Abstract:
A mechanism is disclosed for protecting the privacy of communication content bymeans of a synchronized noise insertion process operated by counterpart sending and receiving devices. In send mode, a synchronized noise pattern is introduced by a sending device onto a source content, rendering the source content unreadable (or at least partially obfuscating the source content so as to inhibit interception of the content); and in receive mode, a corresponding pattern is introduced 180-degrees out of phase so as to effectively subtract the synchronized noise pattern and yield the original source content. In such manner, communication privacy is acheivable without encrypting, encoding or transforming the source content at the sending or receiving device.
Abstract:
A method of administering a priority service is provided in a telecommunications network (20). The priority service provides higher priority handling of calls employing the service as compared to calls not employing the service for purposes of call completion. The method includes: obtaining at least one authentication credential from a user placing a call over the network (20); verifying a validity of the obtained credential; designating the call for priority handling if the credential is valid, otherwise designating the call for non-priority handling if the credential is invalid; and, attempting to complete the call over the network (20) in accordance with the designated handling.
Abstract:
A network is provided that includes: a central node (30) and a plurality of other nodes (32); a plurality of first communication links (34) interconnecting the central node (30) to the plurality of other nodes (32) to form a star network topology; and, a plurality of second communication links (36) interconnecting the plurality of other nodes (32) to form a mesh network topology.
Abstract:
A precautionary measure against wireline-device triggered bombs is described that restricts call terminations within a designated security risk area without shutting down an entire telephone office switch serving the affected area. Embodiments described herein provide for restricting wireline call terminations directed to a designated security risk area that are originated from non-privileged users, i.e., the general public, yet authorizing call terminations directed to the security risk area that are originated from privileged government users (e.g., GETSAVPS users). Call originations are permitted within the security risk area from both privileged and non- privileged users.
Abstract:
An electrically powered device (10) is provided that is equipped to receive television transmissions. Suitably, the device (10) is operative in one of two states, including a first state in which the device (10) is powered up for normal operation and a second state in which the device (10) is powered down for operation in a standby mode. The device (10) includes: a tuner (14) that is used to select a particular television channel for reception by the device (10); a controller (24) that is operative in the standby mode to set the tuner (14) to a designated channel and monitor the tuner (14) for at least one of an emergency alert, warning or public interest message received on the designated channel, wherein upon detection of an emergency alert, warning or public interest message, the controller (24) switches the device (10) into the first state so as allow the device (10) to output the detected emergency alert, warning or public interest message; and, a power supply (12) arranged to be operatively connected to an electric mains and provide electric power to selected components of the device (10) in accordance the device's operative state, wherein when the device is in the standby mode power from the supply (12) is still provided to the tuner (14) and controller (24) while not being supplied to one or more other electrically powered components of the device (10).
Abstract:
The application relates priority services such as the Government Emergency Telecommunication Service GETS or the Wireless Priority Service WPS which provide priority service to National Security/Emergency Preparedness personnel. In times of emergency or crisis or because of natural or other catastrophes, telecommunication networks can become congested. Throttling mechanisms such as call gapping are employed to limit the number of priority call/session requests accepted from a give source and/or handled by a given network node. However, present mechanisms rely on historical traffic levels rather than adapting to actual traffic level. This problem is solved in that parameters of the call gapping function are dynamically regulated. The method includes: monitoring a rate at which priority service requests are received at a node of the network; comparing the rate to a threshold; disabling a gapping function for priority service traffic when the rate is less than the threshold; enabling the gapping function for priority service traffic when the rate is not less than the threshold, and, dynamically regulating a parameter of the gapping function when the gapping function is enabled.
Abstract:
A precautionary measure against cell-phone triggered bombs is described that restricts call terminations within a designated security risk area without shutting down the entire network. Embodiments described herein provide for restricting call terminations directed to a designated security risk area that are originated from non- privileged users, i.e., the general public, yet authorizing call terminations directed to the security risk area that are originated from privileged government users (e.g., GETS/WPS users). Call originations are permitted within the security risk area from both privileged and non-privileged users.
Abstract:
A method of administering an emergency call service in a public switched telephone network (PSTN) (60) includes: receiving a call at a switching facility (70) from an end user terminal (EUT) (52) served by the facility (70), the facility (70) providing the EUT (52) access to a telephone service feature; disabling the telephone service feature for the EUT (52) in response to the facility (70) recognizing the received call as an emergency call; routing the emergency call to a public safety answering point (PSAP) (80) serving a geographic region in which the EUT (52) is located; and, providing a call taker (84) at the PSAP (80) control over the telephone service feature, such that the call taker (84) can selectively enable the telephone service feature.
Abstract:
A mechanism is disclosed for protecting the privacy of communication content bymeans of a synchronized noise insertion process operated by counterpart sending and receiving devices. In send mode, a synchronized noise pattern is introduced by a sending device onto a source content, rendering the source content unreadable (or at least partially obfuscating the source content so as to inhibit interception of the content); and in receive mode, a corresponding pattern is introduced 180-degrees out of phase so as to effectively subtract the synchronized noise pattern and yield the original source content. In such manner, communication privacy is acheivable without encrypting, encoding or transforming the source content at the sending or receiving device.
Abstract:
The application relates priority services such as the Government Emergency Telecommunication Service GETS or the Wireless Priority Service WPS which provide priority service to National Security/Emergency Preparedness personnel. In times of emergency or crisis or because of natural or other catastrophes, telecommunication networks can become congested. Throttling mechanisms such as call gapping are employed to limit the number of priority call/session requests accepted from a give source and/or handled by a given network node. However, present mechanisms rely on historical traffic levels rather than adapting to actual traffic level. This problem is solved in that parameters of the call gapping function are dynamically regulated. The method includes: monitoring a rate at which priority service requests are received at a node of the network; comparing the rate to a threshold; disabling a gapping function for priority service traffic when the rate is less than the threshold; enabling the gapping function for priority service traffic when the rate is not less than the threshold, and, dynamically regulating a parameter of the gapping function when the gapping function is enabled.