Abstract: An authentication method of a prover by a verifier includes: performing at least once, an enrollment process by an enrollment center computer; and subsequent to performing the enrollment process, performing an on demand authentication process including: receiving at a verifier computer from the prover, a prover authentication request sent from the prover computer device which includes the prover identity and a preferred ZKP protocol identifier; looking up a prover's public key in the database via the identity; the verifier sending a selected ZKP protocol identifier to the prover computer device; commencing a round of authentication by receiving a commitment generated according to the selected ZKP protocol; and repeating the step of commencing a round of authentication until the verifier computer accepts or rejects the prover's identity. A zkMFA method of authentication and an authentication system for authenticating a prover by a verifier are also described.

Abstract: An authentication method of a prover by a verifier includes: performing at least once, an enrollment process by an enrollment center computer; and subsequent to performing the enrollment process, performing an on demand authentication process including: receiving at a verifier computer from the prover, a prover authentication request sent from the prover computer device which includes the prover identity and a preferred ZKP protocol identifier; looking up a prover's public key in the database via the identity; the verifier sending a selected ZKP protocol identifier to the prover computer device; commencing a round of authentication by receiving a commitment generated according to the selected ZKP protocol; and repeating the step of commencing a round of authentication until the verifier computer accepts or rejects the prover's identity. A zkMFA method of authentication and an authentication system for authenticating a prover by a verifier are also described.

Abstract: An authentication method of a prover by a verifier includes: performing at least once, an enrollment process by an enrollment center computer; and subsequent to performing the enrollment process, performing an on demand authentication process including: receiving at a verifier computer from the prover, a prover authentication request sent from the prover computer device which includes the prover identity and a preferred ZKP protocol identifier; looking up a prover's public key in the database via the identity; the verifier sending a selected ZKP protocol identifier to the prover computer device; commencing a round of authentication by receiving a commitment generated according to the selected ZKP protocol; and repeating the step of commencing a round of authentication until the verifier computer accepts or rejects the prover's identity. A zkMFA method of authentication and an authentication system for authenticating a prover by a verifier are also described.

Abstract: A method of using co-routines to implement a function-like interface between a BASIC program and the points in the system where SIP and SDP data (for example) are to be modified. This co-routine interface is intuitive from the end-user's perspective, and both real-time efficient and flexible from the system designer's perspective, and is applied to provide user-customized SIP and SDP modifications in an easy-to-use way that gives the end-user great flexibility while protecting the system from the undesirable side-effects that could result from a tightly coupled co-routine interface.

Abstract: An exploitation of the proper classification of conventional call processing states into categories, each category corresponding to one of the call states of the SIP finite-state machine (FSM), yields simplified design, implementation, and operation of heterogeneous call processing. A separate FSM for the SIP-categorized call states running in parallel with a conventional port event processing (PEP) FSM, implements a VoIP Local Call Controller by passing events between the SIP-type FSM and the PEP FSM only at the points where a transition between SIP categories occurs. The SIP FSM does not require notification of PEP FSM transitions not affecting the SIP call state. For this reason, none of the code associated with the transitions between PEP FSM states within the same major state category requires any modification. Consequently the integration of VoIP and PEP call processing can be done more simply, and at dramatically-reduced cost in software development, support, and maintenance.

Abstract: Conveying Push-To-Talk and Push-To-Signal (PTT/PTS) information over an IP network through signaling bits defined in and propagated with the Real-Time Protocol (RTP) stream allows the PTT/PTS information to remain synchronized with the voice packets of the stream. The maintenance of synchronization of PTT/PTS signals and voice packets eliminates problems arising from failure of synchronization between the two classes of packets, notably the “shoot/don't shoot” problem. The signaling bits employed were formerly used to convey legacy network information, but are no longer in active use in the Voice-over-IP (VoIP) realm, since VoIP provides alternative pathways for their information.

Abstract: A method of using co-routines to implement a function-like interface between a BASIC program and the points in the system where SIP and SDP data (for example) are to be modified. This co-routine interface is intuitive from the end-user's perspective, and both real-time efficient and flexible from the system designer's perspective, and is applied to provide user-customized SIP and SDP modifications in an easy-to-use way that gives the end-user great flexibility while protecting the system from the undesirable side-effects that could result from a tightly coupled co-routine interface.

Abstract: A set of playing cards is provided with images of different products and their components on one side of the cards arranged in a novel way. In one embodiment, a plurality of cards of a first rank includes an image of an assembled product of the company. A plurality of cards of other ranks within the same suit includes components of that assembled product. For example, the ace of spades may include a first assembled product. Other cards in the spades suit may include images of components of the product displayed on the ace. Similarly, the ace of hearts may include an image of a second product of a company and other cards of the hearts suit may include components of the product shown on the ace. Cards of the same rank include images of components having similar or analogous functions.

Abstract: A plurality of shields is provided for shielding selected electronic components and electronic sub-assemblies mounted on a printed wiring board assembly from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and/or from radio frequency interference (RFI). The shields include open-ended electrically conductive casings having lower ends fixedly attached on the printed wiring board so as to surround selected components. A compliant electrically conductive member is positioned in common over upper ends of the casings. An electrically conductive housing disposed over the compliant member provides compression of the compliant member such that electrical contact is maintained between the housing on the upper ends of the casings. A grounded base plate is spaced from the wiring board assembly. The housing is removably attached to the base plate to provide the plurality of shields.

