Abstract: A robust and low-cost design to add graphics panels to a sun tracking, solar panel mounting system that can be mounted on a wide range of light poles and power poles. This design uses the promotional value of the applied graphics to further improve the economics of the solar installation resource to help speed the adoption of this distributed power generation resource.

Abstract: A dialed number of a called party is received from a calling party. Based on the dialed number, a name of the called party is retrieved from a database. An audio message which includes the name of the called party is generated and communicated to the calling party. A call is routed between the calling party and the called party after said communicating the audio message.

Abstract: A network-based announcement and message delivery service for providing a landline customer with information of interest such as weather, financial market data, time/temperature, sporting event results, etc. In a first embodiment, information is provided to a subscriber who simply lifts the handset of the telephone. The subscriber instead of hearing a dial tone hears the information in the form of streaming audio. In another embodiment, information is provided to the subscriber by way of information displayed on a caller-ID display and/or by way of talking caller-ID.

Abstract: A system and method for providing information about a calling party to a called party is disclosed. Generally, a network element obtains information about a calling party when a telephone line of a called party is busy. The network element notifies the called party that the calling party is attempting to contact the called party and transmits an audible version of the information about the calling party to the called party without receiving an input from the called party.

Abstract: A method of accessing a dial-up service is disclosed. An example method of providing access to a service includes receiving a first speech signal from a user to form a first utterance; recognizing the first utterance using speaker independent speaker recognition; requesting the user to enter a personal identification number; and when the personal identification number is valid, receiving a second speech signal to form a second utterance and providing access to the service.

Abstract: A method of accessing a dial-up service is disclosed. An example method of providing access to a service includes receiving a first speech signal from a user to form a first utterance; recognizing the first utterance using speaker independent speaker recognition; requesting the user to enter a personal identification number; and when the personal identification number is valid, receiving a second speech signal to form a second utterance and providing access to the service.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and navigating linear hypermedia resource programs are disclosed. The system includes a distributed hypermedia resource network having a plurality of hypermedia resources residing on one or more remote information nodes. A common remote information node is in communication with a subscriber station and the remote information nodes in the distributed network. The common remote information node contains at least one linear hypermedia resource program consisting of pre-selected media elements from one or more hypermedia resources linked with exclusive linear links, each media element in the linear program having only one forward link to the next media element. The method includes the steps of downloading and displaying a media element in the linear program and responding to user commands to download and display the next media element in the linear program.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a container includes an enclosure (11) having an opening for receiving a container (14). The apparatus may include a shuttle assembly (15), a wash station (20), a fill station (21), and a seal station (16) contained within the enclosure (11). The shuttle assembly (15) may include a frame structure (23) and a shuttle (22). The shuttle (22) may advance along a path of travel and facilitate the washing, filling, and sealing of the container (14). The apparatus may be employed in a method for consecutively washing, filling, and sealing at least one container in an enclosed housing. The method includes the steps of providing at least one container, washing the container, filling the container, and sealing the container. The method may be conducted along a path of travel.

Abstract: Upon receiving a service code from a calling party, a list of parties previously called by the calling party is retrieved. An audio message is generated based on the list, and communicated to the calling party. A dialed input indicating a selected party from the list is received from the calling party. Based on the dialed input, a call between the calling party and the selected party is initiated.

Abstract: A home gateway system for home automation and security is described. An example home gateway system includes a wireless local loop transceiver to establish a wireless local loop point to point link to a geographically separated base station coupled to a public switched telephone network; a home automation controller to communicate with the wireless local loop transceiver; a home security controller, integrated with the home automation controller, to communicate with the wireless local loop transceiver; and a security signal to be monitored by the home security controller, wherein a status of the security signal causes the home gateway system to send a message over the wireless local loop.

Abstract: A fall arrest safety net assembly has the form of a bag constructed of wire mesh, with a closed end and an opposing open mouth about which a plurality of eyes are spaced. An elongate line has opposing first and second ends, first and second line portions of the line being disposed adjacent the first and second ends respectively, an intermediate portion of the line located between the first and second line portions. A choker fitting has two faces between which a plurality of openings extend, and an end fixture on the choker fitting. The first portion of the line is connected in a ring by the choker fitting, the first end being fixed to the end fixture, the first portion extending through the eyes for drawing the mouth closed, and the intermediate portion extending through the openings in the choker fitting.

