Abstract: A SONET planning tool is provided for generating optimized SONET rings based on an existing SONET system capacity and anticipated system demand at minimal cost. The planning tool includes an analytical process that accurately models and utilizes embedded systems, linear chains, unidirectional rings, and bi-directional rings based on existing capabilities. In addition, large forecasted demands can be preprocessed with dedicated two-node rings, and multi-period studies can be generated.

Abstract: An improved, automated teller machine (ATM) for enhanced telephony access is provided. The ATM provides for conventional financial transactions with financial institutions as well as the purchase of prepaid calling cards for telephony services. In the latter regard, the improved ATM is operable to receive a prepaid calling card purchase transaction request input by a customer and to transmit a message to a transaction service network for authorization of such transaction. Pursuant to authorization, the ATM is operable to automatically initiate a call to a telephony network to establish a prepaid calling card account. In particular, the ATM is operable to call a predetermined station number corresponding with a prepaid calling card service provider. Such predetermined number may correspond with an AIN-capable switch that allows the ATM to interface with a service control point maintained by the prepaid calling card service provider within the telephony network.

Abstract: A bill comprises a first sheet of paper having two or more information panels and a remittance panel defined therein. Information (e.g., text) in the information panels is oriented in a first direction, and information in the remittance panel (e.g., text) is oriented in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction. In one embodiment, first sheet comprises two information panels on a first side, and two information panels on a second side. A first information panel comprises summary information; second and third information panel comprises billing information, and a fourth information panel comprises advertising information. The bill is folded such that information in the information panels reads like a book (excepting the remittance panel which is generally torn off). In another embodiment, information in side-by-side panels comprise information in two languages, for example English and Spanish.

Abstract: A method and system for providing wireless communications to a subscriber of a private wireline network includes a private wireline switch and a wireline interface. The switch processes and controls telephone calls to and from the subscriber to provide a plurality of communication features to the subscriber. The wireline interface is in communication with the switch and the public wireless network for providing wireless communications to the subscriber via the switch.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for interactively simulating a plurality of telecommunications services operates in response to a user sending a message from his client computer across a data network to a server requesting to download on one of the service simulation programs. In response to the message from the client, the server provides the requested telecommunications service simulation program. The program provided by the server is downloaded and executed by the client. The downloaded program provides the user with an interaction experience representative of the selected one of the plurality of telecommunications services. This interaction experience may include additional communication between the service simulation program and the server. Additionally, the service simulation program provides guidance to the user in using and configuring both the service simulation program and, potentially, the actual telecommunications service to which the user has subscribed.

Abstract: An automated closed-looped test system and method for testing network devices such as CPE and system network managers is arranged as a modular, comprehensive test system which seamlessly integrates physical layer testing with higher layer services protocol testing. A set of tests are generated based on the device or manager being tested. A selection menu provided via a GUI such as a Web browser allows a user to select the desired test option to be run. Test results are output in real time via the GUI, and can be logged in a form suitable for documentation.

Abstract: CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) communications systems and methods for performing a single to multiple frequency band conversion for mobile communications. The systems and methods include mixing a portion of a first CDMA signal in a first frequency band with a reference signal to convert a portion of the first CDMA signal to a second frequency band. The converted portion and the other portion of the first frequency band can then be transmitted. The systems and methods further include filtering a portion of a second CDMA signal having frequency components in multiple frequency bands to provide a filtered CDMA signal in the first frequency band. The filtered CDMA signal is then mixed to convert it to the second frequency band for receiver processing.

Abstract: An enhanced telephony system for use in premises monitoring is disclosed. More particularly, such system provides an alert signal upon sensing of a predetermined condition of interest at a business or residential premises. The system provides for the receipt of a sensor signal at telephony service equipment, located at the premises in response to the sensing of a predetermined condition of interest. In turn, such telephony equipment is employed, in response to receipt of a sensor signal, to automatically provide at least one of a human-perceivable alert signal at the premises, or the initiation of a telephony call to a predetermined telephone number corresponding with the service control point maintained within a telephony services network. Preferably, the human-perceivable alert signal provided comprises a ringer cadence distinct from that employed in connection with the receipt of incoming telephone calls from third-parties.

Abstract: A system and method is described for automatically notifying a customer of an event using a telecommunications system including configuring options corresponding to type of notification event, time for notification, and notification method; storing configured options; waiting until the notification event occurs; retrieving configured options; and notifying the customer through the telecommunications system at a time and with a method corresponding to the retrieved configured options.

Abstract: A method of automatically routing a facsimile transmission from a calling party to a called party over the Internet. A facsimile transmission is detected from calling party's CPE device. A destination number for the called party's CPE device and a corresponding remote Internet gateway are determined. The facsimile transmission is routed to a local Internet gateway wherein it is converted to a form compatible with the protocol used by the Internet. It is then routed over the Internet to the remote gateway wherein it is converted to a form compatible with the protocol used by the telephone network. The facsimile transmission is then routed to the called party's CPE device.

Abstract: A method for managing MAC messages is provided which supports dynamic resource reservation for upstream data traffic in a broadband cable system. Three specialized MAC management messages of Dynamic Session Addition, Dynamic Session Deletion, and Dynamic Session Acknowledgment are used to control setting of a filter spec parameter in a cable modem. The present invention provides upstream bandwidth resource reservation which allows packet scheduling to occur at a CMTS, and packet classification to occur at a cable modem. Such an arrangement allows the RSVP protocol to be adapted for use at the OSI protocol layer of a typical cable modem, thereby improving efficiency of network bandwidth/resource allocation.

