Abstract: Although in my co-pending application, so-called “pyramidic panel structures” are employed to adjust the image's vanishing point(s) in accordance with the movement of the user, such structures have the disadvantage that they work primarily for so-called “corridor-like” two-dimensional images. I have recognized that, in accordance with the principles of the invention, viewpoint changes may be also dealt with by partitioning the two-dimensional image into polygon partitions, each corresponding to a surface being depicted in the image, and then coupling the vertices of the polygon partitions with the movement of the user so as to limit distortions. In this latter approach, two-dimensional images are not treated as a perspective, corridor-like image, thereby allowing a wider variety of two-dimensional images to be used with the present invention.

Abstract: A fiber-optic cable routing management system comprising a fiber-optic splice tray rack that provides for vertical stacking of a plurality of fiber-optic splice trays to increase the density of splice trays and fiber-optic splices in a predetermined footprint. The system also comprises a fiber-optic splice tray having an integral buffer tube strain relief, and a high-density splice holder.

Abstract: Telephone service is supplied using a distributed architecture that employs a collection of resources each of which exposes a hierarchical namespace. The architecture includes two fundamental resource types, the device server and the call coordinator, which are interconnected by a network employing a common protocol, e.g., TCP/IP. The interaction between the various resources follows “client-server” principles to implement end-to-end communication. Device servers represent physical/logical telephone devices, which include a) end-point device servers and b) gateway device servers. End-point device servers 1) represent controls for communication, such as keypads, indicator lamps, and displays, and 2) perform media rendering, e.g., voice digitization, transport, and reconstruction. Gateway device servers have two “sides”.

Abstract: A phase-modulated signal such as a quadrature phase-shift-keyed (QPSK) signal in a wireless communication system is demodulated by frequency demodulating the phase-modulated signal. The phase-modulated signal is separated into first and second copies, the first copy is phase demodulated to generate demodulated symbols, and the second copy is frequency demodulated to generate, e.g., a measure of the instantaneous frequency of the phase-modulated signal. The instantaneous frequency measure is processed to identify one or more symbol transitions, and the identified transitions are used to generate event signals having signature properties (signature events). These signature events are used in traditional Time Difference of Arrival tdoa algorithms to accurately determine position of a mobile unit in the wireless communication system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of plasma chamber etching of a semiconductor structure having a base layer, an etch stop layer, a dielectric material layer and a patterned photoresist layer. Among other things, the method may include etching selected portions of the dielectric material layer through the photoresist layer using a plasma etchant containing at least one of fluorine and sulfur in a compound such that portions of the photoresist layer may be contaminated with ions of the at least one of the fluorine and sulfur.

Abstract: The dimensions of a resonator filter comprising at least one puck (12, 14) in a metal cavity (16) are calculated by deriving the diameter c and thickness j of the puck, the spacing of the puck from the cavity walls by a mode-matching technique, then optimized by applying electromagnetic simulation of a full filter response. Other dimensions of the puck may also be optimized. If two or more pucks are present in the cavity, the inter-puck spacing is also optimized.

Abstract: A method for providing adaptive neighbor cell lists for a cellular radio network. In cellular radio networks, handovers are used to hand over a call from one cell to another. To identify possible cells for handovers, neighbor cell lists are used for each cell containing information on neighboring cells. Due to system limitations these neighbor cell lists sometimes do not contain all available neighboring cells. The present invention overcomes this disadvantage by providing a method that allows adapting the neighbor cell lists according to the actual location of a mobile station and the actual reception conditions at the time the mobile station is operative. The method provides a first part of the neighbor cell list containing information on fixed neighbor cells, and it provides a second part of the neighbor cell list containing information on varying neighbor cells.

Abstract: The system for transmitting a change in call queued/hold state across a communications network (termed “call state notification system” herein) functions to provide an indication to the parties on the existing call connection that the calling party has placed the call on hold and/or the call center has advanced the call connection to the head of the queue for connection to an agent. This is accomplished by enabling the calling party to place their call termination on hold to serve another call or to perform some other task without having to physically monitor the call connection. When the calling party removes the hold state at their terminal device, the call center receives a notification of the reconnection of the calling party to the call connection.

Abstract: A compact optical fiber cleaning apparatus includes a base plate and a retaining plate having a plurality of apertures. The base plate is configured to hold one or more resilient absorbers situated under the retaining plate. In operation, a wiper, such as a piece of lint-free cloth, is placed over the absorber and the retainer is closed. When closed, the plurality of apertures within the retainer allow wiper material to be forced through the apertures by the resilient absorber material. Each section of exposed wiper may be employed for a different cleaning purpose. For example, a solvent may be applied to one exposed section of the wiper, or to the underlying absorber material, with another exposed section of the wiper left dry. A technician may then clean an optical fiber endface, by first wiping the endface on the “wet” section of wiper material, then wiping the endface on the “dry” section of wiper material.

Abstract: A component of a system accesses a link identifier that is associated with a mobile station. A component of the system modifies the link identifier to include a routing label that allows a base station to route one or more messages to a serving processor.

