Abstract: A method and system for providing a call completion service for a call between a caller and a destination over a network. Outgoing and Incoming call profiles, identifying enabled call completion services, are associated with callers and destinations, and are retrieved from a database based on the particular caller and destination. The caller and destination profiles are compared to select the appropriate call completion service for the call. In the absence of retrieving an outgoing call profile and an incoming call profile, a default profile can be generated and associated with the respective party to enable determination of the call completion service. The determination is made, at least in part, on the basis of a common call completion service identified as being enabled in both the OCP and the ICP. Additionally, a hierarchy of call completion services can be further considered in the determination of the call completion service.

Abstract: A method and system for hierarchical prioritization and execution of call completion services are provided. When a caller applies for a call completion service, the caller is identified and assigned a priority from among different priorities such as high priority or regular priority. Thereafter, attempts to execute call completion services are performed hierarchically by launching call completion services for callers having a higher priority before similar attempts are performed for callers of a lower priority. Hence, call completion services are handled according to the priority assigned to the callers rather than the order in which each caller applied for a call completion service.

Abstract: A method for connecting a caller to a called destination when the destination is initially unreachable comprises the steps of receiving in a communication network a call origination from the caller to the unreachable destination, determining if the caller and destination are not busy and also are available to receive a call, and, when both are available and not busy, notifying the caller that the destination is available and subsequently making the connection. The system is particularly adapted for use with cellular networks wherein destination numbers are frequently unavailable because they are off, out of range, or due to insufficient network resources. The system does not rely upon cellular registration to determine if a destination is available but instead attempts to access the destination direction directly to ensure that the call can actually be completed before the caller is notified.

Abstract: Uploading data to a call connection service by providing data records associated with a call destination in a user-selected manner. Navigation instructions are obtained concerning a particular data record in response to the data navigation instructions. An indication is received to upload the call destination associated with the particular record to the call connection service. In response to the indication, a routine is executed to acquire a portion of the data record and upload the portion to the call connection service in a format suitable for handling. Alternatively, data can be provided to the call completion service in an automated manner, including in response to an unconnectability condition detected during the call process, either during call initiation or after the call has been connected, and when calls are received at a secondary user device.

Abstract: Connecting a caller with a plurality of destinations using a destination list received from a caller or a designated user. Attempts are made to connect the caller with each of the destinations in the stored destination list, with each attempt including a connectability query to determine whether either the caller or the destination is connectable. Thereafter, the other party is called and offered a connection attempt to the first party. If the second party accepts, a call is made to the first party. If the first party is indeed connectable and answers the call, a connection is established between the two parties. Once the destination list is stored, attempts to connect the caller with each destination can be separately initiated or paused. Furthermore, the stored destination list can be edited even after connection attempts have been initiated.

Abstract: A method and system for hierarchical prioritization and execution of call completion services are provided. When a caller applies for a call completion service, the caller is identified and assigned a priority from among different priorities such as high priority or regular priority. Thereafter, attempts to execute call completion services are performed hierarchically by launching call completion services for callers having a higher priority before similar attempts are performed for callers of a lower priority. Hence, call completion services are handled according to the priority assigned to the callers rather than the order in which each caller applied for a call completion service.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a call completion service for a call between a caller and a destination over a network. Outgoing and Incoming call profiles, identifying enabled call completion services, are associated with callers and destinations, and are retrieved from a database based on the particular caller and destination. The caller and destination profiles are compared to select the appropriate call completion service for the call. In the absence of retrieving an outgoing call profile and an incoming call profile, a default profile can be generated and associated with the respective party to enable determination of the call completion service. The determination is made, at least in part, on the basis of a common call completion service identified as being enabled in both the OCP and the ICP. Additionally, a hierarchy of call completion services can be further considered in the determination of the call completion service.

Abstract: A method for connecting a caller to a called destination when the destination is initially unreachable comprises the steps of receiving in a communication network a call origination from the caller to the unreachable destination, determining if the caller and destination are not busy and also are available to receive a call, and, when both are available and not busy, notifying the caller that the destination is available and subsequently making the connection. The system is particularly adapted for use with cellular networks wherein destination numbers are frequently unavailable because they are off, out of range, or due to insufficient network resources. The system does not rely upon cellular registration to determine if a destination is available but instead attempts to access the destination direction directly to ensure that the call can actually be completed before the caller is notified.

