Abstract: A method and apparatus employing voice identification techniques to ensure only authorized users obtain remote access to a data base or computer system. Potential users dial an access number and speak to a security system using a standard telephone. The security system compares the real time voice input to a previously recorded voice print obtained from the authorized user. If the comparison scores high enough to meet a previously established criteria, the user is identified as the authorized user who submitted the previously recorded voice print and the security system then permits the user to access the data base or computer system. The present invention transmits both the users's analog and digital information along a single line to a publicly switched telephone network (PSTN), and therefore is capable of use in currently existing and common telephone lines.

Abstract: A voice enhanced phone card which allows a caller to place a call by voice activated dialing only when the caller desires it is presented. A caller places a call using a standard calling card switch number and enters a predetermined service code. The voice enhanced phone card system recognizes the service code, and using known telephone switching capabilities, switches the call to a voice activated dialing system at a main feature point in the voice activated dialing system call flow. The call is then connected to a destination using the voice activated dialing routine.

Abstract: Digital Cellular telephony requires voice compression designed to minimize the bandwidth required for the digital cellular channel. The features used in speech recognition have similar components to those used in the vocoding process. The present invention provides a system that bypasses the de-compression or decoding phase of the vocoding and converts the digital cellular parameters directly into features that can be processed by a recognition engine. More specifically, the present invention provides a system and method for mapping a vocoded representation of parameters defining speech components, which in turn define a particular waveform, into a base feature type representation of parameters defining speech components (e.g. LPC parameters), which in turn define the same digital waveform.

Abstract: An authentication process is triggered when a subscriber of a GSM-type cellular-phone-network service attempts a call. In this process, an encrypted result, or a “signed response,” previously stored in the subscriber's cellular phone, is transmitted to a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), and a Home Location Register (HLR) in the MSC compares the signed response to an encrypted result previously stored at an Authentication Center (AuC). If the signed response matches the stored encrypted result, the call is allowed to proceed; otherwise, access to a telephone network is denied. Proceeding with the call, the AuC generates a random number and derives a new encrypted result by means of a ciphering algorithm, e.g., a CAVE algorithm, using the random number and the subscriber's unique key previously stored in a database at the AuC.

Abstract: A system is provided for logging digital messages and forwarding them outside a proprietary telecommunications network. The system includes a service logic program (“SLP”) which determines whether the message is to be forwarded outside the proprietary system. If the message is to be forwarded outside the system, the SLP sends it to the main relay, which logs the message to a log file, and forwards it to a discriminator. The discriminator forwards the message to a sub-relay, which is connected to a vendor application. The sub-relay forwards the message outside the proprietary telecommunications system, to the vendor application.

Abstract: A blended callflow method in which a spoken digit dial option is added to the caller options for dialing. By automatically switching from an implicit to an explicit mode during such an option, without requiring an explicit command from the caller, the present invention allows a more detailed call flow and allows the caller to confirm the number's accuracy, prior to dialing. The method may also switch between modes where spoken input is received near the expiration of a receiver offhook (ROH) timer.

Abstract: Telecommunications system apparatuses and methods are disclosed. The apparatuses include a telecommunications system having a data transmitting and receiving apparatus, subscriber buses, and channel unit cards. First and second subscriber buses provide, respectively, a communication path to a first and a second data transmitting and receiving apparatus. A plurality of channel unit cards are coupled to the first and second subscriber buses. In one mode of operation, at least one channel unit card communicates data over the first subscriber bus. In another mode of operation, at least one channel unit card communicates data over the first subscriber bus and at least one other channel unit card communicates data over the second subscriber bus. A method of configuring a telecommunications system is also disclosed. The method includes selecting groups of channel unit cards and configuring each group to communicate data over a first and a second subscriber bus.

Abstract: A thermal management device for an enclosure, the enclosure disposed in an environment exposed to ambient air and having an interior area for housing heat generating electronic components includes a heat exchanger having an evaporator portion and a condenser portion, the evaporator portion is adapted for mounting within the enclosure interior area adjacent to the heat generating electronic components. The condenser portion is exposed to the ambient air for removal of heat from the enclosure interior area generated by the electronic components adjacent to the heat exchanger evaporator portion. The device is incorporated in a system which includes an air duct disposed within the enclosure interior area. The duct includes an air inlet port and air outlet port. The ports communicate with the ambient air to thereby create an airflow path through the air duct from the inlet port to the outlet port.

Abstract: In a method for dynamically updating a cellular-phone-unique-encryption key previously stored in, and common to, each of a cellular phone and an associated home location register (HLR) for providing security in a cellular-phone-network operation, a random number and shared secret random data generated at least partly based on the random number are transmitted and verified between the cellular phone and the associated HLR. A previously stored version of the cellular-phone-unique-encryption key is then dynamically updated in both the cellular phone and in the HLR by independent calculations based on an algorithm using the shared secret random data and the previously stored version of the cellular-phone-unique-encryption key. In this manner, the cellular-phone-unique-encryption key is dynamically updated as desired, e.g.

