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.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing rapid call-forwarding are described. The method includes receiving a feature code operable for activating a call-forwarding service, receiving a forward code assigned to a target address, such as a dialing number, recognizing the feature code and the forward code, and forwarding incoming calls to the target address. The method further comprises receiving call-forwarding logistics and generating a call-forwarding record. The system for providing rapid call-forwarding includes a switch operable for receiving a selection by a subscriber of a feature code and a forward code, wherein the feature code is used to activate a call-forwarding service and the forward code is used in the place of a target address, a call-forward control computer operable for storing and recognizing the feature code and the forward code, and a call connector operable for executing the rapid call-forward service.

Abstract: A method of managing security parameters for a communications session includes dynamically assigning security parameters during the communications session responsive to changing aspects of the communications session to provide a variable degree of security for the session. Related systems and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: Joint channel estimation and maximum likelihood decoding method for Coded Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (COFDM) systems are presented. Using this method in conjunction with convolutional coding, robust and nearly optimal coherent detection can be achieved in rapid dispersive fading channels. Significant performance gain in packet data throughput is realized in a system with aggressive frequency reuse. A method for estimating channel characteristics in a multicarrier transmission system comprising the steps of receiving a multicarrier signal, applying Fast Fourier transformations to the multicarrier signal, estimating channel characteristics of a multicarrier channel over which the multicarrier signal was transmitted using a combination of iterative processing and iterative backward processing, and decoding the transformed multicarrier signal is presented.

Abstract: A system and method for notifying salespersons of customer communications including a target item is provided. Individual customers are mapped to one or more salespersons. Target items of interest to a salesperson are defined and a salesperson is associated with a customer. For each salesperson, on-line communication channels are monitored for the occurrence of a communications involving a customer associated with the salesperson and including a target item defined by the salesperson. When such an occurrence happens, a notification is directed to the salesperson. Salesperson access to the system and customer access to the on-line communication channels requires authorization.

Abstract: A method of decoding, composing and rendering a scene. First information is obtained, the first information including a part of a MPEG-4 BIFS scene description stream and at least one coded MPEG-4 media stream. The first information is decoded by invoking a BIFS scene decoder and one or more specific media decoders that are required by the scene. Second information is obtained, the second information including a second part of a BIFS scene description stream that contains a reference to an external application. The second information is decoded by invoking the BIFS scene decoder and an external application decoder. An integrated scene is composed, the integrated scene including one or more decoded MPEG-4 media objects and one or more external application objects specified in the decoded scene descriptions streams. The composed integrated scene is rendered on a display.

Abstract: A system and method for notifying salespersons of customer communications including a target item is provided. Individual customers are mapped to one or more salespersons. Target items of interest to a salesperson are defined and a salesperson is associated with a customer. For each salesperson, on-line communication channels are monitored for the occurrence of a communications involving a customer associated with the salesperson and including a target item defined by the salesperson. When such an occurrence happens, a notification is directed to the salesperson. Salesperson access to the system and customer access to the on-line communication channels requires authorization.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing web-based quality assessment, tracking, and reporting services for call monitoring are provided. The method includes presenting a main menu of user-selectable options via the evaluation services system over the web-based network. The user selectable options include a call monitoring option for requesting an evaluation of a call representative and a search option for searching completed call monitoring forms resulting from call monitoring sessions. The method also includes receiving a selection from the user-selectable options and presenting to a call monitor system, in response to selection of the call monitoring option, a call monitor form template over the web-based network.

Abstract: A method of designing a customer interface for a service center, such as an automated speech recognition (ASR) self-service center. Customer activity to an existing service center is monitored, providing customer model, which includes a collection of customer tasks. These tasks are assigned to action-object pairs, which are further assigned to routing destinations. Dialog modules are designed, based on the customer model data, including disambiguation dialogs.

Abstract: A method and system for managing performance data of communication lines, such as digital subscriber lines, is disclosed. The method includes receiving from a remote user device an identifier for a particular communications line at a web server; initiating a real-time performance analysis of the line at a network end of the line; receiving real-time performance data and converting the real time performance data to analyzed data; receiving field performance data from the user device; and converting at least one of the field performance data and the real-time performance data from a web-based format to a mainframe format; and sending the converted data to a mainframe for storage corresponding to a file associated with the identifier.

Abstract: An approach to clustering a set of images based on similarity measures employs a fuzzy clustering paradigm in which each image is represented by a node in a graph. The graph is ultimately partitioned into subgraphs, each of which represent true clusters among which the various images are distributed. The partitioning is performed in a series of stages by identifying one true cluster at each stage, and removing the nodes belonging to each identified true cluster from further consideration so that the remaining, unclustered nodes may then be grouped. At the beginning of each such stage, the nodes that remain to be clustered are treated as all belonging to a single candidate cluster. Nodes are removed from this single candidate cluster in accordance with similarity and connectivity criteria, to arrive at a true cluster. The member nodes of this true cluster are then removed from further consideration, prior to the next stage in the process.