Abstract: A master microprocessor downloads program codes to a slave microprocessor which does not require a read-only memory ROM containing any instruction codes. While downloading, the slave microprocessor reads the program instructions to execute from a register, which is written to by the master microprocessor. The execution of these instructions causes the slave microprocessor to write program instructions to its RAM which will be executed later, in normal operation. The slave microprocessor has a handshaked bus which causes it to terminate a read from the register only after the master microprocessor has written to it. Logic, preferably a programmable array logic (PAL) device, decodes addresses and generates the "READY" handshake bus signal for the slave microprocessor. The cost of the slave microprocessor is reduced since a bootloader ROM which may be embedded internal or external to the slave microprocessor integrated circuit chip is not required.

Abstract: A TDM (Time Division Multiplexed) telephony switching system which provides expanded switching capacity without change in the physical form factor of the system or of the design of the circuits which provide TDM multiplexed digital signals (the port and service circuits). Additional ports and service circuits are provided in the same number of time slots per frame as existed before system expansion thereby providing additional ports and/or service circuits which can be interconnected without significantly affecting the cost of the system. Expansion is achieved by multiplexing the digital signals and transmitting them at a higher rate on existing send highways of the system. The time slot interchange is expanded by providing a memory with additional locations for each group of additional circuits.

Abstract: A time division multiplex switching system converts call formats and signalling protocols so that calls can be interchanged between circuits originating in different networks thereby providing a gateway for telephone transmissions originating from sources (e.g., foreign countries) having differences in transmission (signal attenuation characteristics and companding laws) and signalling and numbering plans or protocols. This switching system is characterized by a processor which is programmed to identify the circuits requiring interconnection and to process signalling messages in accordance with the signalling systems and formats used in the circuits, while translating the signalling messages into common, protocol independent signaling messages which are used for establishing time division multiplex connections in a time slot interchange which is connected to the circuits via PCM highways and for exchanging signalling information (e.g.

Abstract: A key telephone system which provides both key and private branch exchange (PBX) operational modes utilizes a plurality of digital telephone station sets which communicate with line circuits connected to a time division multiplex (TDM) telephone switching system. A single pair of leads (tip and ring) connect each station set to the line circuits. The TDM switching system has a processor with an operating system which carries out the processes which provide for the selection of key and PBX features. The TDM switching system also provides access to trunk lines which connect the telephone station sets via the TDM switching system to other switching systems, such as the central office of the public utility telephone company. In the station sets and in the line circuits, there are provided channels for signalling data and for PCM data. The PCM data may be voice, codes, or digital data.

Abstract: A communications switching system is controlled as a peripheral device to a general purpose digital host computer or other host device. The switching system has a plurality of ports for telephone lines and/or trunks and makes connections to the ports. The host computer is programmable at high level to obtain customized switching applications. The switching processes are carried out in the switching system under control of high level commands. The commands are formatted to identify the command functions and the ports at which the switching and control actions are to be carried out. These ports may be provided by separate modular switching units, each having processors for carrying out the switching functions at the designated ports and for distributing the commands in accordance with the command format to the designated port regardless of which of the modular switching units has the port.

Abstract: Ring trip is detected when a telephone set which is being rung goes off-hook, through the use of a comparator in which the ringing signal superimposed on battery feed voltage is compared with a fixed reference voltage closer to ground than the battery feed voltage. Inasmuch as the duty cycle of the ringing signal with respect to the reference voltage is less than or equal to 50% under pre-trip (on-hook) conditions and will increase under trip (off-hook) conditions, the comparator output is a square wave form of corresponding duty cycle. An up-down counter is caused to count up when the comparator output wave form is of one level and down when the comparator output wave form is of another level during each cycle of the ringing signal. The counter counts up during the portion of the comparator wave form which determines the duty cycle and down during the rest of the period of the cycle. Underflow and lack of underflow states of the counter respectively indicate nonring trip and ring trip conditions.

Abstract: A system for generating calls in order to test telephone switching systems by simulating traffic loads has line interface circuits which send calls independently and in selected sequence on any number of a group of lines into the telephone switching system under test. Lines of the telephone switching system which are supposed to be called are terminated by the interface and outputs representing the successful completion or failure to complete calls are obtained. Commands for controlling the generation and termination of calls are generated under microprocessor control. DTMF originating and dial tone detecting circuits as well as circuits for transmission and loop polarity testing may be added to the line interface and controlled by the same microprocessor. The system has a microprocessor controlled display and keyboard terminal by means of which instructions for and reports of the results of the tests are obtainable.

Abstract: Synchronous operation of any number of digital switching units of a TDM system is maintained by interconnecting the switching units to a timing signal highway which distributes timing signals generated by sources of such signals in any one of the units. The units are connected successively in a chain by timing signal distribution control lines. Validity signals are generated and transmitted by circuits in each unit along the lines so as to provide for transmission of timing signals generated in the first switching unit on to the timing signal highway and switch over of the timing signal generating function to successive ones of the units when the timing signal generation in preceding units becomes faulty.

Abstract: A time division digital communication system which does not require a common control unit for accomplishing interconnections, having a plurality of modular switching units. The switching units are identical and each unit has its own port circuits to which subscriber lines and/or trunks may be connected, service circuits, a time slot interchange and a microprocessor control and timing unit. The switching units are in direct communication via separate send highways, one for the port circuits and the other for the service circuits of each switching unit. The microprocessors of each switching unit are also in direct communication by way of control lines. The inter-switching unit send highways are connected to separate channels or groups of memory locations in the time slot interchanges of each of the switching units.