Abstract: An optical modulation apparatus includes an optical signal input section, an optical signal propagation path, an optical modulator that modulates the phase of optical signals in at least two of a plurality of optical paths, and a wavelength selective filter that selectively reflects and transmits. Optical signals input via the input section are divided into a plurality of optical paths at a branching point and phase modulated by the phase modulator, that divides the optical path into a plurality of optical paths. Light transmitted by the filter is output via the output section, while light reflected by the filter travels back along the optical path and is again phase modulated by the phase modulator combined at the branching point and output from the input section as an intensity modulated optical signal.

Abstract: An aircraft system and method for determining when to attempt acquisition of an intruder for active tracking. A link reliability score associated with the intruder is adjusted based upon the signal strength of transmissions, the frequency of the transmissions, and the number of previous attempts to acquire the intruder for active tracking.

Abstract: The telephone network is adapted to supply name and number information to a voice mail system with a forwarded call. The voice mail system stores the name and number type caller ID information in association with the subscriber's mailbox. The system may store this information even if the caller does not actually deposit a voice mail message. Later, while the subscriber reviews the mailbox contents, the system offers a verbal announcement of the name and number. A central office switching system may query a line identification database to obtain the name for a caller ID service to the customer premises, in which case, that switching system forwards the name and number to the voice mail system with the forwarded call. In an alternative embodiment, the voice mail system launches the query and receives the name in a response, through the interoffice signaling network.

Abstract: A packet memory interface. The interface includes an input mechanism which receives related data. The interface includes an output mechanism which transmits the data. The interface includes a mechanism for transferring at least a plurality of bytes of the data in each burst of a plurality of bursts from the input mechanism to the output mechanism without fragmentation loss in each burst. A method for transferring data through a packet memory interface. The method includes the steps of receiving data of the packet at an input mechanism of the interface. Then there is the step of transferring at least a plurality of bytes of data of the packet to an output mechanism in bursts without any fragmentation loss in the bursts.

Abstract: A communication transceiver circuit intended for operation in a Time Division Duplex (TDD) system. The configuration eliminates the need for transmit-receive switches and the circuitry needed to operate them. Instead, a three port circulator is used to couple a transmitter section and receiver section to a common antenna. A signal power detector and blanking circuit are coupled to the receiver section input and arranged to generate a blanking signal for an input receiver amplifier. This disables the receiver during conditions when power reflected back through the antenna and circulator would otherwise saturate the receiver. In a preferred environment, a second circulator is connected to an intermediate frequency (IF) side of the transceiver together with a pair of isolators to permit the transceiver to be connected to IF equipment with a single cable.

Abstract: A system for receiving network video includes a remote control with a power control input. A video receiver, controlled by the remote control, powers up or powers down based on a control signal indicating activation of the power control input. The video receiver receives video signals from a gateway or gateway source connected to the video network. The gateway decodes signals received from the network into a format acceptable by the receiver. If the gateway receives a control signal from the remote control indicating activation of the power control input and the gateway is currently in the “on” state, the gateway toggles to the “off” state and outputs a predefined channel to the receiver.

Abstract: A system for individually controlling the chromatic dispersion of one or more wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical signals, chromatic dispersion is compensated a plurality if individually controllable differential optical delay elements. An example of a suitable differential optical delay element is a tunable fiber Bragg grating filter whose spectral response varies along the length of the grating, i.e. is chirped in a non-linear fashion. The system may, in addition, comprise one or more second individually controllable optical delay elements arranged so as to compensate for any unwanted delays across the wavelength band of a signal introduced by a first delay element. Optical circulators may be used to route signals into and between the pluralities of differential optical delay elements. This system has the advantage of providing a compact multi-channel selective differential delay suitable for compensating for chromatic dispersion in a WDM optical communications network.

Abstract: A method and a system for handling calls includes utilizing a delay calculation module to calculate a transmission delay between first and second terminals over a voice-over-data-network, such as the Internet. A local call processor determines if the transmission delay exceeds a predetermined threshold. If the threshold is exceeded, voice transmission quality over the Internet is not sufficient to support high quality transmissions for the call and a call router places the call over an alternate network, such as a Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN). In a preferred embodiment, the transmission delay calculation is a two-tiered process in which a preliminary round trip delay is first calculated to screen for large transmission delays which do not include a delay component introduced by a remote call processor. If the preliminary round trip delay exceeds a round trip delay threshold, the call is routed over the PSTN.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer software framework and method for accessing data from a datastore. The invention discloses a framework for accessing data from a datastore. The framework is comprised of a datatable comprising data retrieved from a datastore. A first class object, a second class object, and a third class object populated with columns of data from the datatable, and the second class object is referenced by the first class object and the third class object is referenced by the second class object. A hashtable is used to cache the first, second, and third class objects such that the first class object is stored as a key in the hashtable and the second and third class objects are the corresponding value of that key in the hashtable. The method for accessing data from a datastore comprises creating a datatable comprising data retrieved from a datastore. A first class object, a second class object, and a third class object are populated with columns of data from the datatable.

Abstract: An individualized, location specific weather forecasting system in which the location of an electronic device is detected; and weather data is generated and transmitted to the electronic device so that subscribers receive weather forecast data specific to their current location.

