Abstract: A system for and method of charging a battery of an electric-powered vehicle is disclosed. The system utilizes a light-transforming cell that can transform light energy to current. The cell is supported by a support material positioned either inside or outside of the vehicle such that the cell may be exposed to light energy. Current produced by the cell is provided to the battery through electrical connectors, which may have a switch. This invention allows an electric-powered vehicle to be charged whenever there is sufficient light to allow energy-converting cells to convert light energy to electric current.

Abstract: A process and system is disclosed for determining automatically and dynamically the correct time segment during which a switch or components of a switch receive peak traffic from a communications network. The process collects traffic data regarding the usage of a selected switch or selected switch components. The traffic data is collected over a selected journalling period (e.g., 30 days), which is periodically updated with new traffic data to maintain a journal of the most recent 30 days of collected traffic data. Collected traffic data, is filtered to remove aberrant or corrupting data. An average peak usage segment for all of the segments of the journalling period is selected from the remaining filtered traffic data. By regularly adding new data to and removing old data from the journal, the resulting moving window will reflect recent changes in peak usage. Regularly (e.g.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus is disclosed for tracking deployment of cellular telephone network sites and providing real-time characteristic information about the deployment to one or more users. The system includes a plurality of computers interconnected in a network for use in tracking the deployment of the cellular telephone sites, the plurality of computers each having one or more processors, a memory device for storing one or more sets of instructions to be executed and a storage device coupled to the one or more processors, at least one computer being operative to execute the one or more sets of instructions. The method includes providing a user interface accepting project variables entered into a computer; color coding changes that are made to the variables; in real-time, determining cellular telephone site deployment characteristics based on current project variables; and providing the deployment characteristics to an output device.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus is disclosed for providing real-time access to a network organized repository of data. The system includes a computing system including one or more computers having one or more processors for executing a first set of program instructions and a first memory for storing the first set of program instructions; and a server, in communication with the computing system, the server having one or more processors for executing a second set of program instructions and a second memory for storing the second set of program instructions, the server being configured to support one or more users and to provide shared access to one or more telecommunication computer software programs, the server being coupled to one or more resources for managing, communicating and the storing data and the computer software programs.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus is disclosed for obtaining real-time information associated with a telecommunication network. The system includes a computing system including one or more computers having one or more processors for executing logic instructions associated with one or more computer programs and a first memory for storing the logic instructions to be executed; a database server, in communication with the computing system, the database server having a second memory for storing logic instructions to be executed thereon and a storage device in communication with the database server or the computing system for storing the information associated with the telecommunication network.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus is disclosed for capturing call processing failures in a telecommunication system occurring at a telecommunication digital cellular switch as the failures occur. The system includes a computing system adapted for communicating with the telecommunication system, the computing system including one or more computers having one or more processors for executing logic instructions; a memory associated with the computing system for storing the instructions; a storage device adapted for communicating with the computing system for storing data; and a communication device associated with the computing system for establishing a communication link between the computing system and the telecommunication system.

Abstract: A system and method for recharging secondary batteries. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a supervisory circuit, a voltage converter, a portable power source, and one or more of a holder and a socket. The holder is adapted to receive a specific type of secondary battery of a portable device. The socket is adapted to mate with a plug of a device-specific charging cord connected to the portable device. Each of the holder and the plug can be associated with a programming resistor that provides a voltage requirement of the secondary battery. When the secondary battery is either placed in the holder or is connected to the socket, the supervisory circuit communicates with the voltage converter to supply the appropriate voltage required to recharge the secondary battery. The voltage converter receives power from the portable power source. The voltage converter can convert the voltage of the portable power source up (i.e., increasing the voltage) or down (i.e.

Abstract: An electronic program guide executing in a set top box provides real-time guide EIT information to users for periods beyond the six hours of conventional systems. Each transport providing information to the set top box contains a predetermined number of hours of full EIT data and a predetermined number of days of sparse EIT data. The sparse EIT data allows users to see information for programming in real time days into the future without having to tune to a different transport.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing calls that receives a call, identifies the subscriber, determines the preferred call carrier, and routes the call to a line connected to the preferred call carrier, all before the call enters the region between local access transport areas. The invention comprises a digital cross-connect system, a computer with a database connected to the digital cross-connect system, and a service management system connected to the computer. The service management system programs the computer with routing information that corresponds to the subscriber's calling plan. The digital cross-connect system receives calls and sends them to the computer. The computer identifies the call information and uses a routing table to determine the correct call carrier for the call. The computer sends the call with routing information back to the digital cross-connect system where the call is routed to the appropriate local or interexchange carrier, e.g., a local network or long distance carrier.

