Abstract: Apparatus for combining an RF signal at one frequency band and carried by a selected nominal wavelength of light with a RF signal at a different and separate frequency band and carried by another source of light having the selected nominal wavelength onto a signal optical fiber.

Abstract: A prepaid service assurance system provides service assurance for a prepaid telecommunication system by generating a call to the prepaid telecommunication system. In response to the call, the prepaid service assurance system then receives an actual response from the prepaid telecommunication system and automatically compares the actual response with an expected response for the prepaid telecommunication system. In other embodiments, the prepaid service assurance system determines whether a modification action is needed based on the comparison of the actual response and the expected response. If the modification action is needed, the prepaid service assurance system identifies the modification action based on the determination that the modification is needed. Once the modification action is identified, the prepaid service assurance system transmits an instruction to provide the modification action for the prepaid telecommunication system.

Abstract: A method whereby application and network services (such as access control and electronic mailing list servers) can use a directory service to define groups of directory members using a directory search specification evaluated at service delivery time (dynamic group membership.) Traditionally, network services have been delivered to groups of users defined in relatively narrow manners: either by keeping a list of all users who are members of the group, or by attaching specific group membership attribute information to the information maintained about each specific user. Dynamic group membership allows these services to be delivered to groups of users who can be defined by a completely arbitrary specification of user attribute information. For example, electronic mail can be sent to a group of users whose office was located in a certain building (specifically, whose office location attribute matched a specific value.

Abstract: A telephone routing system which provides notification to subscribers that an incoming telephone call has been received. In particular, the system is directed toward subscribers who employ their telephone line in order to establish a connection over the Internet. In the situation where an incoming call is received during an Internet session, the routing system provides notification to the subscriber that the call has been received. In particular, when the incoming call is received, an interactive screen display may appear on the subscriber's computer through use of the subscriber's PC software. The subscriber may be provided a selection of options on how the call should be routed. Once the instructions are received from the subscriber, the system routes the call accordingly.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the position of an aircraft. An aircraft signal is received by a first antenna and a second antenna, the first antenna being at a known baseline distance from the second antenna. A processor is used to calculate the time difference of arrival range between the second antenna and the aircraft using a common time reference signal. The position of the aircraft is determined by a position determinator based upon the baseline distance between the first and second antennas, the range between the first antenna and the aircraft, and the time difference of arrival range between the second antenna and the aircraft.

Abstract: A telecommunications network that handles call center calls by providing advanced interactive voice response (IVR) services using a next generation service node (NGSN). The NGSN nodes combine with several other interacting network components to provide a scaleable architecture which allows several different, customized and flexible call center services to be performed for telecommunications service provider customers. In addition the network includes virtual call routers, parking managers, host connect gateways, report servers, advanced network databases, data access points, and data gateways to deliver calls to customer call centers with various features enabled.

Abstract: Using a graphical user interface, the user is requested to enter a type of permanent virtual connection desired to be created. Based on the type of permanent virtual connection desired to be created, it is determined what data is necessary to generate the permanent virtual connection. Using a graphical user interface, the user is requested to enter the data determined to be necessary. When the user is requested to enter a type of permanent virtual connection desired to be created, information is requested from the user as to whether a point-to-point connection or a point-to-multipoint connection is desired, as to whether a virtual path connection or a virtual channel connection is desired, as to a desired quality of service, as to how billing data is to be collected, and as to a type of traffic to be handled by the permanent virtual connection. The data is assembled in a form recognizable by a telecommunications switch.

Abstract: A universal compact disc (CD) player having the ability to decode and play an encoded audio file residing on a CD, regardless of the particular encoding algorithm used to encode the audio file, consists of: a spindle motor and optical pickup adapted to read the signal recorded on the CD; an amplifier to amplify the signal read by the pickup; a programmable digital signal processor adapted to decode the amplified signal under the direction of a decoding software program; a nonvolatile memory containing the decoding software program directing the operation of the digital signal processor; a program adapted to read the decoding software program from a memory card into the nonvolatile memory; a digital-to-analog converter to convert the decoded signal into an analog audio signal; and a speaker or headphones to convert the analog audio signal into sound.

