Abstract: An inflatable device that floats on water has an inflatable body that has a hollow interior, a speaker unit removably secured to the body, a battery box removably secured to the body, and wiring that electrically connects the speaker unit with the battery box. The wiring is housed inside a tube that extends inside the hollow interior of the body and exits the body at least one exit location, the wiring including a first electrical connector that is removably coupled to the speaker unit, and a second electrical connector that is removably coupled to the battery box.

Abstract: Peer-to-peer redundant file server system and methods include clients that determine a target storage provider to contact for a particular storage transaction based on a pathname provided by the filesystem and a predetermined scheme such as a hash function applied to a portion of the pathname. Servers use the same scheme to determine where to store relevant file information so that the clients can locate the file information. The target storage provider may store the file itself and/or may store metadata that identifies one or more other storage providers where the file is stored. A file may be replicated in multiple storage providers, and the metadata may include a list of storage providers from which the clients can select (e.g., randomly) in order to access the file.

Abstract: A slider has a board that has a bottom surface, a top surface, a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges. A single recessed longitudinal channel is provided in the bottom surface and extends continuously from the front edge to the rear edge in a manner that divides the bottom surface into two separate longitudinal sections on either side of the channel.

Abstract: Peer-to-peer redundant file server system and methods include clients that determine a target storage provider to contact for a particular storage transaction based on a pathname provided by the filesystem and a predetermined scheme such as a hash function applied to a portion of the pathname. Servers use the same scheme to determine where to store relevant file information so that the clients can locate the file information. The target storage provider may store the file itself and/or may store metadata that identifies one or more other storage providers where the file is stored. A file may be replicated in multiple storage providers, and the metadata may include a list of storage providers from which the clients can select (e.g., randomly) in order to access the file.

Abstract: Peer-to-peer redundant file server system and methods include clients that determine a target storage provider to contact for a particular storage transaction based on a pathname provided by the filesystem and a predetermined scheme such as a hash function applied to a portion of the pathname. Servers use the same scheme to determine where to store relevant file information so that the clients can locate the file information. The target storage provider may store the file itself and /or may store metadata that identifies one or more other storage providers where the file is stored. A file may be replicated in multiple storage providers, and the metadata may include a list of storage providers from which the clients can select (e.g., randomly) in order to access the file.

Abstract: Peer-to-peer redundant file server system and methods include clients that determine a target storage provider to contact for a particular storage transaction based on a pathname provided by the filesystem and a predetermined scheme such as a hash function applied to a portion of the pathname. Servers use the same scheme to determine where to store relevant file information so that the clients can locate the file information. The target storage provider may store the file itself and/or may store metadata that identifies one or more other storage providers where the file is stored. A file may be replicated in multiple storage providers, and the metadata may include a list of storage providers from which the clients can select (e.g., randomly) in order to access the file.

Abstract: Peer-to-peer redundant file server system and methods include clients that determine a target storage provider to contact for a particular storage transaction based on a pathname provided by the filesystem and a predetermined scheme such as a hash function applied to a portion of the pathname. Servers use the same scheme to determine where to store relevant file information so that the clients can locate the file information. The target storage provider may store the file itself and/or may store metadata that identifies one or more other storage providers where the file is stored. A file may be replicated in multiple storage providers, and the metadata may include a list of storage providers from which the clients can select (e.g., randomly) in order to access the file.

Abstract: Peer-to-peer redundant file server system and methods include clients that determine a target storage provider to contact for a particular storage transaction based on a pathname provided by the filesystem and a predetermined scheme such as a hash function applied to a portion of the pathname. Servers use the same scheme to determine where to store relevant file information so that the clients can locate the file information. The target storage provider may store the file itself and/or may store metadata that identifies one or more other storage providers where the file is stored. A file may be replicated in multiple storage providers, and the metadata may include a list of storage providers from which the clients can select (e.g., randomly) in order to access the file.

Abstract: Peer-to-peer redundant file server system and methods include clients that determine a target storage provider to contact for a particular storage transaction based on a pathname provided by the filesystem and a predetermined scheme such as a hash function applied to a portion of the pathname. Servers use the same scheme to determine where to store relevant file information so that the clients can locate the file information. The target storage provider may store the file itself and/or may store metadata that identifies one or more other storage providers where the file is stored. A file may be replicated in multiple storage providers, and the metadata may include a list of storage providers from which the clients can select (e.g., randomly) in order to access the file.

Abstract: An inventive system and method for group communication among devices in M2M networks comprises associating one or more of the devices with a gateway having a unique identifier, initiating registration of the devices at an M2M network using the unique identifier of the gateway, providing from the network a temporary identifier to the gateway and associating, in the network, the temporary identifier with the gateway, attaching the devices to the network using the temporary identifier, and communicating information between the network and the device through the gateway. In one aspect, the devices can be classified into sub-groups and each sub-group has a sub-group head that can be attached to the gateway so that the devices can communicate with the network through the sub-group head instead of the gateway. Each sub-group can be associated with a unique temporary identifier, in addition to the temporary identifier associated with the gateway.

