Abstract: An intelligent call forwarding system for routing incoming calls to at least one of a plurality of alternate communication devices when a called party cellular communication device installed in a vehicle is unavailable to directly receive the call. The system includes a plurality of cell sites disposed at predetermined geographical locations for providing cellular communication service to the called party cellular communication device. An active cell site that provides cellular communication service to the called party cellular communication device is stored in a memory device. Each cell site is related to at least one alternate communication device that is nearest in geographical location thereto.

Abstract: The operation of a shadow processor for a system having redundant controllers is arranged so that it receives a FIFO fill indicator from another shadow processor associated with that one of the controllers that is in a standby mode, and, if the value of the indicator reaches a predetermined value, then the shadow processor throttles the data writing activity of the active controller for an amount of time sufficient to allow the other shadow processor time to unload the FIFO below a particular fill level.

Abstract: A method of securing a mounting bracket on a wall of a structural member comprises inserting lugs of the mounting bracket through slots through a wall of the member and securing the lugs to an inside surface of the wall. The mounting bracket is used for mounting the structural member within a cabinet by sliding the member in snug fit within a cabinet, the internal securing of the lugs avoiding interference with the snug fitting relationship.

Abstract: A reset device is disclosed which may be used in electrical devices such as portable telephones. The reset device includes a source, such as a rechargeable battery, which provides an input voltage and a threshold voltage. The reset device also has a comparator with a first input which receives the input voltage and a second input which receives the threshold voltage. A voltage changing device varies the threshold voltage in response to the output level of the comparator and a rate of increase of the input voltage. The voltage changing device includes a capacitor which delays an increase of the threshold voltage when the input voltage increases. Further, the voltage changing device includes a positive feedback resistor for increasing the threshold voltage when the output level increases. Thus, the positive feedback resistor allows switching the threshold voltage from a first threshold level to a second threshold level when the output level switches from a low level to a high level.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for authenticating a unique article utilizing a generated unique data signature. The unique data signature is generated by encrypting a received data set representative of a unique identification number fixed to a substantially unforgeable document. The unique data signature is fixed to the unique article or to an optionally generated ownership certificate or the like. The unforgeable document is retained, possibly as the ownership certificate, or the like, or as a part thereof, to thereby authenticate the unique article.

Abstract: In an Internet protocol (IP)-based multimedia system having a voice over packet infrastructure call handling involves the execution of a call processing program that controls state transitions in a finite state machine termed the “call model.” These transitions are representative of the events that occur during the lifetime of the call and result in the execution of pre-defined actions. In order to provide high level Intelligent Network (IN) capabilities to IP end-point subscribers, a call model layer implements the IN call model, but is closely integrated with the IP-based, multimedia call model that runs within the base platform. The integration employs a precisely defined state-level map between states in the IN call model and the corresponding states in the base call model. The IN call model layer is thus able to support access to IN components to permit the existing base of IN services to be easily accessed and to permit the base layer to support client-level interaction and event handling.

Abstract: A system for automatically locating a personal electronic object is described. The system comprises: a communicator; a location sensor; and a security controller. The security controller activates the location sensor to determine a location of the personal electronic object. When security of the system is compromised and access to a computer network or a wireless network is available, the location is transmitted through the communicator.

Abstract: An opto-electric apparatus includes a circuit board, an opto-electric converter module with a plurality of electrical leads, a holder rigidly holding the opto-electric converter module, and a connection structure. The holder is rigidly fixed to the circuit board, and the connection structure is rigidly connected to the holder. The leads of the module protrude into holes in the structure. The structure electrically connects the circuit board to the leads.

Abstract: A method is disclosed, for designing an access network that is to carry communication traffic between end nodes and a core network. Information is provided that describes end node locations, the level of demand associated with each end node, available trunk types and their related capacities, and a cost structure. The cost structure includes a fixed overhead cost for each trunk type, and a service charge per unit distance for each trunk type. The provided information is incorporated in a linear program to find an optimal-cost access network. The linear program is solved to obtain a provisional solution that defines the composition and usage of each link of the optimal-cost access network. For each such link, the composition is defined by a fractional level of investment (incurring a like fraction of the corresponding overhead charge) in each pertinent trunk type.

Abstract: A method of perceptually quantizing a block of an image or video sequence includes generating a non-perceptibility of distortion value. The non-perceptibility of distortion value is calculated from one or more masking values, e.g., complexity, brightness, movement, etc., which themselves are respectively calculated from previously reconstructed samples associated with the image or video sequence. The reconstructed samples form one or more causal templates that are used to calculate such masking effects and, thus, the non-perceptibility of distortion value. The perceptual quantization method then includes generating a quantization step size value which is a function of the non-perceptibility of distortion value. Since templates consisting only of previously reconstructed samples are used to derive the quantization step size value, the templates used at the encoder are also available at the decoder.

