Abstract: A methodology is disclosed for processing image data to extract image information of interest from aggregate image information containing other interfering information. Application of the methodology also leads to significant compression in the data, which reduces storage requirements. With the methodology of the invention, an augmented linear decomposition of the image data is performed. Thereafter, components of the image data corresponding to a baseline image, image information introduced by non-regular extraneous factors, and image information related to random noise are removed from the data by suppression of appropriate terms of the linear decomposition. The image data so reduced may contain both image information of interest and image data related to regularly occurring extraneous factors. The image data of interest is removed from such reduced aggregate image data by frequency domain filtering of the reduced aggregate data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for blind separation of independent source signals. The preceding is accomplished by disclosing new techniques for dealing with the problem of blind separation of independent source signals. The method of the present invention consists of identifying a simple constrained criterion which stems directly from derived conditions for source separation. Using this criterion, observed and output signals are used to control a filtering matrix. After being initialized, the filtering matrix is updated and projected to the closest unitary matrix. Until the filtering matrix has converged, it continues to be updated and projected to the closest unitary matrix. Once convergence has occurred, the source signals have been recovered.

Abstract: Sampling noise in an analog signal output from a codec, such as a speech codec, is reduced using linear interpolation. The output of a codec is input into two sample and hold circuits. The circuits generate two output signals (i.e. voltages) for each input signal. One of the output signals represents an interpolated signal located midway between an historical output signal and input signal. The generation of interpolated output signals reduces sampling noise.

Abstract: A handoff scheme for a communications network is disclosed. In a first embodiment a procedure for finding an optimal path between an originating network node and a destination network node is integrated in the handoff procedure. An optimally routed connection is obtained by first determining an optimal “crossover node” along the existing path and then the handoff is effected by altering the existing connection route so that it travels along the existing path until it reaches the crossover node, where the path then varies from the original route, and a new segment between the crossover node and the new location is established. Then the call is switched to the new segment and the corresponding old segment on the old connection is released. In an alternative embodiment, the handoff procedure is performed first by completing a fast reroute connection using a prior art path extension method. This results in a quick, but sub-optimal handoff connection.

Abstract: An Internet audio appliance which receives audio content from a content provider via the Internet. In one embodiment, the Internet audio appliance plays the audio information data stream as it is received. In another embodiment, the audio information data stream is obtained at a convenient time, e.g., in the middle of the night, and stored in audio memory for later playback. A channel selector module allows a user to select from among a plurality of possible audio information sources available from various content providers on the Internet. In one embodiment, the channel selector module includes memory to store Internet access information (e.g., a phone number of an Internet service provider) and IP address information to identify the selected content provider.

Abstract: New Attribute Value Pairs (AVP)s are defined for use in the L2TP control messages for setting up a call. In particular, an L2TP Incoming-Call-Request (ICRQ) or Outgoing-Call-Request (OCRQ) message includes a QoS_Request AVP, which includes a field for defining the number of classes of service within the call. In another embodiment, a new QoS_Request extension and a new QoS_Reply extension are defined for use in Mobile IP networks.

Abstract: Two-way resource reservation techniques for use in UMTS and other telecommunication systems. A determination is made as to whether a user requires resource reservations in both an uplink direction and a downlink direction within the system, and if the user requires such two-way resource reservations, a two-way protocol is implemented to establish the required resource reservations. The two-way protocol integrates resource negotiation procedures for both the uplink direction and the downlink direction so as to ensure that the required resource reservations are provided for both directions. The two-way protocol may be a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) based on a Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP) resource negotiation procedure. The determination may be based on one or more flag bits which identify whether the user requires resource reservations for both the uplink and downlink directions.

Abstract: An intelligent network including a plurality of hierarchal intelligent layers, each layer responsive to communications from at least one of a superior layer and a subordinate layer. A plurality of nodes form each layer, where each of the plurality of nodes have intelligence modules that are interconnected horizontally within each layer, as well as interconnected to intelligence modules of the subordinate and superior hierarchal layers, wherein the intelligence is provided end-to-end of the hierarchal self-organizing intelligent network.

Abstract: A method of providing network intelligence between an intelligent end-user gateway (IEUG) device and a plurality of intelligent network layers. The method includes generating an end-user diary including goals, goal-related plans, and tasks to fulfill the plans. The end-user diary is sent to at least one of the plurality of intelligent network layers, where the at least one of the plurality of intelligent network layers update a user profile from the end-user diary and send goal related information to the IEUG device. The IEUG performs the tasks and plans to fulfill the goals based on the goal related information.

Abstract: A scriptor and interpreter are disclosed. The scriptor and interpreter each not only check the syntax of a command in a script, but also that the values for the variables passed as arguments to command are consistent with the values attributed to those variables in preceding portions of the script.

