Bob Miller currently heads the Communications Technology Research Department at AT&T Labs Research in Florham Park, N.J. His department develops new concepts and technologies for next-generation AT&T wired and wireless broadband packet access systems and services.
Projects Telehealth,
AT&T Research is working with standards boards, industry groups, and device-makers to design network architectures to seamlessly transmit data from medical sensors to those able to interpret the data.
Using Surface Wave Propagation To Communicate An Information-Bearing Signal Through A Barrier,
Tue Sep 18 12:53:40 EDT 2012
The RF signal generated by a ZigBee radio on the outside of a building structure is conveyed to the interior of the building by guiding it along an electric cable bundle that passes through the building's wall to supply domestic electric power to the interior of the structure. The RF signal is launched by a unique coupler comprising a pair of insulated foil conductors.
Using An Electric Power Cable As The Vehicle For Communicating An Information-Bearing Signal Through A Barrier,
Tue Aug 28 12:53:22 EDT 2012
The RF signal generated by a ZigBee radio on the outside of a building structure is conveyed to the interior of the building by guiding it as a surface wave along an electric cable bundle that passes through the building's wall to supply domestic electric power to the interior of the structure. The RF signal is launched by a unique coupler comprising a pair of insulated foil conductors.
Method And Apparatus For Eye-Scan Authentication Using A Liquid Lens,
Tue Jul 31 12:53:03 EDT 2012
A method and apparatus for providing eye-scan authentication using an adaptive liquid lens are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment, the method receives a request for eye-scan authentication from a mobile endpoint device of a user, wherein the request comprises a first retinal image of the user captured using an adaptive liquid lens of the mobile endpoint device. The method obtains a second retinal image of the user, wherein the second retinal image is a stored retinal image of the user. The method authenticates the first retinal image against the second retinal image. In another embodiment, the method captures a first retinal image of a user via a mobile endpoint device of the user, wherein the mobile endpoint device comprises an adaptive liquid lens. The method then sends a request for eye-scan authentication from the mobile endpoint device over a network, wherein the request comprises the first retinal image.
The RF signal generated by a ZigBee radio on the outside of a building structure is conveyed to the interior of the building by guiding it along an electric cable bundle that passes through the building's wall to supply domestic electric power to the interior of the structure. The RF signal is launched by a unique coupler comprising a pair of insulated foil conductors.
Architecture And Method For Using IEEE 802.11-Like Wireless LAN System To Emulate Private Land Mobile Radio System (PLMRS) Radio Service,
Tue May 15 12:52:03 EDT 2012
An architecture is described for providing IP push-to-talk (IPP2T) service using a wireless local area network (WLAN) serving a plurality of subscriber terminals (STs), having at least one broadband access network terminal (BANT), the BANT coupled to and interacting with at least one of a plurality of Access Points (APs) via a local area network (LAN), the plurality of APs in communication with the plurality of subscriber terminals; a multicast-enabled network, the multicast-enabled network coupled to and interacting with at least one BANT via a broadband access network; an IP network coupled to, and interacting with, the multicast-enabled network via an edge router; and a WLAN mobile radio service (WLMRS) controller (WLMRSC) coupled to and interacting with the IP network via a multicast-enabled router (MR).
Computer Readable Medium With Embedded Instructions For Providing Communication Services Between A Broadband Network And An Enterprise Wireless Communication Platform Within A Residential Or Business Environment,
Tue Apr 10 12:51:29 EDT 2012
The present invention sets forth computer-readable non-transitory medium having computer-executable instructions for providing network-centric service distribution method that integrates a wireless access system/service with conventional telecommunications services in the residence, SOHO, business or public environment through the use of a local broadband network, such as a Residential-Business Broadband Network (RBN). The RBN communicates with the service provider's broadband transport network and broadband packet network to facilitate end-to-end packet telecommunication services. Signals from a plurality of wireless devices are accepted and forwarded to an IEEE 802.11b interface for a wireless modem and/or to an Ethernet interface for a Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP)/Ethernet Processor, where the forwarded signals comprise intranet telephony and data.
Protocol Assisted Switched Diversity Of Antennas,
Tue Jan 03 12:49:54 EST 2012
Fading is countered in a WLAN or similar system to maintain QoS by a fusion of switched diversity and protocol based redundancy using time spaced transmission bursts to improve the performance of radio receivers. This redundancy may be enhanced by an overlay of space-time coding of the transmission bursts.
Method And Apparatus For Active Reduction Of Speakerphone Singing,
Tue Oct 25 16:06:20 EDT 2011
In a speakerphone device identification of signals (i.e., voice input or speaker output) in a process for reducing acoustic feedback, in a communication device, is accomplished by adding a signature noise (i.e., an identification mark) to output signals radiated by the speaker to enable these signals to be separated from speech input to the microphone. Having identified the signal (i.e., speech output) likely to cause a "singing" phenomenon, appropriate insertion loss to reduce the feedback may be added to the appropriate speech path within the communication device, to reduce a probability of singing.
Method And Apparatus For QOS Improvement With Packet Voice Transmission Over Wireless LANs,
Tue Sep 20 16:06:08 EDT 2011
A method for improving packetized speech transmitted over a wireless LAN is disclosed. Speech packets transmitted over the wireless LAN are monitored for errors. Any of the speech packets found to have errors are replaced with synthesized speech packets. The synthesized speech packets may be created from a vocal tract model generated from the received speech packets during periods of time when there are no errors.
Spectrum Management System For Municipal Spectrum Using Guided Cognitive Radio,
Tue Aug 16 16:06:00 EDT 2011
Described is a system and method for assigning a frequency to an access point in a wireless network comprising a plurality of access points. The system and method includes accessing a rule-base to obtain a set of rules for the wireless network, accessing a license database to obtain information about relevant wireless nodes in a region, creating a list of possible primary node frequencies from a list of frequencies associated with primary wireless nodes in the license database, creating a list of possible secondary node frequencies from a list of frequencies associated with secondary wireless nodes in the license database, identifying a list of clear frequencies from a set of unused frequencies, selecting a frequency from frequencies in the lists of possible primary node frequencies, possible secondary node frequencies, and clear frequencies and registering the frequency in the license database.
Method And Apparatus For Delivering IPP2T (IP-Push-To-Talk) Wireless LAN Mobile Radio Service,
Tue Jul 19 16:05:46 EDT 2011
A wireless subscriber terminal (ST) for use with IP push-to-talk (PP2T) service using a wireless local area network (WLAN) operating in a plurality of modes, including a mobile terminal having an ability to communicate over the air to a wireless Access Point (AP), the mobile terminal further programmable to use conventional WLAN protocols, and a method for operating the wireless terminal are described.
