Abstract: A method and apparatus which reduces the start-up delay that may occur when switching programs in audio and/or video streaming applications while maintaining high quality steady-state performance thereof. A program source (e.g., an audio and/or video data stream) is encoded and transmitted as two or more separate bit streams (e.g., sequences of data packets), the transmission of one of these bit streams being delayed by a given amount of time relative to the transmission of the other bit stream(s). At the receiving end of the transmission channel, the two or more bit streams are buffered by receive buffers having different sizes (thereby resulting in different time delays when the contents thereof are decoded), wherein the time delay difference corresponds (inversely) to the relative delay times prior to transmission.

Abstract: Improved techniques for characterizing, adjusting and optimizing the overall performance of a wireless network. In an illustrative embodiment, the overall network performance for a particular network configuration is characterized by a vector with two components, one representing network coverage and another representing network capacity. Network coverage is defined by the likelihood of service under load, including interference, and may be further weighted by traffic density. Network capacity is defined by an amount of traffic with a given spatial distribution that can be served at a given overall target-blocking rate. The overall network performance may be characterized using a two-dimensional capacity/coverage diagram which plots overall network performance vectors, each including a network capacity component and a network coverage component, for various network configurations.

Abstract: In the method for dynamically determining interference and carrier-to-interference ratio, interference is measured during an active TDMA time slot. In one embodiment, a base station determines the interference level in an active time slot using power level measurement taken during a DTX OFF period, when a mobile station is transmitting in discontinuous transmission mode. In another embodiment, a base station orders a mobile station to cease transmission during a SACCH portion of the time slot, and determines an interference level I measurement using power level measurements taken during the inactive SACCH field. Another embodiment provides for the determination of an interference level I using power level measurements taken during the guard and ramp fields.

Abstract: A method is provided of directing an internet protocol (IP) packet to a mobile node. The mobile node has a home address in a home network and is temporarily connectable in a foreign network having a foreign agent. The IP packet has a header portion including the destination address to which the IP packet is to be sent. The method comprises the steps of: receiving, in the home network, the IP packet including a destination address corresponding to the home address of the mobile node; modifying the IP packet by removing the home address of the mobile node from the header portion of the IP packet and replacing it with the foreign agent care-of address, and appending a mobile node identifier to the IP packet, and transmitting the modified IP packet.

Abstract: Geographic coordinates of user equipment of a calling party are determined either by communicating with a GPS receiver associated with the user equipment of the calling party or by cellular triangulation. The geographic coordinates may be converted into an associated common location description. For example the common location description is a city name, an address, or a distance and direction from a landmark. The common location description, or an abbreviation thereof, is transmitted to user equipment of a called party. Using this service, parents may verify the location of their children. Security agencies or delivery services may verify and/or log the location of their personnel.

Abstract: A key update system uses information in an update message from a communications system to generate a new key and perform a bidirectional validation of the new key. After a unit validates the new key, at least a portion of information from the update message is used by the communications system to validate the new key. As a result, the communications system is not required to generate and transmit a separate authentication challenge to validate the new key. For example, a wireless communications system can send an update message with a sequence RANDSSD to the wireless unit. The wireless unit generates a new SSD using at least a portion of the sequence RANDSSD, and the wireless unit uses at least a portion of the new SSD to generate a signature value AUTHBS to validate the new key and thereby the home authentication center that initiated the update of the SSD.

Abstract: Geographic coordinates of user equipment of a paged party are determined either by communicating with a GPS receiver associated with the user equipment of the paged party or by cellular triangulation. The geographic coordinates may be converted into an associated common location description. For example the common location description is a city name, an address, or a distance and direction from a landmark. The geographic coordinates, common location description, or an abbreviation thereof, is transmitted to user equipment of a paging party. Using this service, parents may verify the location of their children. Security agencies or delivery services may verify and/or log the location of their personnel.

Abstract: Mobile radio equipment (cell phone) with two individual antennas (21, 22), which are shaped by means of a non-conducting intermediate piece (23) into a yoke, which can be used to suspend the cell phone, for example on a charging equipment (3) or a speakerphone. Built-in filters provide for the multiple uses of the antenna as leads.

Abstract: In a TDMA system a multifunction control channel is employed that carries data used for implementing channel access functionality for users and is also employed at the remote terminals in the performance of modem functionality. In other words, information necessary to accurately receive data on the user traffic channels is obtainable by processing the multifunction control channel. This is achieved by arranging the broadband channel of the TDMA system as a repeating frame having time slots in which at least one time slot is reserved for use as the multifunction control channel, and the data that is transmitted on the multifunction control channel is encoded using a spread spectrum format. To this end the data carried on the multifunction control channel is encoded in a way that uses each symbol of the multifunction control channel as if it were a so-called spread spectrum “chip”.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for enabling packet networks to carry time-sensitive data in an efficient manner are described. A packet traverses a packet network through the creation of a packet network tunnel. Each router can propose, and establish if possible, a detour tunnel around the failure without the knowledge or consent of a tunnel manager. Establishment and maintenance of packet network tunnels is also prioritized so any packet network tunnel authorized by the tunnel manager has precedence over any packet network tunnel initiated by a router without the authorization of the tunnel manager.

