Abstract: A grounding clip is a shelf-grounding device includes a resilient conductive clip that installs onto a fully assembled shelving unit, providing a plurality of electrical connections between the shelf and post to reduce the risks from electrostatic discharge, or ESD. The clip can be installed and removed without the use of tools and is held securely in place when attached. Since the clip is attached after the shelving unit is assembled, less skill is required by the installer during the installation or reconfiguration process. The clip is reusable and provides electrical connectivity between the shelf and post regardless of whether the shelving unit was assembled with conductive or plastic split sleeves.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention there is provided a method of authorizing an individual comprising the steps of: receiving authorization data from the individual; determining based on previously stored data, at least a processor for performing an authorization process; using the at least a processor and the authorization data, performing the authorization process to one of authorize an individual and fail to authorize the individual; and wherein stored data results in different determined processors for different authorization operations and wherein at least some of the authorization operations are determined for performance by a same server processor.

Abstract: A biometric sensing device includes sensing arrays for sensing a biological surface swiped across the sensing arrays in an arbitrary direction. This device allows for simultaneously sensing different features of a biological surface where the features have the smallest distinguishable features of different size. Using the technique of interleaving partial images, the resolution of the biometric sensing device is increased. Therefore, a small and robust biometric sensing device is provided, which allows for sensing high resolution images.

Abstract: A system and method for processing telephone technical support is disclosed. The method and system monitor an authentication record comprising previous authentication attempts at a service provider, identify a user having at least one failed login attempt based upon the authentication record, monitor incoming telephone calls for a call from the user, and provide a response to the user related to an alternate login mechanism.

Abstract: An interactive voice response system (IVR) (100) has a communications interface (110), a memory (104), and a controller (102). The controller is programmed to monitor (202) a frequency of call activity for each caller, establish (208) a redirection criterion, and redirect (210) a caller to special services when the frequency of call activity of said caller satisfies the redirection criterion.

Abstract: The present invention is an system and method for comprehensively testing a customer connection to a communications network. A customer is identified from information obtained at a customer interface. A test can be performed on the customer connection. A typical test compares two datasets related to the customer connection to determine a state of the customer connection. The first and second dataset can include historical data. A parameter in the first dataset obtained from a network element can be compared to a parameter in a second dataset obtained from a customer database. The comparison can be made in light of changes recorded in a provisioning database. Relevant network data can be obtained from customer premises equipment (CPE). The customer can be notified of a network issue proactively or upon customer inquiry.

Abstract: A controller (104) for managing operations of a communication network has a communication element (202) for monitoring data traffic of an IP address in the communication network and for controlling operations of the communication network, a memory for storage (204), and a processor (206) for controlling operations of the communication element, and the memory. The processor is programmed to select 302) an IP (Internet Protocol) address to analyze, monitor (304) for the effects of malicious software originating from the IP address utilized by one or more customers, detect (306) a suspected malicious event, and restrict (312) Internet access to one or more customers suspected of interrupting service of the communication network.

Abstract: An interactive voice response system (IVR) (100) has a communications interface (110), a memory (104), and a controller (102). The controller is programmed to monitor (202) call volume by corresponding product, and correlate (206) extrinsic product advertisements to call volume.

Abstract: A network management system (100) has a communications interface (110), a memory (104), and a controller (102). The controller is programmed to retrieve (202) a plurality of call detail records (CDRs), reconstruct (208) call paths from attributes in the plurality of CDRs, and generate (210) extended CDRs from reconstructed call paths.

Abstract: A configurable interactive voice response messaging control and monitoring system (10) includes a user interface (16) enabling a dynamic selection of groups based on one or more among area codes, interactive voice response system locations, or call types, a database (18) containing a status of override messages accessible by the user interface, and an interactive voice response system (14) coupled to the database for playing override messages as dynamically controlled by criteria set in the database. The system can further include a network operating center (NOC) (26) coupled to the database for monitoring the status of override messages. The NOC can also be coupled to an enterprise telecom system (28) enabling monitoring of the status of override messages by one or more call centers (31, 32, 33) coupled to the enterprise telecom system. Note, override messages can also be controlled by responses to API triggers where an outage condition exists.