Abstract: A method for creating an electronic marketplace includes receiving from a first client a request to create an electronic marketplace and receiving information about a product associated with the marketplace. The information includes at least one of first product information and a reference to second product information. The method also includes creating a marketplace metacatalog associated with the marketplace using a template, storing the first product information in the marketplace metacatalog if the information about the product includes the first product information, and associating the reference to the second product information with the marketplace metacatalog if the information about the product includes the reference. The method further includes communicating at least a portion of at least one of the first product information and the second product information to a second client using the marketplace metacatalog.

Abstract: A communications services network platform has a multi-layered software architecture residing on a host computer. The network platform connects to a communications network and includes a call processing stack, a link layer, and a service support subsystem. The call processing stack implements call processing by processing events associated with a communication path through the communications network and has an application layer, representing each active call being processed by the call processing stack, and a resource layer, including software abstractions of physical resources located outside the host computer. The link layer manages a communications link between physically connected physical resources and the call processing stack. The service support subsystem executes services requested by the call processing stack. The platform manages and controls communications events associated with the communication path to complete a request for services between nodes on the communication network.

Abstract: An apparatus for activating a cellular telephone within a cellular telecommunications network. A PCMCIA card interacts with a controller to display required programming information and questions. A user of the cellular telephone inputs responses to questions on a display. The user responses are transmitted to a system administrator at a customer activation center via a mobile telephone switching office in the cellular telecommunications network. The system administrator provides any necessary information for activating the cellular telephone. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a personal computer is connected to cellular telephone and the PCMCIA card is connected to the personal computer. Information for the user may be shown on either the display of the cellular telephone or on a display of the personal computer. The user may input information and responses to questions via a user input device provided as part of the display or as part of the personal computer.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are disclosed for determining and assigning descriptive filenames to digital images based on auxiliary input such as user provided input or input from some reference database of images.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing certified voice and/or multimedia mail messages in a broadband signed communication system which uses packetized digital information. Cryptography is used to authenticate a message that has been compiled from streaming voice or multimedia packets. A certificate of the originator's identity and electronic signature authenticates the message. A broadband communication system user may be provisioned for certified voice and/or multimedia mail by registering with a certified mail service provider and thereby receiving certification. The called system user's CPE electronically signs the bits in received communication packets and returns the message with an electronic signature of the called system user to the calling party, along with the system user's certificate obtained from the service provider/certifying authority during registration. The electronic signature is a cryptographic key of the called party.

Abstract: Mechanisms, in a transmission channel shared by 802.11 systems and HIPERLAN/2 systems are provided to prevent 802.11 terminals from transmitting during time periods allocated to HIPERLAN, so that a single channel can be shared between the two standards. In a particular embodiment, a “super frame” format is used where HIPERLAN transmissions are offered the highest level of protection possible within 802.11, which is needed within the 802.11 Contention Free Period (CFP).

Abstract: A method for providing a mobile network notification service including receiving a first telephone number associated with a first notification service customer. The method further includes receiving an indication that a first telephone corresponding to the first telephone number has been powered on and is available in a mobile network. A mobile network status of a second telephone corresponding to a second telephone number is determined in response to locating the second telephone number in a notification list associated with the first notification service customer. The status is transmitted to the first notification service customer.

Abstract: The present application discloses a call routing system and a method of communicating with a call originator. The call routing system includes a voice converted data module having an input to receive an incoming call, an interactive voice response dialog module responsive to the voice converted data module; and a call routing module responsive to the voice converted data module. The call routing module is to route the incoming call to a destination. The method of communicating with an originator of a call includes receiving a call at an automated call handling system; performing an evaluation of the call based on a set of business rules; routing the call to an interactive voice response unit based on the evaluation, and in response to the call, automatically scheduling and sending an email to the originator of the call. The email includes a targeted communication message relating to the subject matter of the call.

Abstract: A communications network is operated by providing a plurality of redundant links between a first network node and a second network node. A first identifier is associated with a first one of the plurality of redundant links and a second identifier is associated with a second one of the plurality of redundant links. The first and second identifiers are associated with the regulatory constraint. Traffic that is marked with the first identifier is routed to the first one of the plurality of redundant links and traffic that is marked with the second identifier is routed to the second one of the plurality of redundant links so that operation of the communications network is in compliance with the regulatory constraint.