Abstract: Embedded writing or typing in a fax document or white board presentation are detected in a predetermined region of the document, recognized and converted into textual data corresponding to the fax telephone number or e-mail of the recipient of the document. The fax telephone number is automatically dialed without requiring the user to input the telephone number or even select a speed dial telephone number, although the use of confirmation of the scanned and textually converted fax telephone number or e-mail is within the principles of the present invention. In a first embodiment, the present invention adds the capability to a fax machine to scan the first page of the outgoing fax (e.g., the cover page) for detection and recognition (e.g., optical character recognition (OCR)) of the recipient's fax number and automatically dials it if found. Moreover, the sender's identification (e.g.

Abstract: For use in a wireless voice network, an alarm system and method of operation thereof. In one embodiment, the alarm system includes: (1) a local transceiver that, in response to a received stimulus, establishes an out-of-band wireless link of diminished bandwidth to a wireless central monitoring station in the wireless voice network and (2) a local controller, coupled to the transceiver for bidirectional communication therewith, that receives commands from the wireless central monitoring station via the wireless link.

Abstract: An IP/PSTN hybrid multimedia conferencing system in which standard telephone and user station participants establish voice communications over the PSTN, and then exchange IP addresses in-band over the PSTN. User stations then negotiate capabilities over the IP network. All users can participate at a base voice level over the PSTN while user stations can also establish extra-audio media streams over an IP network.

Abstract: A method of preserving or gracefully concluding wireless calls that are dropped when service is interrupted in a wireless communication system (100) (e.g., due to poor RF coverage). When a mobile unit (108) encounters a service interruption during a call, an announcement (208) is played inviting remaining participating unit(s) to hold. After a predetermined waiting time (210, 216), if service is not re-established to the mobile unit, the remaining unit(s) are invited (218) to leave a message (e.g., voice mail) for the mobile unit and connected (220) to a messaging system (126). After message(s) are concluded, the call is ended (226) or optionally, lo continued (206) if there is more than one remaining unit. If service is recovered before the waiting time expires, a service recovery announcement is provided (214) to the remaining unit(s) and the call continues (206).

Abstract: Master and slave Bluetooth-enabled devices communicate with other by sending messages using a carrier frequency that is constantly hopping from one frequency to another. In the prior art, each frequency in the sequence of frequencies, known as a hopping sequence, is determined as a known function of the master's Bluetooth address (BD_ADDR) and a universal time parameter. A computer-strong eavesdropper who is listening to one or more frequency bands over a period of time and within range of a user's piconet could determine the BD_ADDR of the user's device by comparing a detected hopping sequence with the hopping sequence associated with each possible BD_ADDR. Once the BD_ADDR of a user's device is determined, the user's location can thereafter be tracked as he moves from location to location using that device.

Abstract: A unique sensor is used to detect a transmission impairment that may have affected incoming optical channel signals. The sensor, more specifically, selects a group of the incoming channel signals and generates a first power signal, P0, over the selected group of signals and generates a second power signals, P1, over a weighted version of the selected group of channel signals. The sensor then generates, as a function of the first and second power signals, P0 and P1, a signal indicative of whether the particular transmission impairment affected the levels of individual ones of the incoming channel signals. If so, then control apparatus offsets the impairment accordingly.

Abstract: A multi-table-based grant generator in accordance with the present invention solves the issue of bandwidth granularity, while maintaining the simplicity of a table approach. The present invention grant generator provides grants of fine granularity for regulation of upstream transmission of cells in an ATM PON. Multiple grant tables having differing bandwidth granularities are linked together through a simple grant distribution mechanism. The grant tables and grant distribution mechanisms can be recursively linked to achieve a number of different granularities. The grant generator of the present invention is based on multiple grant tables with a combination of multiplexers, dividers, and address counters. The grant generator provides both larger and smaller bandwidths for data grants as well as PLOAM grants without large size grant tables. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, improved granularity is achieved, where a first grant table is used for one size of bandwidth grant, e.g.

Abstract: A MEMS device having a deformable mirror. In representative embodiments, the MEMS device includes (1) a deformable plate having a reflective surface and movably connected to a substrate and (2) a deformation actuator mounted on the plate such that, when the plate moves with respect to the substrate, the actuator moves together with the plate without any changes in the relative position of the plate and the actuator. In one embodiment, the actuator has (i) a first electrode, one end of which is attached to an edge of the plate and (ii) a second electrode attached to an interior portion of the plate. When a voltage differential is applied between the first and second electrodes, an unattached end of the first electrode moves with respect to the second electrode, thereby applying a deformation force to the plate. Advantageously, motion and deformation of the deformable plate in such MEMS device are decoupled.

Abstract: The invention pertains to methods and apparatus for determining when and how to perform communications network congestion control tactics with respect to packet-based networks that are used to interconnect other networks, particularly time division multiplexed (TDM) networks. The congestion control mechanisms include rerouting and call gapping in the TDM networks to reduce congestion at ports of the packet-based network.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus of transmit diversity that is backward compatible and does not degrade performance using a transmission architecture that incorporates a form of phase sweep transmit diversity (PSTD) referred to herein as split shift PSTD. Split shift PSTD involves transmitting at least two phase swept versions of a signal over diversity antennas, wherein the two phase swept versions of the signal have a different phase. The phase sweep frequency signals may have a fixed or varying phase shifting rate, may have an identical or different phase shifting rate, may be offset from each other and/or may be phase shifting in the same or opposite direction.