Methods And Systems For Provisioning Network Services,
Tue Jun 28 16:05:33 EDT 2011
Certain exemplary embodiments provide a method, comprising: automatically detecting at an agent an installation of a communications device to a local network coupled to the agent; automatically offering via the communications device a plurality of user-selectable service options relating to a service provider's network and relating to at least one capability of the communications device, the at least one capability detected by the agent; in response to a selection of at least one service option from the plurality of service options, providing via the agent a user connection address.
Architecture And Method For Using IEEE 802.11-Like Wireless LAN System To Emulate Private Land Mobile Radio System (PLMRS) Radio Service,
Tue May 24 16:05:17 EDT 2011
An architecture is described for providing IP push-to-talk (IPP2T) service using a wireless local area network (WLAN) serving a plurality of subscriber terminals (STs), having at least one broadband access network terminal (BANT), the BANT coupled to and interacting with at least one of a plurality of Access Points (APs) via a local area network (LAN), the plurality of APs in communication with the plurality of subscriber terminals; a multicast-enabled network, the multicast-enabled network coupled to and interacting with at least one BANT via a broadband access network; an IP network coupled to, and interacting with, the multicast-enabled network via an edge router; and a WLAN mobile radio service (WLMRS) controller (WLMRSC) coupled to and interacting with the IP network via a multicast-enabled router (MR).
Broadband Network With Enterprise Wireless Communication System For Residential And Business Environment,
Tue May 17 16:05:09 EDT 2011
The present invention sets forth a network-centric service distribution architecture that integrates a wireless access system in the residence, SOHO, business or public environment through the use of a local broadband network, such as a Residential-Business Broadband Network (RBN), to the service provider's broadband transport network and to a service provider's broadband packet network. The system includes Media Terminal Adapter is coupled via the RBN to the access port(s) and via the service provider's broadband transport network to the service provider's broadband packet network. The access port is coupled to the Media Terminal Adapter via either a RBN (e.g., a Local Area Network--LAN) or simply via a traditional POTS line interface. The access port receives and sends wireless signals to a plurality of RBN devices, allowing the user to control theses devices remotely from the residence, business, SOHO or public environments. The integration of an RBN to a service provider's broadband packet network allows a subscriber to communicate at home and at the office with one communication device anytime anywhere.
Method For Encoding Frame Data,
Tue May 10 16:05:05 EDT 2011
In applications where data is transmitted in frames of symbols and the transmission medium is such that the probability of correct reception of symbols is, on the average, not uniform for different symbols in a frame, transmission of test frames enables creation of information about the different probabilities of correct reception, and that information is employed by the transmitter to control the manner in which symbols are transmitted so as to ameliorate the effects of the different probabilities of correct reception.
Architecture And Method For Using IEEE 802.11-Like Wireless LAN System To Emulate Private Land
Mobile Radio System (PLMRS) Radio Service,
Tue Apr 26 16:05:02 EDT 2011
An architecture is described for providing IP push-to-talk (IPP2T) service using a wireless local area network (WLAN) serving a plurality of subscriber terminals (STs), having at least one broadband access network terminal (BANT), the BANT coupled to and interacting with at least one of a plurality of Access Points (APs) via a local area network (LAN), the plurality of APs in communication with the plurality of subscriber terminals; a multicast-enabled network, the multicast-enabled network coupled to and interacting with at least one BANT via a broadband access network; an IP network coupled to, and interacting with, the multicast-enabled network via an edge router; and a WLAN mobile radio service (WLMRS) controller (WLMRSC) coupled to and interacting with the IP network via a multicast-enabled router (MR).
Automatic Wireless Service Activation In A Private Local Wireless System,
Tue Jan 11 16:04:19 EST 2011
A secondary Ethernet-like wireless communication system overlapped by a dominant Ethernet-like wireless communication system, and including radio access and communication for activation, association, and authentication of a wireless device in the secondary Ethernet-like wireless communication system. An automated private service activation (APSA) port is used for accepting access and communication requests of a wireless device seeking activation, association and authentication in the secondary Ethernet-like wireless communication system. The APSA port provides an access and communication channel for radiating signals at a level exceeding a signal level of the access and communication channel only within limited spatial constraints. In addition the APSA port provides space for receiving the wireless device for activation and communication in the secondary Ethernet-like wireless communication system.
Method And Apparatus For GPS Coordinates Extrapolation When GPS Signals Are Not Available,
Tue Dec 21 15:05:22 EST 2010
Systems and methods for extrapolating GPS coordinates beyond line of sight are disclosed. A coordinate extrapolation system (CES) can include a memory, a processor, and a GPS receiver. The CES can receive GPS signals and determine GPS coordinates corresponding to a location. If GPS signals are unavailable, the CES models the surface of the earth and extrapolates the GPS coordinates corresponding to the location at which GPS signals are unavailable. Methods for extrapolating the GPS coordinates and calibrating the CES are also disclosed.
Secure Open-Air Communication System Utilizing Multi-Channel Decoyed Transmission,
Tue Dec 07 15:05:13 EST 2010
A secure, open-air communication system utilizes a plurality of "decoy" data signals to hide one or more true data signals. The true data signal(s) are channel hopped with the plurality of decoy data signals to form a multi-channel "scrambled" output signal that is thereafter transmitted in an open-air communication system. The greater the number of decoy signals, the greater the security provided to the open-air system. Further security may be provided by encrypting both the true and decoy signals prior to scrambling and/or by utilizing a spatially diverse set of transmitters and receivers. Without the knowledge of the channel assignment(s) for the true signal(s), an eavesdropper may be able to intercept (and, with time, perhaps descramble) the open-air transmitted signals, will not be able to distinguish the true data from the decoys without also knowing the channel assignment(s).
Integrated Services Director (ISD) Overall Architecture,
Tue Oct 05 15:04:52 EDT 2010
A video enable answering machine having many new features including customized video announcement messages, caller ID based video announcement messages, and time based video announcement messages.
System For Accessing End-To-End Broadband Network Via Network Access Server Platform,
Tue Sep 14 15:04:38 EDT 2010
A method is described for providing personalized network access and services in a distributed end-to-end broadband transport network having a telecommunication device used by a user having a unique personal identifier, a premises-based broadband access agent (BAA), the BAA connected to and in communication with the telecommunication device, a switch specific to an underlying transport medium, the switch connected to and in communication with the distributed end-to-end broadband transport network, a network access server platform (NASP), the NASP connected to and in communication with the BAA and the switch, the NASP provides personalized network access and services on demand and a call connection agent (CCA) to complete a call placed by the user to a terminating user.
