Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receives a request for communications service. The request for communications service originates from a client communications device associated with a user and requests communications service from a service provider. An availability of at least one of i) a communications network operated by the service provider and ii) another communications network operated by another service provider is dynamically assessed in real-time. A best-value scenario of segmentation, dispersion, assemblage, and routing of electronic data is assessed to fulfill the request. The best-value scenario maximizes profitability for the service provider. The communications service is provided to fulfill the request according to the best-value scenario.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a hanging tool support assembly provide a portable, adjustable support to hold and/or position a tool, such as a flashlight. For example, the hanging tool support assembly hangs or is otherwise suspended from a support line proximate to a work area. According to exemplary embodiments, the hanging tool support assembly includes a pair of inverted, J-shaped hangers, a downwardly extending arm, a movable support piece connecting the downwardly extending arm to a tool support base, the tool support base, and attachment means for supporting and/or holding a tool to the tool support base. In some embodiments, the hangers may further include additional safety and/or positioning components.

Abstract: A method for pricing wireless communications services on a wireless network is described. A selection of a plurality of priorities available for transmitting a wireless communication transaction on a wireless network is provided, wherein the priority to be selected corresponds to the speed and allowable delay by which the transaction is to be transmitted. Transactions of lower priority are temporarily discontinued in favor of higher priority transactions when network capacity reaches a predetermined level. An amount is charged for the wireless communication transaction at a price corresponding to the priority and duration to be selected.

Abstract: A server on a packet network is protected from attack by flooding SYN messages that request a connection by comparing the number of SYN messages received within a preselected time interval N, where N is a number SYN messages within said preselected time that, with a predetermined probability, can be considered to be bona fide. When the number of received SYN messages within the preselected time interval is greater than N, corrective action is taken, such as discarding all SYN messages above the received N messages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for flexible sharing of bandwidth in switches with input buffering by dividing time into a plurality of frames of time slots, wherein each frame has a specified integer value of time slots. Counters associated with the input-output queues of the switches are loaded with a negotiated integer value once per frame. The inputs sequentially select available outputs to which the inputs send packets in specified future time slots. Priority is given to input-output queues with counters having positive values. The selection of outputs by the inputs is done using a pipeline technique and a schedule is calculated within multiple time slots. The counters for selected queues are then decremented by 1.

Abstract: A rate-adaptive method of communicating over a multipath wireless communication system uses multiple links such that each end of a link uses multiple transmit and receive antennas. A number of independent streams that are to be transmitted for each link is determined based on an overall system performance measure. In addition, the system may also jointly determine the best modulation, coding, power control, and frequency assignment for each link, based on an overall system performance measure. In OFDM systems, the number of independent streams, as well as the modulation, coding, and power control, may be determined on a tone-by-tone basis based on an overall system performance measure.

Abstract: A system for selectively grounding each of a plurality of short-haul buried utility conveyances coupled to a common long-haul buried utility conveyance to enable a conveyance locating signal transmitted through the long-haul conveyance to travel from the long-haul utility conveyance to a selected short-haul utility conveyance. The system includes a first optical switch for selecting each of the plurality of short-haul utility conveyances to be grounded, where the first optical switch is adapted to receive an optical signal and selectively output the optical signal on one of a plurality of optical fibers; and a second optical switch coupled to each of the plurality of optical fibers for grounding each short-haul utility conveyance in response to the optical signal on a corresponding optical fiber.

