Abstract: A system for use in downloading a file from a server through a computer network to a client. In one embodiment, the system can include a subfile selector that has: (1) a subfile designator, associated with the client, that receives data designating only a portion of the file to be downloaded to the client and (2) a subfile requestor, associated with the subfile designator, that transmits a server request based on the data. The system can further include a subfile responder that has: (1) a subfile designation receiver, associated with the server, that receives the server request and (2) a subfile transmitter, associated with the subfile designation receiver, that initiates a download of only the portion, the computer network thereby relieved of having to communicate an entirety of the file.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method are disclosed for providing a priority queuing arrangement in the transmit direction in Inter-Working Units (IWUs) that permits Frame Relay data packets or ATM cells from channels that have contracted for a particular level of bandwidth service to be provided that service, even during heavy traffic periods when there is contention for resources in the IWU.

Abstract: An optical pattern detector in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes an optical sensor configured to sense a plurality of optical signals, an optical summer configured to receive and sum the sensed optical signals, and a sampler configured to sample the summed optical signals. The pattern detector may be configured to receive serial or parallel binary optical signals and, with various weightings of the sensed optical signals, may operate as an optical digital to analog converter, automatically decoding binary digital optical signals.

Abstract: A device for use in a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) optical system. The device includes a substrate having opposing first and second sides, wherein the first side has a light reflective optical layer located thereover, and the second side is an irregular surface.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for channel coding data within a digital communication system. A data receiving circuit receives a digital input data sequence and periodically inserts known symbols, such as zeros, into the digital input data sequence as part of a convolutional zero code of the present invention. It forms an expanded digital input data sequence. An encoder is operatively connected to the data receiving circuit and trellis encodes the expanded sequence to produce a channel coded data stream such that the number of connections between trellis nodes in a trellis are reduced.

Abstract: A low-loss integrated optical coupler includes at least three substantially similar optical couplers, adjacent ones of the optical couplers interconnected via at least one set of waveguides, each of the sets of waveguides comprising a path-length difference between the waveguides therein. In one embodiment of the present invention, the multi-section optical coupler comprises at least two arms and the path-length differences are adjustable such that signals traversing the at least two arms undergo a relative phase shift, such that a desired output power splitting ratio for the multi-section optical coupler is achieved. Alternatively, the optical coupler is implemented in an inventive optical device that functions at least, as an optical switch or an optical splitter.

Abstract: A system and method of the present invention revives a catastrophic code used for channel coding data. A data receiving circuit receives a digital input data sequence to be coded with a code having a distance spectrum containing an infinite component that corresponds to a finite hamming weight such that the code may cause catastrophic error propagation. The circuit is operative for periodically inserting known symbols into the digital input data sequence. An encoder, such as a convolutional encoder, is operatively connected to the data receiving circuit and encodes the digital input data sequence.

Abstract: The invention relates to a skip-sorted spatial multiplexing holographic storage technique that addresses the problems of cross-talk, image distortions, and physical change of the medium encountered in current recording processes in which photopolymer media are used. The skip-sorted technique involves storing holograms in layers of arrays, such that a substantially uniform background exposure is provided for subsequent layers.

Abstract: An optical filter/combiner arrangement is used for filtering and combining optical signals in at least two wavelength bands supplied by at least two respective Wavelength Division Multiplexed (WDM) systems along the same optical fiber. More specifically, optical signals received by the optical filter/combiner arrangement from an optical fiber are appropriately filtered so that optical signals in one wavelength band are processed by components of one WDM system and optical signals in another wavelength band are processed by components in another WDM system. After processing by the respective WDM system components, the optical signals in each of the wavelength bands are then re-combined and supplied along the same optical fiber. By using the optical filter/combiner arrangement, existing WDM systems can be upgraded to higher capacity using the existing optical fiber and without replacing existing components or disrupting existing service.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for dynamically determining a bus address that uniquely identifies a hardware component on a common bus. In an illustrative cell station implementation, each cell station includes a hardware controller that communicates on a common bus with a plurality of hardware components. The address space is logically divided into two ranges, namely, a first range of addresses referred to as the common access addresses, and a second range of addresses referred to as the assigned addresses. One address is reserved for the primary node that is responsible for assigning addresses, such as the hardware controller. Thus, each hardware component communicates with the hardware controller on one of the common access addresses to request a channel, and thereafter communicates on an assigned address, once assigned by the hardware controller. Collisions between multiple hardware components on the common access channels are minimized by assigning multiple channels.

Abstract: An optical translator that includes an interferometer and a plurality of semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) coupled to the interferometer. The at least two of the SOAs receives data and a clock signal. The data is received by the at least two SOAs at different times. A coupler combines each of a respective output of the at least two SOAs to provide output data. The output data is a retimed and a reshaped signal of the data provided to at least one of the plurality of SOAs.

