentication system as well as a unique push-model secure distributed time service.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a data clock having edge coincidence with an aggregate PN code is provided. The method includes providing an aggregate PN code generator having an epoch output for resetting a data clock generator when the aggregate PN code generator generates an epoch signal. Between resets the data clock generator divides a PN master clock signal with a divisor derived from the prime factor(s) of one or two of PN codes used to form the aggregate PN code.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for an operator to monitor access network services available to an end device, where the end device communicates in a heterogeneous network environment. The heterogeneous access networks can include networks such as a cellular network, a satellite network, a local area network (LAN) and a Bluetooth network. Different access networks may be available to the end device based on a location of the end device and a time that the network is being accessed. A subscriber to the system, or user of the end device, desires access to a particular network depending on the available access networks. To determine which access networks are available, an operator instructs the end device to determine available access networks located with the heterogeneous network environment. The access network information is collected from at least one node within the heterogeneous network, and made available to the operator.

Abstract: The present invention achieves edit processing which enables a user to freely edit solution data that becomes supervised data when processing automatic summarization using machine learning, and achieves summarization processing specialized for the user using the solution data. A user's evaluation of the summary produced by automatic processing of a text is created, and case data using the text and the summary as a problem and the input evaluation as a solution is stored. A solution and feature-set pair is extracted from the stored cases, and learning result of what solution is apt to be produced at what feature is stored. Thereafter a summary-candidate is generated from the processing target text, a feature-set is extracted from the text and summary-candidate, a summary-candidate and estimated-solution pair is generated by estimating a feature-set referring to the stored learning result, and the summary-candidate pair is used as a summary.

Abstract: A network configuration device or entity has control of defined management and security functions in the network, or in many embodiments, in a Fibre Channel fabric. The network configuration device may control many functions. Foremost, it may control the recognition, operation and succession procedure for network configuration entities. It may also control user configurable options for the network, rules for interaction between other entities in the network, rules governing management-level access to the network, and rules governing management-level access to individual devices in the network. In addition, the network configuration entity may exploit policy sets to implement its control.

Abstract: A system and method for providing video signals wherein the video signals from a single video source may be separately passed over two different transmission paths. Each transmission path includes an encoder, a communications channel and a decoder. The output of each communications path at the decoder provides the video signals and an alarm signal. The alarm signal indicates an error or disruption of the video signals over the corresponding communications path. The outputted video and alarm signals are provided to a video protection switch (VPS) device which provides the video signal from the second transmission path if the alarm signals indicates an error or disruption in the first transmission path. In one embodiment, the VPS has multiple switches, one for each of plural video sources, and a redundant switch and protection ports. The redundant switch and protection ports may be connected to receive the video and alarm signals if one of the switches in the VPS fails.

Abstract: A linear laser diode driver circuit is provided in which a solid state laser diode and its back-facet photodiode are configured into the feedback loop of a high-speed operational amplifier. In this configuration, the light output from the laser diode is directly proportional to the input voltage to the operational amplifier and is independent of the laser diode's temperature characteristics.

Abstract: A network adapter for a synchronous logical ring network operates on existing physical twisted-pair telephone topologies. Information propagates around the logical ring, reaching every device on each revolution around the network. Network devices are full-duplex, transmitting and receiving information on every clock cycle. Network devices arbitrate to be elected the network clock device. By synchronizing all network devices to a single reference clock, and providing fixed frames of information propagating around the network at consistent time intervals, the logical ring network ensures that information propagates from one device to another at consistent time intervals. The fixed-length frames are divided into two independent streams: a data stream for the distribution of real-time continuous digital media streams; and a system command stream for the distribution of system commands.

Abstract: The color facsimile apparatus comprises communication result report generating means for synthesizing a part of unsent image data with communication result data of the communication so as to be output. When the image data is color image data, the part of image data is converted to monochromatic image data so as to generate image data to be synthesized with the transmission result report. When an absence of any one of printing material occurs, color image data is converted to image data of a single color to be printed, and data, showing that received data has been color image data, is displayed on a printing paper.

Abstract: Semiconductor lasers having a narrow bandwidth distributed Bragg reflector (DBR). The narrow bandwidth distributed Bragg reflector reflects photons over a narrow wavelength range for amplification within the laser cavity. Photons outside the narrow wavelength range are not reflected back into the laser cavity and are therefore not amplified. The narrow bandwidth distributed Bragg reflector can be formed of semiconductor materials or dielectric materials. The narrow bandwidth distributed Bragg reflector is included as part of folded cavity surface emitting lasers and edge emitting lasers. Photons within the narrow wavelength range of the narrow bandwidth distributed Bragg reflector reflects are of a relatively long wavelength to improve efficiency of communication over fiber optic cables.

Abstract: It is described a broadband radio transmitter for a digital signal consisting of a plurality of not necessarily equispaced, digitally modulated carriers. The transmitter selects the second replica of the spectrum of the signal coming out from a digital-to-analogue converter DAC to increase the space of the useful signal from the continuous in comparison of the direct use of the base band spectrum would involve. The object of the invention is in fact to obtain a wider transition band and consequently a less stringent local oscillator residue and image filter at radio frequency. To eliminate or reduce the effect of the sin(&pgr;fT)/(&pgr;fT) function that envelopes the signal coming out from the DAC, the invention foresees the use of an equalization of the analogue type, or the adoption of a zero insertion technique (of the digital or analogue type) or in general a digital x/sin x equalizer.