Abstract: A proxy apparatus and method for streaming media information via at least one network and for building-up a good quality version of the media information. When a user device communicates with the proxy apparatus using a particular bandwidth and requests that media information be provided from a media server, the proxy apparatus first determines if a version of the media information encoded for the user device's connection bandwidth has been stored in the proxy apparatus. If a version of the media information encoded for the user device's bandwidth is not available from the proxy apparatus, the proxy apparatus sends a request to a media server for the media information. Once the media server receives the request, the media server begins to stream a copy of the media information encoded for the user device's bandwidth to the user device via the network and proxy device.

Abstract: In an IP network, tabulating the number of data packets received from and/or sent to a particular IP address over time can provide a mechanism by which it is possible to determine or predict overloading of a node or nodes in an IP data network. By selectively deleting data packets received from a suspect source address or inhibiting the transmission of data packets to a suspect destination address, network management and control can be readily accomplished.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments provide a method comprising: in a network at a node located on a label switched path: selecting a backup path to respond to a failure; and for each link along the backup path, reserving a backup bandwidth, wherein the backup bandwidth is sufficient to reroute traffic around the failure.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments provide a method for providing multiple access to a communication channel, the method comprising: sending a reservation request of a first type into a first selected minislot of a selected frame of an uplink channel when information of a first type is to be sent, the uplink channel having a plurality of frames, each frame having a first selectable number of minislots and a second selectable number of slots, the reservation request of the first type requesting an assignment of at least one slot for transmitting information of the first type in at least one frame that is subsequent to the selected frame.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments provide a method, comprising: for each of a plurality of subscribed services associated with a subscriber endpoint in a communications network, for a connection associated with the subscribed service: determining a current QOS metric; and utilizing the current QOS metric and historical QOS metrics for the subscribed service, adjusting a QOS-affecting variable to change a future QOS metric.

Abstract: A computer-assisted method for evaluating a cluster assignment for an observation is disclosed. The disclosed method includes, for each of a plurality of observations, obtaining a data set containing no more than one proxy value for each of a plurality of variables, each variable having a plurality of possible values, the data set also containing a cluster assignment for the observation, the cluster assignment identifying one cluster from a plurality of clusters. The disclosed method also includes, for each observation from the plurality of observations, calculating a percent of proxy values for the plurality of variables that equals a mode of that observation's corresponding cluster's proxy values for the corresponding variables, and outputting the percent for each observation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing financial functions by an agent for each of a plurality of clients. One embodiment includes, relating to a financial function of each client, demonstrating that more than one activity of the agent can be transparent to the client, receiving financial information at the agent, creating risk management information relating to the financial information, analyzing the risk management information in the context of the financial information, determining an action based on the analysis, facilitating implementation of an action on behalf of the client, and communicating with the client one or more activities of the agent.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments provide a method for converting data packets based upon IPv4 protocol into data packets based upon IPv6 protocol, said method comprising converting any data packet based upon the IPv4 protocol into a data packet based upon the IPv6 protocol before transmitting it to an IP switched network using information provided by an external server, and converting any data packet based upon the IPv6 protocol provided by said IP switched network into a data packet based upon the IPv4 protocol before transmitting it to a first or second workstation.

Abstract: A premises, connected to receive broadband service(s) and also connected to a cable system, is provided with a broadband interface which connects to in-premises cabling which is coupled to consumer receivers such as a television sets, PDAs, laptops. Connected to the broadband interface is an adjunct device which channels broadband, data and voice signals supplied to an in-premises wireless system as distinguished from the signals supplied to the cable connected consumer receivers. The adjunct device formats the broadband and voice signals or any broadband service into packet format suitable for signal radiation and couples them to the in-premises coax cabling, via a diplexer, at a first selected location. At a second cable location a second diplexer, connected to the cable, separates the broadband, data and voice signals and couples them to a signal radiation device (i.e., an RF antenna or leaky coaxial cable) which radiates the signal to the immediate surrounding location.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for collecting usage information in real-time for a computing device receiving digital content for presentation, such as to enable various types of real-time content modifications or content-related service enhancement. In some situations, real-time information is collected about Set-Top boxes that allow viewers to receive various types of content (e.g., video broadcasts such as single-channel or multi-channel television programming, audio broadcasts, media-on-demand, etc.) and to interact with the content and with related services in various ways, such as information about content viewing and types of viewer interactions. Having access to information related to content viewing and to various types of user interaction provides a variety of benefits, with real-time or near real-time collection of such information enabling dynamic modifications to provided content, functionality, and services.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a system, which can comprise an imaging plate. The imaging plate can be exposable by an x-ray source. The imaging plate can be configured to be used in digital radiographic imaging. The imaging plate can comprise a phosphor-based image storage device configured to convert an image stored therein into light.