Abstract: A system for limiting power supply transients in a powered up backplane when a printed circuit (PC) board is plugged in. The PC board includes first connecting pins with different lengths connecting to precharge planes on the backplane where each sequentially longer pin length is connected to a precharge plane providing a sequentially lower voltage. The first connecting pins are further connected by precharge circuits to power planes on the PC board. The precharge circuits are configured to ramp current to minimize power supply transients. In one embodiment, the precharge circuits each include a transistor and RC circuit connecting each first connecting pin to a power plane on the PC board.

Abstract: A passive cooling system for cooling an enclosure containing electronic components. A hollowed portion of the enclosure is formed as an integral heat pipe containing a working fluid. The hollowed portion has an evaporator section located at the top and a condenser section located at the bottom. The enclosure also has hollowed side walls which serve as passage ways for the working fluid to flow through in between the evaporator and condenser sections. Gravity and the pressure of evaporation force the working fluid down to the condenser section. A wick is provided for returning the working fluid to the evaporator section by capillary action. Additionally, an ultrasonic transducer driven by the heat rejected from the condenser section may be used to help return the working fluid to the evaporator section. Finally, a check valve may be employed before the evaporator section for the working fluid to flow through.

Abstract: A telecommunications network (10) includes a plurality of telecommunication switches (12). Each telecommunication switch (12) includes a set of processors (14) in order to provide a distributed architecture. A network processor (16) periodically communicates with each set of processors (14) of each telecommunication switch (12) to collect various switch and network information and respond with routing recommendations. These routing recommendations are provided in response to a switch utilization index determined for each telecommunication switch (12). The switch utilization index provides an up to date picture of the in service trunks and a realistic figure of the global load on the processors (14). The switch occupancy index is based on trunks, call attempts, time, and switch type and is defined as the ratio of new call arrival rate to the maximum call arrival rate for a dynamically controlled routing processing cycle.

Abstract: Two T1 signals are mapped onto a subscriber bus (26) in a subscriber loop equipment (10) for transport between a bank control unit (20) and channel units (22), for example. The data channels and the signaling and control channels of the first T1 signal are mapped onto a first data stream, and the data channels and the signaling and control channels of the second T1 signal are mapped onto a second data stream. The data streams are bit-interleaved for transport on the subscriber bus (26).

Abstract: A method (100, 700, 800) for detecting and eliminating circular routed messages in a telecommunications network includes the steps of receiving a message, and determining a derived destination point code for the received message (102). The derived destination point code is then compared with an originating point code in the message (108). A circular routed message is detected if the derived destination point code is the same as the originating point code. This comparison may be disabled and instead the routing information for routing the message indicated by the derived destination code may be compared with the originating point code (706). Alternatively, the network identifiers indicated by the derived destination point code and the originating point code are compared (806).

Abstract: A method for selecting one link out of M outbound links in a linkset (10) coupling a first component and a second component is provided. The first component includes N devices coupled to the M links. The method includes the steps of first providing an X-bit code having 2.sup.x possible code combinations used for link selection, and assigning a predetermined number of code combinations for each device where the assigned code combinations for a device is a function of an unique device number associated with each device. The outbound link is then selected for transmitting outbound data based on the code combination assignment.

Abstract: A cable tie (10) includes a tie portion (12) and a head portion (14). The tie portion (12) is inserted through a slot (16) of the head portion (14). The slot (16) allows for insertion of the tie portion (12) and prevents de-insertion of the tie portion (12). After insertion, an excess length 22 of the tie portion (12) is trimmed away leaving a remaining edge (24). The head portion (14) includes a safety guard (18) attached by a flexible hinge (20) that snaps onto the head portion (14) to enclose the remaining edge (24).

Abstract: A cable tie (10) includes a tie portion (12) and a head portion (14). The tie portion (12) is inserted through a slot (16) of the head portion (14). The slot (16) allows for insertion of the tie portion (12) and prevents de-insertion of the tie portion (12). After insertion, an excess length 22 of the tie portion (12) is trimmed away leaving a remaining edge (24). The head portion (14) includes a safety guard (18) attached by a flexible hinge (20) that snaps onto the head portion (14) to enclose the remaining edge (24).

Abstract: In a subscriber loop equipment (10) having a subscriber bus (26), there is provided an odd data stream carrying a first set of data time slots of an E1 signal and a first set of signaling and control time slots of the E1 signal, and an even data stream carrying a second set of data time slots of the E1 signal and a second set of signaling and control time slots of the E1 signal. The odd and even data streams are bit-interleaved and transported on the subscriber bus (26).