Abstract: Disclosed is a signal conductor formed as a metal oxide varistor (MOV), the MOV having a first MOV and a second MOV separated by an insulator. In some embodiments, the disclosed signal conductor may be used in a system communicably coupled to a power transmission distribution network, the system capable of launching transverse electromagnetic waves onto a transmission line, where the electromagnetic waves propagating a data signal conveyed to the system by the MOV.

Abstract: Methods and systems capable of launching signal-carrying transverse electromagnetic waves onto a transmission line in the higher voltage region of the transmission distribution network. Such methods and systems may include a surface wave launcher located in the higher voltage region, a network unit located in a lower voltage region, and an arrester separating the surface wave launcher and the network unit, the arrester preventing voltage from arcing over from the higher voltage region to the lower voltage region where the arrester provides the signal to the surface wave launcher.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device communicably coupled to a power transmission line and capable of launching transverse electromagnetic waves onto the transmission line. The waves propagate data received from a data source connected to the device through a center conductor surrounded by a shield conductor. The device may include a reflector and a coupler adjacent to each other, the reflector electrically connected to the shield conductor and the coupler electrically connected to the center conductor at an unshielded connection point, wherein time-varying E-fields between the reflector and coupler are caused by the data received from the data source, and induce a transverse magnetic wave that propagates longitudinally along the surface of the transmission line.

Abstract: Disclosed are one or more preferred geometric configurations for a device communicably coupled to a power transmission line and capable of launching transverse electromagnetic waves onto the transmission line. The waves propagate data received from a data source and may include a reflector and a coupler adjacent to each other through a transverse magnetic wave that propagates longitudinally along the surface of the transmission line.

Abstract: Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) tethered wing recovery is disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a detachable portion of a wing that is couplable to a fixed portion of the wing, a lock configured to fasten the detachable portion to the fixed portion, where the lock is to disengage the detachable portion from the fixed portion upon contact of the wing with a recovery device, and a tether configured to extend between the detachable and fixed portions.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a location via a called telephony communication device is disclosed. The method at the called telephony communication device includes receiving a request from a calling telephony communication device. Further, the method includes determining whether the received request is for monitoring the location. The method further includes automatically transmitting audio/video data captured via the called telephony communication device to the calling telephony communication device when the received request is determined to be one for monitoring the location.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a location via a called telephony communication device is disclosed. The method at the called telephony communication device includes receiving a request from a calling telephony communication device. Further, the method includes determining whether the received request is for monitoring the location. The method further includes automatically transmitting audio/video data captured via the called telephony communication device to the calling telephony communication device when the received request is determined to be one for monitoring the location.

Abstract: An aircraft has a fuselage, a wing assembly coupleable to the fuselage, and an empennage including a pair of tail booms configured to be removably coupled to the wing assembly. The wing assembly includes a pair of boom interfaces located on laterally opposite sides of the fuselage. Each tail boom has a boom forward end configured to be mechanically attached to one of the boom interfaces using an externally-accessible mechanical fastener.

Abstract: Aerial launch and/or recovery for unmanned aircraft, and associated systems and methods. A representative system includes a first, carrier aircraft having an airframe a propulsion system carried by the airframe and positioned to support the carrier aircraft in hover, and a capture line carried by the carrier aircraft and deployable to hang from the carrier aircraft. The capture line is sized to releasably engage with a capture device of a second, carried aircraft. The system further includes a retrieval device positioned to support the carried aircraft for detachment from the capture line.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a location via a called telephony communication device is disclosed. The method at the called telephony communication device includes receiving a request from a calling telephony communication device. Further, the method includes determining whether the received request is for monitoring the location. The method further includes automatically transmitting audio/video data captured via the called telephony communication device to the calling telephony communication device when the received request is determined to be one for monitoring the location.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a location via a called telephony communication device is disclosed. The method at the called telephony communication device includes receiving a request from a calling telephony communication device. Further, the method includes determining whether the received request is for monitoring the location. The method further includes automatically transmitting audio/video data captured via the called telephony communication device to the calling telephony communication device when the received request is determined to be one for monitoring the location.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a mechanism is used to enable interactive functions via network generated overlays. This invention enables network operators to launch interactive functionality without requiring changes to existing equipment that exists in the field on the client end.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a location via a called telephony communication device is disclosed. The method at the called telephony communication device includes receiving a request from a calling telephony communication device. Further, the method includes determining whether the received request is for monitoring the location. The method further includes automatically transmitting audio/video data captured via the called telephony communication device to the calling telephony communication device when the received request is determined to be one for monitoring the location.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a location via a called telephony communication device is disclosed. The method at the called telephony communication device includes receiving (304) a request from a calling telephony communication device. Further, the method includes determining (306) whether the received request is for monitoring the location. The method further includes automatically transmitting (308) audio/video data captured via the called telephony communication device to the calling telephony communication device when the received request is determined to be one for monitoring the location.

Abstract: A wireless networking system and method for wireless network configuration of dual mode wireless networking devices, such as a dual mode cordless telephone base station and one or more dual mode wireless network client devices. The dual mode wireless networking device includes a radio transceiver, a wireless network transceiver and a controller coupled therebetween. The dual mode devices wirelessly exchange network configuration data, via their respective radio transceivers, in response to the initiation of a wireless pairing between the devices by an end user. Within each device, the received network configuration data is transferred from the radio transceiver to the wireless network transceiver. The devices then establish a wireless networking communication or networking link, via their wireless network transceivers, based on the network configuration data exchanged therebetween.

Abstract: An inventive Network Address Translation (“NAT”) device and method for automatic port forwarding whenever said NAT device detects that only one Local Area Network (“LAN”) IP address has been leased by its DHCP server is disclosed. Under this condition, the inventive NAT device automatically configures all ports to be forwarded (except those that may be reserved for applications running in the inventive NAT device), to the single leased LAN IP address. This minimizes, if not eliminates, the conventional address configuration required when a NAT device is added to an existing network.

Abstract: A method for maximizing revenue in a video-on-demand (VOD) system operated by a service provider is disclosed. For a plurality of VOD content items, an expected revenue value to the service provider for each content item is calculated, based on an estimated value of revenue for the content item, weighted by an estimated probability that a subscriber will select the content item for viewing. The one or more highest ranked content items of the plurality of VOD content items is selected, rank being determined such that content items having higher expected revenue values are ranked higher than content items having lower expected revenue values. Identifying information about the one or more highest ranked content items is delivered to a set-top device associated with the subscriber, for presentation to the subscriber on a menu from which the one or more highest ranked content items can be selected for viewing.

Abstract: A method for maximizing revenue in a video-on-demand (VOD) system operated by a service provider is disclosed. For a plurality of VOD content items, an expected revenue value to the service provider for each content item is calculated, based on an estimated value of revenue for the content item, weighted by an estimated probability that a subscriber will select the content item for viewing. The one or more highest ranked content items of the plurality of VOD content items is selected, rank being determined such that content items having higher expected revenue values are ranked higher than content items having lower expected revenue values. Identifying information about the one or more highest ranked content items is delivered to a set-top device associated with the subscriber, for presentation to the subscriber on a menu from which the one or more highest ranked content items can be selected for viewing.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a mechanism is used to enable interactive functions via network generated overlays. This invention enables network operators to launch interactive functionality without requiring changes to existing equipment that exists in the field on the client end.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing defect data indicative of defects in a product is described. In one example, each of the defects is assigned one of a plurality of severity levels and one of a plurality of impact levels. The defects are classified into categories based on combinations of severity level and impact level. A graphic representative of a topographical relation among numbers of defects in the categories is generated. The graphic is displayed on a graphical user interface (GUI).