Abstract: A high-speed parallel interface for communicating data between integrated circuits is disclosed. In one embodiment, the transmitter controller accepts 40-bit wide data every 167 Mhz clock cycle, the receiver controller delivers 40-bit wide data every 167 Mhz clock cycle, and the interconnect bus transmits 10-bit wide data at every transition of a 333 Mhz clock cycle. In another embodiment, the transmitter controller accepts 32-bit wide data every 167 Mhz clock cycle, the receiver controller delivers 32-bit wide data every 167 Mhz clock cycle, and the interconnect bus of this embodiment transmits 8-bit wide data at every transition of a 333 Mhz clock cycle. Output pins of the transmitter interface can be connected to any input pins of the receiver interface. Furthermore, the high-speed parallel interface does not require a fixed phase relationship between the receiver's internal clock(s) and the bus clock signal.

Abstract: A plurality of local network groups of computers (102) are coupled together by a network (104). Independent processing systems that execute a single operating system are coupled together by a network (220) to form the local network groups. The independent processing systems may have more than one CPU (202). One or more of the independent processing systems may share power, cooling and a housing, thereby forming a common fault processor group (200). An application is written to execute across multiple independent processing systems and common fault processor groups. That is, the application runs in many instances that each run on independent processing systems. The multiple instances of the application provide some measure of high availability by using N+K sparing or the like. The application is for example, call processing or radio control. A processor notification list (304) keeps track of the independent processing systems that cooperatively provide an application.

Abstract: The present invention provides a network support mechanism, called Sync-VPN, that is transparent to real-time, multi-user distributed applications, such as online multi-player games in which the order of player actions is critical to the outcome. The invention uses a client/server application model, where a server coordinates state updates based on action messages sent by clients. The invention builds on bandwidth-quaranteed VPN service to ensure predictable packet delay and loss characteristics, thereby providing predictable packet service, state update fairness, and player action fairness. A Sync-out mechanism synchronizes delivery of state updates to all players enabling them to react to the same update fairly. A Sync-in mechanism processes action messages from all players in a fair order based on real-time occurrence. Sync-VPN employs a round-trip time estimation algorithm essential to message latency estimation in the Sync-out and Sync-in mechanisms.

Abstract: A communication system selection algorithm (SSA) implemented by a mobile station chooses between available systems to select a system to serve the mobile station. During initialization, the SSA causes the mobile station to scan the environment and compare available communication systems to determine the best system to provide service. After an initial system is chosen, the SSA causes the mobile station to continuously, or at discrete time intervals, scan the environment for available systems, thus allowing for a seamless switch to an available system whenever a handoff is desired. The SSA chooses the best available system based on measurements of each available system and applying preference rules defined by a service provider and/or user of the mobile station.

Abstract: A universal remote control (10) is provided for wireless remote control of one or more devices (D1 . . . Dn) equipped for remote control by respective original remote controls having visual appearances different from one another. The universal remote control (10) includes: a memory (40) that stores one or more descriptions associated with one or more original remote controls that are selectively emulated by the universal remote control (10), the descriptions including information describing the visual appearances of the original remote controls that the descriptions are associated with; and, a graphical user interface (20) upon which is displayed a representation of one of the original remote controls selected for emulation by the universal remote control (10), the representation having a visual appearance substantially the same as the original remote control being emulated.

Abstract: A method and system in a telecommunications network for visually alerting a user of an incoming call are disclosed herein. A call can be transmitted to a mobile device associated with a user of the telecommunications network. An alert can also be transmitted to one or more visual alerting devices associated with the user and/or the mobile device, in response to transmitting a call to the mobile device. A visual alerting signal can then be transmitted via the visual alerting device, in response to transmitting the alert to the at least one visual alerting device associated with the user. Each visual alerting device can provide a visually alerting signal when there is an incoming message for its user. The visual alerting device can receive its signal directly from a base station within said telecommunications network.

Abstract: A device and method for processing a signal e.g. equalizing a signal, is disclosed. Such processing involves dividing a signal into two portions that each traverses a wavepath and then are combined. The respective wavepaths impose a non-linear frequency-versus-phase dependency on a signal portion. The frequency-versus-phase dependencies that characterize the respective wavepaths are similar in shape but inverted from each other. A processed signal has significantly improved signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A wavelength-selective routing capability is provided in a single network element by configuring the network element using a combination of add/drop network elements to route individual optical channels of WDM signals among a plurality of optical transmission paths coupled to the network element. Any optical channel of any WDM signal received at the network element can be selectively added, dropped, or routed among the multiple optical transmission paths within and external to the node.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for variable duty cycle generation of optical RZ data signals uses a single, NRZ-driven phase modulator followed by a optical delay-line interferometer. If desired, a differential encoder precodes an NRZ data signal before being applied to the data input of a phase modulator arranged to modulate the light emerging from a continuously operating laser. The output of the modulator is then applied to an optical delay interferometer, such that the optical signal is split into first and second optical signals, each of which is applied to a respective one of the two interferometer arms. The interferometer is arranged such that the signal in one of the arms is controllably delayed with respect to the other (a) by a fine delay (on the other of the optical wavelength) to produce destructive interference in the absence of phase modulation by said phase modulator, and (b) by a coarse delay (on the order of a bit period), to produce RZ pulses having the desired duty cycle.

