Abstract: The present invention takes the advantages of a First-Delivery-Attempt (FDA) system/Short Message Service Center (SMSC) combination. The FDA/SMSC combination has the advantages of SS7-clustering and IP load-distribution, and adds call-flow and business logic to eliminate the disadvantages created in stand-alone architectures using those technologies in isolation. All messages can be addressed to a single destination, with the FDA/SMSC combination performing load distribution for delivery of the messages. Nodes can be added to the message processing system to increase capacity, with no configuration changes being required in an SS7 network or an external IP network.

Abstract: A bridge connection is made between the interfaces on physically distinct telecommunication servers such that the two ends of the bridge can be used to connect existing calls that are terminated on each of the servers. To provide the bridge connection, a call using a standard outgoing PRI trunk on one of the servers is made through the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to an incoming PRI trunk on the other server. When a bridge connection is required one of the servers is queried for its directory number, which is any number that the PSTN has assigned to equipment in that server. The other server is then instructed to make a call to that number. When the called server recognizes the incoming call as bridge connection, its answers the call. The calling server then associates the bridge connection with the pending action, using information encoded in the out-of-band signal with which the call between the servers was established.

Abstract: A drinking mug for dispensing a controlled volume of liquid to a user has a metering chamber with an inlet valve and an outlet valve. The outlet valve utilizing a floating ball which closes the outlet valve after a precise amount of fluid enters the metering chamber. The inlet valve utilizes a ball which sealingly engages the inlet orifice when the mug is tilted past a first angle, thereby preventing additional liquid from entering the metering chamber. As the mug is tipped past the first angle, the buoyancy of the floating ball disengages the ball from the outlet orifice, thereby allowing the fluid in the metering chamber to be dispensed to the user.

Abstract: Speed controlling apparatus particularly is disclosed to be mounted with respect to a boat motor in a position confronting the propeller wash of the boat's motor, whereby the thrust imparted to the water by the motor's propeller is significantly deflected or attenuated, thus reducing boat speed. The contemplated speed controlling apparatus includes a mounting plate adapted to be mounted upon the motor housing, and a deflection or trolling plate coupled to said mounting plate to be disposable between a first position confronting the propeller wash, and a second position disposed remotely from the path of the propeller wash. In a first aspect of this invention, the deflection plate is variably disposed with respect to the path of the propeller wash and in particular, may be disposed at variable depths within the water.