Abstract: An audio caller identification system and method are provided. A caller identification device of a called party's telephone, whether integrated with the telephone or stand-alone, includes a speaker for audibly alerting the called party to the nature of an incoming call. A speech synthesizer in concert with an audio caller ID program may audibly identify a name and/or number of the calling party displayed on the called party's caller ID device, including descriptive terms for calling parties such as “private,” “unlisted,” or “out of the area.” When the called party's telephone begins to ring, the called party may listen to the audio identification of the calling party for a quick screening without having to go to the telephone to read the caller ID.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring network connectivity is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network device having a controller element to route packets to one or more locations of a virtual private network utilizing Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) functionality, and route a connectivity message to a connectivity server in response to receiving a query for connectivity information. The query can be grouped with at least one other query for at least one among a border network device of a service provider and a customer network device of the virtual private network. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A coaxial cable is disclosed and includes a dielectric surrounding a center conductor. The coaxial cable further includes a shield surrounding the dielectric. The coaxial cable further includes a jacket surrounding the shield, the jacket having an interior surface. A dry floodant compound is dispersed on the interior surface of the jacket.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and computer readable media for identifying an acoustic environment of a caller. The method embodiment comprises analyzing acoustic features of a received audio signal from a caller, receiving meta-data information, classifying a background environment of the caller based on the analyzed acoustic features and the meta-data, selecting an acoustic model matched to the classified background environment from a plurality of acoustic models, and performing speech recognition as the received audio signal using the selected acoustic model.

Abstract: A system and method of delivering video content is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes storing video data packets of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) channel at an access switch/router system that communicates with an IPTV access network. The method also includes receiving data at the access switch/router system indicating a selection of the IPTV channel from a set-top box device via the IPTV access network. Further, the method includes sending copies of the stored video data packets of the IPTV channel to the set-top box device via the IPTV access network.

Abstract: A computer readable medium stores a computer program that provisions an announcement to be played to a requester. The computer readable medium stores and include code segments. A storing code segment stores multiple announcements. A receiving code segment receives a request to send the announcement to be played to the requester to an announcement device, in response to a determination that the announcement is not stored locally at the announcement device. A sending code segment sends the announcement to the announcement device in response to the request.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and computer readable media for comparing customer voice prints with a database of known fraudulent voice signatures and continually updating the database to decrease the risk of identity theft. The method embodiment comprises comparing a received voice signal against a database of known fraudulent voice signatures, denying the caller's transaction if the voice signal substantially matches the database of known fraudulent voice signatures, adding the caller's voice signal to the database of known fraudulent voice signatures if the voice signal does not substantially match a separate speaker verification database and received additional information is not verified.

Abstract: Phone systems for an integrated chat client service are provided. A representative phone system includes a call processing system operable to check a chat server for accessibility of a calling party chat client associated with a calling party and coupled to the internet, the call processing system being further operable to prompt a called party to select to talk or chat. Methods to connect telephone calls and answer telephone calls are also provided.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a call blocking service to which a user subscribes. The preferred call blocking service includes maintaining an updateable list of calling parties that the user wishes to block from being able to complete telephone calls to the user, maintaining a buffer for storing information associated with the most recent calling party placing a telephone call to the user, and recognizing a signal that the user activates to automatically add the most recent calling party to the list of calling parties blocked from being able to complete telephone calls to the user.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring media services is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a portal having a controller element to detect an installation of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media receiver in an IPTV media system and adapt at least a portion of the portal according to the installation. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system assures revenue reconciliation of customer billing and vendor settlements for multimedia services, including voice over IP, provided through a network. The system includes a data repository configured to store a plurality of tables, each table including data collected from a plurality of network elements in the network and relating to at least one of customer usage, mediation, customer billing and vendor settlement. The system also includes a processor configured to execute an alert rule based on data retrieved from at least one table stored in the data repository. The alert rule includes a comparison between the at least one table and at least one other table of the plurality of tables. The processor triggers an alert associated with the alert rule when a corresponding alert rule threshold is exceeded based on the comparison, and initiates reporting of the triggered alert.

Abstract: A method time-stamps an electronic message in accordance with information about the time zone in which the intended recipient resides where the message is originally received by a message center in a time zone different from the intended recipient.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for automatically tracking the rerouting of logical circuit data in a data network. Current reroute statistics are automatically generated upon the rerouting of logical circuit data from one or more failed logical circuits to one or more logical failover circuits in the data network. The current reroute statistics include trap data received for the one or more failed logical circuits in the data network. The current rerouted statistics may be automatically updated upon receiving updated trap data for the failed logical circuits and the logical failover circuits in the data network. A table is generated for presenting the current and updated reroute statistics. The updated reroute statistics may be generated upon the restoration of one or more of the failed logical circuits in the data network. A billing report may then be generated following the generation of the updated reroute statistics.