Abstract: Methods and apparatus to measure market share for voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) carriers is disclosed. An example method includes querying a plurality of VoIP carrier servers to determine the VoIP carrier server that owns the telephone subscriber number and, in response to the querying, receiving a plurality of messages operable to determine whether the telephone subscriber number is found within any one of the plurality of VoIP carrier servers. The example method also includes, when the received plurality of messages is at least one of inconclusive or when the telephone subscriber number is not found within any one of the plurality of VoIP carrier servers, placing a first partial call to the telephone subscriber number from a first VoIP number within a first VoIP carrier network.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to monitor communication paths in communication systems are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes identifying first and second inter-network communication links of a communication system, identifying a first plurality of router pairs associated with the first inter-network communication link, identifying a second plurality of router pairs associated with the second inter-network communication link, partitioning the first plurality of router pairs into a first subset of router pairs and a second subset of router pairs, partitioning the second plurality of router pairs into a third subset of router pairs and a fourth subset of router pairs, during a first time interval, performing first reachability tests for respective ones of the first and third subsets of router pairs, and during a second time interval, performing second reachability tests for respective ones of the second and fourth subsets of router pairs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to implement voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) phones are disclosed. A disclosed example VoIP phone comprises a phone housing, a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) processor located in the phone housing, and a bay defined in the phone housing and dimensioned to receive a user-replaceable network interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for consumer price index determination using panel-based and point-of-sale market research data are disclosed. An example method to determine a consumer price index disclosed herein comprises obtaining panelist market research data determined by monitoring items purchased by a plurality of statistically-selected panelists, obtaining retail site market research data for items sold by a plurality of retail sites, combining the panelist market research data and the retail site market research data to determine weighted equivalent unit pricing information for each group of common items in an item stratum of the consumer price index having substantially similar attributes except for a unit amount, and determining the consumer price index using the weighted equivalent unit pricing information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to deploy fiber optic based access networks are disclosed. An example access network comprises a first fiber optic cable segment to couple an optical access head-end to a first pedestal and to transport user data, a second fiber optic cable segment to couple the first pedestal to a second pedestal and to transport a first portion of the user data to the second pedestal, a drop cable segment to couple the first pedestal to a customer premises and to transport a second portion of the user data to the customer premises, and a switch at the first pedestal to route the first portion of the user data between the first and second fiber optic cable segments and to route the second portion of the user data between the first fiber optic cable segment and the drop cable segment.

Abstract: Effective virtual reality environments including in-store virtual reality environments such as supermarket aisles, store shelves, cooler displays, etc. are generated using frameworks and customer layout information. Marketing materials are integrated with the virtual reality environment while introducing imperfections and/or other cues of realism to create a virtual reality environment representation. Imperfections may include misaligned marketing materials, product label blemishes, packages placed slightly askew, etc. Sensory experiences output to the user via the virtual reality environment representation elicit interactivity with a user and user movements, motions, and responses are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the marketing materials and/or the virtual reality environment representations.

Abstract: A method and a system for allocating restoration capacity in a network link in a communications network provides that a common pool of communication capacity is provisioned in a network link, such that the common pool of communication capacity includes spare capacity for new service and restoration capacity. A pool of pre-allocated communication capacity for future growth of at least one connection in the network link is also provisioned. The pool of pre-allocated communication capacity for future growth is available for restoration capacity, but not for spare capacity for new service. The communications network can be, for example, a private line (PL) network, a SONET-based network, an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)-based network, an Internet Protocol/MultiProtocol Label Switching (IP/MPLS)-based network or a frame relay (FR)-based network.

Abstract: Remotely readable valve position indicators and related methods are described. An example valve position indicator includes a wireless identifier device coupled to a valve stem or shaft to move with the valve stem or shaft. The wireless identifier device is to convey information indicative of the position of the valve stem or shaft to a remote wireless electronic reader. The example valve position indicator also includes a shielding body to prevent the wireless identifier device from conveying the information to the remote wireless electronic reader when the valve stem or shaft is in a first position and to permit the wireless identifier device to convey the information to the remote wireless electronic reader when the valve stem or shaft is in a second position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of the present invention collect data associated with a consumer through generation of a consumer feedback communication via a wide area network. A business to which the consumer feedback communication is directed is identified in response to input from a consumer via the wide area network. Feedback data relating to the business is obtained from the consumer via the wide area network. At least a portion of the consumer feedback communication is automatically generated using the feedback data. Data associated with the consumer is then collected from the obtained feedback data.