Abstract: An in-band signaling method that enables secure updates of a care-of-IP address for a mobile host that roams between access networks. In the illustrative embodiment described herein, a mobile host includes an intelligent interface that handles IP networking functions and tunnels IP packets between the mobile host and the mobile host's home agent/remote access server (HA/RAS) transparently, as if the mobile host established a connection to a communicating or destination host (DST) from the home network (where the HA/RAS resides). In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided an in-band signaling method that employs encrypted three-way handshake signaling messages that are embedded in encapsulated IP packets to enable care-of IP address updates. This method can effectively protect mobile hosts from denial-of-service attacks and is transparent to NAT/NAPT firewalls.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for assuring H.323 alias address portability to an H.323 user in real-time H.323 multimedia communications where the H.323 user is registered with a home gatekeeper for the home zone of the H.323 user. Alias address portability may be obtained using a central database that is known to the administrative zones and is used for alias address mapping, or alternatively, may be obtained by using a distributed database. The method may be implemented by: sending, by the H.323 user, a message with a called H.323 entity's alias address, to the home gatekeeper to originate a call to the called H.323 entity; confirming that the alias address, services, and service providers are portable; converting the alias address to a called routable alias address for the called H.323 entity and sending the alias address to the H.323 user; and placing the call to the called H.323 entity.

Abstract: A network interworking facility (24) advantageously interworks Ethernet and ATM networks (22,26) having different protocols to permit the data from in one network to pass to the other and vice versa without the need for the source in to account for the protocol of the destination. Upon receipt of an information frame from the source, the Interworking facility forms a second frame of a format compatible with the destination network and including the information payload from the first frame. The interworking facility also maps the destination address incorporated in the origin frame to a corresponding destination address of a format compatible with the destination network to facilitate forwarding of the second frame to the destination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for assuring H.323 alias address portability to an H.323 user in real-time H.323 multimedia communications where the H.323 user is registered with a home gatekeeper for the home zone of the H.323 user. Alias address portability may be obtained using a central database that is known to the administrative zones and is used for alias address mapping, or alternatively, may be obtained by using a distributed database. The method may be implemented by: sending, by the H.323 user, a message with a called H.323 entity's alias address, to the home gatekeeper to originate a call to the called H.323 entity; confirming that the alias address, services, and service providers are portable; converting the alias address to a called routable alias address for the called H.323 entity and sending the alias address to the H.323 user; and placing the call to the called H.323 entity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for assuring H.323 alias address portability to an H.323 user in real-time H.323 multimedia communications where the H.323 user is registered with a home gatekeeper for the home zone of the H.323 user. Alias address portability may be obtained using a central database that is known to the administrative zones and is used for alias address mapping, or alternatively, may be obtained by using a distributed database. The method may be implemented by: sending, by the H.323 user, a message with a called H.323 entity's alias address, to the home gatekeeper to originate a call to the called H.323 entity; confirming that the alias address, services, and service providers are portable; converting the alias address to a called routable alias address for the called H.323 entity and sending the alias address to the H.323 user; and placing the call to the called H.323 entity.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus is disclosed for synchronously delivering complementary data to two devices. Complementary data is used herein to designate at least two streams of related data that, when combined, form an organic whole. In one embodiment of the disclosed invention, a command is received through a network for the synchronous transmission of complementary data. Subsequently, first data is transmitted through the network to a first device synchronized with transmission of second data to a second device, wherein the first and second data are complementary data. In one embodiment of the invention, a mobile and/or hand-held device such as a PDA is used to control another device remotely through one or more networks, such that complementary, synchronous streams of data that are intended for observation in combination by users and/or entities, can be transmitted to each of the PDA and the device.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for providing access in a centralized manner to a communications medium that is suitable for allowing use of a plurality of Home Phoneline Network Association (HPNA) v2 frames, and such that each HPNA v2 frame is timed to allow a plurality of physical layer priority level slots. A list of sessions in enhanced stations (STAs) using the communications medium is maintained. At least one second message is transmitted from at least one selected non-MC STA in response to a first message during the same HPNA v2 frame. Accordingly, at least one second message can be transmitted to the MC STA and/or to another non-MC STA. At least a portion of the second message simultaneously with the step of transmitting the first message. Similarly, a portion of at least two second messages are transmitted simultaneously with each other.

Abstract: A method and a system provide access to a communications medium that is suitable for allowing use of a plurality of Home Phoneline Network Association (HPNA) v2 frames in a centralized manner. Each HPNA v2 frame is timed to allow an Inter-Frame Gap (IFG) portion having a duration that is substantially a duration defined by an HPNA v2 protocol specification for an IFG portion of an HPNA v2 frame. A plurality of frames are generated in the communications medium with at least one frame of the plurality of frames having timing to allow a Shortened Inter-Frame Gap (SIFG) portion and a contention-free portion. The SIFG portion is less than about 17 ?sec in duration. Access to the communications medium is then provided for at least one station (STA) during the contention-free portion of a frame having timing to allow the SIFG portion.

Abstract: A method for estimating restoration capacity for a communication network includes a specified number of restoration paths, which can be maximally diverse from each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides curable gel compositions and also cured gel compositions which possess unexpectedly superior combinations of physical properties and aging resistance. These compositions are particularly useful for environmentally protecting substrates especially electrical conductors, connectors and splices and for sealing around jacketed cables, for example, where they enter splice cases.