Abstract: Methods and systems for resource management in a fast packet switching communication network are disclosed. A packet containing an address field identifying a source endpoint and a destination endpoint is received. A bandwidth constraint based upon the source endpoint, but independent of the destination endpoint, is enforced for the packet. In a communication network wherein a plurality of virtual connections are provisioned from a single source endpoint to a plurality of destination endpoints, the bandwidth constraint is associated with bandwidth usage over all of the virtual connections.

Abstract: A service for screening outgoing telephone calls. The service allows a subscriber to determine the times of day and/or days of the week when she wants her outgoing calls on her telephone line to be restricted to numbers which have been approved by her. Calls to numbers other than those on the authorized list will not be completed. Incoming calls are also restricted and a privileged caller code must be entered for the outside caller to complete the call to the subscriber.

Abstract: A system and method for providing internet data and voice services to mobile subscribers is directed for use in cooperation with Internet Packet Data Network (IPDN) and an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) having an existing wireline switch. The system and method obviate the need for a mobile telephone switch and can include at least one mobile terminal having the functionality of a mobile host, at least one Home Location Register (HLR), a data base, a plurality of Radio Port Controllers (RPCs) in communication with at least one Radio Port (RP), an internet access node, a home agent, a Correspondent Host (CH) and a Visitor Location Register/Directory Number Manager (VLR/DN-MGR). The HLR is operative to store and provide subscription data and keep track of where at least one mobile terminal is registered in order to deliver calls thereto. The VLR/DN-MGR, together with the wireline switch, are operative to control the plurality of RPCs and coordinate the transmission of voice and data services.

Abstract: A method and system for providing user access to complex information through interactive voice dialog. The computerized method includes the provision of a memory and storage in the memory of a plurality of selected words which may be recognized in predetermined phrases and dialogue contexts when spoken by users. A voice template is further stored in memory having selected information slots in corresponding frames. Each of the slots and frames is adapted to be continuously filled by recognized words. User speech utterances are initiated for receipt by the computer which requests complex information or responds to generated queries. By continuously receiving and comparing the user speech utterances to the stored plurality of selected words, slots and frames of the voice template are filled.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for automatically collecting and delivering multimedia application event data in an interactive network. The interactive network includes a server and a plurality of client stations. In operation, an event of a multimedia application at a first client station is identified. An event data signal representing the event is then transmitted and received by the server. The server processes the event data signal to determine if it is interested in the event. The server stores the event data signal if it is interested in the event. The server also allows other client stations to register an interest in the event. Upon determining an event of interest to a client station, the server automatically delivers the event data representing the event to the interested client station.

Abstract: An interface which displays indicia associated with a single voice mail message on a screen. The invention is used in a visual voice messaging system to allow a user to view indicia without scrolling to another screen. A user may thus sort messages which she desires to hear more quickly and easily.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for automatically managing multimedia assets for use in a multimedia application. The method includes the step of storing a plurality of multimedia asset data files in the system memory. Next, the method includes automatically categorizing the multimedia asset data files. The method further includes the step of storing identifying information associated with each multimedia asset data file. The method concludes with the step of generating a set of multimedia application asset files based on the steps of categorizing and storing. A system is also disclosed for implementing the steps of the method.

Abstract: A method and system for generating an optimized solution for assigning traffic loads to channels in SONET rings in cooperation with a computer having sufficient memory. The method and system utilize a Mixed Integer Program (MIP) having corresponding variables necessary to model the cost of Terminal Multiplexers, Add/Drop Multiplexers and corresponding interface ports necessary to route the desired traffic loads. By routing traffic loads to reduce computation time and imposing mathematical bounds on the MIP variables, the number of possible MIP solutions is reduced. The Mixed Integer Program is minimized in accordance with the traffic routing and imposed mathematical bounds such that an electrical signal is generated which corresponds to the optimized traffic load assignment information. The signal is converted to digital format whereupon it may be retrieved from computer memory and displayed to the user.

Abstract: A method and system for matching textual strings representing customer names/addresses is disclosed. The textual strings are first transformed by a plurality of predefined filters. The transformed textual strings are then compared utilizing a plurality of predefined comparators to determine if the two transformed textual strings match. A score is determined based on the comparison of the two transformed textual strings utilizing a scoring procedure. Based on the score and a matching procedure, it is determined whether or not the textual strings match.