System For Accessing End-To-End Broadband Network Via Network Access Server Platform,
Tue Sep 07 15:04:35 EDT 2010
A system is described for providing personalized network access and services in a distributed end-to-end broadband transport network having a telecommunication device used by a user having a unique personal identifier, a premises-based broadband access agent (BAA), the BAA connected to and in communication with the telecommunication device, a switch specific to an underlying transport medium, the switch connected to and in communication with the distributed end-to-end broadband transport network, a network access server platform (NASP), the NASP connected to and in communication with the BAA and the switch, the NASP provides personalized network access and services on demand and a call connection agent (CCA) to complete a call placed by the user to a terminating user.
Method And Apparatus For A Radio Frequency Identification Repeater,
Tue Jun 22 15:04:04 EDT 2010
The present method enables an RFID repeater to be used in conjunction with an RFID tag to allow data in the RFID tag to be read using wireless packet switched technologies. For example, the present method enables an RFID repeater to be coupled with an RFID tag. The RFID repeater reads and records the data from the RFID tag and then transmits the retrieved data from the RFID tag over a wireless packet network.
Method And Apparatus For Delivering IPP2T (IP-Push-To-Talk) Wireless LAN Mobile Radio Service,
Tue Jun 15 15:04:03 EDT 2010
A wireless subscriber terminal (ST) for use with IP push-to-talk (IPP2T) service using a wireless local area network (WLAN) operating in a plurality of modes, including a mobile terminal having an ability to communicate over the air to a wireless Access Point (AP), the mobile terminal further programmable to use conventional WLAN protocols, and a method for operating the wireless terminal are described.
Method Of Providing Enterprise Wireless Communication Method For Intergrated Residential And Business Services,
Tue May 18 15:03:52 EDT 2010
The present invention sets forth a network-centric service distribution method that integrates a wireless access system/service in the residence, SOHO, business or public environment through the use of a local broadband network, such as a Residential-Business Broadband Network (RBN), to the service provider's broadband transport network and to a service provider's broadband packet network that facilitates end-to-end packet telecommunication services. The method includes the step of connecting said service provider's broadband packet network to the RBN via said service provider's broadband transport network. Call and service termination functions to a plurality of local RBN devices are also provided in the method. Signals from a plurality of wireless devices are accepted and forwarded to an IEEE 802.11b interface for a wireless modem and/or to an Ethernet interface for a Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP)/Ethernet Processor, where the forwarded signals comprise intranet telephony and data.
Hybrid Fiber Twisted Pair Local Loop Network Service Architecture,
Tue Mar 02 15:03:37 EST 2010
A new architecture capable of utilizing the existing twisted pair interface between customer premises equipment and an associated serving local switching office is used to provide a vast array of new services to customers. Using an intelligent services director (ISD) at the customer services equipment as an interface for the equipment to an existing twisted cable pair and a facilities management platform (FMP) at the serving local switching office as an interface to various networks and service opportunities, new services such as simultaneous, multiple calls (voice analog or digital), facsimile, Internet traffic and other data can be transmitted and received over the twisted cable pair by using digital subscriber loop transmission schemes. The new services include but are not limited to videophone, utility meter reading and monitoring, broadcasting and multicasting. The architecture provides for fault-tolerant, transparent interaction of components and services and supports a variety of standards for each level of the open systems interconnection layers and layers of TCP/IP. The FMP connects electronically or optically to the public switched telephone network, Internet backbone, a private Intranet as well as other possible network connections.
Power Allocation Scheme For DMT-Based Modems Employing Simplex Transmission,
Tue Feb 09 15:03:29 EST 2010
The present invention provides a method, apparatus and computer readable medium for allocation of an available power to Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT) frequency tones in a DMT-based Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modem. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of: initializing the DMT-based DSL modem by calculating aggregate values of channel attenuation, noise power, and power mask; pre-filtering to flag noisy bins that are unable to support a minimum number of bits with the maximum power available for transmission in a bin; and using a repeated-bisection splitting scheme to allocate the available power substantially optimally among a plurality of bands for DMT frequency tones.
Arrangement For Synchronizing Access Points In WLAN Using Direct-Sequence Spread Spectrum Signaling,
Tue Feb 02 15:03:21 EST 2010
An arrangement for providing synchronization between a number of overlapping area access points within a wireless LAN utilizes a Power over Ethernet (PoE) cable connection to transmit synchronization signals from a centralized hub/switch to each of the access points connected to the cable. The synchronization signal takes the form of a direct sequence spread spectrum (DS-SS) signal that is coupled onto the twisted pair used to provide the low voltage PoE signal to various powered devices. At each access point, a filter is used to remove the synchronization signal from the PoE transport, allowing for the group of access points to share a common beacon signal and allow for frequency re-use among the access points. The DS-SS signal is preferable created by a combination of a baseband signal and a set of separate pseudo noise (PN) sequences defining a precision phase ("pilot tone") signal, a time mark (superframe/beacon) signal, and a time-of-day (real-time clock) signal.
Point Coordinated Spread-Spectrum Wireless Local Area Network,
Tue Jan 19 15:03:15 EST 2010
Methods, devices and systems for WLAN communication are described. Intercell interference between overlapping WLAN cells is mitigated by a combination of frequency reuse, code division and time resource negotiation. Information used for time resource negotiation can be broadcast via beacon signal or communicated via a wireline backbone system which interconnects access points.
Method And Apparatus For QOS Improvement With Packet Voice Transmission Over Wireless LANs,
Tue Dec 08 16:08:24 EST 2009
A method for improving packetized speech transmitted over a wireless LAN is disclosed. Speech packets transmitted over the wireless LAN are monitored for errors. Any of the speech packets found to have errors are replaced with synthesized speech packets. The synthesized speech packets may be created from a vocal tract model generated from the received speech packets during periods of time when there are no errors.
Provisioning Of In-Home/Enterprise Lan Communication Devices,
Tue Dec 01 16:08:18 EST 2009
Certain exemplary embodiments provide a method, comprising: automatically detecting at an agent an installation of a communications device to a local network coupled to the agent; automatically offering via the communications device a plurality of user-selectable service options relating to a service provider's network and relating to at least one capability of the communications device, the at least one capability detected by the agent; in response to a selection of at least one service option from the plurality of service options, providing via the agent a user connection address.
