Abstract: In a network utilizing asynchronous transport mode (ATM) transport and/or switching, the VPI/VCI values have meaning beyond the boundaries of each individual ATM processing element. At the very least, the VPI represents a source identifier related to the provider of the particular program or service carried through the cell stream. The VPI value is maintained constant throughout the network, without translation thereof by any ATM processing element. In the preferred embodiments, the VCI also is maintained constant and serves to identify a particular service or session. For example, for each broadcast service the VCI represents a channel identifier of the program offered by the service provider identified by the associated VPI value. For an interactive session, a VCI value is assigned to the session with a particular subscriber terminal on a dynamic basis. The VCI value for such a session remains valid throughout the network for the duration of that session, without translation or reassignment.

Abstract: In advanced digital networks for providing selective point-to-point communications between subscribers terminals and broadband server equipment operated by a plurality of independent information service providers, routing through the network is controlled by functionality identified as a Level 1 Gateway. In an enhanced video dial tone network additionally providing an array of broadcast services from multiple providers, the Level 1 Gateway also provides high level control over at least some of the broadcast services. The Level 1 Gateway will perform a variety of functions including communications port management of transmissions of information between subscribers and servers, processing of billing information and session management. The Level 1 Gateway generates menus of providers and broadcast services, either as a function of providers and services available through a particular portion of the network or in a customized fashion specified by individual subscribers.

Abstract: A system is provided which uses a pre-purchased card having an identity number to make long distance telephone calls or to order services over a landline telephone system. When long distance telephone calls are being purchased, the agent selling the card has the option of selecting the long distance Interexchange Carriers to be used. The present system also allows the card purchaser to select his or her own long distance carriers. In the alternative, the card ID can be used in the same manner as a credit card if the system has the capacity to carry out the necessary transactions to check the credit worthiness of the user.

Abstract: An arrangement (apparatus and method) for remotely activating service for subscribers in a public switched telephone network. A field technician telephones a voice response unit. The field technician supplies DTMF inputs to provide a subscriber telephone number and a service to be performed. The information input to the voice response unit is supplied via a Datakit network to a change processor. The change processor is previously stored with data identifying existing office equipment and facilities for selected subscribers, and new office equipment or facilities. The change processor generates recent change signals for a central office switch corresponding to the subscribers identified by the field technician. The recent change signals are supplied via the Datakit network to a switching control center system (SCCS) host processor, which distributes the recent change signals to the appropriate central office switch, as well as any facilities or maintenance databases.

Abstract: A system and method for providing interactive multimedia services to subscriber premises utilizing in whole or in part the public switched telephone network. The service is provided using an existing twisted wire pair subscriber line with Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) technology. The ADSL connection provides a 1.5 mbits/s downstream video information channel, a two-way telephone connection, and a 16 kbits/s control channel. This multiplexed signal is then separated and processed on premise and distributed in a two-way fashion as a complex radio frequency signal. Multiple television sets and telephone stations may be simultaneously served and may conversely communicate commands upstream to the multimedia network. A complete installation may be made in an entire premise without the necessity for any significant installation of new wiring.

Abstract: A system and method for providing interactive multimedia services to subscriber premises utilizing wireless distribution within the subscriber premise. The service is provided via a communications link delivering to the subscriber premises broad band digital information including video and audio from a plurality of information providers and control signals in a multiplexed form. This multiplexed signal is then separated and processed on premise and distributed in a two-way fashion using frequency hopping code division multiple access (CDMA) spread spectrum using radio frequency signals preferably at UHF. Upstream control signals from the user installation are communicated from the individual user terminals in the same wireless manner.

Abstract: The Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) wireline system connects to and controls processing of calls to a Personal Communication Service subscriber's wireless handset via a home base station or a wireless communication network. Depending on its current location, the subscriber's handset automatically registers with the base station or with a mobility controller of the wireless network. A new registration with the base station when the handset comes within range causes that station to update the subscriber's home location register in a central data base of the AIN. Similarly, when a handset first registers with a mobility controller, that controller updates the subscriber's home location register in the central data base of the AIN. In response to calls directed to the subscriber, the AIN accesses the home location register to determine the current location where the handset is registered. The AIN then uses that data to route the call to the current location.

