Abstract: A telecommunications system and method for increasing communications bandwidth for an Internet Service Provider (“ISP”) to accommodate temporary fluctuations in demand. The present invention utilizes an Advanced Intelligent Network (“AIN”) to re-direct calls from a subscriber to an ISP from the ISP's modem pools to a shared modem pool operated by a telephone service provider (“telco”) when the ISP needs additional bandwidth. The shared modem pool is controlled by an access server and a remote authentication dial-in user service server managed by the telco. The telco servers identify the identified ISP to receive the call by looking at the original number dialed by the caller. The telco servers then communicate with the proper ISP which determines whether or not the caller is a valid subscriber of the ISP.

Abstract: A mounting assembly is disclosed for mounting an antenna to a roof of a vehicle. The assembly includes a mounting plate with a mounting pad for mounting the antenna to the mounting plate, and at least one bracket to which the mounting plate is mounted. Each bracket is for being mounted to the roof of the vehicle. Each bracket may be a cross-bracket for extending between stringers on the vehicle or an angle-bracket for being mounted to a vertical surface on the vehicle, for example. The mounting plate and each bracket are each provided with a plurality of regularly spaced slots through which the mounting plate is mounted to the bracket. Each slot in the mounting plate extends for a distance generally along the periphery of the mounting plate, and each slot in each bracket extends for a distance generally longitudinally.

Abstract: A system for and method of charging or maintaining a charge of a battery of a vehicle is disclosed. The system utilizes a light-transforming cell that can transform light energy to current. The cell may be supported such that the cell is exposed to light energy. Current produced by the cell is communicated with the battery through electrical connectors, which may have a switch. This invention may decrease occasions when a vehicle operator faces a weakened or dead battery in a vehicle because the invention serves to maintain the charge of the vehicle's battery when the vehicle is not in use.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for providing an external electrical power supply to a proximity smart card for driving the internal electronics of the smart card. The external electrical power supply is separate from a power source of a smart card reader or an internal battery. The external power supply energizes the smart card by way of magnetic induction by radiating power over an electromagnetic link between the external power supply and the smart card.

Abstract: A connectorized outside fiber optic drop that facilitates the deployment of fiber to the home by connecting a local terminal to a fiber optic interface device, the outside fiber optic drop including a sheath, transition fittings, pigtails, fiber optic connectors, and a fiber optic strand. The sheath is positioned over a middle section of the fiber optic strand. The transition fittings are attached to the fiber optic sheath proximate to both ends of the drop. The pigtails attach to the transition fittings and enclose the fiber optic strand from the transition fittings to the ends of the fiber optic strand, where the fiber optic connectors are attached to the fiber optic strand and the pigtails. If the drop contains more than one fiber optic strand, then one set of pigtails with connectors is provided for each fiber optic strand.

Abstract: Methods and systems to provide a home system with information about a wireless unit roaming in a visited system based on information the wireless unit provides to the visited system. A mobile switching center (MSC-V) of the visited system receives the information from the wireless unit and routes a message to an international gateway. In response, the international gateway creates a new message or alters the original message, and transmits the new or altered message to a mobile switching center (MSC-H) of the home system. In response to receipt of the new or altered message, the MSC-H validates the wireless unit (if valid), creates a response to the new or altered message, and routes the response to the international gateway. The response may include an authorization period for the wireless unit and/or OCOS/TCOS information. In response, the international gateway creates a new response or alters the response, and transmits the new or altered response to the MSC-V.

Abstract: Methods and systems for proactively maintaining a telephone system local loop. One embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring status information associated with telephone lines. Proactive maintenance is predicted using upon the status information. Work orders describing the predicted proactive maintenance may be generated and dispatched. Another embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring at least one customer information associated with copper line pairs, service information associated with copper line pairs, and status information associated with telephone lines. The acquired information is stored in a database. The database is updated with the status information associated with telephone lines. Proactive maintenance is predicted using the stored information.

Abstract: A method of allocating time slots in a time division multiple access cellular telephone system increases the traffic capacity of a base station's RF channel. A method is provided for operating in half rate mode while maintaining adequate signal quality over the RF channel communications link between a base station and a mobile station. In full rate mode, each mobile station is allocated at least four of the twelve slots. For mobile stations experiencing little or no signal deterioration from other sources, a channel can be operated in half rate mode with little or no adverse effect to the signal quality. For mobile stations that are experiencing signal deterioration, the same channel can provide full rate mode support.

Abstract: When a subscriber calls into its Internet Service Provider (ISP), a central office receiving the call is triggered to perform a Local Number Portability (LNP) query. This LNP query is sent to an Intelligent Traffic Routing and Control (INTRAC) unit resident on a Service Control Point (SCP) which determines whether the call is to an ISP. If the call is to an ISP, the INTRAC unit polls a Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) server to determine whether resources are available. The RADIUS server tracks the resources of the ISP and of other ISPs and informs the SCP of the available resources. The SCP then inserts the Local Routing Number (LRN) of the preferred resource into a reply that is sent to the central office. If resources are not available, the call is terminated before signaling occurs with any switch associated with the ISP. On the other hand, when resources are available, the subscriber can be directed to the preferred resource for the subscriber.

