Abstract:
A method and apparatus for providing project management in a communication system. The communication system comprises a server that includes a database for storing status information related to a particular project. The system further includes one or more communication units for either updating the status information for a particular project or for accessing the status information from the database for display on the communication terminal.
Abstract:
This invention relates to the field of Internet Protocol communications. More particularly, this invention is a method for setting up, authorizing, maintaining, and terminating an IP telephony session with quality of service across the Internet by combining session initiation protocol, resource reservation protocol, common open policy service, and open settlement protocol. The method of this invention allows an IP telephony session to benefit from all these protocols. With reference to the figure, an embodiment of this invention involves an SIP client (115, 130, 135, 136) that uses SIP and RSVP; SIP proxy servers (150, 151) that use SIP and COPS; policy servers (140, 141, 142) that use COPS and OSP; a clearing house server (180) that uses OSP; and several routers that use RSVP and COPS (e.g., 160, 161, 170).
Abstract:
Methods are disclosed for providing prepaid telephony service via an Internet protocol (IP) network system (300, 500). A first method provides controlling at least one media agent (304) or call routing station/switch (310, 312) of an IP network system (300) for allowing and/or blocking call media streams from traversing through the media agent. A second method provides directing all signaling messages transmitted by a signaling agent (502) or station (510, 512) and all media packets transmitting voice and data communications through at least one common device within the IP network system (500). The methods further provide for continuously monitoring a subscriber's account balance and terminating the prepaid telephony service if the account balance is less than a predetermined amount.
Abstract:
A caller may establish preferences regarding special call handling of a call to a called party (30). The caller may be notified (34) when a special call handling option is about to be performed. The called party may have the option of skipping the call handling option or aborting the call (38, 40). In another alternative, the preferences of the caller are obtained and stored prior to the placement of the call (70). These preferences are then used to guide special call handling during the course of the call (76). In this fashion, the caller need not be a passive party relative to special call handling but may provide input so as to help guide special call handling.
Abstract:
An approach for automating a process by which source documents residing on a packet switched network, such as the Internet (505) or an intranet, are made available for information on-demand services (509). The information on-demand service (509) can deliver the content of these documents via facsimile (517) and/or e-mail (519). This automatic update approach ensures greater accuracy of maintaining the source documents for document delivery to a user.
Abstract:
A self-healing optical network carrying traffic between first and second optical linear terminals (NODE A, NODE B, NODE C, NODE D). The self-healing optical network including first, second, and third optical switching units (210, 216, 226, 232), first, second, and third spare optical channels (214, 220, 222, 228), and a working optical channel (212, 218, 224, 230). The first, second, and third optical switching units are coupled in a ring configuration using said first, second, and third spare optical channels. The first and second optical switching units are coupled by the first spare optical channel and by the working optical channel. The first and second optical switching units each direct the traffic between the first and second optical linear terminals along the working optical channel or along the second and third spare optical channels in the event the working optical channel is not available.
Abstract:
A method for billing a customer credit card account includes the steps of (a) sending a validation request message from a caller interaction processor to a validation gateway (308); (b) converting the validation request message from a client server protocol to a packet switching network protocol (310); (c) sending a card request message from the validation gateway to a financial processor for authorization to charge the customer credit card account (312); (d) sending a card reply message from the financial processor to the validation gateway (314); (e) converting from the packet switching protocol to the client server protocol (316); (f) sending a validation response message from the validation gateway to the caller interaction processor (318).
Abstract:
A system, method and apparatus are described that allow for the updating and transmittal of a low data rate signal providing ancillary network data as a rider on a high data rate optical signal. This subcarrier modulated signal can be processed and updated by using a drop/insert facility (407) without having to alter the high data rate signal component of the data signal. Since the subcarrier signal can be detected by inexpensive equipment without having to detect and demultiplex the high data rate signal, the approach described offers a cost effective solution to the problem of network monitoring. Ancillary network management information can be communicated regardless of the quality or loss of the high data rate signal. In addition, by updating the subcarrier signal rider in a cumulative manner, a complete history of the fiber link the modulated optical signal travels on is provided to network management.
Abstract:
A transformer for substantially matching the impedance of a generator and a load, which is coupled to the generator via a transmission line. The transformer comprises an outer conductor having an inner surface and an inner conductor having an outer surface that is positioned within the outer conductor. The transformer further includes a plurality of transformation sections, where each section provides a particular separation distance between the inner surface of the outer conductor and the outer surface of the inner conductor to yield a particular characteristic impedance for each of the plurality of transformation sections, thereby substantially matching the impedance of the generator to the load.