Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a calling party to a called party utilizing biometric information. Biometric information of first calling party is received. If stored, a calling party profile is retrieved based on first calling party biometric information. A call is placed to a called party. The first calling party profile is provided to called party. A biometric information change from first calling party biometric information to a second calling party biometric information is automatically detected, and it is determined whether the second party biometric information is stored. If stored, a second calling party profile of second calling party is retrieved and is provided to called party. Responsive to determining that the biometric information for second calling party is not stored, the called party is notified that the second calling party is communicating and the second calling party profile is automatically created based on second calling party biometric information.

Abstract: An interactive electronic device shell and light source may enable personalization and increased functionality of an electronic device. The shell may at least partially cover a light source and attach to an electronic device. The shell includes at least some transparent or translucent portions (e.g., light stencils) that enable light from a matrix of the light source to emit through the shell, thus causing a display of light from the shell. In some aspects, the electronic device may be linked with the shell and/or the light source to control light emission through the shell. In various aspects, an illumined portion of the shell may have significance, such as revealing an artistic design or indicating a message based on activity of the electronic device.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method of securing private content stored in a memory are presented. A terminal includes a memory configured to store a private content identifier associated with private content. The private content identifier includes a mobile station integrated services digital network number of a smart card associated with a user that is authorized to access the private content. A particular smart card includes a smart card identifier associated with the particular smart card. The terminal also includes a security function configured to perform a comparison of the private content identifier to the smart card identifier and to deny access to the private content when a result of the comparison is negative.

Abstract: An asymmetric data mirroring method with a local storage device and a remote storage device being separated by large distances is disclosed. A server determines a predetermined time period associated with a round trip latency between the server and a remote storage device. The server submits a request to a local storage device, a remote storage device and a memory device disposed between the server and the remote storage device. The server submits additional requests to the local and remote storage devices during the predetermined time period. The server stores a copy of each request submitted by the server to the remote storage device in a memory disposed between the server and the remote storage device while the server waits for whether an acknowledgement associated with the request has been received from the remote storage device during the predetermined time period. The server resubmits the request and the additional requests to the remote storage device if the acknowledgement is not received.

Abstract: A medical guide wire (1) is made in which at least a fluororesin coating layer (13) is formed on the surface of a metal wire (11), wherein particulate matter is present in the fluororesin coating layer (13), and the fluororesin coating layer covers the particulate matter and at least some of the particulate matter is formed in surface protrusion-shaped projections (14). It is thus possible to provide a medical guide wire that is inexpensive to manufacture and whose strength is unaffected and frictional resistance is low, and manufacturing method for the same.

Abstract: A method, system, and machine-readable medium for classifying an image element as one of a plurality of categories, including assigning the image element based on a ratio between an unoccluded perimeter of the image element and an occluded perimeter of the image element and coding the image element according to a coding scheme associated with the category to which the image element is classified. Exemplary applications include image compression, where categories include image foreground and background layers.

Abstract: An optical fiber connection system detects when proper connection is made between a fiber-optic cable and a bulkhead. A conductive strip on the fiber-optic cable contacts a first and second conductor on the bulkhead upon proper positioning of the bulkhead relative to the fiber-optic cable. The system includes indicators for displaying which of a plurality of termination points is properly terminated. In addition, the system includes alternative embodiments for turning off an energy source feeding the fiber-optic cable, in the event the fiber-optic cable becomes disconnected from the bulkhead.

Abstract: A push-to-talk communications device (PCD) provides improved push-to-talk (PTT) communications. The PCD may include a PTT activator and a PTT module having a buffer and communications logic for providing full duplex PTT communications. In a Point-to-Point PTT mode of operation, PTT communications are performed between two PCDs with the PCDs exercising floor control. After the establishment of communications between the PCDs, the PCDs may enter a PTT talk mode wherein messages are transmitted between the PCDs in real time when a PTT activator is engaged. A PCD may also enter a group PTT mode wherein a PTT server exercises floor control between an initiating PCD and multiple target PCDs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conveying presence information from distinct communication devices are disclosed. The present invention enables multiple communication devices using distinct communications technologies, such as cellular telephone, traditional wire line telephone, packet based telephone, and computer supporting instant messaging applications, to communicate presence status to a single server to enable another subscriber to determine the best method to use to establish a communication channel with a subscriber.

Abstract: Enhanced services, such as call restriction, call forwarding, anonymous call rejection, and proprietary services, may interfere with an emergency callback potentially preventing the callback from reaching the intended destination. Systems and methods for processing emergency calls to eliminate emergency callback failure in response to an emergency call being disconnected are provided herein.