Abstract: An antenna system that may be used in a portable radiotelephone. In one embodiment, an antenna is housed within a first housing portion and is extended therefrom when a second portion of the housing is pivoted to an open position relative to the first housing portion. The antenna is retracted back into the first housing portion when the second housing portion is pivoted to a closed position relative to the first housing portion. In another embodiment, the second housing portion is slidably affixed to the first housing portion and the antenna is extended from the first housing portion when the second housing portion is moved relative to an open position relative to the first housing portion and the antenna is retracted into the first housing portion when the second housing portion is moved into a closed position relative to the first housing portion.

Abstract: A cable support apparatus. In one embodiment, the cable support apparatus includes a body portion that has a first cable retainer at one end and a second cable retainer at another end. In another embodiment, third and fourth cable retainers are on the body of the apparatus and serve to support a third cable in a desired orientation.

Abstract: Notification of 911 telephone calls is provided to a telephone numbers listed on a pre-provided list of the telephone numbers without intrusion on the existing 911 infrastructure using the out-of-band SS7 signaling infrastructure. A link monitoring system (LMS) monitors SS7 messages to determine whether a 911 telephone call has been made. When the LMS determines that a 911 telephone call has been made, it sends a message containing calling party number information to a notification device. Using the telephone numbers provided on the notification list, the notification device notifies others that the 911 telephone call has been made.

Abstract: Methods and systems for use in connection with an asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) system being available to provide voice service and data service to the customer's premises. One service of the voice service or the data service is in use at the customer's premises, and the exemplary methods and systems detect a request for provision of the other service. In response to the detection, impact information may be provided on performance of the one service in light of concurrent use of the other service. A list of modes of operation of the other service is provided. The subscriber may consider the impact information and the list of modes and respond with a selected mode of operation of the other service. The selected mode is detected and the other service is operated pursuant to the selected mode to the customer's premises.

Abstract: A fiber optic deployment network that delivers uninterrupted fiber optic service from a service provider central office to a subscriber's optical network terminal, and as a component of that deployment network, a fiber optic deployment apparatus and method for deploying multiple fiber optic drops from an incoming fiber optic strand spliced from a single fiber optic strand. The deployment apparatus providing splitting and terminating functions in a combined splitter-terminal package thereby simplifying installation of the fiber optic deployment. The splitter-terminal package having a splice case, a splitter and connectorized terminations for connecting and incoming fiber optic strand, splitting the incoming fiber optic stand into a number of outgoing strands and terminating the outgoing strands at connectorized terminations.

Abstract: A wireless communication device is associated with a fixed site device or substantially non-mobile device such as a set-top box, a burglar alarm or intelligent vending machine. The wireless communication device is preprogrammed with a generic network address only. When it is desired that the fixed site device or non-mobile device communicate over a network, the wireless communication device sends an activation request message to the network, including its generic network address. An activation response message is subsequently received from the network and includes a unique network address. Subsequent communication is effected using the unique network address. When the communication is complete, the unique network address is disassociated from the wireless communication device and returned to a pool of unique network addresses for use by other wireless communication devices.

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 wireless telephone backup device for landline telephone equipment that may be located on the customer side of the landline service connection, typically in a restricted access location, such as an attic, basement, or utility closet. An interconnection circuit in the backup device detects service interruptions in the subscriber's landline connection and, in response, powers on a wireless communication device to provide backup telephone service to the customer premises equipment. The interconnection circuit also provides the other features standard landline telephone service, including dial tone, ring voltage, and normal dialing for outgoing calls. The backup device also forwards incoming landline calls to the wireless unit in the backup device, and may send a message notifying a maintenance center of the service interruption. Further, the backup device may initiate an indicator in an alarm system at the site of the customer premises equipment to notify the subscriber of the service interruption.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a telecommunications system initiating telephone connections between, for example a consumer and a service provider based on the criteria provided by the consumer and the services available from the service provider. The system is suitable for consumers requiring direct communication with a staff member of a service provider capable of meeting the consumer's service requirements. The system compiles a prioritized list of service providers matching the consumer's criteria. Starting with the first service provider on the list the system rings the service provider and determines whether or not a staff member answers the call. If the line is busy or the call is not answered by a staff member, the system moves on to the next service provider on the list until a service provider having a staff member is located. Once such a service provider is located, the system rings the consumer and connects the two parties.

Abstract: A system for mounting and securing a portable computer to vehicle mounts to the interior of the vehicle. The system protects, secures, and houses the portable computer within a case. A mounting base mounts to the interior of the vehicle. The case includes a base plate, a platform, and a lid. The base plate mounts to the mounting base. A docking station or power supply for a portable computer mounts to the platform. The computer is positioned adjacent to the platform and mounts to the docking station or power supply for a computer mounts to the platform. The mounting base, base plate, case, or combination thereof dampens vibrations from the vehicle to the computer, thus protecting the computer from vibration damage. The lid moves with respect to the case to provide user access to the computer. The lid can further move to cover the computer to secure the computer within the case or to the platform. Internal shelves or trays within the case provide access to and house associated computer peripheral devices.