Abstract: A system for allowing a plurality of administrators to control switching system resources in a telephone system. A switching system is communicatively connected to a server computer. The server computer maintains databases that store the resources that a plurality administrators are allowed to access and the functions that each administrator is allowed to perform. When the server computer receives a request from an administrator for an administrative function to be performed by the switching system, the software executed by the server computer accesses the database and determines if the administrator is allowed to perform the requested function and if the resources are available to administrator. If the administrator has made a valid request the server computer generates a command and transmits the command to the switching system that performs the function requested in the command. The server computer may also maintain a database that maintains a pool of unused resources.

Abstract: In an IP addressing aspect of the invention, a method for use in an Internet Protocol (IP) based communications system, comprises the steps of: (i) assigning a temporary location IP address (e.g., LIPA) to a mobile user station in the communications system, the address being a combination of an identifier of the mobile user station (e.g., MID) and an identifier of a network node in the communications system with which the mobile user station is currently associated (e.g., RID); and transferring packets to and from the mobile user station in accordance with the temporary location IP address. The method may further comprise the step of changing the temporary location IP address assigned to the mobile user station when the station becomes associated with another network node of the communications system, the changed address being a combination of the identifier of the mobile user station and an identifier of the new network node.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for designing a signaling network of call coordinators (CCs) for internet telephony. The new method can be used to design a CC network of arbitrary size that satisfies, with high probability, limitations on the maximum number of sockets per CC and on the maximum number of hops between an arbitrary pair of switches in the network. According to the disclosed method, the network of CCs is treated initially as a collection of isolated points, one point for each CC. Then, links are added between pairs of CCs, excluding pairs lying within the same switch. The links are added randomly, but with a particular probability p, which may be different for different pairs. Thus, whether a given link is added depends, in effect, upon the outcome of a loaded coin toss in which the probability of a positive outcome is p.

Abstract: Detecting tampering of an incoming cable to which a network interface unit (NIU) is connected by testing for the reflected signal that is present when the signal being transmitted to the head end is not connected to a properly terminated coaxial cable. In particular, by comparing the phase of the transmitted signal from the NIU with that of the reflected signal, a distinction can be made between a signal that travels many feet before being reflected back and a signal that reflects back right or near the connector of the NIU. Only the latter is used as a stimulus to indicate tampering since the first is likely caused by cable personnel disconnecting the cable further into the network. The key difference between the two types of reflected signals is the time delay of the reflect signal with respect to the transmitted signal from the NIU.

Abstract: In a duplex data processing system, apparatus and a method for ensuring continued operation without loss of critical data. The critical disk data of a processor is duplicated on duplex disks of a separate disk platform. The updating of the disk platform information is accomplished automatically so that it is transparent to a user or programmer of the processor. Advantageously, the three-way mirroring of the data (processor disk and two disk platform disks), provides very high reliability.

Abstract: A method of interactively sharing information between at least two devices in a computer network, each device having a respective browser associated therewith for handling the information, includes retrieving information from an information source in the network for storage in response to receipt of a retrieval request from a first browser associated with a first device. The method further includes sending the stored information to at least a second browser of at least a second device in response to receipt of a similar request therefrom, the second device receiving the request from the first device, such that the devices can share the information retrieved from the information source in response to the single request made to the source. Preferably, a surrogate is established in at least the first device for informing the second device of the request made such that the browser of the second device can make the similar request.

Abstract: A connection admission control mechanism for packet, circuit, or hybrid packet and circuit networks whereby the signaling message (i.e., “query”) delay in a control channel of a network switch is maintained (i.e., “locked”) in a timed control interval at a desired level using feedback parameters relating to an estimated current amount of delay in the packet network switch during one or more previous timed control intervals, to guarantee or closely achieve a desired signaling message or query delay performance. The processing delay of the network is bound or “locked” at a desired delay performance level based on substantially real-time estimation or measurement of the current signaling message delays of queries or call control packet streams during one or more previous control intervals.