Abstract: Within a desired service area, multiple transmitters at separately located sites simultaneously broadcast the same multi-channel, multi-program signal. Broadcast waves from the transmitters propagate throughout substantially overlapping portions of the service area. At most receiving sites, the receiving antenna can receive a clear line-of-sight transmission from at least one and often two or more of the transmitters. Each broadcast channel carries a multiplexed digital data stream containing packets of information for a plurality of programs, e.g. television programs. A shared antenna system, typically including multiple receiving antennae aimed at a plurality of the transmitters, supplies received signals to terminals in a plurality of living units. The shared receiving system distributes selected channels of digitized data to terminals in different living units via the telephone wiring for those units.

Abstract: A plurality of network analyzers are combined into a network performance analysis tool for analyzing complex and widely distributed networks. Each of the network analyzers is synchronized with the others to provide consistency in the application of timestamps to packets traversing the network. Data from all of the analyzers is aggregated and sorted chronically and a variety of processing performed to determine important performance information about various components of the network. This information can then be used directly in simulation of a fully deployed network environment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method of implementing purchasing and other transactions in an integrated multimedia communication system by utilizing an intelligent peripheral of an advanced intelligent telephone network which peripheral includes a voice recognition module for providing control capability based on received voice signals, and a voice verification module which includes a storage database for individualized voice authentication templates. The processor also includes a transaction manager module for controlling interaction with external money management devices such as automated teller machines (ATM's). The service control point of the network maintains a separate database for identifying a specific voice identification template on the basis of recognition and identification of an incoming signal as associated with a specific subscriber for a terminal and/or a telephone station.

Abstract: In a video distribution system, methods and apparatus for rapid channel selection are implemented to reduce the channel-to-channel latencies which might otherwise occur in modern video decoding systems, such as MPEG-2.

Abstract: An Intelligent Signaling Transfer Point (ISTP) of the common channel interoffice signaling (CCIS) network provides high level control of signaling message routing and of processing of calls relating to telephone services, broadcast services, interactive broadband services and packet switched data services. A network in accord with present invention includes central office telephone switching systems and local routers. Each local router also is coupled through a trunk circuit to one of the telephone switching systems. The local router selectively provides switched telephone call communications services to a plurality of telephone stations coupled thereto. The local router also receives broadband digital signals from a broadband trunk circuit and selectively supplies broadband digital signals to a plurality of digital terminals. The ISTP includes a data switch, a database and a program controlled processor.

Abstract: A pronounceable security password is generated using a plurality of first word segment portions and second word segment portions, each of which has at least one character. A transition number, for each of the plurality of first word segment portions is identified, preferably using a Markov model. Each transition number corresponds to the number of different second word segment portions which can be combined with the first word segment portion to form a pronounceable word segment, such a word syllable. A first word segment portion is randomly selected. The selection of any one of the plurality of first word segment portions is of substantially equal probability. A second word segment portion, to which the transition number associated with the selected first word segment portion corresponds, is then randomly selected. The selection of any one of the corresponding second word segment portions is likewise of substantially equal probability.

Abstract: A method for improving an RSA cryptosystem by generating a user private exponent key, having an associated modulus N, and a user public exponent key for each user of the system. Each user's public exponent key is provided to all users of the system. Each user's private exponent key is divided into a two user key portions. A first user key portion is maintained exclusively by the user for whom the associated private exponent key was generated. A second user key portion is entrusted to one or more other users of the RSA system. The bit length of the first user key portion is no greater than fifteen percent of the bit length of the associated modulus N but not less than 56 bits. The two portions of the private exponent key may be used by two users to exchange two numbers, the product of which is used as a session key to secure communications between the two users. The portions of the private exponent key may also be used by different users to verify the identity of each to the other.