Abstract: A process cartridge of the present invention is separable into a first unit 105 including a photosensitive roller 108 and a second unit 106 including a development roller 109. The second unit 106 is provided with an operation member 320 which is capable of moving in a unit inserting/drawing out direction. When the operation member is thrust in the unit inserting direction, the second unit 106 is pressed against the first unit 105. When the operation member is pulled to the unit drawing out direction, the pressing of the second unit 106 against the first unit 105 is released.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for qualifying telephone numbers for use by one or more telephone service representatives. The method includes the following steps. Supplying a telephone number database containing telephone numbers and validation criteria to a qualifying computer. Launching calls with the qualifying computer to the telephone numbers in the telephone number database. Selecting called telephone numbers that meet the validation criteria as qualified telephone numbers. Establishing a qualified number queue for containing qualified telephone numbers. Providing access to the qualifying computer by the telephone service representatives to permit them to request qualified telephone numbers from the qualified number queue. Passing at least one qualified telephone number from the qualified number queue to the requesting telephone service representative.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method, system, and apparatus for providing communication control. The invention includes a method in which signaling is processed externally to a switch before it is applied by the network elements. The processor is able to select network characteristics and signal the network elements based the selections. A network employing the processing method is also included, as well as a signaling system that employs the processing method.

Abstract: An optical network operating with burst mode data traffic signal comprises a recirculating optical loop memory which includes taking a sample of a burst mode data traffic signal and storing the sample within the recirculating optical loop memory. The network may further comprise a scanning based wavelength measurement system wherein the wavelength of the sample may be determined.

Abstract: A system for establishing a telephone call between an outside telephone and an agent station, the outside telephone is associated with an outside computer that is connected to a public computer network and is used to request a call with an agent. The request is received at a server connected to the public computer network and is communicated by the server to a call router that is connected to a telephone network and monitors the status of agent stations connected to the telephone network. The call router identifies an available agent station, and signals are sent to establish a telephone call from the outside telephone to the available agent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for servicing or upgrading on demand, an optical fiber communication system from a single communication channel at one frequency such as a telephone circuit to two communication channel systems at two different frequencies such as telephone and TV signals.

Abstract: An ONU includes circuit cards, a card cage, and electrical connector hardware. The card cage releaseably engages and supports the circuit cards in installed positions in the card cage. At least one pair of the circuit cards have serial interconnections with each other. The electrical connector hardware defines all of those serial interconnections and is free of a backplane.

Abstract: A directive antenna includes plural antenna elements in an antenna assemblage. A feed network connected to the antenna elements includes at least one switch to select a state of one of the antenna elements to be in an active state in response to a control signal. The other antenna elements are in a passive state, electrically coupled to an impedance to be in a reflective mode. The antenna elements in the passive state are electromagnetically coupled to the active antenna element, allowing the antenna assemblage to directionally transmit and receive signals. The directive antenna may further include an assisting switch associated with each antenna element to assist coupling the antenna elements, while in the passive state, to the respective impedances. The antenna assemblage may be circular for a 360° discrete scan in N directions, where N is the number of antenna elements.

Abstract: The invention provides a digital camera with a disposition device for automatically converting a picture to an appropriate image meeting the vision via the viewfinder, wherein the disposition device for auto-detecting the holding condition of a digital camera comprises: an insulating envelope having a cavity which is formed by an insulating bottom and side wall, wherein the cavity is divided into a plurality of concave regions; a conductive plate covering the cavity of the insulating envelope and connected to the power source; a plurality of conductive pads selectively located on the insulating bottom; and a conductive ball rolling in the cavity by the influence of gravity, wherein the movable sensor touching one of the conductive pads and the conductive plate represents the holding condition of the digital camera.

Abstract: The invention provides an automatic charging device via a USB and method of operating the same. The charging device comprises: a battery charger; an indicator; an USB interface; and a charging controller.

Abstract: A directive antenna includes plural antenna elements in an antenna assemblage. A feed network connected to the antenna elements includes at least one switch to select a state of at least one of the antenna elements to be in an active state in response to a control signal. The other antenna elements are in a passive state, electrically coupled to an impedance to be in a reflective mode. The antenna elements in the passive state are electromagnetically coupled to the active antenna element, allowing the antenna assemblage to directionally transmit and receive signals. The directive antenna may further include an assisting switch associated with each antenna element to assist coupling the antenna elements, while in the passive state, to the respective impedances. The antenna assemblage may be circular for a 360° discrete scan in 2N directions, where N is the number of antenna elements.

Abstract: A controlled slew reference switch circuit is provided for limiting the phase deviation of a phase locked loop (PLL) output signal in response to the PLL switching between a plurality of input reference clock signals. The PLL includes a phase detector for measuring the phase deviation between two input signals. The controlled slew reference switch circuit includes a transfer function generator that controls one or more selector circuits for operating the PLL in a normal mode of operation and a holdover mode of operation. In the normal mode of operation the PLL is locked to one of the reference clock signals, and the phase detector inputs are coupled to the reference clock signal and a PLL feedback signal. In the holdover mode of operation both inputs of the phase detector are coupled to the PLL feedback signal, thereby holding the PLL in its last operational state.