Abstract: A modem relay connection or other type of connection established between terminals of a communication system includes a series arrangement of multiple modems or other data communication devices. The connection includes two endpoint data communication devices, and at least one non-endpoint data communication device within the serial arrangement between the two endpoint devices. Each of the endpoint data communication devices may have a first type of escape to on-line command mode feature, and the one or more non-endpoint data communication devices are configured so as to have a second type of escape to on-line command mode feature different than the first type of escape to on-line command mode feature. This ensures that entry of the on-line command mode by one of the endpoint devices will not inadvertently disrupt the desired operation of the one or more non-endpoint devices. A given non-endpoint device may be configured to have the escape to on-line command mode feature of the second type by, e.g.

Abstract: Memory requirements and processing delays associated with the application of forward error correction in high speed optical transmissions are substantially reduced by mapping a forward error correction code on a row-by-row basis into unused overhead bytes in a high bit rate signal frame. By applying the forward error correction code to an entire row of the signal frame on a row by row basis, approximately one row needs to be stored at a time thereby reducing the total memory requirements for forward error correction processing. Using SONET as an exemplary application, approximately {fraction (1/9)}th of the entire SONET frame (e.g., one of nine rows) needs to be buffered for forward error correction processing. In an illustrative embodiment, four forward error correction (FEC) blocks are provided for each row for a total of 36 FEC blocks for a frame. Each FEC block comprises four bytes of correction bits for a total of 32 correction bits.

Abstract: A direction finder arrangement advantageously employs a plurality of transducers to derive a plurality of predetermined polar directivity patterns each of which has a predetermined spatial orientation pointing in a predetermined fixed direction relative to each of the other polar directivity patterns. The polar directivity patterns detect a plurality of amplitude values of a propagating wave approaching at different angles relative to the plurality of spatially oriented polar directivity patterns. Then, the detected wave amplitude values are processed to determine an estimate of a direction toward the source of the arriving wave. More specifically, the detected amplitude values are processed to obtain an estimate of the directional orientation of a hypothetical polar directivity pattern pointing toward the source of the arriving wave.

Abstract: An optical fiber retention device that has a generally planar body having a surface coated with an adhesive. The optical fiber is affixed to the surface by adhering to the adhesive coated surface such that the surface holds the fiber in position but the fiber can be easily removed by pulling the desired length of fiber off of the coated surface. A plurality of tabs extend outwardly from the planar body and contact the printed circuitboard for positioning the planar body at a predetermined distance away from the circuitboard to enable electronic components to be located on the circuitboard beneath the planar body. The tabs also have a planar surface coated with an adhesive that contacts the circuitboard to mount the optical fiber retention device to the circuitboard.

Abstract: In the method, the receipt or lack thereof of a number select code from a mobile station forms the basis for selecting a calling number from multiple calling numbers associated with the mobile station. The number select code may directly or indirectly identify a calling number.

Abstract: A packet switch is configured for determining an equivalent bandwidth for use in GCAC. The equivalent bandwidth definition of the invention is derived by multiplying some known connection parameter such as, for example, a selected bandwidth value by a multiplier preferably computed and stored in look-up tables according to the invention. The appropriate multiplier for a given connection request associated with a call may then be found by accessing sets of the look-up tables based on one or more connection and/or network parameters. For each link in a path considered during GCAC, the product of the multiplication of the selected bandwidth value and the multiplier is then compared to the available bandwidth, AvCR, of the path links to determine if the path satisfies the connection request.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring network performance and performing stress analysis are disclosed. The disclosed method and apparatus measure system delays through a network while selectively placing loads on nodes in the network. Each node in the network recognizes and processes a directed load/performance message (DLP) that travels along a specified route and measures the delays within the network. The directed load/performance message is a self-guided packet that traverses the network along a path specified by the initiator of the message. Each node inserts its current (local) time into the directed load/performance message as the node processes the DLP message on both the forward and reverse legs of the specified path. The delay seen by each node in the network can be obtained by subtracting the time-stamps inserted in the message by each node as the node processes the message in each direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a connection to a customer telecommunications station, having Internet service, but not currently connected to the Internet. In response to receipt by the Internet of a call to that station, the station is located for the purpose of notifying the station of the call. If the called station is a wireless station, the paging message includes an indication that the page is for an Internet Protocol, (IP) telephone call. For wireline stations, other alerting techniques are used to indicate that a station is being called on an Internet call. In response to receiving the notification, the called station automatically logs on to the Internet, and is assigned a temporary Internet Protocol address, (IPA). A connection is then established between the access point of the caller on the Internet, and the access point of the called customer. Advantageously, an Internet subscriber need not be presently connected to the Internet to receive IP telephone calls.

