Abstract: A messaging center, connected to a communications network, processes messages intended for a subscriber. A caller sends a message to the message center in a first caller format. The message center stores the message in the first caller format, notifies the subscriber, and awaits a request for the stored message from the subscriber. In response to the message request, the message center sends the stored message to the subscriber in a first subscriber format independent of the first caller format. If the subscriber desires, the subscriber constructs a response to the message and sends it to the message center in a second subscriber format independent of the first caller format and the first subscriber format. The message center stores the response in the second subscriber format and sends the stored response to the caller in a second caller format independent of the first caller format and the first and second subscriber formats.

Abstract: A call servicing system allows service agents to service calls from customers. The system includes local customer switches, local agent switches, and a customer database connected to a network call center. The local customer switches direct calls to and from the customers and the local agent switches direct calls to and from the service agents. The customer database stores information regarding the customers sending the calls. The network call center receives a call from a first one of the customers, queries the customer database to retrieve customer information corresponding to the first customer, and concurrently routes the customer call and the corresponding customer information to one of the service agents.

Abstract: A wireless telephone system provides telecommunications services for personal wireless telephone sets over an area which is divided into service cells. Each of the cells is defined by reception characteristics of a plurality of radio base stations within the cell. The telephone system includes a service controller and a port being wireline connected between each radio base station and the service controller. The service controller selects radio base stations for setting up radio links with wireless sets of calling or called persons. A base station which serves a wireless set and surrounding idle base stations monitor strengths of radio signals received from the wireless set and report running averages of the monitored signal strengths to the service controller. Movement of the wireless set from one cell to another cell during a call is detected as a drop in the running average reported by the serving base station.

Abstract: A compound testing machine for testing mechanical properties used for an optical connector does not additionally have each testing machine for each of mechanical properties (such as a tensile force including both a straight pull and a side pull, a flex, a twist and an impact) in testing a mechanical property between optical connectors and other mechanical property between optical fibers of the optical connectors, and includes only one testing machine for simultaneously testing various mechanical properties in order to enhance a test machine's efficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed is a synchronous cross-connect system with an integrated 2.5 Gbps (STM-16) I/O link and a ring network interworking. The synchronous cross-connect system includes: first and second I/O portions for performing I/O function with respect to a plurality of STM-16 signals, including a backplane signal pattern which takes four units among the plurality of STM-16 signals performing a protection switching and transmission functions; a signal intercrossing portion for crossing/connecting signals of the first and second I/O portions; and synchronizing portion for generating clock signals necessary to the first and second I/O portions and the signal intercrossing portion. As a result, the synchronous cross-connect system performs a transmission function without an additional apparatus in the transmission link with interoffice transmission capacity of 2.5 Gbps (STM-16), and has a high survivability because of a real-time fault recovery function using the ring network interworking.

Abstract: The operationality of instructions arranged to control a telecommunications switch is tested by referring to originating instructions. A module of instructions forming part of encoded sets of originating instructions is identified, and the module is processed to obtain definitions of its interactivity with other modules of the instruction set and the interactivity with signal transmissions external to the module. This facilitates the generation of upgraded or replacement originating instructions from which new executable instructions are obtainable after being embedded within the telecommunications switch.

Abstract: An asynchronous time-hopping multiple access "(ATHMA") protocol and a simplex mode communication system utilizing the same requires no synchronization between transmitting stations, no handshaking between transmitters and receivers and no system manager to coordinate data message transmission. The ATHMA protocol ensures that for an n-channel asynchronous simplex mode communication system, each transmitter repeatedly sends each unique data message n successive times according to its own time-hopping schedule. In the preferred embodiment the time-hopping schedules are coordinated such that at least one duplication of each unique message will not collide with any other messages over a given period. Thus, at most n-1 transmissions out of the total n transmissions of each unique data message will be collided and lost. The ATHMA protocol and communication system of the present invention is ideally suited for applications requiring a low throughput rate and channel capacity.

Abstract: A method, in an electronic switching system comprising a main processor and line processors which can adapt K number of signaling types, N and K being positive integers, respectively, wherein the system is connected to another electronic switching system at trunk ports through trunk lines and the main processor includes a database for the line processors, route data, prefix data and state of the trunks including the trunk lines and the trunk ports, comprises the steps of: identifying a signaling type of a line processor; informing the identified signaling type to an operator; checking whether the trunk port connected to the line processor adapts the identified signaling type or not if the operator decides to change the identified signaling type; deleting data of the trunk in the main processor's database and assigning a new signaling type to the line processor if said trunk port adapts the identified signaling type, wherein the new signaling type is a same signaling type as used in said another electronic swi

Abstract: An assembly of an electronic device within a sealed chamber of a flexible container. The electronic device, which may be a printed circuit board, has signal terminals connected to elongated insulated signal conductors. These conductors pass through a laminate construction wall of the container for connection to outside conductors. The signal conductors are electrically isolated from an EMI protection layer which forms part of the laminate construction wall. A grounding device connects a ground conductor of the electronic device to the EMI protection layer. The grounding device comprises a ground element having teeth on one side. A screwthread arrangement extends through the container wall and clamps the ground element onto the wall with the teeth cutting into the EMI protection layer to be in electrical contact therewith. The ground conductor is electrically connected to the screwthread arrangement.