Abstract: Quality of Service (QoS) and/or bandwidth allocation is managed in a Regional/Access Network (RAN) that provides end-to-end transport between a Network Service Provider (NSP) and/or an Application Service Provider (ASP), and a Customer Premises Network (CPN) that includes a Routing Gateway (RG). A first subsystem is configured to manage QoS and/or bandwidth allocation for an access session in the CPN. A second subsystem is configured to manage QoS and/or bandwidth allocation for an application flow in the CPN. Thus, the RAN can independently manage QoS, session authentication and/or bandwidth allocation for an access session and for an application flow.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for processing calls. An alias is associated to a called party's destination number. When the alias is then dialed for a call, the call is routed to the destination number. Exemplary embodiments thus enable a user to make calls without having to dial a long string of numbers. The user, instead, may simply select and dial an easy-to-remember alias associated with the called party.

Abstract: The presently disclosed architecture enables a service provider to support public voice VPN services over an IP VPN network. The architecture utilizes a customer VPN, a designated gateway for the customer VPN, an IP VPN transport network, and a Call Control Element/router Complex which uses IP technology to map between the IP VPN and the voice VPN. With such an arrangement, the customer VPN is extended to the gatekeeper of the Call Control Element/router Complex, thereby enabling the provision of voice VPN services over an IP network.

Abstract: A telephone call is established between a local telephone (110) associated with a local party and a remote telephone (104) associated with a remote party. The local telephone (110) receives a voice signal from the remote telephone (104) responsive to establishing the telephone call. The voice signal represents directory assistance information, a name, a phone number or directions provided by the remote party. The local telephone (110) stores the voice signal in a memory unit (212) in the local telephone (110) responsive to receiving the voice signal. The local telephone (110) converts the voice signal to a text signal responsive to storing the voice signal. The local telephone (110) stores the text signal in the memory unit (214) in the local telephone (110) responsive to converting the voice signal to a text signal. The local telephone (110) edits the stored text signal in the memory unit responsive to storing the text signal.

Abstract: Overlapped wireless LAN cells in a medium have an equal chance at establishing a session on the medium. A first member station in the first cell transmits a timing packet containing a timestamp value, which is received at a second member station in the second cell. This synchronizes member stations in the first and second cells to interrupt transmissions at a global channel release instant corresponding to the timestamp value. The member stations in the first and second cells then have the opportunity to contend for access to the medium following the global channel release instant, using a slotted CSMA/CA access method. Each of the member stations in the first and second cells has a superframe clock that is synchronized based on the timestamp value, thereby establishing a periodic global channel release instant during each of a plurality of periodic superframes. The member stations can then periodically interrupt transmissions at the periodic global channel release instant to contend for the medium.

Abstract: A wireless subscriber terminal (ST) for use with IP push-to-talk (PP2T) service using a wireless local area network (WLAN) operating in a plurality of modes, including a mobile terminal having an ability to communicate over the air to a wireless Access Point (AP), the mobile terminal further programmable to use conventional WLAN protocols, and a method for operating the wireless terminal are described.

Abstract: A compressible mechanically stabilized earth retaining wall system and installation thereof is described.

Abstract: Quality of Service (QoS) support is provided by a Tiered Contention Multiple Access (TCMA) distributed medium access protocol that schedules transmission of different types of traffic based on their service quality specifications. In one embodiment, a wireless station is supplied with data from a source having a lower QoS priority QoS(A), such as file transfer data. Another wireless station is supplied with data from a source having a higher QoS priority QoS(B). Each wireless station can determine the urgency class of its pending packets according to a scheduling algorithm. There are several urgency classes which indicate the desired ordering. Pending packets in a given urgency class are transmitted before transmitting packets of a lower urgency class by relying on class-differentiated urgency arbitration times (UATs), which are the idle time intervals required before the random backoff counter is decreased.

Abstract: An electric switch including a stationary contact that is annular. The switch comprises a gastight enclosure, a conductor bar of axis (D), a stationary contact presenting a contact zone of substantially annular shape, a switch element, e.g. on the conductor bar, that is movable in the axial direction of the axis (D) between a first position in which it penetrates in part into the stationary contact to establish electrical contact between the conductor bar and the stationary contact, and a second position in which it interrupts said contact. The stationary contact, which is in the form of a ring that is circular or elongate, such as elliptical, surrounds the conductor bar, at least in part.

Abstract: Virtual Private Network (VPN) dedicated to a customer using a physical transmission network based upon Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology including a plurality of Provider (P) devices and a plurality of Provider Edge (PE) devices, the customer owning at least two specific Customer Edge (CE) devices amongst a plurality of CE devices, a specific CE device being attached to a specific PE device and enabling the customer to gain access to any other CE device belonging to the same VPN, by the intermediary of PE devices to which are attached the CE devices. The VPN comprises several billing zones (10, 12, 14) being each defined by the application of a single flat rate.