Abstract: A high-speed access data network in which upstream and downstream traffic is logically or physically separated. The network can use the Ethernet media access control (MAC) layer protocol over distances that are much larger than conventionally possible with the Ethernet MAC layer protocol. In a configuration including a central office and multiple subscribers, the central office is removed from the collision domain, which can be made relatively small, without limiting the distance between the central office and the subscribers. The downstream data rate is not limited by the size of the collision domain and can thus be made almost arbitrarily large. Furthermore, by allowing a smaller collision domain, greater upstream data rates can be used. It is thus possible to use ubiquitous and inexpensive Ethernet LAN technology in highly cost-sensitive applications such as residential broadband access.

Abstract: A controller 26 for a packet radio network 20 includes a processor 27 that, in turn, includes a plurality of processor resources 30A-30D for processing a plurality of packet classes. Each packet class has a different delay sensitivity associated therewith. The processor 27 allocates to each packet class at least a portion of at least one processor resource 30A-30D, the allocation being based on the delay sensitivities associated with each packet class. Each processor resource 30A-30D may have a processing threshold, and the processor 27 may determine, based upon arriving packets, whether at least one processor resource will exceed its processing threshold, thus defining at least one overloaded processor resource 30A. The processor 27 may reallocate at least a portion of at least one processor resource to process packets for the at least one overloaded processor resource 30A thereby defining at least one reallocated processor resource 30D.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing the time and frequency of an incoming packet of transmitted information with a receiver in a wireless communication system includes a synchronization method which may reduce the adverse effects of delay spread introduced by a bad channel. The method includes assigning a plurality of samples in a received synchronization segment of an incoming packet to corresponding bins, determining a number of phase test failures in each bin, and selecting the bin having the fewest number of phase test failures and the fewest number of small samples for synchronizing the time of the incoming packet with the receiver. Additionally, the method calculates the phase drift for the selected bin so that the frequency of the incoming packet is synchronized with that of the receiver.

Abstract: A real-time event processing system (EPS) for processing a sequence of events generated by one or more applications. In an illustrative embodiment, the EPS includes a set of real-time analysis engines (RAEs) operating in parallel, e.g., a set of clusters each including one or more RAEs, and one or more mappers for mapping a given input event to a particular one of the clusters. A main-memory database system is coupled to the RAEs, and the RAEs process events associated with input streams from one or more data sources and deliver output streams to one or more data sinks. The data source and data sinks may be, e.g., network elements, clients, databases, etc. The events are processed in accordance with services implemented in the RAEs, and utilize data stored in a memory portion of the main-memory database system accessible to the RAEs. The data may include, e.g., a subscription table storing subscription information indicating the service or services that should be executed for a given event.

Abstract: A technique for use in a block transform-based coding system of processing (e.g., encoding and/or decoding) one or more block transform coefficients associated with at least one block of visual data (e.g., an image and/or video sequence) comprises the following steps. First, one or more previously reconstructed block transform coefficients associated with the visual data are identified. Then, a context selection value is computed for use in processing a block transform coefficient associated with the at least one block, the context selection value being based on the one or more previously reconstructed block transform coefficients. The context selection value may be computed as a function of one or more values respectively associated with one or more previously reconstructed block transform coefficients in near proximity, with respect to a scanning order, to the block transform coefficient to be processed.