Abstract: Annealing a planar wave guide layer is critical because small structural imperfections lead to optical problems. Chemical vapor deposition of the layer tends to leave gaseous substances bonded to the deposit, which on being driven off by initial annealing warm-ups leave cavities requiring densification. Traditional annealing methods take several hours. This invention proposes a rapid heating of the layer to a temperature below the flow temperature, maintaining this temperature for about 30 to 300 seconds, then rapidly heating up further to a temperature close to or above the flow temperature, maintaining this temperature for about 30 to 300 seconds, then allowing the substrate and layer to cool rapidly to room temperature.

Abstract: A system and method that uses an advanced positioning system in combination with a cellular communication network to improve the performance of the network is disclosed One embodiment of the network includes a mobile switching center (MSC), a location tracker system (LTS), and a plurality of base stations for serving at least one mobile unit in the network. The LTS is able to receive a location code from the mobile unit that represents a specific coordinate, or location, in the network. The mobile unit may have generated the location code by analyzing its position from a global positioning satellite, or by other means. The LTS stores the location code in a data base. Whenever the MSC needs to communicate with the mobile unit, it queries the database of the LTS to determine the last location of the mobile unit. The MSC then selects one of the base stations that serves the location of the mobile unit and establishes a cellular link therethrough.

Abstract: Communications signals are transmitted over a power distribution network. A plurality of communications stations which are coupled to the power lines are served by a base station. Communications signals are coupled between the base station and the distribution network, and the flow of the communications signals is controlled according to the station that it is desired to communicate with by preferentially transmitting along or receiving from a power line to which the desired communications station is coupled. The base station can be coupled to each of the power lines or to the busbars at a distribution station.

Abstract: A spectrographic type multiplexer and/or demultiplexer optical component having an array of waveguides, the component comprising a star inlet coupler and a star outlet coupler with said array extending therebetween, and also comprising an inlet light guide and an outlet light guide for said inlet and outlet couplers, respectively, wherein the spectrum response of the component is the sum of two substantially Gaussian spectrum responses of peaks that are offset in wavelength.

Abstract: An equipment rack has a strengthened base and folded side members to provide Zone 4 earthquake protection. When the rack is mounted on a support surface, the mounting bolts securing the rack are overtightened so as to distort the base member and thus prestress the structure. This improves rigidity when the rack is subjected to earthquake vibration.

Abstract: A high speed data transfer apparatus includes a data transfer controlling unit for outputting a signal to the standby mode system during the active mode system, and during the standby mode system, reading data and the data information stored in the second storing unit of the active mode system, storing the read contents in the second storing unit of the standby mode system, and transferring a right to a bus use through the local bus of the standby mode system, the signal being used for informing that there exists data to be transferred.

Abstract: A cushioned pallet that includes a base support with interlocking reusable corner support assemblies. The interlocking reusable corner support assemblies are preformed and removably secure to the base. A cushioned pallet that includes a base support with interlocking reusable corner support assemblies and center support assemblies. A cushioned pallet that includes a base support with corner support assemblies, center support assemblies, vertical support members and a top cap with corner support assemblies. The various components of the cushioned pallet are preformed and removably connect to each other to reduce the number of parts, ease assembly and disassembly, and allow the cushioned pallet to be reused many times.

Abstract: A system and method for determining an urgency class of a disturbance occurring in a base station of a cellular communication system. A list of possible disturbances that can emerge during the functioning of the base station and the preliminary urgency classes determined for the disturbances concerned is maintained in a memory. In order to enable more accurate urgency classification, a preliminary urgency class is searched out from the memory corresponding to disturbances in question. An alarm urgency class is conditioned with the communications state of the base station by detaining a less urgent class than the preliminary urgency class when the communications state of the base station is peaceful (i.e., not busy). When the communication state of the base station is busy, a more urgent class than that of the preliminary urgency class is determined for the alarm.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing capacity and improving performance of a cellular network. The method includes maintaining and analyzing matrices of a cell in the network. One matrix stores performance values and statistics concerning the cell and optimizing conditions for handoff from the cell in response to the performance values. Another matrix stores status values and statistics concerning the cell and optimizing conditions for handoff in response to the status values. A third matrix stores information about cells that should be considered as potential handoff cells.