Spectrum Management System For Municipal Spectrum Using Guided Cognitive Radio,
Tue Dec 01 16:08:15 EST 2009
Described is a system and method for assigning a frequency to an access point in a wireless network comprising a plurality of access points. The system and method includes accessing a rule-base to obtain a set of rules for the wireless network, accessing a license database to obtain information about relevant wireless nodes in a region, creating a list of possible primary node frequencies from a list of frequencies associated with primary wireless nodes in the license database, creating a list of possible secondary node frequencies from a list of frequencies associated with secondary wireless nodes in the license database, identifying a list of clear frequencies from a set of unused frequencies, selecting a frequency from frequencies in the lists of possible primary node frequencies, possible secondary node frequencies, and clear frequencies and registering the frequency in the license database.
Optical/Radio Local Access Network,
Tue Jul 21 16:07:37 EDT 2009
A communication system includes a plurality of nodes and a plurality of point-to-point links that interconnect the plurality of nodes into a network. Each node includes an optical switch to controllably route a plurality of in-ports of the optical switch into a plurality of out-ports of the optical switch. Each point-to-point link includes a free space optical channel. A first free space optical channel couples to a first node through a receive path and through a transmit path. The receive path couples to a respective in-port of the optical switch of the first node, and the transmit path coupled to a respective out-port of the optical switch of the first node. In an alternative embodiment, a communication hub includes a plurality of neighborhood links, and a trunk coupled between the optical switch and a free space optical channel link to the network. A method of communicating in a network having plural links includes sensing the presence of a received signal failure resulting from at least one of rain and fog. The method further includes sending data in a free space optical channel of the first link when the received signal failure sensed is due to rain and sending the data in an RF channel of the first link when the received signal failure is due to fog.
Multi-antenna/multi-receiver array diversity system,
Tue Nov 25 18:13:17 EST 2008
The present invention is a system for increasing Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) in a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of antennas each antenna providing a signal, a device for selecting a subset of signals provided by the plurality of antennas, a maximum ratio combiner for summing the selected subset of signals provided by the plurality of antennas, and a decision device for measuring the selected subset of signals against a predefined threshold. The device for selecting the subset of signals is coupled to the plurality of antennas. The maximum ratio combiner is coupled to the selected subset of signals and the decision device for measuring the selected subset of signals against a predefined threshold. The decision device is coupled to the selecting device such that one selected signal of the selected subset of signals is replaced by an unused signal provided by the plurality of antennas.
Hybrid fiber twisted pair local loop network service architecture,
Tue Nov 25 18:13:17 EST 2008
A new architecture capable of utilizing the existing twisted pair interface between customer premises equipment and an associated serving local switching office is used to provide a vast array of new services to customers. Using an intelligent services director (ISD) at the customer services equipment as an interface for the equipment to an existing twisted cable pair and a facilities management platform (FMP) at the serving local switching office as an interface to various networks and service opportunities, new services such as simultaneous, multiple calls (voice analog or digital), facsimile, Internet traffic and other data can be transmitted and received over the twisted cable pair by using digital subscriber loop transmission schemes. The new services include but are not limited to videophone, utility meter reading and monitoring, broadcasting and multicasting. The architecture provides for fault-tolerant, transparent interaction of components and services and supports a variety of standards for each level of the open systems interconnection layers and layers of TCP/IP. The FMP connects electronically or optically to the public switched telephone network, Internet backbone, a private Intranet as well as other possible network connections.
Integrated services director (ISD) overall architecture,
Tue May 20 18:12:50 EDT 2008
A video enable answering machine having many new features including customized video announcement messages, caller ID based video announcement messages, and time based video announcement messages.
Architecture and method for using IEEE 802.11-like wireless LAN system to emulate private land mobile radio system (PLMRS) radio service,
Tue Dec 11 18:12:30 EST 2007
An architecture is described for providing IP push-to-talk (IPP2T) service using a wireless local area network (WLAN) serving a plurality of subscriber terminals (STs), having at least one broadband access network terminal (BANT), the BANT coupled to and interacting with at least one of a plurality of Access Points (APs) via a local area network (LAN), the plurality of APs in communication with the plurality of subscriber terminals; a multicast-enabled network, the multicast-enabled network coupled to and interacting with at least one BANT via a broadband access network; an IP network coupled to, and interacting with, the multicast-enabled network via an edge router; and a WLAN mobile radio service (WLMRS) controller (WLMRSC) coupled to and interacting with the IP network via a multicast-enabled router (MR).
Optical/radio local access network,
Tue Nov 13 18:12:24 EST 2007
A communication system includes a plurality of nodes and a plurality of point-to-point links that interconnect the plurality of nodes into a network. Each node includes an optical switch to controllably route a plurality of in-ports of the optical switch into a plurality of out-ports of the optical switch. Each point-to-point link includes a free space optical channel. A first free space optical channel couples to a first node through a receive path and through a transmit path. The receive path couples to a respective in-port of the optical switch of the first node, and the transmit path couples to a respective out-port of the optical switch of the first node. In an alternative embodiment, a communication hub includes a plurality of neighborhood links to corresponding users, an optical switch coupled to the plurality of neighborhood links, and a trunk coupled between the optical switch and a free space optical channel link to the network. A method of communicating in a network having plural links includes sensing the presence of a received signal failure by monitoring channel losses in a first link, the received signal failure resulting from at least one of rain and fog. The method further includes sending data in a free space optical channel of the first link when the received signal failure sensed is due to rain and sending the data in an RF channel of the first link when the received signal failure sensed is due to fog.
Optical/radio local access network,
Tue Sep 25 18:12:14 EDT 2007
A communication system includes a plurality of nodes and a plurality of point-to-point links that interconnect the plurality of nodes into a network. Each node includes an optical switch to controllably route a plurality of in-ports of the optical switch into a plurality of out-ports of the optical switch. Each point-to-point link includes a free space optical channel. A first free space optical channel couples to a first node through a receive path and through a transmit path. The receive path couples to a respective in-port of the optical switch of the first node, and the transmit path couples to a respective out-port of the optical switch of the first node. In an alternative embodiment, a communication hub includes a plurality of neighborhood links to corresponding users, an optical switch coupled to the plurality of neighborhood links, and a trunk coupled between the optical switch and a free space optical channel link to the network. A method of communicating in a network having plural links includes sensing the presence of a received signal failure by monitoring channel losses in a first link, the received signal failure resulting from at least one of rain and fog. The method further includes sending data in a free space optical channel of the first link when the received signal failure sensed is due to rain and sending the data in an RF channel of the first link when the received signal failure sensed is due to fog.
