Abstract: A method and system for controlling and guaranteeing a service level agreement (SLA) based on a communications outbound link bandwidth usage to a plurality of customers having electronic business activity hosted by at least one server as a server farm, includes monitoring the outbound communications bandwidth usage by each customer traffic to determine a level of service being provided to each customer with respect to the agreed service level agreement in each service cycle time per unit of time. The flow of incoming requests to each customer business activity application is controlled so as to guarantee a level of service previously agreed to the customer by queuing requests to the customer and by selectively dropping requests to the customer to guarantee the agreed service levels to the customer. The controlling process controls and guarantees each outbound link usage based service level agreement by controlling the flow of incoming requests to the at least one server.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring transmission signal interference in a bi-directional transmission/reception system in which a modulated signal received at a receiver location is subjected at the receiver location to analog to digital (A/D) conversion by an A/D converter 3, an output of which is routed to an input of a digital demodulator 6 for demodulation. The method includes the steps of accessing the output of the A/D converter 3 before the output is subjected to demodulation by the demodulator 6 and storing the accessed data in a storage buffer 7. The data stored in the storage buffer 7 is available for inspection to assist in determining the presence of signal interference.

Abstract: An aircraft 1 comprising interchangeable wings 5 detachedly connected to a fuselage 3, each wing 5 containing the fuel and flight systems 13,15 for engines 7 mounted to the wings 5, so that the fuselage 3 need contain no flight systems, simply a “bus” 23 for communication and the transfer of data between the wings.

Abstract: A packet switching network, e.g., the Internet, employs bandwidth managers to provide guaranteed bandwidth reservations to paired forwarding and receiving agents interfacing with sending and receiving stations in the transfer of large data files therebetween. The forwarding agents obtain guaranteed reservations from the bandwidth manager for segments of the large data file which are transmitted to the receiving station in accordance with the respective reservations. The receiving agent reassembles the segments into the large data file for delivery to the receiving station. By segmenting the large data files, using guaranteed bandwidth reservations on different links or multiple networks, the transmission of large data files through packet switching networks is accomplished without adversely impacting the service requirements of other network users.

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring the reflection coefficient of a network are disclosed. The methods and systems measure the reflection coefficient by exciting a device under test with a driving signal. The driving signal incident on the device under test is measured and the source providing the driving signal is removed thereafter. A signal reflected from the device under test is sampled at a sample rate that may differ from the frequency of the driving signal. The reflection coefficient of the device under test is calculated by dividing the measured level of the reflected signal by the measured level of the driving signal.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include methods for identifying clusters in a database, data warehouse or data mart. The identified clusters can be meaningfully understood by a list of the attributes and corresponding values for each of the clusters. Some embodiments of the invention include a method for scalable probabilistic clustering using a decision tree. Some embodiments of the invention, perform linearly in the size of the set of data and only require a single access to the set of data. Some embodiments of the invention produce interpretable clusters that can be described in terms of a set of attributes and attribute values for that set of attributes. In some embodiments, the cluster can be interpreted by reading the attribute values and attributes on the path from the root node of the decision tree to the node of the decision tree corresponding to the cluster. In some embodiments, it is not necessary for there to be a domain specific distance function for the attributes.

Abstract: An apparatus for assessing signal coupling and radiation from cable networks by exciting the network with multiple broadband signals modulated by a common source, the networks having a plurality of channels, including a noise generator to generate a plurality of test signals, a plurality of modulators, each coupled to one of the plurality of channels, for modulating the plurality of test signals, and a control apparatus coupled to the plurality of modulators for controlling coupling and decoupling of each of the plurality of channels to the signal generating means.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include methods for identifying clusters in a database, data warehouse or data mart. The identified clusters can be meaningfully understood by a list of the attributes and corresponding values for each of the clusters. Some embodiments of the invention include a method for scalable probabilistic clustering using a decision tree. Some embodiments of the invention, perform linearly in the size of the set of data and only require a single access to the set of data. Some embodiments of the invention produce interpretable clusters that can be described in terms of a set of attributes and attribute values for that set of attributes. In some embodiments, the cluster can be interpreted by reading the attribute values and attributes on the path from the root node of the decision tree to the node of the decision tree corresponding to the cluster. In some embodiments, it is not necessary for there to be a domain specific distance function for the attributes.

Abstract: An aircraft 1 comprising interchangeable wings 5 detachedly connected to a fuselage 3, each wing 5 containing the fuel and flight systems 13, 15 for engines 7 mounted to the wings 5, so that the fuselage 3 need contain no flight systems, simply a “bus” 23 for communication and the transfer of data between the wings.

Abstract: An interconnect device for connecting components of high frequency communication systems, including RF and phased array applications. The device is capable of carrying RF and microwave signals between pairs of components and includes an outer conducting tube and an insulated conducting wire disposed within the tube. The outside diameter of the insulated wire is less than the inside diameter of the tube allowing movement of the wire relative to the tube. As a result of this movement, the longitudinal axis of the wire may vary from the longitudinal axis of the tube resulting in a “sloppy coax” interconnect. The ability of the wire to move within the tube facilitates installation and replacement of the wire when required.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating the location of an injection point of foreign signals in a network comprises the steps of measuring signal samples at two points along the cable network distribution system, correlating the two signal samples to estimate propagation delay differences between the measurement locations and the source, and calculating the location and magnitude of the ingress. The propagation delay, or time correlation, is proportional to the offset of the injection point from the midpoint between the measurement sites, where the two parameters are related by the velocity of propagation in the cable. The amplitude of the correlation peaks represent the magnitude of the ingress at that location. Sensitivity may be increased by time-averaging the output of the correlation step. Multiple sources and/or ingress and egress sites may be measured simultaneously.

