Abstract: A method of correlating outgoing electronic communications with received electronic messages includes: sending an electronic message associated with a second party to a first party; subsequently receiving an outgoing electronic communication from the first party by the second party; automatically determining whether the outgoing electronic communication resulted from the electronic message, based on electronically stored information about the sending of the electronic message and about the subsequently received outgoing electronic communication; and if it is determined that the outgoing electronic communication resulted from the electronic message, flagging the outgoing electronic communication to have a different status from outgoing electronic communications not determined to have resulted from an electronic message.

Abstract: A method of correlating outgoing electronic communications with received electronic messages includes: sending an electronic message associated with a second party to a first party; subsequently receiving an outgoing electronic communication from the first party by the second party; automatically determining whether the outgoing electronic communication resulted from the electronic message, based on electronically stored information about the sending of the electronic message and about the subsequently received outgoing electronic communication; and if it is determined that the outgoing electronic communication resulted from the electronic message, flagging the outgoing electronic communication to have a different status from outgoing electronic communications not determined to have resulted from an electronic message.

Abstract: A method of correlating voice calls with received electronic messages includes sending an electronic message associated with a second party to a first party; subsequently receiving a voice call from the first party by the second party; automatically determining whether the voice call resulted from the electronic message, based on electronically stored information about the sending of the electronic message and about the subsequently received voice call; and if it is determined that the voice call resulted from the electronic message, flagging the voice call to have a different status from voice calls not determined to have resulted from an electronic message.

Abstract: A method of correlating voice calls with received electronic messages includes sending an electronic message associated with a second party to a first party; subsequently receiving a voice call from the first party by the second party; automatically determining whether the voice call resulted from the electronic message, based on electronically stored information about the sending of the electronic message and about the subsequently received voice call; and if it is determined that the voice call resulted from the electronic message, flagging the voice call to have a different status from voice calls not determined to have resulted from an electronic message.

Abstract: A method of correlating voice calls with received electronic messages includes sending an electronic message associated with a second party to a first party; subsequently receiving a voice call from the first party by the second party; automatically determining whether the voice call resulted from the electronic message, based on electronically stored information about the sending of the electronic message and about the subsequently received voice call; and if it is determined that the voice call resulted from the electronic message, flagging the voice call to have a different status from voice calls not determined to have resulted from an electronic message.

Abstract: A method of correlating voice calls with received electronic messages includes sending an electronic message associated with a second party to a first party; subsequently receiving a voice call from the first party by the second party; automatically determining whether the voice call resulted from the electronic message, based on electronically stored information about the sending of the electronic message and about the subsequently received voice call; and if it is determined that the voice call resulted from the electronic message, flagging the voice call to have a different status from voice calls not determined to have resulted from an electronic message.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention described in the specification and drawings is a distributed and highly available data storage system. In one embodiment, the distributed data storage system includes a plurality of data storage units that are controlled by an object management system. The object management system preferentially selects the distributed data storage units for performing the file access requests according to the external inputs/outputs with which the file access requests are associated. In response to a file creation request that is associated with an external input of one distributed data storage unit, the object management system preferentially creates a data file in that distributed data storage unit. In response to a file retrieval request that is associated with a data file and an external output of a distributed data storage unit, the object management system preferentially returns a hostname and pathname of a copy of the data file that is stored within that distributed data storage unit.

Abstract: A system and method for locating the subscriber of a telephony product in which a best guess location is assigned to each subscriber of the telephony product. Under certain predetermined conditions, the telephony product directs incoming phone calls to a subscriber by first attempting to locate the subscriber at the best guess location. If the best guess location does not successfully answer or is not attempted first, an alternate search method is used.