Method and apparatus for active reduction of speakerphone singing,
Tue Aug 28 18:12:11 EDT 2007
In a speakerphone device identification of signals (i.e., voice input or speaker output) in a process for reducing acoustic feedback, in a communication device, is accomplished by adding a signature noise (i.e., an identification mark) to output signals radiated by the speaker to enable these signals to be separated from speech input to the microphone. Having identified the signal (i.e., speech output) likely to cause a singing phenomenon, appropriate insertion loss to reduce the feedback may be added to the appropriate speech path within the communication device, to reduce a probability of singing.
Power allocation scheme for DMT-based modems employing simplex transmission,
Tue Aug 07 18:12:09 EDT 2007
The present invention provides a method, apparatus and computer readable medium for allocation of an available power to Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT) frequency tones in a DMT-based Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modem. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of: initializing the DMT-based DSL modem by calculating aggregate values of channel attenuation, noise power, and power mask; pre-filtering to flag noisy bins that are unable to support a minimum number of bits with the maximum power available for transmission in a bin; and using a repeated-bisection splitting scheme to allocate the available power substantially optimally among a plurality of bands for DMT frequency tones.
Enhanced call feature service,
Tue Jan 16 18:11:48 EST 2007
The present invention provides a system and method for managing calls for a subscriber, including accessing a calling plan while the subscriber is in an existing active call with at least one other party. The call is placed or received by the subscriber at a first device. At least one service feature of the calling plan is invoked during the active call. This service feature includes an add callers feature for adding at least one additional party to the existing active call between the subscriber and the other party. The service feature additionally includes a transfer devices feature for transferring the existing active call to at least one additional device of the subscriber and hanging up on the first device by the subscriber to confirm the transfer of the call to the additional device.
Multi-antenna/multi-receiver array diversity system,
Tue Dec 26 18:11:46 EST 2006
The present invention is a system for increasing Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) in a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of antennas each antenna providing a signal, a device for selecting a subset of signals provided by the plurality of antennas, a maximum ratio combiner for summing the selected subset of signals provided by the plurality of antennas, and a decision device for measuring the selected subset of signals against a predefined threshold. The device for selecting the subset of signals is coupled to the plurality of antennas. The maximum ratio combiner is coupled to the selected subset of signals and the decision device for measuring the selected subset of signals against a predefined threshold. The decision device is coupled to the selecting device such that one selected signal of the selected subset of signals is replaced by an unused signal provided by the plurality of antennas.
Automatic wireless service activation in a private local wireless system,
Tue Sep 05 18:11:33 EDT 2006
Automatic activation of a wireless device with a first wireless communication system occurs within an area having an overlapping second wireless communication system. Operation of the first communication system access procedure is achieved by masking an access and authentication process for the second communication system from interference from the control signal levels of the second wireless communication system. During the first time access, the first communication system is supplied with the SID and MIN and ESN numbers for authentication and access.
Optical/radio local access network,
Tue Aug 22 18:11:30 EDT 2006
A communication system includes a plurality of nodes and a plurality of point-to-point links that interconnect the plurality of nodes into a network. Each node includes an optical switch to controllably route a plurality of in-ports of the optical switch into a plurality of out-ports of the optical switch. Each point-to-point link includes a free space optical channel. A first free space optical channel couples to a first node through a receive path and through a transmit path. The receive path couples to a respective in-port of the optical switch of the first node, and the transmit path couples to a respective out-port of the optical switch of the first node. In an alternative embodiment, a communication hub includes a plurality of neighborhood links to corresponding users, an optical switch coupled to the plurality of neighborhood links, and a trunk coupled between the optical switch and a free space optical channel link to the network. A method of communicating in a network having plural links includes sensing the presence of a received signal failure by monitoring channel losses in a first link, the received signal failure resulting from at least one of rain and fog. The method further includes sending data in a free space optical channel of the first link when the received signal failure sensed is due to rain and sending the data in an RF channel of the first link when the received signal failure sensed is due to fog.
Method and apparatus for active reduction of speakerphone singing,
Tue May 30 18:11:16 EDT 2006
In a speakerphone device identification of signals (i.e., voice input or speaker output) in a process for reducing acoustic feedback, in a communication device, is accomplished by adding a signature noise (i.e., an identification mark) to output signals radiated by the speaker to enable these signals to be separated from speech input to the microphone. Having identified the signal (i.e., speech output) likely to cause a singing phenomenon, appropriate insertion loss to reduce the feedback may be added to the appropriate speech path within the communication device, to reduce a probability of singing.
Integrated services director (ISD) overall architecture,
Tue May 30 18:11:16 EDT 2006
A video enable answering machine having many new features including customized video announcement messages, caller ID based video announcement messages, and time based video announcement messages.
Optical/radio local access network,
Tue Mar 07 18:11:00 EST 2006
A communication system includes a plurality of nodes and a plurality of point-to-point links that interconnect the plurality of nodes into a network. Each node includes an optical switch to controllably route a plurality of in-ports of the optical switch into a plurality of out-ports of the optical switch. Each point-to-point link includes a free space optical channel. A first free space optical channel couples to a first node through a receive path and through a transmit path. The receive path couples to a respective in-port of the optical switch of the first node, and the transmit path couples to a respective out-port of the optical switch of the first node. In an alternative embodiment, a communication hub includes a plurality of neighborhood links to corresponding users, an optical switch coupled to the plurality of neighborhood links, and a trunk coupled between the optical switch and a free space optical channel link to the network. A method of communicating in a network having plural links includes sensing the presence of a received signal failure by monitoring channel losses in a first link the received signal failure resulting from at least one of rain and fog. The method further includes sending data in a free space optical channel of the first link when the received signal failure sensed is due to rain and sending the data in an RF channel of the first link when the received signal failure sensed is due to fog.