Abstract: A caller-controlled barge-in telephone service, managed by telephone systems, intercepts telephone calls directed to instantly busy telephone lines predesignated as objects of this service, and: 1) verifies that the called line is a respectively predesignated object of this service and that the caller is entitled to invoke the service relative to that line; and 2) forms a bridging connection between the caller and parties to a telephone call instantly busying the called line. Verification that a caller is entitled to the service can be implemented by playing a voice announcement requesting the caller to speak or key in an authorization code. If the caller fails to respond or returns an invalid code, the caller is either disconnected or transferred to a voice mail service. Disconnection of the caller may be preceded by a voice announcement (e.g. a spoken “goodbye”).

Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring the reflection coefficient of a network are disclosed. The methods and systems measure the reflection coefficient by exciting a device under test with a driving signal. The driving signal incident on the device under test is measured and the source providing the driving signal is removed thereafter. A signal reflected from the device under test is sampled at a sample rate that may differ from the frequency of the driving signal. The reflection coefficient of the device under test is calculated by dividing the measured level of the reflected signal by the measured level of the driving signal.

Abstract: A connector for cutting and connecting an insulated cable having an insulation layer encasing at least one conductor that includes an upper member, and a lower member adapted for receiving the upper member including at least one insulation displacement connector to establish electrical connection with the conductor of the insulated cable, an instrument with a sharp edge to sever the conductor, and a rigid member to separate one end of the severed conductor from the other end of the severed conductor, wherein the upper member and the lower member secure both ends of the severed cable, to electrically connect a distribution cable to local terminals of access lines or subscriber lines and simultaneously cut the distribution cable to remove a bridged tap from the subscriber lines.

Abstract: A software intelligent Agent, and rules provided thereto by a user, screen and process data objects, for example an e-mail message, in accordance with said rules. Actions taken by the Agent to process a data object in accordance with rules associated with the object are entered into an activity record and the activity record is injected into the body of the data object, for example pre-pended into an e-mail message as the first body part of the message. This obviates the need for a user to remember the rules or to remember what actions were taken by the Agent.

Abstract: A packet router for a data packet transmission network, wherein routers offer priority services of the type required for isochronous handling of data representing real-time voice, includes a Quality of Service (QoS) management system for ensuring that guarantees associated with such priority service can be met with a high degree of certainty. This management system provides prioritized queues including a highest priority queue supporting reservations for the priority service suited to isochronous handling. The highest priority queue and other queues are closely monitored by a QoS manager element for states of near congestion and critical congestion. While neither state exists, filler packet flows are promoted from lower priority queues to the highest priority queue, in order to keep the latter queue optimally utilized. If all lower priority queues are empty at such times, dummy packets are inserted as filler flows.

Abstract: A centrifugal feeder for rectangular items with one of its upper or lower surfaces having luminescent characteristics which are greater than the other surface. It is desired to orient the items with its elongated axis in the direction of the output and its luminescent surface downward. The feeder has a rotating bowl surrounded by a rotating rim. Items are placed on the rotating bowl by any suitable device. A sweep pushes the items randomly onto the rim and a pair of sweeps then insure that the items are flat and only one layer high. The rim then narrows so that items not disposed with their elongated axis tangentially will over balance and fall off the rim. A sensor then determines the space between items, and if the space exceeds a preselected interval, signals for more items to be placed onto the bowl. A luminescence sensor then determines if the item thereunder is disposed with its greater luminescent surface up and a kick off device kicks off items with the greater luminescent side up.

Abstract: This invention allows customers and other users of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to enable, disable or modify special services provided by the network. The PSTN is defined here as all equipment world wide (land-based, radio or other) enabling ordinary telephone users to connect to other telephone users, but excludes private telephone networks such as "tie line" systems maintained or leased by private enterprises. Presently contemplated actions can be taken independent of the state of the customer's telephone line (e.g. on-hook or off-hook), and usually involve use of equipment other than telephones and communication networks other than the PSTN (e.g. computers operating through the Internet and pagers operating through pager networks). The special services include existing services (call waiting, call blocking, call forwarding, etc.) and new ones (e.g. transferring an active call from a desk phone to a mobile cellular one without interrupting the call).

Abstract: A conference server system, for internal use in the public switched telephone network (PSTN), links to public data communication networks (e.g. the Internet) for distributing computer displayable data between participants in voice telephone conferences. The server system includes a computer sub-system for storing data generated by the participants and distributing the data in coordination with voice presentations of respective participants. Data so stored and distributed includes computer-displayable data. Other data handled by the computer subsystem represents commands and functional requests issued by participants which pertain to the handling of computer-displayable data and voice parameters of the conference. Conference participants, having separate and concurrent access to both the PSTN and the data network, receive and view computer-displayable data prepared by one of the participants in coordination with the respective voice conference.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for protecting selected files in a portable computer system. With this invention a user selects a set of riles on a hard disk of the system for protection. This invention uses an encryption key, a secret key and an algorithmic transform to protect the selected files. With this invention the selected files are encrypted with the encryption key, and two copies of the encryption key are scrambled, one with the secret key and one with the transform of the secret key. Then, both scrambled versions of the encryption key are stored on the hard disk. When the user enters the secret key, the two scrambled versions of the encryption key are unscrambled using the key entered by the user and by using the transform of the key entered by the user. These unscrambled versions are then compared. If these unscrambled versions match, the original encryption key has been correctly restored and selected files will be decrypted either immediately or when referenced by an application program.