Abstract: A telephony communication device is capable, upon an election by a user, of transmitting a defer answer signal in response to receiving notification of an incoming call. The defer answer signal causes the telephony infrastructure equipment to place the calling party on hold and play a voice message to the calling party requesting that the party remain on hold and preferably informing the calling party that the called party will be able to accept the call within a predetermined time. Upon the called party becoming available to accept the incoming call, the called party retrieves the waiting call by sending a connect call signal from subscriber's communication device.

Abstract: A method of using a generated pilot signal inserted in a CQF slot of an uplink signaling channel to control the transmission power of data information independently of the transmission power of voice information regardless of whether the voice and data information are transmitted simultaneously.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving frame selection in wireless communications networks. During decoding of a frame, a base station generates an error burst representation associated with error bursts and stores the representation within the frame, thus forming an enhanced frame. The base station then transfers the enhanced frame to a network controller. A frame selection unit (“FSU”) within the network controller thereafter applies frame selection to the enhanced frame. The error burst representation can be analyzed to determine the quality of the enhanced frame. A “combined” frame, generated by combining an “acceptable” portion of the enhanced frame and an acceptable portion of a copy of the enhanced frame, can then be generated to substantially eliminate errors. The present frame selection methods and systems enable superior quality frames to be passed on to higher layers in a network's communications protocol (hereafter collectively referred to as “network”).

Abstract: One or more programmable clock management components of an apparatus in one example are coupled with a backplane. The one or more programmable clock management components comprise a reconfigurable clock management component. Upon receipt of one or more control signals, the reconfigurable clock management component undergoes a reconfiguration to be able to process one or more frequency signals.

Abstract: Conditional reconnection of a suspended call occurs responsive to a mobile unit (108) sending a mobile-originated reconnect (MORC) message into the network (102). Reconnection does not occur not if the mobile unit does not send a MORC message or affirmatively declines reconnection within a designated waiting period.

Abstract: A method for receiving and transmitting signals in a cellular radio network. The method comprising receiving a plurality of radio signals at different frequencies using a single radio receiver at the base station, scanning the incoming signals and saving the signals to a buffer with a first processor, reading, processing and time-multiplexing the buffered signals with a second processor, transmitting the time-multiplexed radio signal via a single physical link to a mobile switching center, demultiplexing the time-multiplexed radio signal into independent radio signals corresponding to the incoming signals at the mobile switching center with a third processor;, processing the independent radio signals with the third processor; and routing the independent radio signals to the proper end users.

Abstract: A method for limiting access to a device to a particular authorized user. The method includes; obtaining visual data related to the appearance of a user of the device; processing the visual data to determine when the particular authorized user is present; allowing initial access to the device when the particular authorized user is present; allowing continued access to the device when the particular authorized user is present; and terminating access to the device when the particular authorized user is not present.

Abstract: In communication system (200), a packet data terminal (102) (e.g., personal computer (PC), personal digital assistant (PDA), telephone, mobile radiotelephone, network access device, Internet peripheral, and the like) initiates, coordinates, and controls the provision of on-demand conference call and call waiting services as a function of user inputs without the need for coordination of network resources that dominate conference call service as currently known and practiced. The packet data terminal permits users to establish call conference services for originating and terminating calls, alike. In addition, multi-party call waiting (two or more parties on-hold) services are established.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing advertising information to a caller of a telecommunications call. The advertiser provides data for the advertising message to a database and the message is transmitted prior or during the application of a ringing signal to a called telecommunications station. Advantageously, the telecommunications carrier can receive revenue from the advertising announcements.

Abstract: A protective enclosure includes one or more walls for surrounding an electronic device. At least one of the walls includes energy absorbing protrusions for absorbing the energies, etc., created when, and if, the electronic device unfortunately explodes due to a lightning strike.

Abstract: A method is provided for conducting an emergency communication session with public safety answering point (54) over a public switched telephone network (50). The method includes: storing in a device (60) used to initiate the emergency communication session, a current location of the device (60); initiating the emergency communication session responsive to a selection of a function supported by the device (60); establishing the emergency communication session between the device (60) and the public safety answering point (54) over the public switched telephone network (50); and, transmitting the stored location from the device (60) to the public safety answering point (54).