Broadband network with enterprise wireless communication method for residential and business environment,
Tue Mar 07 18:11:00 EST 2006
The present invention sets forth a network-centric service distribution architecture and method that integrates a wireless access system/service in the residence, SOHO, business or public environment through the use of a local broadband network, such as a Residential-Business Broadband Network (RBN), to the service provider's broadband transport network and to a service provider's broadband packet network that facilitates end-to-end packet telecommunication services. Access functions for connecting said service provider's broadband packet network to the RBN via said service provider's broadband transport network are provided. Call and service termination functions to a plurality of local RBN devices are also provided. Signals from a plurality of wireless devices are accepted and forwarded to an IEEE 802.11b interface for a wireless modem and/or to an Ethernet interface for a Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP)/Ethernet Processor, where the forwarded signals comprise intranet telephony and data. Voice signals are also accepted from a plurality of tip/ring interfaces and forwarded to a broadband transport interface for back haul of data and voice packets. A service provider can deploy services in an integrated voice, data and multimedia environment cost-effectively based on one broadband packet network.
Broadband network with enterprise wireless communication system for residential and business environment,
Tue Feb 21 18:10:54 EST 2006
The present invention sets forth a network-centric service distribution architecture that integrates a wireless access system in the residence, SOHO, business or public environment through the use of a local broadband network, such as a Residential-Business Broadband Network (RBN), to the service provider's broadband transport network and to a service provider's broadband packet network. The system includes a Media Terminal Adapter coupled via the RBN to the access port(s) and via the service provider's broadband transport network to the service provider's broadband packet network. The access port is coupled to the Media Terminal Adapter via either an RBN (e.g., a Local Area Network--LAN) or simply via a traditional POTS line interface. The access port receives and sends wireless signals to a plurality of RBN devices, allowing the user to control these devices remotely from the residence, business, SOHO or public environments. The integration of an RBN to a service provider's broadband packet network allows a subscriber to communicate at home and at the office with one communication device anytime anywhere.
Point coordinated spread-spectrum wireless local area network,
Tue Dec 27 18:10:44 EST 2005
Methods, devices and systems for WLAN communication are described. Intercell interference between overlapping WLAN cells is mitigated by a combination of frequency reuse, code division and time resource negotiation. Information used for time resource negotiation can be broadcast via beacon signal or communicated via a wireline backbone system which interconnects access points.
Method for integrating wired and wireless packet/cell networking via ATM,
Tue Dec 13 18:10:42 EST 2005
Integration of packet/cell networking of a wired/wireless network with ATM is achieved by application of a distributed architecture including an ATM network adapted to provide such integration. Network and protocol conversion between the wired/wireless network and the ATM network is performed by a gateway (GAGW) having capabilities to perform this function. A mobility server platform (MSP) handles routing between the gateways to other networks and the micro-mobility functions of the wireless base stations directly connected to the ATM network. A Inter-working function (IWF) element connects base stations (BS) or mobile switching centers (MSC) to ATM switch/routers and in the process provides various protocol conversions necessary to integrate various services into the ATM backbone. The integration of these networks is seamless with little apparent affect on the end point users of the ATM network on the overall system.
Power allocation scheme for DMT-based modems employing simplex transmission,
Tue Dec 06 18:10:41 EST 2005
The present invention provides a method, apparatus and computer readable medium for allocation of an available power to Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT) frequency tones in a DMT-based Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modem. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of: initializing the DMT-based DSL modem by calculating aggregate values of channel attenuation, noise power, and power mask; pre-filtering to flag noisy bins that are unable to support a minimum number of bits with the maximum power available for transmission in a bin; and using a repeated-bisection splitting scheme to allocate the available power substantially optimally among a plurality of bands for DMT frequency tones.
Hybrid Fiber Twisted Pair Local Loop Network Service Architecture,
Tue Apr 26 18:10:22 EDT 2005
A new architecture capable of utilizing the existing twisted pair interface between customer premises equipment and an associated serving local switching office is used to provide a vast array of new services to customers. Using an intelligent services director (ISD) at the customer services equipment as an interface for the equipment to an existing twisted cable pair and a facilities management platform (FMP) at the serving local switching office as an interface to various networks and service opportunities, new services such as simultaneous, multiple calls (voice analog or digital), facsimile, Internet traffic and other data can be transmitted and received over the twisted cable pair by using digital subscriber loop transmission schemes. The new services include but are not limited to videophone, utility meter reading and monitoring, broadcasting and multicasting. The architecture provides for fault-tolerant, transparent interaction of components and services and supports a variety of standards for each level of the open systems interconnection layers and layers of TCP/IP. The FMP connects electronically or optically to the public switched telephone network, Internet backbone, a private Intranet as well as other possible network connections.
Optical/radio local access network,
Tue Sep 07 18:10:03 EDT 2004
A communication system includes a plurality of nodes and a plurality of point-to-point links that interconnect the plurality of nodes into a network. Each node includes an optical switch to controllably route a plurality of in-ports of the optical switch into a plurality of out-ports of the optical switch. Each point-to-point link includes a free space optical channel. A first free space optical channel couples to a first node through a receive path and through a transmit path. The receive path couples to a respective in-port of the optical switch of the first node, and the transmit path couples to a respective out-port of the optical switch of the first node. In an alternative embodiment, a communication hub includes a plurality of neighborhood links to corresponding users, an optical switch coupled to the plurality of neighborhood links, and a trunk coupled between the optical switch and a free space optical channel link to the network. A method of communicating in a network having plural links includes sensing the presence of a received signal failure by monitoring channel losses in a first link, the received signal failure resulting from at least one of rain and fog. The method further includes sending data in a free space optical channel of the first link when the received signal failure sensed is due to rain and sending the data in an RF channel of the first link when the received signal failure sensed is due to fog.
Method and apparatus for active reduction of speakerphone singing,
Tue Aug 03 18:09:58 EDT 2004
In a speakerphone device identification of signals (i.e., voice input or speaker output) in a process for reducing acoustic feedback, in a communication device, is accomplished by adding a signature noise (i.e., an identification mark) to output signals radiated by the speaker to enable these signals to be separated from speech input to the microphone. Having identified the signal (i.e., speech output) likely to cause a singing phenomenon, appropriate insertion loss to reduce the feedback may be added to the appropriate speech path within the communication device, to reduce a probability of singing.
Free space optical communication link with diversity,
Tue May 04 18:09:00 EDT 2004
A free space communication system includes first and second terminals, and the first terminal includes a transmitter to transmit an input signal. The transmitter has plural laser sources, at least one optical delay line and a telescope. Each laser source modulates the input signal onto a wavelength that is distinct from a wavelength of each other laser source. The plural laser sources include a first laser source and at least one other laser source, and the at least one optical delay line is coupled to a respective output of the at least one other laser source. The telescope projects an output of the first laser source and an output of each of the at least one optical delay line toward the second terminal. Alternatively, a free space communication system includes first and second terminals, and the first terminal includes a transmitter to transmit an input signal. The transmitter has at least one electrical delay line, plural laser sources and a telescope. The at least one electrical delay line delays the input signal. The plural laser sources include a first laser source and at least one other laser source, the first laser source modulates the input signal onto a first wavelength, and each of the at least one other laser source modulates an output of a corresponding electrical delay line onto a wavelength that is distinct from the first wavelength. The telescope projects an output of each of the plural laser sources toward the second terminal.