Abstract: Problems caused by a nonuniform processing profile are avoided by altering the area to be processed so as to compensate for the processing profile. More specifically, with regard to etching, problems caused by a nonuniform etch profile can be avoided by altering the mask employed in specifying the etch area so as to compensate for the etch profile. Nonuniform parameters of interest of structures which result from a nonuniform etch profile during the etching of a mask in which all the structures were identical can be avoided for by altering the mask employed in specifying the etch area so as to compensate for the etch profile. The mask is changed in a manner that is inversely proportional to the etch profile for each particular structure characteristic that determines the parameter of interest for which uniformity is desired.

Abstract: In the modular feed for a phased array antenna, the advantages of a series-type feed and a corporate-type feed are combined to increase the system efficiency and the operating bandwidth of the modular feed. Feed modules having a stage of power bifurcation are used to feed array modules having a general series-type feed configuration. The array modules may be interchangeable, and the feed modules may be interchangeable, which decreases production costs and system complexity.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling a subscriber to reply to a voice mail message that has been made available for the subscriber at a voice mail system (VMS). In response to an indication, the VMS transmits a release message with respect to the subscriber's communication to the VMS, which communication then is terminated to an intelligent network element (INE). The INE originates a call to the party to whom the subscriber desires to reply. The subscriber's communication and the INE's call are bridged to form the reply call from the subscriber to the party. The VMS is not included in the call path. After the reply call is concluded, the bridge is dismantled, the IP is released, and the subscriber's communication is returned to interaction with the VMS without the subscriber having to make a separate call into the VMS.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a simulation testbench 10 which includes a circuit under test 14 and a plurality of test models 12 designated 1 through N. The test models 12 include at least one of a driver and a monitor. The drivers selectively apply stimuli to the circuit under test 14, and the monitors observe responses to the stimuli from the circuit under test 14. A single controller 16 is provided for the plurality of test models 12. The controller 16 has an instruction source 18 including a list of commands which control the plurality of test models 12. The commands are routed from the instruction source 18 over a model control bus 24 to the plurality of test models 12.

Abstract: Transmitting a pre-recorded announcement to the user of an network interface unit (NIU) each time the user places a telephone call if an alarm is set because a battery in an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is in a low power state. The pre-recorded announcement states that the battery needs to be replaced. The user is given a simple procedure for contacting service personnel at a service center to have the battery replaced in the UPS. In addition, this announcement is overridden if the user starts to dial the emergency telephone number (911). This allows the user to gain immediate access to the emergency telephone number without having to listen to the message stating that the battery in the UPS needs to be replaced. An indicator is also set on NIU upon the battery being in the low power state. If a call is completed to the service center, the alarm is reset for a predetermined amount of time to give the service personnel time to service the battery.

Abstract: A method for identifying faults in a branched optical network having a central office optically connected to a plurality of optical network units by a plurality of optical paths. The method involves transmitting an optical signal from the central office to the optical network units reflecting a portion of the transmitted optical signal back to the central office. This reflected signal is then used to determine whether a fault exists in the branched optical network.

Abstract: A high capacity digital non-blocking cross-connect switching fabric is realized by employing a multi-port RAM based space-time switch having a plurality of write circuits and a plurality of read circuits, each of which operates at a timing rate that is a prescribed fraction of the input/output clock rate of the input/output ports of the multi-port RAM based cross-connect switching fabric. The at least one multi-port RAM switch unit has a plurality of write circuits and a plurality of read circuits, each of which operates at a timing rate that is a prescribed fraction of the input/output clock rate of the input/output ports of the multi-port RAM based cross-connect switching fabric. Additionally, in one embodiment, each of the write circuits and each of the read circuits has independent and unrestricted access to all data storage positions in each of a plurality of storage units that make up the at least one multi-port RAM switch unit.

Abstract: A method for varying the resistance along a conductive layer. The method including the step of removing at least a portion of a resistance-altering constituent diffused within the conductive layer.

Abstract: A binary morphological erosion operator image processor which operates on images of any size and dimension with a structuring element of any dimension and shape. The erosion operations are all processed in the 1D domain by first decomposing the image and structuring element into a series of 1D slices, and then further segmenting the structuring element into a plurality of shorter 1D segments. These segments are processed in parallel using an array of parallel processors. Once the erosion operations are completed, the resulting 1D slices are composed into a final eroded image.

Abstract: Deactivating a switch in a handset when a user wishes to answer an incoming call or terminate a call. A sound card within a personal computer transmits a hook tone that is above the human hearing range to a transmitter section of the handset. When the switch is in the activated state, the handset re-transmits the hook tone back to the sound card which converts the hook tone to digital information so that the hook tone can be detected by software running in the personal computer. When the manual switch is deactivated, the handset ceases to re-transmit the hook tone back to the sound card. The software detects the absence of the hook tone to determine if the handset is answering the incoming call. In traditional telephony terms, when the manual switch is deactivated, this is the offhook condition. When the manual switch is activated, this is the onhook condition.