Abstract: Optical fiber bend limiter that prevents contaminates from entering an optical fiber closure is described. The optical fiber bend limiter has an arcuate portion having a bend radius for limiting a minimum bend of an optical fiber. The bend limiter has a central recess for inserting a wall of an optical closure therein and limiting the minimum bend radius of an optical fiber. The bend limiter also includes peripheral recesses. When desired, the bend limiter is secured to a wall of the optical fiber closure via the peripheral recesses thereby closing the aperture and protecting the optical fibers from contaminants.

Abstract: A process for operating an optical scanning system includes making an image of a sample by scanning spots in the sample, measuring intensities of light emitted by the scanned spots, determining locations of the scanned spots, and assigning intensities to image pixels based on the measured intensities and determined locations of the scanned spots. In the making of the image, the acts of determining depend on a value of a parameter. The process also includes selecting a new value for the parameter and deciding whether the image of the sample has less double imaging if the new value of the parameter is used during the acts of determining. The process accepts the new value of the parameter in response to determining that the new value produces less of the double imaging.

Abstract: The correctness of an exponentiation operation or other type of operation associated with a multi-party cryptographic protocol is verified using first and second proofs based on a randomized instance of the operation. A prover generates signals corresponding to information representative of the first and second proofs based on the randomized instance. The first proof is a so-called “blinded” proof that the operation has been correctly performed, configured so as to prevent leaks of information relating to the cryptographic protocol. The second proof is a proof that the first proof has been correctly performed by the prover. The proof information signals are transmitted from the prover to a verifier, and the verifier uses the signals to determine if the operation associated with the cryptographic protocol is valid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing wireless intelligent network services to mobile stations currently being served by a mobile switching center (S-MSC) that is not wireless intelligent network capable. The call is routed through a wireless intelligent network capable MSC (O-MSC). When the O-MSC receives the call, it requests instructions from a service control point (SCP) which provides a list of triggers for call states requiring further SCP instructions. Advantageously, this arrangement avoids the use of a double connection, using a loop-around trunk, in the O-MSC, as is required in the prior art.

Abstract: Delivery of short audio communications to remote end user devices uses discrete message-oriented service messages for delivery of the audio messages. Audio information is captured, encoded by means of audio compression technology, and stored at a message center. Alternatively, the audio information may be stored in an uncompressed format and compressed immediately before delivery. The compressed audio information is transmitted by means of Short Message Service or another discrete message-oriented service to the end user device, where it is decompressed and played to the recipient. Message delivery can be accomplished in parallel with some other ongoing activity at the end user device. The major fields in a Short Message Service message used to carry encoded audio information are a Type of Data field, including information on the type of translator needed to decompress the message field, a Short Message Identifier, a Length field, and the coded audio information.

Abstract: Method and arrangement are disclosed for a power distribution network for distributing power to VCSELS on an optoelectronic chip that maintains a constant bias voltage to the VCSELs. More particularly, the power distribution network includes an H-tree network for directing a power signal. The H-tree network includes a primary input for receiving the power signal and at least one level, with terminal nodes coupled to the last level, and each level includes a plurality of segments. Each segment of a respective level is equal in length and the total number of segments from the primary input to each terminal node is the same. Since the distance from the primary input to each terminal node is equal, greater bias voltage uniformity is provided to the terminal nodes. A similar distribution network is used for the ground connection.

Abstract: Existing video data compression algorithms exploit the fact that the DCT coefficients in the neighbouring blocks are sometimes similar to those in the current block. This means that if the blocks contain completely different coefficients, for coding video data is disclosed in which element in a prediction matrix is set to an initial prediction value. In the prediction matrix, a smoothing transform is applied to the values along the rows and then along the columns, or vice versa, to obtain interpolated values. The prediction value is reset to the interpolated value and the difference between the reset prediction values and corresponding received pixel values is calculated to produce a residual prediction matrix containing the prediction residuals. A discrete cosine transform is performed on the prediction residuals to obtain elements of a compressed video data matrix.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for alleviating congestion and overload in a distributed call-processing system interconnected through a packet based network. The illustrative Internet Protocol network includes a plurality of end terminals and distributed call processors. According to an aspect of the invention, the call processor will determine whether to process a call request or to forward the request to another call processor. Generally, the call processor will declare an overload condition if sufficient resources (including processing or memory resources) are not available to process a given call. If a call processor determines that it is too congested to process a call, the call processor enters an overload condition, selects an alternate call processor and forwards the request to the alternate call processor. Each call processor maintains an ordered list of call processors that indicates whether or not each call processor is overloaded.

Abstract: A cable protector in a telecommunications central office protects cables from damage from contact with cable racks as the cables are pulled from bay to bay. The cable protector is a cardboard-like fiber material that is folded into a planar portion that is dimensioned to fit over the top of the cable rack, and integral side flaps that are each folded into V-shaped channels and serve to grip the sides of the cable rack and hold the protector in place when the protector is placed over the top of the rack.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying the source of a denial-of-service attack is described. In one implementation, flow information about packets transmitted through a network is collected at different points in the network. The flow level information is analyzed to reconstruct a path taken by a packet associated with a DoS attack to identify the source of such an attack.