At+t Corp.

AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP

Peter S Cornell

John Sinclair Huffman

Robert Bergman Levy

James Blenis

Receiving, over a network, a connect request from a first computing device operated by a first user. The connect request comprises a description and/or image of the first user, information indicating the first user made a physical gesture to a second user to signal that a first user requests to connect with the second user, and first user location and time information relating to when the physical gesture was made.

System and method for generating a connection

A method and apparatus is disclosed for use in fiber optic signature recognition to analyze buried optical fiber to identify a non-threat area along a fiber route and to discontinue monitoring for disturbances along that area of the cable route. The technique includes determining the location of the zone of non-threatening disturbances from comparing an optical signal to the representation of a prearranged optical signal identified as friendly. Once a zone of non-threatening disturbances is identified, all subsequent disturbances in that zone are considered friendly. Cable monitoring is discontinued in the identified zone of non-threatening disturbances so as to avoid monitoring fiber cable when permitted workers are in the area.

Method and apparatus for fiber optic signature recognition

A subscriber (,) seeking to enter a conference call does so by dialing a non-directory conference call access telephone number maintained by a telephone carrier for conference call service. Upon receipt of the call within its network (,), the carrier identifies the subscriber, and thereafter determines from a record stored in a database (,) the identity of the conference call that the subscriber desires to enter. Knowing the identity of the conference call, the network (,) can then route the subscriber's call to the corresponding bridge (,) carrying the conference call. In this way, the subscriber seeking to enter a conference call need not know the particular conference bridge number or access code.

Enhanced conference call service

To overcome the incompatibility between network-generated and customer premises equipment-generated monitoring signals, a translator device (,) intercepts and strips off a network-generated monitoring signal received from the network (,) on a communication channel (,). In place of the network-generated monitoring signal, the translator provides a first alternate monitoring signal derived (translated) from the network-generated monitoring signal but of a format compatible with the customer premises equipment. The translator device also intercepts the customer premises equipment-generated monitoring signal and substitutes a second alternate monitoring signal derived (translated) from the customer premises equipment-generated monitoring signal but of a format compatible with the network.

Method and apparatus for providing monitoring capability

Restoration of a multiplexed circuit in a network (,) is effected in accordance with the probability of failure of that circuit determined in accordance with: (1) how many constituent circuits in the multiplexed circuit are provisioned for service; (2) how many constituent circuits in the multiplexed circuit have failed and (3) how many constituent circuits in the multiplexed circuit are in service and out of service. If the probability of failure differs from a prescribed reference value by a predetermined threshold, a processor (,) effects restoration by choosing an alternate path.

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Conyers, GA, United States of America

Peter S Cornell