Abstract: The location of a mobile unit in the service area of a CDMA cellular telephone system is predicted from a spatial probability distribution that is generated over a region of sub-cells within the service area. The spatial distribution, and hence the predicted location, is updated sequentially based on RF measurements provided by the mobile unit through the use of a Bayesian-update method.

Abstract: In order to transmit variable length encoded data in low signal to noise ratio environments, a first data pattern is added to a beginning portion of encoded data to signify a beginning of the encoded data. Further, a second data pattern is added to end portion of the encoded data to signify and end of the encoded data. Additionally, since the encoded data may naturally include the second data pattern and thereby mistakenly indicate an end of the encoded data, the encoded data is first checked for such a pattern. If the pattern is found within the encoded data, a new pattern is substituted therefore. In order to counter errors, patterns similar to the first data pattern are also substituted with new patterns. As such, a variable length encoded data can be transmitted in a low signal to noise ratio environment, and can thereafter be easily decoded.

Abstract: A system for providing information about the visual appearance of printed circuit cards in a card rack. A database is maintained at the site of the card rack, which contains data, such as a bit-map, indicating visual appearance of each card. When a remote party wishes to construct a computer display containing a view of a card, the party obtains the appropriate data from the database, and uses it to construct the image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for designing multi-ring networks based on generalized quadrangles of combinatorial design theory, together with a scaling algorithm for realizing networks of arbitrary size. Multi-ring networks based on generalized quadrangles ensures that the path between any two nodes is either confined to a single ring, or traverses exactly two rings (passing through a single bridge node), referred to herein as the “one-bridge property.” The one-bridge property allows the construction of networks with small rings and low degree, while also permitting efficient congestion-free flow control protocols. Routing, access and flow control protocols are provided for the multi-ring network that capitalize on the combinatorial properties of the disclosed multi-ring networks. A “self-routing” routing protocol is disclosed wherein a source node does not need to know how to route a packet to a destination node that is not a neighbor.

Abstract: A self-mode-locking (SML) mid-infrared (5 and 8 &mgr;m) quantum cascade laser is formed that comprises both a relatively thin dielectric insulating layer (i.e., less than one-half micron in thickness) overlaid with an optically highly lossy (i.e., absorbing) layer, with a relatively long (approximately 3.5 mm) optical waveguide. Evidence of mode-locking is obtained from the measured optical spectra and corresponding interferograms, as well as from the rf spectra of the photocurrent detected with a fast quantum-well infrared photodetector. An estimate for the pulse width of approximately 3 psec is inferred from these data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for suppressing interference in a radio frequency (RF) communication system using active shielding techniques. An opposing neutralizing signal is applied to actively neutralize stray signals in a microwave communication environment. An interfering or stray signal is detected using a sensing antenna, and the opposing neutralizing signal is generated in response thereto. The opposing neutralizing signal is applied to a signal neutralizing shield to shield any desired components or devices. The opposing neutralizing signal is approximately 180 degrees out of phase, and of equal magnitude to the detected interfering signal. A phase shifter/null feedback device receives the detected stray signal, if any, and adaptively adjusts the phase and magnitude of the opposing neutralizing signal. In one embodiment, the phase shifter/null feedback device includes an integrator that generates a DC value that is proportional to the energy of the interfering signal.

Abstract: A connection oriented switch, for example, an ATM switch, achieves scalable performance and enhanced reliability through a call processing architecture in which call processing functions are distributed to each network interface module rather than centralized in a call control module. Each network interface module has its own dedicated processor module that performs certain call processing tasks to off-load the processing burden from the call control module. Depending on the degree of processing power distribution, three embodiments include a distributed signaling architecture, a distributed call control architecture, and a distributed routing architecture.

Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating the number of active connections in a node in a communications network are described. The node estimates the number of active connections, without maintaining state information on each connection in the node, by sampling one or more packets in a buffer in the node when the node receives a packet, determining the number of sampled packets that are associated with the same connection as the received packet, and estimating the number of active connections in the node based on the determined number of the sampled packets. The node stabilizes the number of packets in the buffer by estimating the number of active connections in the node based on a sampling of the packets in the buffer when the node receives a packet, determining a probability for discarding the received packet based on the estimated number of the active connections and the recent buffer occupancy, and discarding the received packet according to the determined probability.

Abstract: The modulator includes an oscillator generating signals, each having a different phase, and a selector receiving digital data. When the digital data received by the selector changes logic state, the selector supplies a first and second plurality of signals generated by the oscillator to first and second non-linear amplifiers, respectively. An adder then adds the output of each amplifier to generate a radio frequency output.

Abstract: An intelligent telecommunications network includes a plurality of switching nodes and service control points containing one or more service programs (SPs) responsive to connection query messages from the switching nodes. Each SP provides connection control messages that allow the switching nodes to make connections that implement a selected intelligent network service. A service brokering system is incorporated in the network for managing the SPs to provide individual intelligent network services, or combinations thereof, to network users in association with individual call trigger events. The service brokering system includes a service combination manager service control point (SCM_SCP) containing a service combination manager (SCM) that acts as a gateway for incoming connection query messages from the switching nodes.