Abstract: Methods and systems for adaptive modulation are provided. In one embodiment, a method for a plurality of remote units of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing multipoint-to-point communications system comprises: establishing communication between a plurality of remote units and a host unit, the plurality of remote units communicatively coupled to the host unit in a multipoint-to-point configuration; transmitting a plurality of tones from the plurality of the remote units such that tones from more than one remote unit are simultaneously received at the host unit, the plurality of tones modulated with upstream information using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing; modulating up to a plurality of tones using a first modulation scheme when transmitting a first type of upstream information; and modulating up to a plurality of tones using a second modulation scheme when transmitting a second type of upstream information.

Abstract: An Internet Protocol Network Telephony call center having a plurality of agents for serving clients also processes e-mails addresses to the call center, but not to specific agents. An e-mail server receives and routes the e-mail, and includes a router and a database storing skill set information regarding agents. The router extracts information from the e-mails, matches key words in the extracted information with key words from the skill sets, and routes the e-mails to appropriate agents having the necessary skills to respond to the service requirements in the e-mails.

Abstract: A system is provided. The system includes a host and a plurality of remote units. Upstream bandwidth capacity is shared among a plurality of remote units in a manner that permits at least two of the remote units to transmit to the host at any one time using the upstream bandwidth capacity. The upstream bandwidth capacity includes a plurality of orthogonal tones generated using inverse fast Fourier transforms. The host causes at least one remote unit to adjust the manner in which symbols are transmitted therefrom on at least one of the plurality of orthogonal tones in order to improve the alignment of symbols received at the host.

Abstract: The invention relates to data networks, and to nodes making up parts of data networks, arranged to derive information relating to the characterisation of paths taken by data travelling between nodes in the networks. Path characterisation information is fed back from a receiver of data to a provider of data, and informs nodes subsequently forwarding data of characteristics of the downstream path. Also described are routing and related controlling nodes and methods for using such path characterisation information to make informed routing and other decisions when forwarding data in a data network.

Abstract: A bidirectional communication system is provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises a host; and a plurality of remote units, wherein a plurality of tones is shared among the plurality of remote units in order to communicate with the host using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, wherein the plurality of tones is shared in a manner that permits at least two of the remote units to transmit to the host at any one time using the plurality of tones. The host causes at least one remote unit to adjust a timing of symbols transmitted on at least one of the plurality of orthogonal tones in order to improve an alignment of multiframes received at the host.

Abstract: A data network telephony (DNT) wireless communication system has a base station connected to a DNT-capable data network and to a plurality of wireless transceivers, each transceiver transmitting to a distinct area, the base station adapted to operate the transceivers by a two-way, narrow-band, multiple-channel, real-time duplex radio protocol, and a plurality of portable computer-enhanced client communicator units, including microphone and speaker apparatus, each assigned a unique address and adapted to communicate with the base station via the transceivers by the two-way real-time radio protocol and to process DNT calls. The wireless system operates as a carrier-sense multiple access system with collision detection (CSMA/CD).

Abstract: Methods for an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing multipoint-to-point communications system are provided. In one embodiment, a method comprises: establishing communication between a first remote unit of a plurality of remote units and a host unit, the plurality of remote units communicatively coupled to the host unit in a multipoint-to-point configuration; transmitting up to a plurality of tones from the first remote unit, the up to a plurality of tones modulated with upstream information using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing; adjusting at least one characteristic of the plurality of tones such that when any tones are transmitted from the first remote unit and at least one other remote unit of the plurality of remote units, the orthogonality of the tones when received at the host unit is improved; and dynamically switching modulation between tones of the plurality of tones to reduce the impact of using any corrupted tones.

Abstract: An anomaly management method is provided for a multi-agent system (MAS) in which a plurality of application agents are arranged to be capable of interacting with each other over a communications network. The MAS has a plurality of anomaly management agents arranged to receive reports from a referring agent regarding a referred agent when a referring agent has determined an interaction anomaly has occurred which was potentially caused by one or more conditions associated with a referred agent. The anomaly management agent is arranged to determine one or more conditions associated with the referred agent which have caused the interaction anomaly. The anomaly management agent is also arranged to remedy the condition. The method comprises at least one of said plurality of anomaly management agents receiving a message containing information related to the interaction with the referred agent from the referring agent.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for separating a selected optical signal wavelength component from a plurality of optical signal wavelength components of an aggregate optical signal, and for passing the selected optical signal wavelength component while suppressing the remaining wavelength components are provided. Generally, the apparatus provides an optical signal wavelength selective element enabling output of a selectable optical signal wavelength component.

Abstract: Systems for tone allocation are provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises: a plurality of remote units and a host including a demodulator. Each remote transmits an upstream OFDM signal using a multiple access scheme to the host using an OFDM waveform. The host receives the upstream OFDM signals, the tones of the upstream signals substantially orthogonal when received at the host. Portions of upstream OFDM signals from at least two remotes arrive at the host at the same time. The host demodulates said portions. At least one remote transmits to the host using a first tone allocated by the host. The host sends an adjustment signal to the remote to adjust the timing of transmissions to improve orthogonality of the OFDM waveform. After the remote has begun transmission using the first tone but before the remote has completed its transmission, the host allocates to the remote a different tone.