Method and system for testing subscriber loops using touchtone telephone signals,
Tue Mar 16 18:09:08 EST 2004
A subscriber loop test apparatus relates to the testing of a subscriber loop by the use of a touchtone telephone. The touchstone buttons on a telephone provide Dual-Tone, Multiple Frequencies for each key pressed. For example, referring to FIG. 1, pressing the `3` key causes tones at 697 and 1477 Hz to be sent across the telephone line. Pressing a sequence of keys provides discrete coverage of the frequency band from 697 to 1477 Hz, through the use of the touchtone telephone. The frequency band from 697 to 1477 Hz can be characterized in this fashion. Information about the line: loop loss (loop length), presence of bridge taps (i.e., excessively long bridge taps in particular) or loading coils, and the presence of Digital Loop Carriers (DLCs), et cetera. The use of the switch-hook flash provides the ability to determine the channel (impulse) response of the loop, including any noise and hum that may be on the loop due to imbalance or coupled interference.
Method and apparatus for reducing near-end crosstalk (NEXT) in discrete multi-tone modulator/demodulators,
Tue Jan 13 18:08:59 EST 2004
Near-end crosstalk between identical discrete multi-tone modems is reduced by aligning the frames of all modems at a central office to each other, aligning the frames transmitted by subscribers' modems with the frames received by those modems, and including a cyclic prefix between the central office and the most distant subscriber to be served. By making adjacent DMT carrier frequencies be orthogonal to each other, the aforementioned modifications will reduce both Near End Cross-Talk and Leakage-Excited Cross-Talk. These benefits apply to modems at both the central office and subscriber ends of the communication path.
Automatic wireless service activation in a private local wireless system,
Tue Nov 04 18:08:52 EST 2003
Automatic activation (i.e., first time access) of digital wireless/cellular mobile telephones with a private/localized wireless/cellular system (i.e. a secondary system) occurs within an area having an overlapping macrocellular primary wireless communication system (i.e., a dominant system). Operation of the secondary access procedure is achieved by shielding/masking an access and authentication process for the secondary system from interference from the control signal levels of the dominant wireless communication system. During the first time access, the secondary system is supplied with the SID and MIN and ESN numbers for authentication and resultant access.
Timing recovery for DMT-based DSL modems,
Tue Nov 04 18:08:51 EST 2003
In an arrangement where an incoming QPSK signal contains a PRN every N frames, oscillator synchronization is achieved via control signals that are developed from the PRN frame by rotating the vectors derived from demodulated received signal, applying a complex tracking filter to the results, averaging the results, performing phase accumulation, and developing an analog voltage to be applied to a voltage controlled oscillator through D/A conversion.
Method And Apparatus For Facilitating Intra-Premises Voice And Data Distribution Using Existing In-Place POTS Telephone-Lines,
Tue Jun 17 18:08:45 EDT 2003
Broadband services are provided to customer premises, whose existing premise wiring does not have broadband capability, by disaggregating the various signals, including broadband services, supplied to the premise from a broadband communication link at the customer premise's edge, so that the existing POTS wires, within the customer premises, may function as separate channels for varied broadband and narrow band services. Intra premises broadband services are disaggregated so that POTS service responds normally to the network while internal LAN networks operate independently of the outside system network.
Apparatus For Providing Redundant Services Path To Customer Premises Equipment,
Tue Apr 29 18:08:42 EDT 2003
An apparatus that provides a redundant path for providing service using existing or original equipment when failure or degradation of performance of new equipment is detected in a communication network. A controller module monitors the performance of new equipment used to provide improved services to service provider customers. When a failure in the new equipment is detected, the controller module outputs a control signal to switch processing from the new equipment to the existing equipment that is still available for use. In addition, processing may be switched from the new equipment to the existing equipment when the controller detects degradation in the performance of the new equipment so that loss of service is prevented. Therefore, the existing equipment acts as a redundant path for processing.
Intermittent node resolution for voice and data communication system,
Tue Oct 01 18:08:29 EDT 2002
A method of identifying and communicating the existence of Intermittent nodes in a communication network with a mixed TDMA/CSMA-CD MAC frame format, and of preventing these nodes from unnecessarily debasing existing voice channel connections. Information pertaining to intermittent nodes is included in a database for an extended operational duration and used as primary information in control of the creation of any newly requested voice channels. Intermittent nodes are treated for the purpose of assigning voice channels as existing permanent nodes, whether currently visible or not. Newly revealed intermittent nodes are added to the database through intermediate nodes. This invention increases reliability and quality of voice communications during noise/impedance level changes of the network that may render one or more nodes not visible.
Method and apparatus for providing neighborhood cordless services,
Tue Sep 03 18:08:27 EDT 2002
A method for providing a local cordless service comprises the steps of receiving subscriber neighborhood zone selection input so that a mobile telephone equipped subscriber may place or receive calls for a fixed rate, for example, per month without having to pay radio frequency air time charges any time they are located within their selected subscribed-to zones. If the subscribed-to zones are adjacent to one another and the mobile subscriber roams from one zone to another, the subscriber may continue their free call uninterrupted and without paying air time charges. However, when the subscriber roams outside their subscribed-to zones they may be switched from the present local cordless services to conventional personal communications services and pay air time charges. However for an active call, no air-time charges are incurred as the user transitions between the cellular/DPCS environment and the local cordless service environment. Associated apparatus comprises an IBS for automatically changing radio frequency channels as the subscriber roams within a subscribed-to neighborhood zone, roams to another subscribed-to zone or roams outside a subscribed-to zone. Subscribers may choose to use their mobile identification number, their current directory telephone number for wired public switched telephone service or obtain a new directory number.
A video enable answering machine having many new features including customized video announcement messages, caller ID based video announcement messages, and time based video announcement messages.
Control of broadband voice and data communication over a low quality noisy transmission media,
Tue Jun 11 18:08:14 EDT 2002
A method and apparatus improves transmission quality of transmission media in a punctuated noise environment by terminating transmission during duration of punctuated large noise changes and alters network parameters, of the transmission media, to accommodate changes in level of stable noise conditions between punctuated large noise changes. Each stable noise level encountered is measured and its characteristics (i.e., level) is stored in a data base and associated network parameters (i.e., bit rates, bandwidth etc.) are changed accordingly and used to control or maintain quality of the transmission media.