Abstract: A method is provided for a network including a plurality of nodes where a originating node broadcasts an address request or change PDU. When the PDU is received at a receiving node, the receiving node determines from a look-up routing table whether the broadcast PDU was received on an optimal interface, i.e. an interface which defines the shortest path between the originating and receiving nodes. If the interface was determined to be optimal, the receiving node forwards the request PDU along every interface belonging to the receiving node except the optimal interface, otherwise, the receiving node drops the request PDU. When node address information concerning the originating node cannot be obtained from the routing database of the receiving node, a unique medium node is located to assist in making the optimal interface determination. The method completely avoids the formation of loops thereby improving the performance of a telecommunication management network.

Abstract: A crack detection method and system capable of detecting cracks on a scale of about 5 &mgr;m or greater, useful for detecting cracks in sol-gel tubes. An electromagnetic radiation signal is transmitted from a sensor to a body in which cracking may occur. The signal is reflected back to and received by the sensor. An output voltage from the sensor is measured which is proportional to a signal characteristic change between the transmitted and received signals. Signal characteristics such as frequency, phase, and amplitude may be monitored. The signal characteristic change may result from one or more mechanisms selected from the group consisting of microscopic motion of the body, media transition and fluid movement.

Abstract: An Internet call connection method comprises the steps of (a) an Internet Telephony Server (ITS) receiving a dialed special services number of an originated call; (b) mapping the dialed special services number to a destination number and a Internet Protocol (IP) address of a terminating ITS that serves the destination number; and (c) routing the originated call from an originating ITS to a terminating ITS and to the destination number to complete the call. The ITS apparatus includes (1) an interface for receiving a dialed special services number over a trunk connected to the ITS; (2) accessing means for accessing a mapping database using the dialed special services number to obtain a destination number and a terminating Internet Protocol address; and (3) a call router for routing the call and the destination number to a terminating ITS identified by the terminating Internet Protocol address.

Abstract: A Method and computer implemented system may be used to value knowledge-based property such as documents, databases, spreadsheets or research and development related information or studies. Intangible property may be valued by analyzing stored data representing accesses by users to a medium containing a copy of the knowledge-based property, estimating a pattern of the accesses by users to the medium containing the copy of the knowledge-based property using a statistical model, and assigning a value to the knowledge-based property based on the pattern. The data may comprise the total number of times the copy of the knowledge-based property has been accessed and a time-date stamp for each access event. The assigned values for a plurality of knowledge-based properties may then be used as bases for making decisions such as apportioning budget resources among tasks or projects related to the knowledge-based properties or apportioning availability of limited computer resources for storing shared documents.

Abstract: The method of channel estimation generates an initial channel estimate from a pilot signal in a received signal, and estimates the data in the received signal using the channel estimate. An updated channel estimate is then obtained from the estimated data. This process of estimating the data and re-estimating the channel estimate is reiterated a desired number of times to refine the accuracy of the channel estimate.

Abstract: A telecommunication network with a local multi-interfacing multiport switch with a remotely controllable line multi-interface for alternatively, selectively, connecting different line unit interfaces to a single customer line to enable both digital and analog communication on a single line.

Abstract: The present system for the secure execution of credit based point of sale purchases uses a credit card that is devoid of any human readable customer account information on the face of the credit card and that encodes all the relevant account information on read only media built into the credit card. This encoded information can be encrypted or protected is some manner to prevent its retrieval by an unauthorized user. In addition, the present system makes use of a point of sale terminal to execute the transaction. In the transaction, the point of sale terminal scans the credit card to obtain the account information encoded therein and the user then inputs a personal identification number PIN to proceed to the next step of the charge process. The PIN number can be used as the cryptokey if the account information is encrypted on the card, or may simply represent a first level of user authentication.

Abstract: The method for transferring data according to the present invention sends data as part of a first type of permanent identifier associated with an end user in a communication system. The first type of permanent identifier is sent along with a second type of permanent identifier, also associated with the end user, during a communication procedure prior to establishing a traffic channel in the communication system. Besides the data, the permanent identifier of the first type includes routing information to a home system forming part of the communication system. The end user also stores the sent permanent identifier of the first type, and in response to receiving the stored permanent identifier of the first type in a communication, will generate a new permanent identifier of the first type.

Abstract: A dual mode Internet telephone is capable of operating as a tone/pulse dial telephone as well as with the Internet by transmitting dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) tones in response to dialing. The dual mode telephone includes a mode control switch which is either manually selectable to permit a user to choose between making a call over a standard telephone network or over the Internet or is automatically controlled to route the call via the more advantageous communications link depending upon various factors and considerations. In the standard telephone mode of operation, most of the Internet telephony circuit is disabled and the dial/touchtone keypad, earpiece and mouthpiece, and ringer are connected to the telephone line. In the Internet mode of operation, dialed digits are stored and converted to Internet telephony call set-up messages. The signals to/from the earpiece and mouthpiece are digitized, compressed and packetized by a digital signal processor.