Abstract: Nodes of a multichannel mesh network generate channel-metric matrices for routing packets to destinations based on a bottleneck channel identified for the source-destination pair. The identification of bottleneck channels increases the diversity among the different communication channels used along a route. This link-state routing approach may allow better paths to be found.

Abstract: A wireless mesh network router comprises at least one transceiver to receive a packet over a wireless communication channel and path selection circuitry. The packet identifies a source node and a destination node in a multichannel mesh network. The path selection circuitry combines a channel-metric matrix associated with the packet's source node and a channel-metric matrix associated with the packet's destination node to determine a bottleneck channel for the source-destination pair. The next-hop node and associated transmission channel may be selected from the destination node matrix based on the bottleneck channel.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus for providing a transparent data-link bridge associated with a wireless mesh network are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatus for identifying a distance-vector route associated with a wireless mesh network are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: A routing architecture comprising at least one or more switches for packet switching and a controller for controlling the switches is proposed. A packet is received by the controller through the switch as if the switch is located in the controller.

Abstract: A network-based system for providing automatic login to a network-connected data source on behalf of a network-connected user accessing the system through a wireless communication appliance is provided. The system comprises, a wireless communication appliance, the appliance having network capability and an interactive user interface, the appliance operated for the purpose of accessing the network-connected data source, a network service-provider for providing access to the network; a network gateway for managing communication between the appliance and network-connected data source, a network-connected server node for performing proxy navigation and automated login services for the network-connected user, a data repository accessible to the network-connected server node, the data repository for holding data about the network-connected user and, a network-connected data source, the data source accessible to the network-connected server node.

Abstract: An improved architecture for a network search engine (NSE) is disclosed herein as including an interface manager, one or more levels of a splitting engine, an array of data processing units (DPUs), and a cascade block. A method for using the improved NSE architecture to form an efficient pointer entry database is also provided. As described herein, the improved NSE architecture simultaneously provides high speed, search throughput, update rate and capacity, coupled with low power and fixed latency searches for all search key widths.

Abstract: A hybrid power system has two voltage sources, a variable DC power source, and a second power source, connected through selection components to a common node. The variable DC power source may be a solar power source and the second source may be an AC grid. The selection components, e.g. blocking diodes, SCRs, or relays, allow one or both of the sources to be connected to the node depending on the voltages produced by the sources. A variable speed drive and load may be connected to the node.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for memory management, in which at least some individual nodes in a hybrid trie are striped across a set of pipelined memories. Memory management is performed for a hybrid trie including both branch-search nodes and leaf-search nodes and maintained in a sequence of pipelined memories. The method provides for insertion and removal of data elements within the hybrid trie and for storing at least some of the nodes in stripes across a sequence of the memories. Memory management is performed for the leaf-search nodes, by selecting stripes from the possible subsequences of those memories, that are suited to pipelined operations performed on the memories. In a preferred embodiment, an invariant condition is maintained for families of those stripes, in which exactly one cell block is labeled “sparse” and that cell block is used in techniques for allocation and de-allocation of entries.

Abstract: In a readily switchable multiple solar panel system, the individual solar panels are interconnected with a control or switching apparatus which allows the solar panels to be readily switched into various series, parallel, or series-parallel configurations. With a relay based switching apparatus, a relay is connected between a pair of solar panels, so that in a first state, the panels are in series where the total voltage is the sum of each individual panel's voltage. When the relay is switched to the second state, each solar panel is in parallel, where the total voltage is a single panel's voltage and the current is multiplied by the number of panels. Multiple panels can be connected in this manner, with a relay between each successive pair of panels. With each relay connected in a parallel arrangement, a simple control switch in series with the relay coils can control the panel switching. The coil of each relay can also be individually controlled.

Abstract: A modularized routing system includes a control element and forwarding elements, all of which are connected via a private network, for example, an Ethernet. The control element computes a routing table for each of the forwarding elements. Based on information in the routing table, a forwarding element decrements a time-to-live counter in the packet header only if the forwarding element is the first one in the routing system encountered by the packet. Accordingly, the forwarding elements preserve the behavior of a single router while using substantially the same routing protocols as the single router.

Abstract: An Internet portal system for accomplishing a multi-component task involving interaction with one or more Internet Web sites includes an Internet-connected server having access to client-related data, an internet-capable client station usable by a client, and software executing on the server for managing individual component tasks in execution of the multi-component task. The software, in response to initiation of a multi-component task specified by the client, defines the component tasks, identifies Internet Web sources for completion of the tasks, manages interaction with the identified Web sites gathering results of the interactions, integrates the gathered results, and communicates final results to the client at the client station. Tasks may be such as trip planning and may include payment for services rendered at Web sites, such as airline reservations, car rentals and the like.

Abstract: An Internet portal system for accomplishing a multi-component task involving interaction with one or more Internet Web sites includes an Internet-connected server having access to client-related data, an internet-capable client station usable by a client, and software executing on the server for managing individual component tasks in execution of the multi-component task. The software, in response to initiation of a multi-component task specified by the client, defines the component tasks, identifies Internet Web sources for completion of the tasks, manages interaction with the identified Web sites gathering results of the interactions, integrates the gathered results, and communicates final results to the client at the client station. Tasks may be such as trip planning and may include payment for services rendered at Web sites, such as airline reservations, car rentals and the like.

Abstract: A gas powered appliance includes housing structure with a fuel inlet port and recess structure for receiving fuel canister structure in communication with the inlet port. Fuel supply conduit structure in the housing structure has an outlet port. Fuel control structure in the housing structure controls flow of fuel from the inlet port through the fuel supply conduit structure to the outlet port. Fuel canister structure is adapted for disposition in the recess structure. The fuel canister structure has a body portion, outlet valve structure on the body portion for coupling to the inlet port when the fuel canister structure is disposed in the recess structure, and check valve structure disposed in the fuel canister body portion in communication with the outlet valve structure for preventing liquid fuel from reaching the flow control structure.

Abstract: A supported photovoltaic array and method in which support elements are in rows spaced from one another and are bi-directionally spanned by members which mount photovoltaic modules that are separated from one another and are secured to the spanning members by cushioned load-spreading attachments positioned in the spaces between adjacent modules.