Abstract: A bidirectional communication system is provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises: a host unit and a plurality of remote units using a multiple access scheme to communicate at the same time with the host unit using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). The host unit allocates only a subset of available orthogonal tones within the OFDM system to at least one of the plurality of remote units. The host unit allocates a number of orthogonal tones to the at least one remote unit for upstream transmission based at least in part on a type of data to be transmitted by the at least one remote unit.

Abstract: A WDM optical transmission system and method uses slope compensation at the transmit terminal and/or the receive terminal. The system and method may be used with modulation formats with a short pulse width and a broad optical spectrum.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector including a ferrule surrounding an optical fiber and a hub engaging the ferrule. The hub includes a front portion having first and second surfaces and first and second tapered contact regions extending from the first and second surfaces to a front face. A housing includes an anti-rotation seat configured to engage the first and second surfaces, the anti-rotation seat including first and second angled contact surfaces positioned at a front of the anti-rotation seat. A spring within a chamber of the housing biases the ferrule through a bore in the front of the housing. The first tapered contact region of the hub engages the first contact surface, and the second tapered contact region engages the second contact surface when the hub and ferrule are in a first rotational position so that the optical fiber is maintained at a known orientation with respect to the connector. The tapered contact regions are planar surfaces sized smaller than the angled contact surfaces.

Abstract: A fibre unit coating apparatus includes a chamber into which an uncured resin coated fibre unit is passed. Microspheres mixed with air are fed into the chamber via ducts and apertures. As a result rapid and even application of the microspheres can be achieved, and the system allows controllable application of the microspheres by varying the rate of flow of the air/microsphere mixture. Positive pressure chambers are provided to prevent the microspheres from blocking the inlet and outlet points where the fibre unit enters and leaves the chamber.

Abstract: An interactive workflow schedule optimiser arranged to enable a user to reconfigure an instantiated workflow for a task comprising a plurality of actions having a predetermined dependency relationship to each other. The optimiser comprises means to input one or more user-specified constraint conditions into the workflow schedule optimiser; means to regenerate a workflow dependent on user specified condition from the instantiated workflow, the regenerated workflow satisfying said one or more user-specified constraint conditions. The optimiser optimises the global utilisation of the resources required to fulfil the user request by processing in parallel the resource requirements of each of said plurality of actions required by the regenerated workflow.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method for encoding and decoding an image. The image compression system includes an image segmentation unit (110) for segmenting a first image into a plurality of sub-images; a first encoding unit (120) for encoding the sub-images to output sub-image bitstreams; a BMAP construction unit (130) for calculating the quantity of information of each sub-image bitstream and generating BMAP information using the calculated quantity of information and information on construction of each sub-image; and a bitstream combining unit (150) for combining the sub-image bitstreams and BMAP information.

Abstract: A multipoint-to-point, orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) communication system is provided. The system includes a plurality of remote units and a host unit that includes a demodulator. Each of the remote units transmits an upstream OFDM signal using a multiple access scheme to the host unit demodulator using at least one of a plurality of orthogonal tones within an OFDM waveform. The host unit receives the upstream OFDM signals from a plurality of the remote units. Portions of upstream OFDM signals from at least two of the remote units arrive at the host unit at the same time. The host unit demodulator demodulates the portions and the upstream signals from the plurality of remote units arrive at the host unit synchronized in time and frequency within the OFDM waveform.

Abstract: In a call center having agent stations including personal computers having video display units (PC/VDUs), connected on a LAN with a server tracking status for call center entities, a system for agent information includes a software application executing on individual PC/VDUs at agent stations. The software application draws on status information from the server and renders the information to the agent using the PC/VDU through output apparatus of the PC/VDU. Rendering may be by text, graphics, or audio, depending on such as conditions and user selection.

Abstract: A system for enabling Data Network Telephony (DNT) communication through a WEB page includes a Web server hosting an interactive WEB page and having an Internet port, a link in the WEB page adapted for launching a DNT-capable telephone module, and a DNT-capable telephone module associated with the link. In this system, upon selection of the link by a person accessing the WEB page over the Internet using a computer platform, an instance of the IP telephone module is downloaded to computer platform, and an IP call is launched to an IP address pre-stored and associated with the link. The DNT network may be the Internet. In a preferred embodiment the system first investigates the computer platform for hardware and software characteristics, and attaches the determined characteristics to the instance of the IP telephone module to be downloaded. The downloaded module then self-launches and configures, and then launches the associated call.

Abstract: Systems and methods for bidirectional communication are provided. In one embodiment, a method for aligning communications from a plurality of remote units in a multipoint-to-point orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) communications comprises sending a first signal from a host unit to a first remote unit; receiving a second signal transmitted from the first remote unit in response to the first signal; generating at least one timing adjustment signal based at least in part on a round trip delay between the sending of the first signal and the receiving of the second signal; transmitting the timing adjustment signal to the first remote unit; wherein the timing adjustment signal instructs the first remote unit to delay OFDM transmission of data to improve alignment of multiframes at the host unit when communications are received at the host unit from the plurality of remote units.