Abstract: A tunable laser comprised of a gain section for creating a light beam by spontaneous emission over a bandwidth, a phase section for controlling the light beam around a center frequency of the bandwidth, a cavity for guiding and reflecting the light beam, a front mirror bounding an end of the cavity, and a back mirror bounding an opposite end of the cavity. The back mirror has a &kgr;effB approximately equal to &agr;Tune, where &kgr;effB is an effective coupling constant and &agr;Tune is the maximum amount of propagation loss anticipated for an amount of peak tuning required, and a length of the back mirror is made to produce greater than approximately 80% reflectivity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mobile communication system including a network constituted of at least one switching center and a plurality of base stations, and a mobile station which communicates with the base stations simultaneously. The system permits varying transmission delay between the switching center and the base stations according to the type of services available to the mobile station. The object of the present invention is to propose a communication which permits varying transmission delay according to the type of service currently employed, and to promptly recover a synchronization state even if an out-of-sync state happens. To attain the object, a memory means (mobile switching center processor 32) stores transmission delay characteristics corresponding to services which are available to the mobile station.

Abstract: A backup DC vent system for an equipment enclosure is disclosed. The system includes an air intake system which allows air to pass from the ambient environment through a battery compartment of the enclosure, through the floor and into the interior of the enclosure where components to be cooled are mounted. Internal air distribution is accomplished by an air distribution duct system. An air exhaust system is attached to a side of the enclosure and includes a door panel to selectively allow heated air flow from the enclosure interior, a fan mounted to a fan box which is mounted to the enclosure for sucking the air through the enclosure, and a cover to prevent wind driven rain water from impinging upon the fan or the interior of the enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tunnel-based IP handoff process that can minimize the handoff latency associated with the standard Mobile IP registration. In the present invention, when neighboring nodes are detected, these detected nodes are identified as candidate nodes. Detection of just the existence of neighboring nodes should be possible even in situations where these neighboring nodes use different access technologies. For instance, pilot beacon signals may be taken as indication of the existence of candidate nodes although it may be impossible to compare them quantitatively if the beacon signals emanate from different access technologies. As soon as candidate nodes are identified, tunnels are established between the source node and the candidate nodes. The tunnels are used to forward data to the mobile node after a communication link between the mobile node and the source node goes down.

Abstract: A midair collision avoidance system (MCAS) employs an existing design of Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) as a module and seamlessly integrates it with a customized tactical module which is capable of providing unique tactical avoidance guidance control and display. The tactical module handles all phases of a tactical mission, including formation flight (e.g., formation fall-in, arming formation flight, engaging formation flight following, and formation break-away), and an air-refueling sequence (e.g., rendezvous, linkup, re-fueling, and disengaging air-refueling). The tactical module divides the air space around the aircraft into advisory, caution, and warning zones and for each provides display, tone and voice alerts to facilitate pop-up avoidance guidance commands. Military aircraft can thus effectively avoid mid air and near mid air collision situations in all three different operation modes: air traffic control (ATC) management mode, tactical mode, and a mixed mode.

Abstract: A method is provided for testing buffer memory. The method includes a step of testing a buffer memory having a plurality of memory locations including redundant memory locations, to determine if any of the plurality of memory locations are unusable. Next, an address of an unusable memory location of the plurality of memory locations is determined. Next, the address of the unusable memory location is stored. Next, a use of the unusable memory location is prevented based on the stored address of the unusable memory location.

Abstract: A method of managing and resourcing persons, skill sets and project requirements is provided. The method includes means for defining resources and project requirements, examining both the resources and project requirements and matching the available resources to the projects as appropriate. The method also provides for increased visibility among the persons involved in the identification, staffing and completion of professional services and/or consulting projects.

Abstract: A mobile virtual network operators system is disclosed. The mobile virtual network operators system provides a single point of contact for wireless customers accessing a variety of services offered by a plurality of vendors. The mobile virtual network operators system may generate a sales proposal for a customer or a vendor and handle a proposal generated by a customer or a vendor. The mobile virtual network operators system may include a vendor database and a customer database. The mobile virtual network operators system receives, records and analyzes plurality of the customer's product search requests to form the customer's context aware purchase history. The customer database may store accumulated context aware purchase histories for a plurality of customers. The mobile virtual network operators system may generate a solicitation proposal for a customer based on the customer's context aware purchase history.

Abstract: Methods for dialing an emergency telephone number from a teleworking client according to the invention include detecting at the teleworking client when an emergency number is dialed, disconnecting the teleworking client from the PBX/MLTS, connecting the teleworking client to the PSTN, and dialing an associated stored number. The apparatus of the invention resides in software that is installed in off the shelf hardware. Though the invention is described with reference to a teleworking client, it may also be applied to any other dialup network connection.

Abstract: An optical signal transmitter is disclosed that transmits an optical signal with corresponding Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) channels and Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) channels. The transmitter is comprised of a laser, a dispersion system, and a modulator. The laser generates and transmits a narrow laser pulse comprised of a plurality of wavelength channels. The dispersion system broadens the narrow laser pulse into a wide laser pulse. The modulator modulates the wide laser pulse based oh an electric modulation signal comprised of a plurality of time slot channels wherein the time slot channels in the electric modulation signal correspond to the wavelength channels in the wide laser pulse respectively. The modulator transfers a modulated wide laser pulse. Channels of the modulated wide laser pulse are hybrid wavelength and time slot channels. The transmitter singularly transmits a WDM optical signal comprised of multiple wavelength channels.