Abstract:
A resynchronization device for an Ethernet network device with a transmitter and a receiver includes a detector that detects faulty code groups received by the receiver. A counter counts the faulty code groups that are detected by the false carrier detector during a predetermined period. A resynchronization trigger asserts a resynchronization signal if the counter exceeds a predetermined threshold during the predetermined period. The faulty code groups include false carriers, which include non-idle code groups other than frame delimiters. Alternately, the faulty code groups include idle code groups that match idle code groups generated by the transmitter of the local network device.
Abstract:
A self-reparable semiconductor includes multiple functional units that perform the same function and that include sub-functional units. The semiconductor includes one or more full or partial spare functional units that are integrated into the semiconductor. If a defect in a sub-functional unit is detected, then that sub-functional unit is switched out and replaced with a sub-functional unit in the full or partial spare functional unit. The reconfiguration is realized with switching devices that are associated with the sub-functional units. Defective functional or sub-functional units can be detected after assembly, during power up, periodically during operation, and/or manually.
Abstract:
A virtual interactive response (VIR) system mimics and enhances interactive voice response (IVR) technology by using humans to drive the voice recognition unit (VRU) speech recognition functionality. This VIR system initiates a dialogue with the customer by prompting the customer with an initial welcoming message. Calls from a customer are initially made in a first region having high labor costs, but are then directed to an overseas location using voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) or other voice communications technology. The calls are then directed to an appropriate human agent at the overseas location who then listens to the customer's query and makes a decision on how to respond to the customer.
Abstract:
A logical repeater set provides for delaying a character of data that passes through the logical repeater set from a receive channel in a receiving repeater set to a set of transmit channels in transmitting repeater sets. In providing for the delay of a character, the receiving repeater set calculates a receive channel character delay value, and receives a character that is to be provided on a transmit channel. The receiving repeater set then delays the character for a period of time equal to the receive channel character delay value and providing the character to the transmitting repeater set. Each transmitting repeater set further calculates a set of transmit channel character delay values for a set of transceivers. Each transmitting repeater set receives a character from the receiving repeater set that is to be provided on a transmit channel and further delays the character by a transmit channel character delay value. A receiving repeater set and transmitting repeater set may be either the same repeater set or a pair of repeater sets that are coupled together via an expansion bus.
Abstract:
An interface to an indicator array for providing status information from a repeater used in a computer network. The interface multiplexes status value signals from the repeater provided to a group of enabled source buffers driving columns of the array. Rows of the array are driven by status enable signals from a sink buffer attached to each row. LEDs of the array have an anode connected to a source buffer and a cathode connected to a sink buffer. Cycling through the source buffer groups and status enable signals provides a 10% duty cycle for each indicator. When status values change more frequently than about once per millisecond, a pulse stretcher is used to extend the perceived duration of the status indication.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for efficiently transferring a data packet on a network. The efficient transfer of data includes compressing the data as the data packet is transmitted from a repeater to a management unit by determining if a destination address of a received packet matches a stored management unit address. When the stored address does not match the destination address, the data packet is compressed. The apparatus includes a repeater, a management unit, and a packet compression mechanism. The apparatus further includes comparator circuit means for determining address comparisons and count comparisons to control data compression.