Abstract: The discharge accuracy of unit sortation is improved by making real time adjustments to the discharge timing of the carrier based on the determined actual position of each article on respective carriers. The adjustments are applied at the time the discharge command is given.

Abstract: The discharge accuracy of unit sortation is improved by making real time adjustments to the discharge timing of the carrier based on the determined actual position of each article on respective carriers. The adjustments are applied at the time the discharge command is given.

Abstract: The discharge accuracy of unit sortation is improved by making real time adjustments to the discharge timing of the carrier based on the determined actual position of each article on respective carriers. The adjustments are applied at the time the discharge command is given.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and apparatus verifies integrity of a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) virtual connection at an analog terminal adapter (ATA) at an edge of an Internet Protocol (IP) network. A VoIP transaction is initiated toward a cooperating test unit across the IP network, establishing a VoIP virtual circuit. The test unit responds by transmitting a digital representation of or information representing a test tone across the IP network to the ATA. By evaluating the test tone at the ATA, integrity of a bearer channel of the virtual circuit can be verified directly, and integrity of a signaling channel of the virtual circuit can be verified indirectly.

Abstract: The discharge accuracy of unit sortation is improved by making real time adjustments to the discharge timing of the carrier based on the determined actual position of each article on respective carriers. The adjustments are applied at the time the discharge command is given.

Abstract: Typical battery backup solutions for network devices provide power for a limited range of services over a limited duration, and lack user serviceability. A configurable, redundant battery solution according to an example embodiment of the invention employs two or more battery backup units (BBUs) available to a device. The device and BBUs are responsive to respective configuration data directing usage of the BBUs and/or operation of the device. In the event of a power failure, the BBUs provide power to the device based on their respective configuration data. Through use of the at least one embodiment, an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) in a Passive Optical Network (PON) can be configured by a service provider to provide eight hours of emergency dial-out call service and configured by a user to provide other services, such as Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and data services, in a customized manner during a backup power condition.

Abstract: A network device can encounter operating conditions that have potential to affect upstream communications adversely for another network device, as well as for the upstream communications or hardware of the network device itself. A network device according to an example embodiment of the present invention is configured to determine when such conditions occur, and, in response, modify the behavior of the device so as to maintain the integrity of upstream communications and the network device. Network robustness is improved through the example embodiment, and fewer service calls are experienced by service providers.

Abstract: Heavy users of a Multi-Dwelling Unit Optical Network Terminal (MDU ONT) continuing to use services, such as telephone, data and video, when the MDU ONT is operating from backup power unfairly use the power available from the battery backup power supply. In other words, a heavy user uses more than his share of the power available at the battery backup power supply. Example embodiments of the present invention eliminate such unfairness by associating with each user a separate battery backup power supply dedicated to support that user's services. Therefore, the heavy user will drain his battery more quickly than a light or moderate user. In situations when power from a user's battery backup power supply is not available and an emergency or priority service is requested, the MDU ONT may allocate power from other user batteries, or its own central battery, to support the service.

Abstract: A method to initiate a remote diagnostic mode in a network terminal includes determining whether a received signal corresponds to a command to initiate a remote diagnostic mode, and setting the network terminal in a remote diagnostic mode in accordance with the result of the determining. An authentication procedure may be performed prior to setting the network terminal in the remote diagnostic mode, for increased security.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for managing operations associated with a backup power source at a network terminal. A network terminal includes a battery port that, when enabled, is configured to monitor status of a battery coupled to the battery port and provide a status indicator for the battery. The network terminal also includes an interface with selectable states. A control circuit detects the state of the interface and presence of a battery at the battery port. In response to the interface being in a given state in an absence of a battery coupled to the battery port, the control circuit causes the battery port to enter or remain in a disabled state. The battery port substantially maintains the disabled state over reset, loss of power and reconfiguration of the network terminal. If the battery port detects the presence of a battery, it responds by entering an enabled state to monitor the status of the battery and provide battery status indicators.

Abstract: There is demand in the marketplace for smaller optical network devices, such as Optical Network Terminals (ONTs). As a result of decreasing the ONT's size, the size of the backup power source, such as the batteries that power the ONT during periods of back-up power usage, may also have to be reduced. To extend energy usage of the backup power source, methods and corresponding apparatus for providing backup power for a network device are provided. An example method includes entering a first state of backup power in an event of a loss of primary power to an ONT, monitoring a state of a backup power activation signal enabled to be activated in the event of the loss of primary power to the ONT, and causing the ONT to enter a second state of backup power in response to the backup power activation signal being in an active state.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and apparatus verifies integrity of a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) virtual connection at an analog terminal adapter (ATA) at an edge of an Internet Protocol (IP) network. A VoIP transaction is initiated toward a cooperating test unit across the IP network, establishing a VoIP virtual circuit. The test unit responds by transmitting a digital representation of or information representing a test tone across the IP network to the ATA. By evaluating the test tone at the ATA, integrity of a bearer channel of the virtual circuit can be verified directly, and integrity of a signaling channel of the virtual circuit can be verified indirectly.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for managing and calculating interest on time deposits, loans, and other interest bearing financial instruments, data is stored in several distinct memories. A series of financial transactions is stored in a transaction memory having date and principal amount attributes. Data representing the performance of an investment or loan is stored in an interest factor memory having date, interest factor, and aggregate factor attributes. A displayable interest data memory is populated with interest data synthesized by associating the transaction memory to the interest factor memory by matching corresponding date attributes, then computing the product of the transaction principal amount attribute in the transaction memory and the aggregate factor attribute in the interest factor memory.

Abstract: A non-saturating inductor is connected in series with the filament of an incandescent lamp and the increase in resistance of the filament with respect to the increase in temperature is utilized to dynamically modulate the power factor of the circuit during a warm-up interval immediately following lamp turn-on.