Abstract: A boundary interface element for communications networks is disclosed. The boundary interface element is adapted for enabling a network administrator for a first network coupled to a first network interface of the boundary interface element to configure a policy for the first network interface independently of the other administrators of the other interfaces, while restricting access to a second network interface of the boundary interface element. Similarly, the boundary interface element enables a network administrator for a second network coupled to the second network interface of the boundary interface element to configure a policy for the second network interface while restricting access to the first network interface. The network administrator for the first network is permitted to view the policy configured for the second network interface, and the network administrator for the second network is permitted to view the policy configured for the first network interface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that relate to the display of network availability and quality of service (QoS) to a user of a multiple mode communication device are disclosed. An example method, obtains a quality of service QoS metric for a call routed through a first communication provider to a second communication provider, wherein the QoS metric represents a service quality provided by the first communication provider. Further, the representation of the QoS metric for the first communication provider is provided to a user. Additionally, the user can select a mode of communication for a communication device once the QoS metric has been established.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to charge accumulators are described. An example system to charge an accumulator apparatus includes a piston disposed within a housing to define a first chamber adjacent a first side of the piston and a second chamber adjacent a second side of the piston. A fill probe having a body and a passageway between a first end of the fill probe and a second end of the fill probe removably couples to the piston to fluidly couple to the passageway of the fill probe to the second chamber of the housing when the accumulator is in a charging condition. A valve is fluidly coupled to the piston to enable fluid flow to the second chamber of the housing via the piston when the fill probe is coupled to the piston.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring secure digital data on a network are provided. An exemplary network monitoring system may include a network device in communication with a user and a network. Further, a server may be in communication with the network. A browser and monitoring program may be stored on the network device, and the network device may receive secure digital data from the network. The browser may convert the secure digital data or a portion thereof into source data, and the monitoring program may transfer the source data or a portion thereof to the server. In an exemplary embodiment, the monitoring program may include a service component and an interface program.

Abstract: A system modifies video by embedding portions of media, such as subsets of image pixels, in video frames. When the video is played at normal speed, the media is not discernible. However, when the video is played at an accelerated rate in the forward or reverse direction, the portions of images embedded in video frames coalesce into discernible media. The embedded media may be simple text, images, video, audio, or other media. The system may also evaluate base videos as well as insertion media using neuro-response measurements to determine how and what type of media to embed. The media may be embedded in real-time or near real-time into video for delivery to a user for playback on devices such as digital video recorders, computer systems, software and hardware players, cable boxes, etc.

Abstract: One preferred embodiment of the present invention provides systems and methods for analyzing the delivery performance of newsgroup services. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment, among others, includes a newsgroup evaluation system configured to determine a delivery rate for a newsgroup server. In other embodiments, methods and systems are provided for analyzing completion and retention for newsgroup services.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide messages to television users are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a request for a voicemail message from the television user, determining a voicemail mailbox associated with the television user, and sending at least one of a list of one or more voicemail messages or a voicemail message to a display device associated with the television user.

Abstract: A handheld wireless communication device includes features to send and receive text messages. The handheld wireless communication device is further equipped with a microprocessor configured to run software programs on the device such as text message management program. The text message management program displays a listing of a plurality of received text messages on a display screen and color differentiates at least a portion of the display-listed plurality of received text messages based upon a characteristic common to each received text message. The characteristic common to each display-listed received text message may be a host name that is included in an identification code for the respective text message's sender.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is an apparatus for explanting a dental implant from a human or animal bone. In one example, the invention may use a trephine bur on the end side of which there is formed a bur bit. In one or more examples, an apparatus by which dental implants can be drilled out accurately is achieved by a guide pin that can be attached to the dental implant and by a guide element attached to the trephine bur, said guide element cooperating with the guide pin so that the trephine bur is guided in the axial direction of the guide pin.

Abstract: A propeller assembly includes a rotatable hub having a center metal hub portion and an outer composite hub portion. A set of composite propeller blades are mounted for pitch control rotation on the hub by a set of dry bearings.

Abstract: A cooperative electronic media measurement system is disclosed that measures the electronic media usage of one or more individuals by a media research entity. The media research entity defines at least one specialized task useful to the media research entity. The at least one specialized task is performed by a media handler provided by another entity and concerns a handling of electronic media by the media handler. The individual is tracked with at least one software agent of the media research entity. At least one software agent obtains a product of the specialized task performed by the media handler via at least one defined interface that provides interoperability between the media handler and the at least one software agent. Cooperative media handlers automatically obtain information from, or otherwise obtain information about, presented media objects including identification tags, if present, and other information, for collection by the research data collection agents.