Abstract: A method and system for providing flexible subscriber VCR control of an interactive media system that limits the consumption of bandwidth capacity, the method comprising establishing a viewing time window during which a subscriber can watch an ordered program, enabling the subscriber to freely pause, rewind, and fast-forward the program so long as the end of the program does not exceed the end of the window, automatically tracking the remaining program running time against the time remaining in the window, deactivating the pause and rewind features if the remaining program running time equals the time remaining in the window, and reactivating the pause and rewind features if the program is fast-forwarded such that the time remaining in the window exceeds the remaining program running time.

Abstract: Methods and systems to send a message from a sending party to a recipient without the message revealing an identity of the sending party. The identity may be the name of the sending party, a calling line number associated with a calling line of the sending party, or an e-mail address of the sending party. The message may be a reply to a previous message or a forwarding message of an earlier message. In response to a message being received, a check is made to determine whether an anonymity feature is enabled for all messages received from the sending party, or whether the anonymity feature is enabled for the message. In response to finding the anonymity feature enabled for all messages or for the message, an anonymity indicator is included with the message. The presence of the anonymity indicator has the effect of withholding the identity of the sending party when the message is made available to or retrieved by the recipient.

Abstract: A method. The method includes receiving notification that an emergency communication was terminated, and transmitting a message to a second communication device. The message includes a voice prompt for connecting to a first communication device. The method also includes receiving a response to the voice prompt, and completing a connection between the first and second communication devices.

Abstract: The mechanism provides for a method and system of verifying that data files have been timely received from an data file originator and processed by a processing entity. A data file originator sends a processing entity data files that must be processed by a specified time and in a specified order. The mechanism provides that when a data file is processed by the processing entity, a confirmation record is created verifying that a given originator's data file has been processed. At a preset time, prior to the time the originator has specified for the data file to be processed, the processing entity performs a confirmation test. The confirmation test is used to confirm that originator's data files have been processed in the order specified by the originator. The confirmation test involves comparing the contents of confirmation records.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for analyzing and preparing optimum telephone services calling plans. An optimum calling plan analysis engine analyzes wireline local and long distance and wireless call use during a given period of time for selected wireline and wireless telephone services. Based on a number of factors, including the type, duration, time, day, location, etc. of calls made by the subscriber, the calling plan engine calculates the cost of a number of different calling plans to which the subscriber may change in order to offer a cost savings to the subscriber. After the calling plan engine calculates and identifies alternative calling plans that meet the subscriber's calling patterns and save costs to the subscriber, the subscriber is notified of the alternative calling plans.

Abstract: Disclosed are an optical smart card and an optical smart card reader, each including an optical interface for communicating information therebetween by way of an optical communication link.

Abstract: A communications process and apparatus is provided with scoped, partially non-geographic addressing. The processes are carried out by one or more switches in a communications system. A first device in the system has a scoped address, including at least one geographic identifier and a customer identifier. A second device sends a setup message with addressing information to a switch in the system. The switch examines the message and consults a database with the customer identification to determine forwarding information. The switch forwards the message to a second device according to the forwarding information obtained from the database. The second device sends a connect message to the first device, thereby establishing a connection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for remotely starting a cable pressure monitoring unit operable for monitoring the air pressure within a pressurized cable route, such as a telecommunications cable route, including a remote computer operable for generating and transmitting a command signal directing the cable pressure monitoring unit to start, an automated transfer system operable for receiving the command signal directing the cable pressure monitoring unit to start, and a computer network operable for communicating the command signal from the remote computer to the automated transfer system.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an on-hold call with a selectable continuous tone source using a service node, comprising a service switching point of a central office connected to a service logic program provisioned on a service node. Using the capabilities of the service node, the service logic program plays a continuous tone through a permanent trunk line connecting the service node to the service switching point. When the service switching point puts a call on hold, the service switching point connects the call through the permanent trunk line to the service logic program that is playing the continuous tone. As a result, the caller hears the continuous tone while the service switching point has the call on hold.

Abstract: A system and method for providing early warning notifications to telephone subscribers having calling number delivery service. The system uses an advanced intelligent network to initiate several calls in rapid succession to all calling number delivery subscribers located within a pre-determined geographic area. A code identifying the disaster warning message is transmitted to the subscribers' calling number delivery systems in place of an actual calling line identification. Subscribers having calling name delivery service receive the disaster code and a text message briefly describing the disaster warning.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for providing a self-destructing e-mail messages are described. An e-mail client application provides a user interface through which the sender of an e-mail message can enter the message and a time period for destruction of the message. Once the sender has provided this information, the e-mail client application sends a request to an e-mail server application to transmit the self-destructing e-mail message. The e-mail client application may also receive self-destructing e-mail messages. When a self-destructing e-mail message is received, the destruction date associated with the e-mail message is identified and the message is destroyed at the specified time. The e-mail client application can also limit the number and type of operations that may be performed on a self-destructing e-mail. An e-mail server application is also provided that receives requests from the e-mail client application to transmit self-destructing e-mail messages and perform other functions.