Abstract: An improved method of addressing devices in a local area network is disclosed. A small plug-in tag may be added to each device on the network. The tag is given an easily remembered name provided by the user. In addition the tag can be given a pictorial icon which can be represented by a moderate number of bits. The name and the optional icon may be visible on a label on the tag. The tag contains a chip with a small memory into which the name and optionally the bit map representation of the icon is entered. In addition, an optional unique identifier may be entered. Pins on the tag are connected to the device which has its own network address, such as an Ethernet address. Optionally, the network address may be copied into the unique identifier, or the unique identifier may be copied into the network address. The use of the tag permits easy configuration and reconfiguration of the network.

Abstract: A packet telephone system which employs a packet network that provides virtual circuits. The packet telephone system employs short packets containing compressed speech. The use of the short packets makes possible compression and decompression times and bounded delays in the virtual circuits which are together short enough to permit toll-quality telephone service. The packet telephone system employs an intelligent network interface unit to interface between the packet network and standard telephone devices. The network interface unit does the speech compression and decompression and also responds to control packets from the packet network. Consequently, many telephone system features can be implemented in the network interface unit instead of in the switches. The network interface unit may also be used to provide data connections to devices attached to it.

Abstract: Line card control in an ATM or other packet-based switch is provided using an in-band device configuration in which control messages from a control processor of the switch are transmitted in one or more cells to a transmission convergence device in a line card. The transmission convergence device filters a stream of cells received in the line card in order to identify cells including control messages directed to the line card. The transmission convergence device then executes one or more commands associated with a given control message. Each control message may be transmitted in a single cell including a header and a payload. A message trailer portion of the payload may include device-specific data which specifies an interpretation of the payload structure. For example, the payload may include a series of commands, each including a read or write opcode, an address, and a data field.

Abstract: Improved telecommunication apparatus is realized with a structure that is tailored to provide an ID signal to the telecommunication network, which signal uniquely identifies the apparatus. The ID signal can be communicated to the network under control of the apparatus, or polled by the network. The apparatus includes a second port through which communication services are provided to a customer, and the ID signal can be sent to that second port as well. The apparatus further includes circuitry for processing signals flowing between the two ports, allowing the characteristics of the signal to change and thereby provide for format conversions, encryption, and other capabilities.

Abstract: Improved telecommunication apparatus is realized with a structure that is tailored to interact with the telecommunication network strictly in packet format. The apparatus includes circuitry for creating either control or information packets, where each packet comprises a header portion and a payload portion. The apparatus also includes an identifier module that enables the apparatus to identify itself to the telecommunication network with an identifier signal that is unique to it. The apparatus further includes encoding and decoding circuitry to create, and decode, highly compressed digital representations of audio signals and, optionally, encryption and decryption features to enhance security of communication. Still further, the apparatus includes circuitry to enable users to interact with the network and partake of telephony service.

Abstract: Improved telecommunication apparatus is realized with a structure that is tailored to interact with the telecommunication network strictly in packet format. The apparatus includes circuitry for creating either control or information packets, where each packet comprises a header portion and a payload portion. The apparatus also includes an identifier module that enables the apparatus to identify itself to the telecommunication network with an identifier signal that is unique to it. The packet format allows the apparauts to provide a myriad of services that in today's environment are implemented within the telecommunication network, including for example, call transfer, call forwarding, bridging, call waiting etc.

Abstract: A symmetrical low-cost high-density interface for ATM devices. The interface can connect any device which transmits ATM cells to any device which receives ATM cells. The signals of the interface include two control signals and four, eight, sixteen, or thirty-two data signals. The control signals are SOC, which is sent from a transmitter to a receiver and indicates the start of an ATM cell, and STRB, which determines when the transmitter sends SOC and data signals and when the receiver samples SOC and the data signals. STRB is sent under control of the receiver, and the receiver can thus use STRB to control the rate at which the receiver receives cells or portions thereof from the transmitter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring encrypted information to a database. First certification information is transferred from a first database to a second database. Second certification information is then transferred from the second database to the first database, where both the first certification information and the second certification information is authenticated. If both certifications are authenticated, the transfer of the encrypted information to the second database is enabled.

Abstract: A method for operating a communication network where the tie between the provisioning of and billing for service and the terminating point of the telecommunication network to which service is provided is severed. Instead, an association is maintained between the provisioning and billing for service and a piece of telecommunication equipment, regardless of the point of that equipment's connection to the network. This enables a customer to appear at any point of the telecommunication network and still obtain service, and it allows the telecommunication carrier to streamline the processes of provisioning, billing and collecting of moneys. An account is maintained by the telecommunication carrier for a specific piece of telecommunication equipment. The account is established by forwarding to the telecommunication carrier a service request including information that uniquely identifies the telecommunication equipment and information that enables the carrier to bill the customer.

Abstract: A system and method for interposing stored images to moving video within multimedia computer programs, wherein the system recognizes specific identifiers upon an object or image that identify that the object or image is a visual aid to be incorporated into the multimedia program. In response to this recognition, a previously stored image associated with the identified object/image is retrieved and inserted into the multimedia computer program.

Abstract: A data communications system designed to facilitate communications between digital computers typically routes fixed-length segments of data, called packets, through minicomputer packet switches located intermediate the digital computers. To mitigate the need for expensive minicomputer arrangements as the intermediate processor, the minicomputers are replaced by a low-cost, high-throughput, modular packet switch having an efficient control memory-queue control arrangement for moving a packet from one time slot to another as well as modifying the packet header as the packet is routed through the communications system.