Abstract: Peer-to-peer redundant file server system and methods include clients that determine a target storage provider to contact for a particular storage transaction based on a pathname provided by the filesystem and a predetermined scheme such as a hash function applied to a portion of the pathname. Servers use the same scheme to determine where to store relevant file information so that the clients can locate the file information. The target storage provider may store the file itself and/or may store metadata that identifies one or more other storage providers where the file is stored. A file may be replicated in multiple storage providers, and the metadata may include a list of storage providers from which the clients can select (e.g., randomly) in order to access the file.

Abstract: A process for automated via doubling in a layout of a semiconductor device, comprising: selecting at least one cell of the layout for via doubling, wherein the at least one cell comprises at least two metal layers; selecting at least two metal layers of the at least one cell for via doubling; selecting metal/metal intersection areas out of the at least two metal layers, wherein a metal/metal intersection comprises an existing via interconnecting a plurality of metal layers; and dimensionally fitting additional vias into the selected metal/metal intersection areas, wherein the additional vias are placed into the layout.

Abstract: An overlay service network and method for delivering a multimedia service. The overlay service network comprises a user interface for subscribers to request an available service as a requested service, a register server for registering and storing a database of available services, a plurality of service nodes for executing at least one available service and a controller for receiving a request for an available service, searching the register server for the requested service, selecting one or more of the plurality of service nodes to execute the requested service and establishing a chaining sequence between a node requesting the service, the one or more selected execution nodes and a destination node to execute the requested service.

Abstract: A virtualized telecom system and a method for managing service continuity and mobility in a virtualized telecom system. The system comprises a plurality of execution nodes each configured to execute a network function by registering; and a manager node for registering each of the plurality of execution nodes, assigning a node identifier (Node ID) to each of the plurality of execution nodes, periodically polling each of the plurality of execution nodes for a status, and issuing control instructions to each of the plurality of execution nodes based upon the status of a respective execution node. Each of the plurality of execution node responds to the polling by transmitting its status to the manager node. The status includes runtime information and pre-configuration information.

Abstract: A snow sled is provided for use on snow. The sled has a seating portion having a lower portion that is configured to slide on snow, and an upper portion that has a membrane for supporting a person, the seating portion including a frame that defines the upper and lower portions. The sled also includes a steering portion formed separately from the seating portion and having a ski support, a single front ski, and an arm having opposing ends that are pivotably coupled to the ski support and the front ski. The sled further includes a steering mechanism pivotably coupling the seating portion and the ski support of the steering portion. The pivotable couplings between the arm and the ski support and the front ski, together with the pivotable couplings between the steering mechanism and the seating portion and the ski support, are configured to allow for the front ski to be folded and stored under the seating portion. A braking member can also be provided at each end of the opposing ends of the ski support.

Abstract: A process for automated via doubling in a layout of a semiconductor device, comprising: selecting at least one cell of the layout for via doubling, wherein the at least one cell comprises at least two metal layers; selecting at least two metal layers of the at least one cell for via doubling; selecting metal/metal intersection areas out of the at least two metal layers, wherein a metal/metal intersection comprises an existing via interconnecting a plurality of metal layers; and dimensionally fitting additional vias into the selected metal/metal intersection areas, wherein the additional vias are placed into the layout.

Abstract: A mechanism by which handoff delay can be minimized while not compromising the IMS/MMD security and also protecting the media if required by certain applications is presented. One proactive method includes proactive authentication. Another proactive method includes proactive security association, such as transferring SA keys from old proxy to new proxy, or transferring keys through serving signal entities. Reactive methods include transferring SA keys from old proxy to new proxy, using either push or pull technology. Other reactive methods include transferring keys through serving signal entities using either push or pull technology.

Abstract: A method and system for setting up and maintaining an IMS session. The method comprising transmitting an invite message from a registered user equipment, forwarding the invite message to a selected SIP proxy (P-CSCF), forwarding the invite message to a specified SIP server (S-CSCF) and relaying said invite message to a destination. The invite message contains a header and a payload. The header includes an identifier for the load balancing node. The load balancing node is assigned to the user equipment. There are at least two load balancing node, a primary and a secondary load balancing node. The identifier for the load balancing node does not change even if there is a failure of one of a primary load balancing node, the P-CSCFs or S-CSCFs. During registration, the routing information for the load balancing node is added into both via and record-route headers in a SIP registration request.

Abstract: A mechanism by which handoff delay can be minimized while not compromising the IMS/MMD security and also protecting the media if required by certain applications is presented. One proactive method includes proactive authentication. Another proactive method includes proactive security association, such as transferring SA keys from old proxy to new proxy, or transferring keys through serving signal entities. Reactive methods include transferring SA keys from old proxy to new proxy, using either push or pull technology. Other reactive methods include transferring keys through serving signal entities using either push or pull technology.