Abstract: To form communication connections in a set of nodes, the set of nodes is arranged so that at least a subset of the nodes form a ring. Each node in the subset of nodes is coupled to first and second neighboring nodes in the subset by a set of inter-node communication connections. An external communication is received at one of the nodes. The external communication requests access to a communication resource of a specified type. The receiving node determines whether it has an available communication resource of the specified type. If not, the following additional steps are performed. A resource request message is sent to the first and second neighboring nodes of the receiving node to request allocation of a communication resource of the specified type. Each of the first and second neighboring nodes determines whether that node has an available communication resource of the specified type.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention described in the specification and drawings is a distributed and highly available data storage system. In one embodiment, the distributed data storage system includes a plurality of data storage units that are controlled by an object management system. The object management system preferentially selects the distributed data storage units for performing the file access requests according to the external inputs/outputs with which the file access requests are associated. In response to a file creation request that is associated with an external input of one distributed data storage unit, the object management system preferentially creates a data file in that distributed data storage unit. In response to a file retrieval request that is associated with a data file and an external output of a distributed data storage unit, the object management system preferentially returns a hostname and pathname of a copy of the data file that is stored within that distributed data storage unit.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a call management service subscriber with options for handling incoming calls, without using voice channel resources, is disclosed. When an incoming call is received by the call management system, caller information and menu options are provided to the subscriber in text form on a display, using a data channel, rather than in spoken form over a voice channel. This conserves air time and network resources while providing the subscriber with call handling options in a convenient and user-friendly form.

Abstract: A call screening method allows a subscriber to screen calls made to the subscriber from callers using the PSTN while the subscriber uses another communications medium. An enhanced services platform (ESP) receives a first call from a caller using a particular public telephone number for the particular subscriber. The ESP identifies the particular public telephone number for the particular subscriber. The ESP accesses a database storing a public telephone number and a private packet-based address for subscribers to retrieve a private packet-based address of the particular subscriber on the basis of the particular public telephone number. An introductory message is provided to the caller and prompts the caller to leave a message. The ESP accesses the particular subscriber based on the particular subscriber private packet-based address to establish an audio connection via the communication medium. The subscriber is notified of the first call.

Abstract: In a system for registering E-mail addresses for subscribers of the system, a telephone call manager, upon request, provides a subscriber with a unique identifier and stores a copy of the unique identifier. An E-mail manager receives and processes an E-mail message sent to a first E-mail address, the received E-mail message including a request to register a second E-mail address, the received E-mail message including the unique identifier. The E-mail manager, upon receipt of the E-mail message, compares the unique identifier with the copy of the unique identifier stored by the telephone call manager, and registers the second E-mail address only if the unique identifier and the copy of the unique identifier correspond. In a second embodiment, an E-mail message requesting registration of the second E-mail address is first sent to the E-mail manager.

Abstract: An enhanced telephone service system including a subscriber service manager and a customization module. The subscriber service manager is configured to receive subscriber transaction-ID requests, supply transaction identifiers and respond to queries for subscriber profile data. The customization module is configured to receive customization messages. When a customization message includes a transaction identifier, the customization module compares the transaction identifier in the customization message with the transaction identifiers generated by the subscriber service manager. Only if there is a match between the transaction identifiers does the customization module register the customization data. Alternatively, if the customization message does not contain a transaction identifier but does contain a subscriber identifier, the customization module temporarily stores the customization data.

Abstract: A camera support includes a pole formed of a first tubular member and two tubular end members telescopingly mounted in the first member and releasably extendable outward therefrom for supporting the pole between two opposed surfaces, such as a ceiling and a floor. An arm supports a camera at one end and is slidingly and rotatingly mounted to the first tubular member at another end for variable positioning of the camera with respect to the pole. The arm may alternately be configured with telescopingly engaged legs for adjusting the length of the arm with respect to the pole. A base with outwardly extending, pivotal legs may alternately be attached to the pole for supporting the pole in an upright position. A pair of carriers are attachable to the pole to mount the alternate base to the pole for transport with the camera support.

Abstract: In the disclosed coded telephone ringing signal method and circuitry, audibly distinguishable ringing codes are generated by alternately shifting between at least a pair of single frequency tones at different modulation rates. Other distinguishable ringing codes are generated by changing both the modulation rates and tone frequencies utilized.

Abstract: A protective shield device for mounting on an X-ray machine in the path of an X-ray beam characterized as including a first shield plate having a control aperture bounded by material opaque to X-rays, which is adapted to be disposed in alignment with the X-ray beam for limiting the size and configuration of such beam to that of the control aperture; and a second shield plate having first and second apertures, which are bounded by material opaque to X-rays and adapted to be selectively/alternately positioned in alignment with the control aperture upon relative movements of the first and second shield plates in order to selectively provide for three X-ray beam configurations varying in size and/or configuration one from another.