Abstract: The present invention provides a real-time system and method for monitoring an IVR system. An embedded IVR application monitors the IVR and sends a message in real time to an IVR client each time an IVR activity occurs. An IVR activity can be a receipt of a call or an input selection from a user, an IVR disconnect or another IVR action. The IVR application communicates in real time with the external client by sending and receiving messages in real time between the client and the IVR. The client also communicates with external systems that monitor IVR activity and apply business rules to the IVR activity. The business rules are applied to review the IVR activity to determine appropriate IVR responses and calculate network parameters such as a real time churn rate.

Abstract: An automated IVR apparatus for notifying entities of costumer-specific information. An automated IVR application that enables subscribers to check the status of their DSL line and to report problems in real time. A “Service Restoration Callback” application enables a service provider to automatically contact a customer via telephone when service is restored after an outage. The customer can configure parameters concerning the received callback. An outage detection module checks all available systems for the status of a customer's service on a real-time, customer-by-customer, call-for-call basis.

Abstract: A biometric sensing device includes sensing arrays for sensing a biological surface swiped across the sensing arrays in an arbitrary direction. This device allows for simultaneously sensing different features of a biological surface where the features have the smallest distinguishable features of different size. Using the technique of interleaving partial images, the resolution of the biometric sensing device is increased. Therefore, a small and robust biometric sensing device is provided, which allows for sensing high resolution images.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a communication network for actual and potential network problems is provided. The system includes a communication tracking module to track network communications between at least one network-user device and a network service provider device during a predefined time interval. The network communications are based upon a user-supplied indication of a network problem. The system also includes a report generating module to generate a report based upon the network communications tracked, and a threshold determination module to determine whether the number of network communications exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A grounding clip is a shelf-grounding device comprising a resilient conductive clip that installs onto a fully assembled shelving unit, providing a plurality of electrical connections between the shelf and post to reduce the risks from electrostatic discharge, or ESD. The clip can be installed and removed without the use of tools and is held securely in place when attached. Since the clip is attached after the shelving unit is assembled, less skill is required by the installer during the installation or reconfiguration process. The clip is reusable and provides electrical connectivity between the shelf and post regardless of whether the shelving unit was assembled with conductive or plastic split sleeves.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the level of anxiety and/or truthfulness of a person may include measuring the skin temperature of the person at at least three regions of the skin of the person, requesting the person to supply information, measuring the skin temperature at the at least three regions while the person supplies the information, and measuring the skin temperature at the at least three regions after the person supplies the information. The level of anxiety and/or truthfulness of the person may be determined based at least partially on a combination of the difference between the measured skin temperature of the person before the information is supplied and the measured skin temperature of the person while the information is supplied, and the difference between the measured skin temperature of the person while the information is supplied and the measured skin temperature of the person after the information is supplied.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention there is provided a method of authorizing an individual comprising the steps of: receiving authorization data from the individual; determining based on previously stored data, at least a processor for performing an authorization process; using the at least a processor and the authorization data, performing the authorization process to one of authorize an individual and fail to authorize the individual; and wherein stored data results in different determined processors for different authorization operations and wherein at least some of the authorization operations are determined for performance by a same server processor.

Abstract: A hand truck like frame has a pair of wheels, each of which is coated with an electrically conductive material so that in a selected operating mode the wheels define electrodes. A separate pair of electrodes is mounted to the frame and the electrodes and the wheels are electrically connected through switching circuits to an ohmmeter. The ESD potential between the electrodes and/or the wheels may be measured in several selected modes for point to point, point to ground and point to bench top measurements.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the level of anxiety and/or truthfulness of a person may include measuring the skin temperature of the person at at least three regions of the skin of the person, requesting the person to supply information, measuring the skin temperature at the at least three regions while the person supplies the information, and measuring the skin temperature at the at least three regions after the person supplies the information. The level of anxiety and/or truthfulness of the person may be determined based at least partially on a combination of the difference between the measured skin temperature of the person before the information is supplied and the measured skin temperature of the person while the information is supplied, and the difference between the measured skin temperature of the person while the information is supplied and the measured skin temperature of the person after the information is supplied.

Abstract: A hand truck like frame has a pair of wheels, each of which is coated with an electrically conductive material so that in a selected operating mode the wheels define electrodes. A separate pair of electrodes is mounted to the frame and the electrodes and the wheels are electrically connected through switching circuits to an ohmmeter. The ESD potential between the electrodes and/or the wheels may be measured in several selected modes for point to point, point to ground and point to bench top measurements.