Abstract: A method for connecting a caller to a called destination when the destination is initially unreachable comprises the steps of receiving in a communication network a call origination from the caller to the unreachable destination, determining if the caller and destination are not busy and also are available to receive a call, and, when both are available and not busy, notifying the caller that the destination is available and subsequently making the connection. The system is particularly adapted for use with cellular networks wherein destination numbers are frequently unavailable because they are off, out of range, or due to insufficient network resources. The system does not rely upon cellular registration to determine if a destination is available but instead attempts to access the destination direction directly to ensure that the call can actually be completed before the caller is notified.

Abstract: A system for initiating conversations between callers to a telephone receives calls from various callers, receives selections of various topics of conversation from the callers, and then establishes communication links between pairs of callers in accordance with the selected topics. In a given conversation, at least a portion of the call is billed at a special rate or provided at no cost. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the call is billed at a second rate unless terminated by at least one of the parties. A partner history can be maintained and used by the system to ensure that previously partnered callers are not paired up again for at least a specified time span.

Abstract: Methods for placing and controlling an unavailable state of a destination telephone number. When in an unavailable state, callers attempting to contact a destination telephone number are provided with a prompt through to create a task that provides a notification when the connection between the calling telephone and the destination telephone is possible. Within this task, the unavailable state of the destination is tested, and if a predetermined criterion is satisfied, the notification is provided to the caller through the communication network. A connection can then be established if the caller approves. The unavailable state of a destination telephone number can be set by providing commands to a node in the communication network. The destination can be unavailable for all callers or only for specific callers. A programmed control system can be used to implement these methods.

Abstract: A disposable heating unit for use for heating the contents of a container, includes a first region containing a combination of at least two solid substances which undergo an exothermic chemical reaction which is not spontaneous at room temperature. Adjacent to the first region is a second region containing at least a first reagent. A storage cell is configured for releasing the liquid containing a second reagent into the second region. The first and second reagents undergo a spontaneous exothermic chemical reaction when brought into contact, thereby initiating the exothermic chemical reaction of the solid substances.

Abstract: A method for determining a total weight supported by the suspension system of a vehicle in motion starts by obtaining information sufficient to calculate a representative value of a spring constant for the suspension system of the vehicle. Measures are then obtained of the vertical acceleration of the center of mass of the vehicle over a period of time, and these are analyzed to identify a frequency of vertical oscillation of the vehicle. This frequency, together with the spring information, is used to determine an estimate of the total weight supported by the suspension system of the vehicle. Preferably, the measure of vertical acceleration is obtained by processing outputs of at least three motion sensors attached to the vehicle. In one embodiment, the motion sensors include one linear sensor deployed to measure vertical motion information for a part of the vehicle and two angular sensors deployed to measure pitch and roll information for the vehicle.

Abstract: A two-stage, shaped charge projectile having a rear principal charge and a front secondary smaller charge with an initiator-fuse assembly for sequentially igniting the secondary and principal charges so that the secondary charge is first ignited, followed by ignition of the principal charge after a predetermined time delay. The secondary charge is maintained at a set distance in front of the principal charge which is shielded from rearwardly expanding combustion gases and rearwardly flying debris when the secondary charge is ignited, with these gases and debris being diverted away from the principal charge after the secondary charge has been detonated.

Abstract: A shaped charge bomb whose liner is partially coated with a metal whose dity is greater than that of the liner which coating extends from an inner end on a circumferential line of the liner that results from the intersection of the inner side of the liner with a notional cylinder coaxial with the liner and having a radius not exceeding R/4 where R is the inner radius of the liner, the thickness of the heavy metal coating at each point meeting the equation ##EQU1## where T.sub.c is the coating thickness at a given circumferential line x, T.sub.1 is the liner thickness, .rho..sub.c is the coating density, .rho..sub.1 is the liner density and .beta. is the collapse angle at the circumferential line x.