Abstract: A method and system for testing real-time delivery of packets of data in an application utilized in a computer network includes a first host computer, a second host computer, and a simulator all configured on a local area network segment of a second computer network. A first address is assigned to the first host computer and a second address is assigned to the second host computer. The simulator is configured as a router through which the first and second host computers communicate with each other. Any combination of possible network conditions associated with the computer network are entered into the simulator. The packets of data are formed and transmitted from one of the first and second host computers to the simulator and processed according to the entered network conditions to obtain simulation data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of powering a cable telephony service platform (CTSP) in a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network are provided which utilizes a combination of power from a local AC driven power source having a back-up battery for powering the CTSP within a network interface unit (NIU) during interruptions in normal AC power, and a network generated charging current which maintains the battery at full float voltage charge irrespective of the duration of any such interruptions in AC power delivery. Thus, the present invention minimizes power required to be delivered by the network while still ensuring support of reliable lifeline telephony service for cable telephony on an HFC network.

Abstract: A system and method for improving clarity of an audio signal to be transmitted over a limited bandwidth communication channel selects predetermined frequencies of the audio signal for processing and adds even harmonic distortion to the selected frequencies such that the distortion is added within the limited bandwidth of the transmission channel. The system and method are particularly suited for telephony applications and may be utilized in hearing aids due to the effectiveness of clarifying voice signals. In addition, the system and method may be applied to other very low bandwidth signals, such as data compressed audio signals, computer voice files, computer audio files, and numerous other technologies which have an audio response less than normal human perception. The technique also applies to the use of perceptually coded audio.

Abstract: A system and method for provisioning a user terminal for accessing a wideband cable data distribution network, such as an Internet-over-cable system, utilizes an auto-provisioning web server to allow provisioning of a user cable modem without need for a field technician to separately input associated modem identification information via a telephone. A LDAP directory is used to store all provisioning information, and is accessible by a DHCP server to selectively allocate network IP addresses to only provisioned terminals.

Abstract: A technique for providing a networked, distributed tutorial application having a direct manipulation graphical user interface displayable on an Internet client node is disclosed. The application has a first portion on an Internet server node and a second portion on the Internet client node, the first portion performing application specific subject matter processing and the second portion being substantially application independent in that this second portion is applicable in a wide variety of tutoring applications for generating and maintaining an appropriate user interface during user interactions. The second portion includes an Internet browser (e.g., a hypertext mark-up language browser) that is utilized for communicating with the server node to perform application subject matter specific processing.

Abstract: A method for selecting a tower-top low-noise amplifier (LNA) having a given level of performance which matches the level of performance needed for a PCS base station includes providing a PCS base station having an antenna, a cable, and a cell. The antenna, the cable, and the cell have an associated loss and noise figure. The noise figure of the antenna is estimated using internal and external antenna noise temperatures. The external antenna noise temperature accounts for contributions due to lightning noises, atmospheric emission noises, celestial noises, ground noises, and man-made noises including microwave oven noises. The noise figure of the PCS base station is then estimated based on the noise figures of the antenna, the cable, and the cell. An LNA having a gain and a noise figure which cause the estimated noise figure of the PCS base station to fall within an acceptable range is then selected for the PCS base station.

Abstract: A method and system for regulating the flow of calls in a communications network. At least one calling area is assigned to each call response center of each service provider. Call regulating functionality is provided in communication with each call response center of each service provider and includes a set of parameters assigned to each calling area served by the call response center as well as a corresponding call regulating algorithm for the assigned calling areas. The call regulating functionality is operative to detect a call from a calling party to a service provider, determine the assigned calling area of the calling party for that service provider, determine the call response center and determine the current values of the assigned parameters for the calling areas assigned to the call response center.

Abstract: An electronic calendar system is disclosed wherein the calendar system can interact with a user entirely auditorially, e.g. via speech based interactions, entirely visually, or a combination of both. Moreover, the present invention utilizes context information regarding the state or configuration of the calendar system so that substantially at any time a user may query the calendar system for informing the user of the current state of the calendar system. Accordingly, the present invention is particularly useful for users who communicate with the calendar system substantially or entirely auditorially. The user may contact a processing module in the calendar system through a telecommunications network such as a telephone network, a cable network or through the worldwide web. The system includes an apparatus for converting speech to text streams and vice versa.

Abstract: In a broadband cable data network, a method and system for automatically allocating network resources such as IP addresses to control access to the network utilizes at least one DHCP server, and a common network database formed from a LDAP directory for storing respective user configuration parameters, hardware address registration, and current binding information. A DHCP server can add new hardware address registrations to the LDAP using an "unregistered" service class. The DHCP server sends a DHCP reply tailored for unregistered devices, such as by allocating a privately-allocated IP address with no Internet access, or an IP address for a self-provisioning web server. A DHCP server views IP address allocation as indefinite, while a user will view an IP address allocation as having a short duration. Thus, if the IP network configuration does not change, the user terminal will continue to receive the same allocated IP address due to the DHCP server's perception of an indefinite lease.