Abstract: A long-lived broadcast encryption method that adapts to the presence of compromised keys and continues to broadcast securely to privileged sets of users over time. In one aspect, a method for providing long-lived broadcast encryption comprises the steps of: allocating, to each of a plurality of subscribers, a corresponding set of subscriber keys; broadcasting encrypted content to the plurality of subscribers using a set of broadcast keys, wherein the encrypted content is decoded by a given subscriber using the subscriber's corresponding set of subscriber keys; modifying the set of broadcast keys, which are used for broadcasting encrypted content, by excluding compromised subscriber keys; and updating a set of subscriber keys corresponding to at least one subscriber when the at least one subscriber's set of subscriber keys comprises an amount of active keys that falls below a first predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A mode converter includes first and second optical waveguides and a GRIN fiber lens. The GRIN fiber lens is attached to both the first and the second waveguides.

Abstract: The present invention supports a voice messaging service in a wireless communications system. A subscriber accesses a voice messaging system (VMS) through a wireless device in order to retrieve voice messages that are deposited into the subscriber's voice mailbox. The subscriber may wish to return a call to a call sender. The call is established to the call sender's directory number through a serving mobile switching center (MSC) in concert with a service control point (SCP) and an intelligent peripheral (IP). The subscriber may return to the VMS so that the subscriber can resume the voice mail session. The subscriber ends the call or optionally enters a feature rebound code. The IP detects an associated call event and initiates a connection between the subscriber and the VMS. The IP notifies the SCP, causing the SCP to instruct the serving MSC to re-establish the connection between the subscriber and the VMS.

Abstract: A UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) core network supports a compression framework that provides for header compression of General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Protocol (GTP)-Encapsulated Packets. In particular; the GTP/UDP(User Datagram Protocol)/IP(Internet Protocol) header is compressed. In addition, the UMTS core network also supports RTP(Real Time Protocol)/UDP/IP header compression independent of the GTP/UDP/IP header compression.

Abstract: A cable swivel is provided for maintaining optical fiber bend limits at entry portals of a optic fiber shelf for the shelf's entire range of motion, from being fully closed to being fully open. Bend limits are maintained as optical fiber is directed on paths through a shelf entry portal between the shelf interior and wire brackets on the shelf exterior. Fibers are retained, organized and strain relieved by the cable swivel such that directed fiber is maintain at a minimum bend radius on such fiber paths. The curved surface of the cable swivel allows the shelf to be accessed without excessive bending of so routed optical fibers. In this manner, optical signal degradation and/or total loss is avoided by limiting the bending of routed optical fiber to radii in excess of a predetermined minimum bend radius.

Abstract: Bridged polysesquioxane compositions comprising: a bridged polysesquioxane host matrix comprising sesquioxane moieties and organic moieties, the sesquioxane moieties comprising a metallic element, the organic moieties interposed between sesquioxane moieties; and a guest molecule comprising a lanthanide atom; at least some of the organic moieties comprising a substituent selected from the group consisting of electron withdrawing functional groups and electron donating functional groups. Processes for making such bridged polysesquioxane compositions. Gain media and active materials for upconversion lasers comprising such bridged polysesquioxane compositions. Light can be amplified by fluorescence emissions from the bridged polysesquioxane compositions.

Abstract: An arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) with improved transmission efficiency includes an input P×M star coupler, an output M×Q star coupler, and M waveguides of unequal length connecting the input and output star couplers. A novel method used to determine the optimum position of the ports ensures that the maximum frequency deviation between the signal frequency and the center of the corresponding transmission passband is minimal for all possible connections among input and output ports.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for transmitting a light signal in an optical transmission system is described. In an example, an optical transmission link includes an input port and an output port. The optical transmission link is configured to propagate optical pulses from the input port to the output port. Information is encoded using phase relationships between adjacent ones of the optical pulses. A phase conjugator is disposed between the input port and the output port. The phase conjugator is positioned to reduce phase variance of the optical pulses at the output port.

Abstract: The message waiting notification update system is operable in the serving Mobile Switching Center and, upon receipt of a message-waiting acknowledgement from the mobile subscriber station, updates the local copy of the subscriber's data in the Visited Location Register and forwards this information to the subscribers Home Location Register. The Home Location Register stores this received data for use when the next successive Registration Notification is received from a new serving Mobile Switching Center or in response to the subscriber initiating a local access. When the serving Mobile Switching Center receives a Registration Notification message return result from the subscriber's Home Location Register and the message waiting notification count is the same as the count previously sent to the Home Location Register, the serving Mobile Switching Center does not have to transmit a message waiting notification over the forward control channel to the mobile subscriber station.

Abstract: Network initiated auto redialing is based on an auto redial duration selected or entered by a calling party. An auto redial interval or retry rate may also be selected or entered by the calling party. If the calling party is unavailable when a connection is established with a called party, a message is played or sent to the called party explaining that the call is an auto redial call. The message may explain that the calling party is now unavailable. Additionally, the message may include identifying information regarding the calling party. For example, the message may include a directory number of the calling party.