Abstract: A polarization mode dispersion (PMD) measuring arrangement utilizes a tapped-off portion of a signal that has experienced dispersion (such as, for example, propagating through a dispersive optical fiber). The measuring arrangement utilizes a phase-sensitive single sideband detection circuit in conjunction with a polarization beam splitter to generate magnitude and phase information for the lower and upper sidebands of each polarization of the received signal. The magnitude and phase information collected at a single frequency can be used to determine the polarization mode dispersion, eliminating the need to sweep the center frequency of the received optical signal to generate the PMD measurement.

Abstract: A laser structure may be used to fabricate a plastic laser and achieve electrically-driven lasing action. The structure comprises an LED, a waveguide laser, and a substrate disposed between them. The substrate has a first and a second side. Light emitted from the LED is received by the substrate at the first side and concentrated as it is guided with the body of the substrate to the second side, where it is received by the laser. Concentration of the light across the substrate improves the efficiency of the device and leads to lower threshold powers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for wavelength-division multiplexing employing an arrayed waveguide router and polarization-maintaining input fibers for coupling channels which experience four photon mixing to the router. The invention is useful in extremely dense wavelength-division multiplexing to reduce optical non-linearity.

Abstract: A reference counting a garbage collection process employs a reference counting technique in which only the “last” detected strong pointer is followed to an object. Moreover, no assumptions are made about the phase locking used in the transaction and strict WAL is not followed. Indeed, a relatively restricted local traversal of the object graph is employed which leads to higher efficiency. Furthermore, in a client-server arrangement, updates made by a transaction running at the client may be reflected at the server after the transaction ends, and the updates are not required to be forced to the server before the end of the transaction.

Abstract: Computer-controlled switching systems, such as telephone switching systems, like the No. 4ESS™, are extremely complex. Such systems routinely require millions of bytes of program instruction and millions of bytes of data to function. When a system is lost, or is rendered inoperative, reassigning the tasks of the system to a backup or replacing the system can be simplified if a backup copy of the program and data is available. Automatically performing the tasks under program control greatly reduces the complexity of the tasks and improves system reliability. Automatic backup of complex system software and data files is accomplished under program control which periodically directs a switching system to copy its files onto a remotely located administration computer from which the backed up information can be retrieved in the event of a system failure.

Abstract: Finishing an end of a plastic optical fiber by ablating the end of the plastic optical fiber by utilizing an Excimer laser so that the end of the optical fiber can be used in a optical connector. A high powered ultraviolet beam of light from the laser is absorbed by the end of the fiber and ablates the first few microns of the end face of the fiber. This process removes residual cracks and fissures to flatten the end of the fiber for use in the optical connector. The optical fiber is then ready to make a low loss interface with a source, a detector, or another optical fiber.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, an optical fiber communication system comprises one or more Nd doped fiber amplifiers for amplified transmission in the 1400 nm window. The amplifier is designed with a combination of waveguide effects and selective absorption to reduce amplified spontaneous emission to acceptable levels.

Abstract: The present invention is an extended range concentric cell base station and a method for extending a cell size or access range without incurring ASIC correlator re-design. This is accomplished with a concentric cell base station design that incorporates multiple timing protocols and search windows. The concentric base station has associated a micro cell and a macro cell, wherein the micro and macro cells use a same frequency band but different timing protocols and search windows that will cause signals transmitted by mobile-telephones within their respective cells to be received within the confines of at least one search window.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the volume of a device's user alert sound based on an analysis of the device's environment. The device emits a signal and receives a resulting reflected signal. A processor measures characteristics such as the amplitude and/or delay of the reflected signal to determine the type of environment in which the communication device is located. The volume of the alert sound is then adjusted based on the type of environment indicated by the characteristics of the reflected signal. For example, if the characteristics indicate a closed environment, such as a briefcase, the volume is adjusted to high level, and if the characteristics indicate an open environment such as a desktop, the volume is adjusted to a low level.

Abstract: A frequency mixing system provides an expanded dynamic range when compared to the dynamic range(s) of an individual mixer(s) that make up the arrangement. The frequency mixing system uses a feed-forward arrangement to reduce the distortion emanating from a single mixer due to a signal power level which would result in a frequency converted signal outside the dynamic range of the mixer. For example, the frequency mixing system splits an input signal onto a first path and a second path. On the first path, a first mixer frequency mixes the signal to produce a frequency converted signal with distortion, such as intermodulation distortion. On the second path, the amplitude of the signal is attenuated then frequency mixed by a second mixer to produce a frequency converted signal with a low and/or insignificant level of distortion.