Hybrid fiber twisted pair local loop network service architecture,
Tue Mar 19 18:07:35 EST 2002
A new architecture capable of utilizing the existing twisted pair interface between customer premises equipment and an associated serving local switching office is used to provide a vast array of new services to customers. Using an intelligent services director (ISD) at the customer services equipment as an interface for the equipment to an existing twisted cable pair and a facilities management platform (FMP) at the serving local switching office as an interface to various networks and service opportunities, new services such as simultaneous, multiple calls (voice analog or digital), facsimile, Internet traffic and other data can be transmitted and received over the twisted cable pair by using digital subscriber loop transmission schemes. The new services include but are not limited to videophone, utility meter reading and monitoring, broadcasting and multicasting. The architecture provides for fault-tolerant, transparent interaction of components and services and supports a variety of standards for each level of the open systems interconnection layers and layers of TCP/IP. The FMP connects electronically or optically to the public switched telephone network, Internet backbone, a private Intranet as well as other possible network connections.
Method and apparatus for reducing near-end crosstalk (NEXT) in discrete multi-tone modulator/demodulators,
Tue Nov 07 18:06:53 EST 2000
This invention reduces near-end crosstalk between identical discrete multi-tone (DMT-type) modems by introducing the following modifications to modems at a central office or a subscriber premises. The modifications include: a mechanism for aligning the frames of all modems at the central office (CO), a mechanism for aligning the frames transmitted by the subscribers' modems with the frames received by those modems, and lengthening the DMT frame to include a cyclic prefix. The cyclic prefix to a frame has been made longer than twice the maximum round-trip delay, that is, the delay between the central office and the most distant subscriber to be served. By making adjacent DMT carrier frequencies be orthogonal to each other, the aforementioned modifications will reduce both Near End Cross-Talk (NEXT) and Leakage-Excited Cross-Talk (LEXT). These benefits apply to modems at both the central office (CO) and subscriber ends of the communication path (for example, a high capacity twisted-pair wire).
Wideband transmission through wire,
Tue Aug 29 18:05:36 EDT 2000
A method for broadband transmissions through metallic wire in an interference-laden environment. Wideband communication through a wire is achieved in the presence of other wideband signals in the wire or in adjacent wires by applying a modulation schema to the wideband communication signal that forms a signal which is orthogonal or nearly orthogonal to all other signals that are present in the wire, whether directly applied or electromagnetically induced. In accordance with one illustrated embodiment, a CDMA code is applied to the wideband signal that is to be communicated through a given wire, and the code that is employed is orthogonal to the CDMA codes that are applied to other signals that flow through the wire or through other wires which are in the neighborhood of the given wire.
Method for reduction of phase noise in microwave voltage-controlled oscillators,
Tue Aug 22 18:05:36 EDT 2000
Phase noise in an RF oscillator is significantly reduced by loosely couping another quieter RF oscillator having noise patterns uncorrelated to the first RF oscillator so that it frequency locks with the first RF oscillator. The coupling is increased until a significant reduction in phase noise occurs at high coupling levels where the first RF oscillator displays phase noise similar to the the second RF oscillator.
Security Access System,
Tue Jun 13 18:05:33 EDT 2000
An entry access system includes a locking mechanism enabling authorized entry at a secured entry point to a closed access area or computing device. Entry is approved in response to an interaction between an intended entrant and the entry access system that involves an interchange of multidigit numbers and use of ID and PINs for generation of a multidigit check number to establish authenticity of a request for entry.
Wideband communication system for the home,
Tue May 09 18:05:32 EDT 2000
A wideband communication system is achieved with apparatus coupled to a wire pair, such as the wire pair provided by a communication services provider at a customer's premises. Disclosed is an embodiment which illustratively employs CDMA as the modulation schema for communicated signals and which, by this means, achieves a bandwidth in the range of 1 MHz. Specifically, a modem is interposed between the wire pair and the customer premises devices which modulates applied signals using code division modulation. The customer premises devices interface with the modem through interfaces that are specialized for the type of device that does the communication, and through a controller that manages the interactions. Illustratively, the apparatus includes the ability to provide one or more POTS ports, an ISDN port, and an asynchronous digital port. Protocol with the provider's network is effected through a signaling channel that occupies a preselected frequency band. Of course, a corresponding modem and controller are present at the service provider's end of the wire pair.
Backlighting scheme for a multimedia terminal keypad,
Tue Apr 04 18:05:31 EDT 2000
A housing assembly for an ISDN multimedia capable wireless interface device having a plurality of operating capabilities. The housing assembly comprises a main housing, a cover, hinge assembly for coupling the cover to the main housing. The hinge assembly enables the cover to pivot and articulate relative to the main housing to transform the housing assembly into a plurality of mechanical configurations via sensors responsive to the pivoting and articulating of the cover provided in the housing assembly. The cover includes an illuminated keyboard having a display for selectively providing pixel-based graphics and light. The keyboard is disposed over the display when the device is operating in one of a plurality of operational modes. Each keypad of the keyboard has an image viewing surface and coherent light pipe mechanism for conducting light generated by the display to the image viewing surface the keypad. The upper rear surface of the main housing includes three unmarked softkeys which enable finger access for various device functions. The keys are software controlled and as such operate to provide a mouse, cursor control, number and text generation, video camera control and other like device features.
Network server platform for Internet JAVA server and video application server,
Tue Mar 28 18:05:00 EST 2000
A new architecture capable of utilizing the existing twisted pair interface between the customer services equipment and the local office is used to provide a vast array of new services to customers. Using an intelligent services director (ISD) at the customer services equipment and a facilities management platform (FMP) at the local office, new services such as simultaneous, multiple calls (voice analog or digital), facsimile, Internet traffic and other data can be transmitted over the existing single twisted pair using xDSL transmission schemes. New services such as the implementation of Internet connectivity, videophone, utility metering, broadcasting, multicasting, bill viewing, information pushing in response to a user profile, directory look-up and other services can be implemented via a network server platform via this architecture. A network server platform for hosting a plurality of services comprises, for example, a memory for storing a user profile, the user profile containing interests of a user, and for storing information related to their interests and a controller for controlling the collection of information from information servers and for pushing the collected information to the user in accordance with their defined priority.