Abstract: In a hook fastener having a sliding closure for closing the mouth of the hook, a keeper prevents opening of the closure. The hook fastener includes a body having a base portion and a hook portion extending from an end of the base portion to define a gap between the hook and the base portion. An opening formed in the base portion has an elongate mouth intersecting an external face on the base portion. The closure includes a shaft part and a grip part, the shaft part received in the opening, the grip part protruding from the shaft part through the mouth for manipulation by a user. A spring urges the closure such that the shaft part extends out of the opening into the gap. The keeper is received to rotate upon the external face, being located between the grip part and abutment on the body. A slot in the keeper extends parallel to the mouth, the keeper preventing the user retracting the closure from the gap, except when the slot is rotated so as to be angularly aligned with the mouth.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and navigating linear hypermedia resource programs are disclosed. The system includes a distributed hypermedia resource network having a plurality of hypermedia resources residing on one or more remote information nodes. A common remote information node is in communication with a subscriber station and the remote information nodes in the distributed network. The common remote information node contains at least one linear hypermedia resource program consisting of pre-selected media elements from one or more hypermedia resources linked with exclusive linear links, each media element in the linear program having only one forward link to the next media element. The method includes the steps of downloading and displaying a media element in the linear program and responding to user commands to download and display the next media element in the linear program.

Abstract: This invention presents a unique design for a mechanism to be used in conveyors systems to selectively divert or re-direct packages off of the main conveyor and onto a secondary conveyor. This design utilizes a set of discs mounted eccentrically on an axis underneath and perpendicular to the conveying rollers. The discs are positioned edgewise and spaced between the conveying rollers. The rotation of the discs is triggered by the control system to coincide with the presence of the package selected to divert when it is on the conveying surface. The discs are mounted eccentrically in their common axis so when the array of discs is rotated the eccentricity of their rotation makes the edge of the discs extend above the conveying surface to lift the package and change its direction of motion with the tangential speed and direction of the rotating disc(s). A secondary conveyor is positioned next to the main conveyor to receive the package diverted off of the main conveyor.

Abstract: A telecommunications system distributes text-to-speech synthesis between a telephone network and a telephone subscriber unit. The telephone network receives a telephone call from a first telephone subscriber unit over a first communication channel intended for a second telephone subscriber unit, determines that the second telephone subscriber unit subscribes to a speech-based caller identification service provided by the telephone network, converts text information, representing the caller identification of the first telephone subscriber unit into symbols, encodes the symbols to form a data stream, opens a second communication channel between the telephone network and the second telephone subscriber unit, and sends the data stream to the second telephone subscriber unit over the second communication channel.

Abstract: The invention uses the advanced intelligent network to provide caller identification for calls placed over the internet (24). A long distance call placed with an internet carrier results in the originating SSP (14) forwarding the call to an originating POP (22) for the internet carrier. The caller ID information is routed through the signaling system 7 network (16) to the SSP (32) in the terminating network. The call is routed to a terminating POP (26) and then to the SSP (32) in the terminating network. The SSP (32) inserts the caller ID information received through the SS7 network (16) and routes the call to the terminating line (30).

Abstract: A speaker verification method consist of the following steps: (1) generating a code book (42) covering a number of speakers having a number of training utterances for each of the speakers; (2) receiving a number of test utterances (44) from a speaker; (3) comparing (46) each of the test utterances to each of the training utterances for the speaker to form a number of decisions, one decision for each of the number of test utterances; (4) weighting each of the decisions (48) to form a number of weighted decisions; and (5) combining (50) the plurality of weighted decisions to form a verification decision (52).

Abstract: A home gateway system (20) includes a transceiver (50) connected to a switch (52). A processor (54) is connected to the switch (52) and provides intelligent functions for the switch (52). A router (56) is connected to the switch (52). The router (56) upon receiving a data packet from an internal port where the data packet has an external address, routes the data packet through the switch (52) to the processor (54). The processor (54) directs the transceiver (50) to establish a telephony connection with an internet service provider (34) and sends the data packet to the internet service provider (34).

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a container includes an enclosure (11) having an opening for receiving a container (14). The apparatus may include a shuttle assembly (15), a wash station (20), a fill station (21), and a seal station (16) contained within the enclosure (11). The shuttle assembly (15) may include a frame structure (23) and a shuttle (22). The shuttle (22) may advance along a path of travel and facilitate the washing, filling, and sealing of the container (14). The apparatus may be employed in a method for consecutively washing, filling, and sealing at least one container in an enclosed housing. The method includes the steps of providing at least one container, washing the container, filling the container, and sealing the container. The method may be conducted along a path of travel.

Abstract: A data structure, which identifies a party of a telecommunication network and a telecommunication feature unavailable to the party, is stored in a database. After storing the data structure, availability data is inputted. The availability data indicates an availability of the telecommunication feature to a portion of the telecommunication network which serves the party. The data structure and the availability data are processed to determine that the telecommunication feature has become available to the party.