Abstract: A method for developing a network analysis and modeling application program includes the step of interactively selecting and displaying a graphical object. An instantiation of the graphical object is representative of at least a portion of a network. The graphical object is further used in an executable network analysis and modeling application program. The preferred embodiment further includes the step of editing the selection of the graphical object.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a flow of packets being forwarded by a customer premises equipment to an endpoint of a fast packet switching network having a plurality of virtual connections provisioned from the endpoint to a plurality of destination endpoints. A parameter indicative of bandwidth usage associated with the endpoint over at least two of the virtual connections is obtained. The flow of packets being forwarded to the endpoint is inhibited when the parameter violates a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for retrieving segments of stored video programs using closed caption text data. The closed caption text data is extracted from video programming signals received by the invention. Text records based on the extracted closed caption data are generated. Each text record is derived from the closed caption data for a single continuous video segment to which the text record serves as an index or key in retrieving this video segment. Preferably, each text record (a) has sufficient content to adequately describe the content of the video segment to which it serves as an index; and (b) corresponds to a video segment focused on a small number of topics. To accomplish (a) and (b) the present invention generates each text record so that it has a predetermined maximum length and so that it is derived from the closed caption data for a single uninterrupted speaker.

Abstract: A first method is disclosed for mapping data from a plurality of objects to a relational database. The method begins with the step of generating a transit object and its structure (TO.sub.-- schema, dataGraph and dataBlocks). The next step of the method is populating the transit object based on the data of the plurality of objects. The method continues with the step of transmitting the transit object from the client object broker (COB) to the server object broker (SOB) using a communication server. The method next includes the step of populating a data structure based on the dataBlock object. The method concludes with the step of populating the relation&l database based on the data structure. A second method is also disclosed for mapping data from a relational database to a plurality of objects.

Abstract: A method and system for processing a user dialogue using dialogue-state objects. The method and system are implemented using an interactive computer system. The interactive computer system includes a dialogue manager and application control logic. The method includes the step of providing a plurality of objects encapsulating dialogue data and dialogue procedures associated with dialogue-states. The method next includes the step of providing a pointer. The pointer identifies a first object as a current object. The method further includes the step of receiving an input signal. The method also includes the step of processing the input signal. The method finally includes the step of updating the pointer based on the step of processing such that the pointer identifies a second object as the current object.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for identifying corrupted speech signals in a call receiving mode of a voice messaging system. The method includes the step of receiving a message signal. The message signal represents an audio message. The method next includes the step of determining a signal quality. The signal quality is then compared to a threshold. If the signal quality is at least as great as the threshold, the audio data representing the message signal is stored in a memory. If the signal quality is not as great as the threshold, an indication signal is transmitted indicating that the signal quality is poor. A system is also disclosed for implementing the steps of the method.

Abstract: Desired tasks are modeled as a plurality of database slots. Each of the slots is opportunistically fillable by a predetermined set of values in accordance with a predetermined set of user utterance recognition rules. The user utterance recognition rules include a first layer which recognizes questions and commands based upon co-occurrences of key words in a sentence, removes corresponding database slot values and generates a supplemental utterance. A second layer recognizes database word values irrespective of sentence context and fills the slot appropriately. Responsive utterances are generated in accordance with a predetermined set of condition-action rules. The condition-action rules are based on logical combinations of filled slot values and, in operation, provide a user with the desired perception of a linguistically competent dialog while at the same time eliciting further information to complete a desired task.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing an interactive user-interface specification. The method is for use with a computer system including a processor, a memory, a display device and an input device. The method begins with the step of providing a data structure representing a control tree. The control tree represents the interface screens, screen objects and link-associations of the interface. The method further includes the step of presenting a representation of an element of the control tree based on the data structure. A system is also disclosed for implementing the steps of the method.

Abstract: A software application fault identification method and system. The method and system include software and accompanying computer hardware platforms for detecting a software application fault, determining a severity of the fault, and identifying a source of the fault. The method and system further include software and accompanying computer hardware platforms for generating an alarm message signal based upon the detected fault, the severity determined and the identified source, as well as transmitting the alarm message signal to a remote monitoring station.

Abstract: An improved method and system for translating an optimization problem for use in efficient resource allocation. The improved method of the present invention includes the step of generating an index link record for each of the index variables in the optimization problem so as to eliminate the need for a symbol table and a plurality of temporary data records. The method also includes the step of linking the index link records of the index variables requiring expansion in a reverse order of the order listed in the optimization problem so as to reduce the number of traversals performed during expansion processing. The index link records have a pointer for identifying the next index variable requiring expansion.

Abstract: Methods and systems for resource management in a fast packet switching communication network are disclosed. A packet containing an address field identifying a source endpoint and a destination endpoint is received. A bandwidth constraint based upon the source endpoint, but independent of the destination endpoint, is enforced for the packet. In a communication network wherein a plurality of virtual connections are provisioned from a single source endpoint to a plurality of destination endpoints, the bandwidth constraint is associated with bandwidth usage over all of the virtual connections.