Abstract: In a switching system for connecting a call between a calling station and a called station, a system and method of voice recognition using a concentrated or distributed multiplicity of voice recognition and other resources with a facility for selecting an initial resource on the calling station going off-hook by sensing an image of the calling party accessing a demographic database and a biometric database using common channel signaling and sensing biometric information regarding the caller, and selecting a prompt to be delivered to the caller from a multiplicity of preselected prompts, and reacting to a response by the caller with further addressing of database information to continue to select from the multiplicity of resources the most appropriate resource or resources in reaction to caller utterances.

Abstract: An intelligent network, such as might provide telephone services or the like, comprises local communication links, one or more trunk circuits and a number of separately located central office switching systems. The network selectively provides switched call connections between at least two of the local communication links. The switching systems also exchange signaling messages via an interoffice signaling network, as part of the procedures for establishing call connections. The interoffice signaling network includes an Intelligent Signaling Transfer Point (ISTP) which communicates with the switching offices via signaling links that are separate from the local communication links and the trunk circuit(s). In accord with the present invention, the ISTP includes a database storing call processing data associated with a plurality of the local communication links for control of call processing through one or more of the central office switching systems. The ISTP also includes a program controlled processor.

Abstract: An arrangement for transporting digital broadband data output in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) cell streams from a plurality of video information service providers (VIPs) to a plurality of subscribers. A digital broadband network is adapted to receive a plurality of ATM streams from VIPs via optical fibers having a predetermined capacity. A plurality of receivers corresponding to the optical fibers output ATM cells from the optical fibers having active ATM cell streams to an ATM edge device having input ports corresponding to the predetermined capacity of the optical fibers. The ATM edge device grooms the ATM cells by rejecting unauthorized cells and idle cells that do not carry information, and maps the remaining ATM cells to output ports having a lower predetermined capacity than the plurality of optical fibers coupled to the receivers.

Abstract: In advanced digital networks for providing selective point-to-point communications between subscriber's terminals and broadband server's equipment operated by a plurality of independent information service providers, routing through the network is controlled by functionality identified as a Level 1 Gateway. In an enhanced video dial tone network additionally providing an array of broadcast services from multiple providers, the Level 1 Gateway also provides high level control over at least some of the broadcast services. The Level 1 Gateway will perform a variety of functions including communications port management of transmissions of information between subscribers and servers, processing of billing information and session management. The Level 1 Gateway generates menus of providers and broadcast services, either as a function of providers and services available through a particular portion of the network or in a customized fashion specified by individual subscribers.

Abstract: The Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) wireline system connects to and controls processing of calls to a Personal Communication Service subscriber's wireless handset via a home base station or a wireless communication network. Depending on its current location, the subscriber's handset automatically registers with the base station or with a mobility controller of the wireless network. A new registration with the base station when the handset comes within range causes that station to update the subscriber's home location register in a central data base of the AIN. Similarly, when a handset first registers with a mobility controller, that controller updates the subscriber's home location register in the central data base of the AIN. In response to calls directed to the subscriber, the AIN accesses the home location register to determine the current location where the handset is registered. The AIN then uses that data to route the call to the current location.

Abstract: Equal access to the trigger functionality of the Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) is accessible to a plurality of service providers offering independent communication services. In response to a trigger event during processing of a call, a switching office sends a query to a mediation point. In the preferred embodiment, the switching office is a telephone office, and the mediation point is an Integrated Service Control Point (ISCP) of a local exchange carrier AIN telephone network. The ISCP may access its own internal data to determine how to process the call, if the call meets certain criteria. Under other criteria, the ISCP acting as a mediator communicates with an alternate carrier's remote database via the common channel interoffice signaling (CCIS) network to obtain one or more instructions as to how to process the particular call. The ISCP validates the instructions from the remote database to insure compatibility with the switches or other equipment of the local network.